Page 1 of 4 HTY 104- United States History II Syllabus Spring 2011 Instructor: Katherine O’Flaherty, Ph.D. Email: [email protected] Office Hours: by appointment in person and via Skype (katherine.oflaherty) Teaching Assistant: Lisa Rude Email: [email protected] Office Hours: by appointment Welcome to HTY 104 United States History II. This is a face to face course that also makes use of WebCT course management software. This class is designed as a broad overview and surveys the basic themes of United States History since the Civil War. To be successful in this course you must be a disciplined, self-motivated, independent learner. You will need good reading and writing skills, basic computer proficiency, and familiarity with the internet. Each week you will be doing assigned readings, participating in class discussion sessions, completing various assessments, and other work as assigned. The following syllabus is tentative and subject to change as needed at instructor discretion. You can access a current syllabus on WebCT. I am committed to being available to students throughout the semester by returning emails within twenty- four hours (if you don’t get a response from me within forty-eight hours assume I did not get your email and try again) and returning graded work as soon as possible. I am willing to meet with you on campus at a time and location convenient for both of us. In addition, I am available via Skype (katherine.oflaherty), AIM (oflahertykm1), FirstClass ([email protected]), etc. If we cannot meet in person we can meet virtually. The best way to contact me is at the email listed above. Course Description: HTY 104 Examines the historical experience of the American people through the major ideas and forces that have shaped the Republic. Focus on the urban-industrial age, liberal political reform, and American world leadership. Satisfies the General Education Western Cultural Tradition and Social Contexts and Institutions Requirements. Credits: 3 (UMaine College Catalog 2010) Course Goals and Objectives: This course is designed to; (1) expand your knowledge and enhance your comprehension of United States history, (2) develop your analytical skills in examining primary and secondary source historical documents, (3) improve your writing, thinking and reading skills, (4) develop skills in assessing historiographic arguments. Syllabus and class schedule subject to change. Check WebCT regularly for updates. Page 2 of 4 Specifically, the course is intended to help you develop the following capabilities and knowledge: 1. Identify major figures, forces, and events in U.S. History after the Civil War. 2. Understand the fundamental themes/issues in American History. 3. Construct, develop, and critique historiographic arguments. 4. Effectively analyze sources. 5. Demonstrate an ability to undertake original historical research. 6. Improve reading, writing, critical thinking, and technological literacy. Class Meetings: This class meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12:10-1:00pm. Each Monday and Friday we will meet as a group for lecture in Little Hall Room 140. On most Wednesdays the class will be divided for discussion. You will be assigned a discussion section during the first week of class. Required Texts: Visions of America: A History of the United States Since 1865 (Volume 2) Jennifer D. Keene, Saul Cornell, and Edward T. O’Donnell 2010 Pearson ISBN-10: 0-321-06687-1 Additional required readings will be available as pdf files in WebCT. Course Requirements: Reading/Lecture Quizzes (10 quizzes) 20 % Exams (3 exams 15% each) 45% Discussion Section Writing Assignments (10 assignments) 35% Reading/Lecture Quizzes: There will be ten quizzes that will test your comprehension and understanding of important terminology and themes. Quizzes will be comprised of 5-10 multiple choice and/or short answer questions. See the course schedule for quiz dates. In calculating your final quiz grade at the end of the semester I will count your eight highest scores (I will drop your two lowest scores). QUIZZES CAN NOT BE MADE UP. Exams: There will be three exams in this course. Exams provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate mastery of course material. See the course schedule for exam dates. If you miss an exam you can make it up as long as you contact me before the day of the missed class and make arrangements to do so. Failure to do so will result in a zero. Discussion Section Assignments: It is near impossible to have a discussion in a class of 100 students so over the course of the semester we will divide the class into smaller discussion sections. There will be ten discussion sections over the course of the semester. Sections will be on Wednesdays. You will be assigned to a discussion section during the first week of class. You are expected to attend each discussion section and participate in classroom activities which will include individual and/or group work, writing assignments, etc. Active participation in this class Syllabus and class schedule subject to change. Check WebCT regularly for updates. Page 3 of 4 is vital. To understand history you must “do” history. Doing history involves reading, thinking, discussing, and writing. After each discussion section you will be required to submit a short reflection (150-200 words) on WebCT. I will provide a prompt for each reflection. Reflections are due Friday following the discussion section at 11:30pm. There will be ten reflection assignments over the course of the semester. In calculating your final discussion section assignment grade at the end of the semester I will count your eight highest scores (I will drop your two lowest scores). Section writing assignments are based on section discussion. If you are not in section you can not reflect on the discussion. DISCUSSION SECTION ASSIGNMNETS CAN NOT BE MADE UP. Attendance Policy: I do not take formal attendance in this course. You are expected to attend lecture and participate in discussion. Please note, quizzes and discussion section assignments cannot be made up if missed. Plagiarism: Violation of the UMaine cheating and plagiarism policy will result in a lowered grade on a portion of the course or a grade of F in the course. Please see me as soon as possible if you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism. Technology in the Classroom: I make extensive use of technology in the classroom. You are welcome to do the same. The class policy is as follows: You may use your laptop in class to take notes, complete assignments, etc. That said, you may not interfere with the learning of others in the classroom. You must be courteous to other students. Cell phones should not be ringing; laptop volume should be off, etc. Turn all sounds/alerts/noises off when you enter the room. I reserve the right to change this policy if necessary. Disability Accommodation: Students with documented disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Disability Services: 121 East Annex, Orono, ME 04469-5725, (207) 581-2319, Fax: (207) 581-4252, TTY: (207) 581-2325, as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Technical Requirements: Students need internet access to successfully complete this course. In addition to text files you will be accessing audio and video files in various formats so a fast connection is necessary. All of the additional required readings for this course will be available on WebCT in pdf format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader free at: http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=BUIGO Additional downloads that may be useful for viewing course content can be found on the Continuing and Distance Education homepage at: http://dll.umaine.edu/cd/html/downloads.html WebCT: This course makes extensive use of WebCT—an online portal that provides access to course materials, assignments, threaded discussions, and announcements. WebCT is only accessible to registered students, Syllabus and class schedule subject to change. Check WebCT regularly for updates. Page 4 of 4 the instructor, and teaching assistant. You can log in to WebCT at: https://webct.umaine.edu/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct A guide to accessing and using WebCT appears at: http://dll.umaine.edu/cd/html/webct_faq.html Additional information can be accessed at: http://www.umaine.edu/it/software/tutorials/webct/ WebCT makes extensive use of pop-up windows so if you have a pop-up blocker installed, please disable it for this site. Technical Assistance: If you need WebCT technical assistance contact the IT Help Desk Call: 207-581-2506 Email: [email protected] Search: http://www.umaine.edu/it/ Visit: the IT Help Center - 17 Shibles Hall Syllabus and class schedule subject to change. Check WebCT regularly for updates. .