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Syllabus
American History Since 1898
Eastern Maine Community College
HIS 101
Fall 2007
Tuesdays and Thursdays
424
Penobscot Hall
Instructor: Helen York
Office: Learning Center, Second Floor, Maine
Office Hours: Tuesdays
and Thursdays 11:00 AM to Noon or by appointment.
Reaching Me: Home Phone: 667-7463. Message phone 862-5388. Feel free
to call me at home anytime before midnight, but I may not answer. I am most easily reached by email at heyork@hotmail.com
or helen.york@umit.maine.edu. Email connectivity is required for this course! PLEASE get familiar with StudentOne and email!
About
the course:
The formal description: This course explores the history of the United States from 1898 to the present,
covering political, social and economic development.
The insider description: Here’s what the course really covers.
It is not about specific dates, names of battles or treaties. While some general time periods are important to know, the main
theme of the course is learning to think critically about what we think we know about history. You may have been taught that
history is a series of FACTS about what happened in the past. If we consider history as the whole story of what happened in
the time before the present, we have to remember that the past is made up of a HUGE number of events and an even HUGER number
of personal viewpoints of each of those events. Even when people agree that a certain event took place, there can be a number
of different angles from which to look at that event.
Take a specific battle for example: There can be general agreement
about when and where it happened. But soldiers on different sides of the battle will have different attitudes about it. It
was either a triumphant victory or an agonizing defeat. Even soldiers on the same side will have different stories to tell
depending on their own personal experiences on the day of the battle. When we begin to look behind the actual events for the
reasons the battle took place, the story becomes even more complicated. It’s almost impossible to take in all the different
viewpoints and interpretations of a historical event. There’s just too much of it.
All history is therefore an edited
interpretation of what happened. We agree to accept a general version of past events. But in doing this we also end up accepting
the bias, or slanted viewpoint, of that particular version This class will get you to question anyone who claims to KNOW what
happened in the past, and also get you to understand some of the different perspectives that might slant the story of the
past one way or another. You will learn about the large sweep of events that shaped the twentieth century and brought us
where we are today, but more importantly you will learn the all-important skill of CRITICAL THINKING, which is the ability
to question supposed facts, and the ability to understand and make arguments from all sides of a particular issue.
Class
Format
Classes will typically involve a combination of lectures, discussion sessions, team activities and videos. Class
attendance is mandatory. That means you have to be there unless you have a really good reason not to be! If you absolutely
must miss a class, you MUST let me know, and you must explain the reason for your absence. More than one unexplained absence
will result in having your final grade lowered by a whole letter-grade. I take this seriously, so please contact me if you
cannot be in class.
But why miss a class? I want to make my classes fun. Conversation and interaction is encouraged,
as is informality. I stress thinking, not a lot of formality. Feel free to eat and drink in class, wear what you like. Some
days we may even take the class out to the lawn to take advantage of beautiful autumn weather while we still can!
If
you have to arrive late, or leave early, just make sure you have made arrangements to get any materials or make up any assignments
you miss.
Cell Phones: We love them, and we hate them. I don’t want those of you with cell phones to have to turn
them off entirely, but they are really disrupting sometimes. So…PLEASE turn your phones to the vibrate function and let most
callers leave messages. If there is a family emergency or personal situation which makes it necessary for you to take calls
during class, be prepared to take your conversation out into the hall, so it won’t disturb the rest of us…and PLEASE don’t
abuse this privilege or all cell phone activity will be banned for all students.
Politically correct language, ideas,
and personal conduct: Any idea, word, belief or concept can be discussed and challenged in class. Ideas and thoughts can
and should be constructively criticized, but individuals cannot be attacked. You can say that an idea is illogical or stupid
or obtuse or just plain wrong, although you must be prepared to give reasons why you think so, but you CAN’T say that a classmate
is illogical, stupid, obtuse or wrong. We are going to be hard on rigid ideas but supportive of each other as we learn and
grow intellectually.
Grading:
There will be a number of opportunities for you to get a good grade in this
class. While there will be no final exam, there will be three quizzes throughout the term plus a series of eight mini-quizzes.
Assigned homework will be turned in and graded, and short reviews of the videos we watch in class will also count toward your
grade. Heroes and Villains team activities will also be graded and each student will also be graded on a book report on a
book read for this class.
Here is how the final grades will be calculated:
Quiz average……………………………… 40%
Mini-quiz
average………………………... 10%
Heroes and Villains Average……………... 30%
Book Report……………………………….. 10%
Film Review Average…………………….....
5%
Homework Average……………………….... 5%
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be multiple choice, although there will be an
optional extra-credit essay question at the end of each quiz. You will not be penalized for choosing not to complete the essay,
or for writing something “wrong”. You can, however earn an extra 5 points toward that particular quiz grade. A total of 105
is possible, which can then improve the total quiz average. So your best bet is to do the essay, because it’s a “gimmee.”
