Course Syllabus
Fall 2010

Huston-Tillotson University

HIST 1302 United States History II (1865 to present)

Instructor:

Name: Alaine S. Hutson

Office:  J-M 202

Phone: 512-505-3117

Email: ashutson@htu.edu

Conference Hours: MWF 10-11 am,  MW 3:30-4 PM, AND TTH 3-3:30 pm

Meeting Time/Day:

MWF 11-11:50 am

A-L AUD

Required Textbook:

James W. Davidson, et. al., US: A Narrative History.

Randy Roberts and James Olson, American Experiences: Readings in American History, Volume II Since 1865. 7th Edition.

Other materials:

My.HTU ERacer account and HTU email account are required
You are to check your eRacer account and email at least once a week. I will post the assignments and readings for the next week by 2pm on Fridays on eRacer.

Course Content: This course aims to give students a better understanding of this country's past. In this course there are no right or wrong opinions, only informed or uninformed ones.

Course Goal(s)

The goal in offering American history is to teach:

1. students to think critically about diverse interpretations of historical developments;

2. the diversity and appreciation of native and immigrant cultural values, gender, race and class differences.

3. how present-day situations have grown out of past events, such as Industrialization, World War II and the Civil Rights Movement, which is essential for participation in America's democratic experiment;

4. the evolution of political, constitutional, and social systems in the United States.

5. how past events shape current possibilities for the individual in American society.

HT Core Competencies

Ÿ         Analysis/Problem-solving/Critical Thinking: 

Ÿ         Appreciation of Diversity in a Context of Global & Historical Awareness: 

Ÿ         Citizenship and Social responsibility:

Ÿ         Effective Communication: 

Ÿ         Efficient Use of Technology: 

Ÿ         Ethical Reasoning and Behavior: 

Course Requirements: This course requires that you keep up with the schedule of readings on this syllabus and complete all exams and work assigned.

Method of Instruction: Class lectures and note taking; readings from required textbooks and supplementary sources; examinations - multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and short answer; and class discussion of course materials.

Participation: Class participation will improve your understanding of the material and will count as 10% of your final grade. Students may ask questions after class and during office hours, but are encouraged to ask questions during discussions in class so that other students can benefit. There will be participation assignments throughout the semester

Texting, listening to earphones, sleeping, and eating loudly in class are considered disruptive and will have a negative effect on your participation grade. I reserve the right to count you absent for the class session if you are doing any of these things during class. Also I will be less likely to give the class extra credit opportunities if students are engaging in these activities

Attendance: Attendance of lectures and discussions is strongly advised.  Attendance will be kept at every class meeting.  More than 3 absences will affect your participation grade.  Lectures will include material not covered in the readings and students will be tested on some material only covered in lectures.  Lectures may be recorded, but good note taking is important.  Short supplemental readings may also be placed on eRacer.  It is the responsibility of the student to drop the class if they so desire.  Not attending class does NOT constitute withdrawal.  If you stop attending class and do not withdraw from class, you will receive an "F" as a final grade.

Lateness: Coming late to class and leaving early is a distraction to other students and to me. If you are having difficulties getting to class on time or need to leave early, see me. I reserve the right to count you absent for the class session if you arrive late to class. Also I will be less likely to give the class extra credit opportunities if students are arriving late to class.

Late assignments: Exams must be taken when scheduled or rescheduled before the exam is taken.  There will be no makeup exams.

Participation assignments: You may do the assignments later to help you study for an exam or to participate in talking about them during class, but to get credit toward your participation grade you must turn them in when scheduled.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty includes any form of cheating, plagiarism, falsification of records, collusion, or giving false information to any College official. See the College Bulletin for definition of terms, penalties, and procedures for appealing dishonesty. Instructors have the option to recommend a grade of ‘F’ for the course if dishonesty is proven.

Evaluation Methods/Exams/Grading: There will be three exams:

Three exams consisting of short written identifications and multiple-choice questions. Two in-class exams (1^st exam – September 24^th - is 20% of final grade, 2^nd – October 29th - is 25% of final grade) and a final exam (45% of final grade). Only the final exam is cumulative.

Grading:  All exams will have a percentage grade and will be taken on eRacer.

A (100-90)      B (89-80)         C (79-70)        D (69-60)        F (below 60).

Two (2) in-class exams (45%) + final exam (45%) + participation (10%) = 100% of your final grade. Significant improvement over the course of the term will be rewarded.

Incomplete Grades: Incomplete grades are allowed when a student is earning a passing grade and experiences a bona fide emergency which prevents the student from completing the semester’s work in a course. In accordance with the University’s policy, incomplete grades must be completed and the “I” removed from the student’s transcript by the end of the following semester.