GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE
History 2112 (80313) – American History II
Fall Semester 2006
Tues & Thurs 5-7:45 pm (Oct 12—Dec 6)
Instructor: Dr. William Mugleston Office: Cartersville 320A
E-Mail: wmuglest@highlands.edu Office Phone: 678: 872-8092
Office Hours: Mon 8-10 am, 130-3 pm Wed 8-10 am, 1-145 pm
Tues, Thurs 8-9 am; 11 am – 4:45 pm
Other times by appointment
Course Description: A survey of US History from the post-Civil War period to the present, this course stresses developments from Reconstruction forward. It satisfies the state legislative requirements in United States & Georgia history. Prerequisites: Satisfactory placement scores/READ 0099 and ENGL 0099.
Required Books for the Course:
David Kennedy et al., The Brief American Pageant, Vol. 2, Since 1865, 6th edition (2004), Houghton Mifflin ISBN 0 618 33270 7
Alfers, Perspectives on America, Vol. 2 (2001), Thomson Learning Custom Publishing,
ISBN 0 8281 0997 4
Examinations: There will be three major 100-point exams, on Tuesday October 26, Tuesday November 14, and the final on Thursday Dec. 7.
Class Participation & Attendance: In order to award and encourage active participation in the course, everyone will start out with an “account” of 60 points. These are yours to keep or lose. You must attend and actively participate in order to receive full credit in this category. Active participation means showing up every class and on time, staying for the duration of the class, not leaving early (unless you clear it with the instructor beforehand), not wandering in and out of class, staying awake, not checking cell phones during class, and actively participating in class discussions. There are no “excused” or “unexcused” absences; an absence is an absence. Your final points in this category will be determined at the end of the semester.
E-Mail: Each student must e-mail me within one week of the beginning of the semester, introducing yourself (interests, activities, hobbies, academic and career goals, etc.) as well as letting me know if you have any questions, concerns, etc., about the course. This will be factored in as part of your participation grade.
Grading System: Your final course grade will be based on 440 points, 300 for the three major exams, 80 for the eight essays you will turn in (see instructions below), and 60 for attendance & participation. The following scale will determine your final letter grade:
440 - 404 A (92%) 307 – 264 D (60%)
403 - 352 B (80%) Below 264 F
351 - 308 C (70%)
The “Gold Star A”: The person who earns the highest numerical grade on the final exam will receive an “A” in the course, regardless of his or her previous grade average. (The Fine Print: To qualify for this, you must have taken the first two 100-point exams and completed all eight of the required essays.)
Recap of Important Dates:
Thurs Oct 12 – First Day of Class
Thurs Oct 26 – First 100-point Exam
Tues Oct 31 - Essays 1-3 due from Perspectives on America
Tues Nov 7 –Midsemester; Last Day to Withdraw with a “W”
Tues Nov 14 – Second 100-point Exam
Tues Nov 21 – Essays 4-6 due from Perspectives on America
Nov 22-26 – Thanksgiving Holidays; COLLEGE CLOSED
Thurs Nov 30 – Essays 7-8 due from Perspectives on America
Thurs Dec 7 – FINAL EXAM; 6:00 pm; No Make-Ups!
tudent Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate an awareness of global and multicultural issues as they have affected individuals and social structures in the past and are likely to affect them in the future.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize historical data in relation to both its time period and ours.
Students will be able to express knowledge of historical data through verbal and written means.
Students will be able to analyze both quantitative and qualitative course source material.
Students will be able to apply historical concepts to modern situations in the search for cause and effect patterns.
Policies on student conduct and academic integrity: These are in the College’s “Student Rights & Responsibilities” document. This can be accessed at the following URL:
http://www.highlands.edu/academics/academicaffairs/academicintegritypolicy.htm
Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should make an appointment with the College Access Center (706: 802-5003) to coordinate reasonable accommodations. You are also welcome to contact me privately to discuss your specific needs.
This message applies only to students receiving financial aid: Federal regulations state that if a student did not attend classes and received failing grades, then the grades were not earned and financial aid needs to be reduced accordingly. Please be advised that any student receiving a 0.00 GPA will be required to prove that the
0.00 GPA was earned by attending classes or completing requirements for each class. Students who have earned at least one passing grade for the semester will not be affected by this regulation. If a student has properly withdrawn from all classes, the student’s financial aid should be adjusted from the time they signed the withdrawal form.
CELL PHONES: All cell phones must be turned off and stored out of sight during class.
My Main Goal in This Course: To help you learn to think more critically and intelligently about the past, its relationship to the present, and your position in the present. If at the end of the course you have more questions than answers in your head, then we will have achieved something together.
Take Your History Seriously – it can help you understand yourself, other people, your country, and the world.
Take Your History Lightly – it can be fun! It can help you laugh at the humor in human behavior.
TWO SPECIAL REQUESTS
1) If you must leave before the end of a class (not a good idea), please let me know before the class begins. Simple courtesy. Thanks. (But remember, if roll is taken after you leave, then you’re counted absent.)
2) Students wandering in and out of class drive your instructor crazy. If you have some compelling reason to do this, please discuss it with me.
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Reading and Writing Assignment in
PERSPECTIVES ON AMERICA (Vol. 2)
You will be required to write eight (8) brief essays (500-600 words each) on eight of the chapters in the book. Read the chapters carefully and thoughtfully. Your essays should include:
1. A brief summary of the chapter.
2. Your analysis and evaluation of the chapter. THIS IS IMPORTANT! This might include: How well or poorly written was the essay? Have you read things elsewhere or heard things in class that support or contradict what the essay says? Is the essay convincing? Just what is the author trying to prove, and does he or she do it? What are its strengths? Weaknesses? How might the essay have been improved? Be specific in your criticisms! That is, note the specific areas of the essay you find strong and weak.
GROUND RULES:
ESSAYS MUST BE TYPED & DOUBLE-SPACED, or they will be returned to be
rewritten. Although content will be the major determinant of your grade on each
essay, grammar, spelling, neatness, quality of writing, and following these directions
will also count.
Staple (preferably) or paper-clip your pages. Place your name at the top right of
the first page. No binders or cover pages.
First three essays due no later than Tuesday October 31
Second three essays due no later than Tuesday November 21
Last two essays due no later than Thursday November 30
You may submit them early if you wish.
Your essays will be graded from 0 - 10 points each. Late papers will have three (3) points deducted from their score.
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“There is no new thing under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes, 1:9