Syllabus

Syllabus

HS 104 OL History of the United States II Spring 2007

Instructor: Mr. Patrick Givens 3 Credit Hours

Course Descriptions:

The purpose of this course is to acquaint the students with the main events and themes of American History from Reconstruction to the Modern Era. We will accomplish this through dialogue, readings and discussions of these events. This course is essentially the same as the classroom version with only minor differences.

Course Philosophy:

It is essential that students become more aware of the historical journey and heritage of their nation. In studying American history, students will gain an appreciation for the past and an understanding of the present. Our endeavors will study the events that have shaped our past and molded our future. Examples of the events we will cover are:

1. How economics drives political and social change.

2. How technology affects politics, economics and society.

3. The impact of war on America and the World

Course Objectives:

Students completing this course will be able to:

1. Demonstrate that they are familiar with the major themes and events in American

History from Reconstruction to the Modern Era.

2. Demonstrate their effective historical reading and critical thinking skills.

3. Demonstrate their ability to understand the ethical and spiritual issues present in

American History.

Student Outcomes:

1. Students will become familiar with the major events and themes of U.S. History from Reconstruction to the Modern Era.

a. Measure: Students will communicate knowledge of course material through three

exams and one paper.

b. Standard: Seventy-five percent of the students will be required to average a

minimum of C or better.

2. Student will be required to demonstrate effective reading and critical thinking skills.

a. Measure Student will be required to demonstrate their abilities in essay exams

Which will require them to use the information obtained from reading assignments and lectures to draw conclusions about U.S. History.

b. Standard: Seventy-five percent of the students will be required to average a

C or better in all examinations.

3. Students will be taught to understand the ethical and spiritual issues present in

modern American History.

a. Measure: Student will be required to participate in weekly classroom

discussions on the ethical and spiritual issues in the political, social and

economic events of U.S. History.

b. Standard: Seventy-five percent of the students will be required to average

a C in all classroom discussions.

Approaches to Teaching:

1. Lectures, readings and critical review

2. Interactive CD and related primary/secondary resources

3. Group/Individual assignments and discussions

Procedures for Evaluation and Grading:

There will be three exams each equaling 10% and the final exam will be 15% of your overall grade. Participation in weekly questions is MANDATORY and will account for 15% overall. There will be two papers to write for this course. The first will be due during the mid-term week and will be worth 15% while the final paper will be due during the final week and will be worth 25%. Late papers will not and are not acceptable for anything less than dire circumstances!

Required Text:

The Unfinished Nation w/Interactive CD (Brief Edition)

Taking Sides Volume 2 11^th Edition