Quizzes
must be redone if your score is below 75, and may be redone anytime within a week of the original quiz if you are not happy
with your score and think you can do better. The second “Re-do” quiz will cover the same material as the first, but the questions
will not be identical, and will not be in the same order. Re-Do tests are sometimes harder than the original test and may
include fill in the blank elements, so it is wisest to try to pass the first take with a score of 75 or better.
Mini-quizzes:
These
will be short, VERY general quizzes given after weekly reading assignments. If you have read the material at all, you should
be able to pass these with flying colors. Mini-quizzes CANNOT be redone. So please read the chapters when they are assigned!
Heroes
and Villains
In your course pack is a list of Heroes and Villains for each section of the course. On the days we do H&V,
I will assign to your team a hero or villain from the list. Your team will have approximately 5 minutes to prepare either
a defense or prosecution of a hero or villain on the list. We will then conduct a classroom “trial” of the hero or villain.
As the semester progresses we may do H&V in different ways but the general idea will be the same. The point of H&V is not
for your team to decide whether you agree with the placement of your hero or villain on the list as such. This is to show
that you can defend and explain why that person could be viewed positively or negatively by SOMEONE, even if you personally
disagree. This requires critical thinking, the ability to look at issues from different perspectives, even if you are not
in agreement with those perspectives.
Heroes and Villains Grading
40 points: For accurate details that demonstrate
actions that could be interpreted by a reasonable person as heroic or villainous. Details include documented actions of an
individual or agencies under that individual’s control. Interpretations would be how those actions show sympathy, honesty,
altruism, commitment, greed, selfishness, callous treatment of others, etc.
20 points: For interpreting actions that
demonstrate the influence or philosophy of the U.S. Government as a GOOD GUY or a BAD GUY in interactions involving your hero
or villain.
20 points: For connecting the actions of your hero or villain to Zinn’s theme of the growth of the power
of big business and its influence on government and society, including the marketplace, land and capital, political decision-making
and the lives of the working class.
20 points: for connecting the actions or events involving you hero or villain with
events that followed or which may currently be occurring.
The team H&V grade as above will be evaluated by the instructor.
However 5 bonus points will be awarded to the team that presents the best defense/prosecution as decided by the “jury”- the
rest of the class.
Heroes and Villains presentations cannot be redone.
Book Report:
Each student
will choose a book from a list of books provided by the instructor. The student will read the book and write a book report
from 500 to 1000 words in length. Written book reports are due in to me during class on the second to last class of the term.
On the final day of class, students will deliver short presentations of their book reports and answer any questions the instructors
or other class members may have about their books. Grades on book reports will be weighted as follows:
Written report:
60%
Class presentation: 40%
Book reports must be printed in typed format, and spelling and grammar DO count, so
please check them over before turning them in. Book Reports cannot be redone.
Film Reviews:
From time to time we
will watch videos in class. After watching the video, your H&V team will gather to discuss a series of topics assigned by
the instructor, and will write a short group “review” of the film. Everyone in the team will receive the same grade for the
review, so choose a team member with legible handwriting and good spelling to act as scribe for the group. Film review scores
will be averaged and make up 5% of your final grade. Film reviews cannot be redone.
Homework:
You will be responsible
for reading from the textbook and class packet for each class. In addition from time to time you will be assigned additional
short reading assignments, or other brief tasks to be performed before the next class. These may include internet searches.
Each homework assignment should take less than an hour. Homework will be graded and the average of these grades will make
up 5% of your final grade. Homework assignments can be redone within two weeks of the original assignment.
WHY SO MANY
DIFFERENT THINGS?
We all learn in different ways. Some work best alone, some in groups. Some people like hands on activities,
others learn by memorization. Look at all these different activities as ways to improve your grade. My aim as a teacher is
not to trip you up and make you fail, but to find the best way for you to learn and succeed!
And to help you succeed,
now we are pleased to offer…
Extra Credit!!!!!: Read On!
How to earn Extra Credit:
Oral History
Project: Earn up to 5 points on your final grade. Interview a family member or a neighbor who has lived through some of the
events we studied in class that happened before you were born. Use a tape recorder, mp3 recorder, mini-disc recorder etc.
so you don’t have to waste time trying to write it all down while you are talking. Focus your interview on one general topic.
Examples: What was dating like when you were young? (Follow up questions could include how your interview subject met their
spouse, what early married life was like, etc. ) Or, what kinds of things were cool when you were young? Ask about music,
fashion, dances, cars and so on. Ask how they found out about what was cool. Was it the radio? Television? Magazines? From
their friends?
These are just a couple of examples. Your questions could focus on almost any aspect. The armed services,
work, their town or environment, strange things that happened to them, their memories of previous generations, sports, arts,
how food was cooked, hobbies… the list is endless. Talk to me first if you would like to do an interview for extra credit
and I will give you a helpful set of guidelines. Extra credit cannot hurt your grade. It only can improve it.
