1 SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE – Reese Center HIST 1302.204, SPRING 2012 MW 8:30-9:45, RC312 Instructor: Corye Beene, A.B.D. Email: [email protected] Office Hours: MW 1:00-2:00pm (Levelland: AD 152) F 10:00-11:00am (Levelland: AD 152) MW 5:00-5:30pm (Reese – Faculty Lounge) T/R 1:00-2:00 (TTU HH036) Office: Levelland: AD 152 Phone: 806-716-2958 Required Books: Davidson, Delay, et al. The Ideal Reader. McGraw Hill Create Books. ISBN: 978-1-121-34450-1 Course Description and Purpose: This course is a chronological treatment of the history of the United States from 1876 to present day. It will not only highlight the major events, but also focus on the important political, social, economic and cultural structures of this timeframe. Materials used will include lectures, textbook, outside readings and audiovisuals. The purpose of this class is to provide students a general synopsis of the events, people and issues that have influenced the United States from 1876 to the present day. Expected Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe the major events and people of the period. Methods for assessing this expected learning outcome: Exams 1-4, Class Discussion, Homework Assignments, Final Project. 2. Identify the social, political, economic and cultural structures that have impacted the period. Methods for assessing this expected learning outcome: Exams 1-4, Class Discussion, Homework Assignments, Final Project. 3. Determine how historical events of this time period have influenced the United States today. Methods for assessing this expected learning outcome: Exams 1-4, Class Discussion, Homework Assignments, Final Project. 4. Assess the major themes of governmental and political thought. Methods for assessing this expected learning outcome: Exams 1-4, Class Discussion, Homework Assignments, Final Project. 5. Understand how the behaviors and interactions among groups developed throughout this period. Methods for assessing this expected learning outcome: Exams 1-4, Class Discussion, Homework Assignments, Final Project.2 6. Explain how interactions among individuals and institutions affect historical events of the time period. Methods for assessing this expected learning outcome: Exams 1-4, Class Discussion, Homework Assignments, Final Project. GRADING: Exam 1: 10% Exam 2: 20% Exam 3: 20% Final Exam: 20% Blackboard Assignments: 20% Final Project: 10% Coursework: 1. Four regular exams will be given. The four exams will consist of: *25 multiple choice questions worth 2 points each (50%) * 1 essay (20%) * 10 fill-in-the-blank questions worth 2 points each (20%) * Two short answer questions worth 5 points each (10%) The exams will consist of material entirely from lecture notes. If you miss a class, make sure and get the notes from a classmate. I will provide scantrons for the multiple choice portion of the exam. The Final Exam is NOT comprehensive. 2. Blackboard Assignments will be given using the textbook and some outside reading. Each assignment will be graded online. Each assignment will be worth 25 points. Go to the SPC Blackboard site to find each assignment. Assignments due dates are listed Below. Late assignments will not be accepted. 3. Attendance will be taken every class period. Students will be allowed to miss four classes without penalty. When a student misses the 5th class, I will do an administrative drop for that student per the College’s attendance policy. This policy applies to missing class FOR ANY REASON (which includes sickness). 4. A Final Project will be due Wednesday April 18. It will be submitted via Blackboard. The Final Project will be a PowerPoint presentation. Pick a person discussed in the textbook. Make a slide with 4 bullet points on each slide discussing this person, which answers each of the following questions (one question per slide): 1. What did he/she do that was memorable? 2. Why did he/she do that? Her purpose? What did he want to accomplish? 3. Why is this person important to the study of American History? 4. How has society today been impacted, positively or negatively, by what this person did? 5. Finally, write a one page summary of this person’s accomplishments and historical significance. Use your textbook and two other academic sources (books, journal articles). JSTOR is a good database to use. Use websites, links, YouTube, Flickr and other online sources to enhance your presentation. Add four online sources that discuss or refer to the impact your person had on American History. Make sure you cite all sources used in a Bibliography page. Make the3 project as visual and technologically savvy as you want! Use clipart, music, or whatever! Plagiarism is a serious offense. It will not only result in a 0 for this assignment, but could result in expulsion from the College. Make sure and cite your sources in a Bibliography page, including the use of footnotes. Grading on Final Project: One page summary: 20 points Relevance/Impact this person has today: 20 points 4 slides with 4 bullet points: 20 points Bibliography: 20 points Originality/Visual Appeal: 20 points Important Stuff: * ALL MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE ESSAY ONLY. Make-ups will be given at a time convenient to the student and myself. A makeup exam will consist of four essay questions. Each student can only makeup one exam. IT IS UP TO YOU TO MAKEUP YOUR EXAMS. I EXPECT FOR YOU TO BE PROACTIVE AND CONTACT ME ABOUT MAKEUPS. IT IS NOT MY JOB TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU ARE MISSING A GRADE. According to Texas House Bill 256, students will be excused from attending classes or other activities, including exams, for the observance of a religious holy day. This includes necessary time for travel. It is SPC policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the college. Please contact me as soon as possible to make any necessary accommodations. Please turn your cell phones off or on “vibrate” mode before you enter my classroom. Please do not text in my class either. I value what each of you has to say so please be respectful of the