Bonus
Class Points:
YES! Even more chances to get a great grade!
Class participation is essential. Relevant and interesting
comments, observations and questions are not only welcome but encouraged! Bonus points will frequently be given out to those
who are active in class. At the end of the semester I will subjectively evaluate these bonus points and add up to 3 points
to your final numerical average for the course.
Disability Accommodation:
Students with disabilities whether physical,
learning or psychological who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Elizabeth
Worden, Coordinator of Disability Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely
fashion. Elizabeth Worden, EMCC office: 263 Maine Hall. Email: eworden@emcc.edu . Website: http://www.emcc.edu/departments/asc
. Phone: 974-4658.
EMCC Storm Line
If school is postponed or cancelled due to weather, a message will be left
at 974-4899 by 7 AM.
Tentative Class and Reading Schedule
Date
Aug. 28
Homework: Email
instructor at heyork@hotmail.com
Aug 30
Brinkley 913 (Gulf War) to 950
Lesson 1: Gulf War, 1990’s, First
Pres.Bush,
Clinton Years
Sept. 4
Zinn 394-412 and 426-475.
2000 to the present. Current events.
MiniQuiz
Homework due: Slanted articles on recent history.
Sept. 6 Review above if necessary.
HEROES & VILLAINS- Patriot
Act, rap Music, Hillary Clinton, George W.Bush, Reinstating the Draft.
Book Report Lists to you.
Sept. 11
Brinkley
552-572 Zinn 1-76. Miniquiz
Lesson 2:Spanish American War. Imperialism
Written Homework due: Teddy Roosevelt.
Sept.
13
Brinkley 574-599
Labor Movement,Feminism, Reform
Film in class
Sept. 18
Brinkley 600-619
Social
Trends, culture.
Homework Due:Internet Search as assigned
Sept. 20 Review above if necessary.
HEROES & VILLAINS
Book Report Choices in to Instructor.
Sept. 25
Zinn Pages 77-98 Brinkley 622-642
World War I
Miniquiz
1.
Film: Lusitania
2. Film Review
Sept 27
Brinkley 648-672
The Roaring Twenties
Film: Jazz roaring
twenties
Homework Due: Internet Search as assigned
Oct 2
Brinkley 674-725 Zinn 99-136
The Great Depression
Miniquiz
Heroes and Villains
Oct 4
The New Deal
Discussion Interpretation
Internet Search Homework
Due:
2. In Class Review for Quiz
Oct 9 FOR THIS CLASS, STUDY! QUIZ #1
Oct. 11 Brinkley page 736, also
737 to 775
World War II, Film
Oct. 16 Zinn 137-181 Miniquiz
WWII continued.
Cold War.
Oct. 18 Brinkley
776 - 796
Cold War, the 1950’s.
Film: Oppenheimer & the A-Bomb
2. Film Review
Oct. 23 Brinkley 800-829.
Conformity,
the Baby Boom, Society and Culture HEROES AND VILLAINS
Oct. 25
Brinkley 836-841 Zinn 182-212
Lesson 5: Civil
Rights Movement- Miniquiz
Film: Eyes on the Prize
Oct 30 Review above if necessary.
Civil Rights continued Internet
Search due.
Nov 1 Review above if necessary.
Civil Rights continued
Heroes and Villains
Review for Quiz
Number 2
Nov. 6 STUDY FOR THE QUIZ!
Civil Rights- Quiz Number 2
Nov. 8
Zinn 213-254 Brinkley –Rest
of Chapter 31
Lesson 6 Cold War to Vietnam War Miniquiz
Nov. 13 Review above if necessary.
Internet search
Nov.
15
Brinkley 858-882
Up to “Nixon Kissinger and the World”.
The war, rise of protest, student movements, SDS,
Heroes
and Villains
Nov. 20
Zinn 301-341 Lesson 7The 1970 ’s –
Sexual revolution, feminism Miniquiz Film: TBA Film
Review.
Nov. 27
Brinkley 882-891.
Watergate, Vietnam Syndrome, Nixon Homework Due:Internet Search.
Nov
29
Brinkley 882-903
Up to “Reagan Revolution’
Moral Majority and the rise of the conservative right.
HEROES
and Villains
Dec 4
Brinkley 903-914 Zinn 341-394
Lesson 8 The 1980’s- Reagan Years, Reaganomics, Iran-Contra. Miniquiz-
Review
for final Quiz
Dec. 6
Homework Due:
Internet Search.
Quiz Number 3
Book Reports due
Dec 11
Book
Reports in Class.
Final Day of Class
My Favorites
Favorite Band or Musician: Gogol Bordello- CHECK THEM OUT!
Favorite book: My favorite book is the one YOU are reading for
the book report, YES?
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