UNITED STATES HISTORY II   - WEDNESDAY’S FALL 2010

HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PERRY

 

INSTRUCTOR:

            Mr. Robert J. Cucciniello

           

CONTACT INFORMATION:

E-MAIL ADDRESS

mrc@cucciniello.com

 

            WEBSITE

                        www.cucciniello.com

 

TELEPHONE

                        785-969-2433

 

            IN-PERSON

                        PERRY – Tuesday - Thursday 6:15pm – 9:00pm;

    

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

A.   Textbook:   Garraty, John A.; McCaughy, Robert A., The American Nation, A History of the United States ( 11th ed.), New York : Harper & Row (2002)
B.   Instructor's notes & videos
C.   Highland Community College Library
D.   Internet

 

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

A survey of United States history from Reconstruction through the present. Studies the changing configurations of American ~ culture and its modes of expression, religion, politics, and literature. Emphasis is placed on the changing role of the government on the lives of people and on the changing position of the United States , n world affairs. Studies the impact of industrialism, imperialism, two world wars, and the cold war on the policies of the United States .

 

COURSE COMPTETENCIES: By the end of the semester, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate historical literacy, articulate the view of U.S. history as a series of historiographical discussions, and demonstrate the ability to think critically.

2. Describe the overall political, social, diplomatic, and cultural perspectives of U.S. history.

3. Describe the basic tools of the historian's craft, and distinguish between primary and secondary sources.

4. Describe the era of Reconstruction and its impact on post-bellum America .

5. Describe American society in the Gilded Age, including the impact of westward expansion and rapid industrialization.

6. Explain the development of American imperialism and the impact of political change in the nation prior to the outbreak of World War I.

7. Explain the causes, course, and consequences of the First World War.

8. Describe the political, social, cultural, and economic developments of the interwar years.

9. Explain and analyze the origins, nature, and legacy of U.S. involvement in World War II.

10. Trace the events leading to the Cold War and characterize its political and social impact.

11. Examine and explain the social, political, and economic changes that marked post-World War II America, including the civil rights movements and other domestic transformations.

12. Characterize and explain the rise of conservatism since the 1970s.

13. Describe and analyze domestic and foreign policy trends and developments in recent America .

14. The course will enable students to use a computer for word processing and access the internet to find articles for their research paper.

 

ASSESSMENT ITEMS:

            Students’ progress will be assessed by several means.  The primary means will be through the use of a series of written examinations given on a frequent basis to evaluate the student’s knowledge and comprehension of the subject.  Additionally, students will be evaluated on their ability to comprehend and analyze books on historical topics through the use of written book reviews.  (Research papers may be substituted for book reviews.)  The instructor may include other assessment items as deemed appropriate.  Book reviews and research papers will be composed using a word processor.  Research papers will have at least two internet sources.

 

A. CLASS PARTICIPATION

Though no written homework assignments are scheduled, there will be reading assignments.  Reading the chapter which will be discussed in the next class is very important to understanding the lectures.  The lectures are meant to be supplements to the text, not the other way around!  Reading the assigned chapter also makes it easier to participate in class.  Your class participation grade can be from 0 to 3 points added directly onto your final average.

 

B. EXAMS

            All exams will be 100 points and will be take home.  Exams are due by 7:15pm on the due date listed on the schedule.  No exams will be accepted after that time.  IF YOU ARE ABSENT the day an exam is due, it is your job to get the exam to me.  You may contact me for mailing information or you may email your answers to me.  IF YOU ARE ABSENT the day the exam is handed out, you will have one week from the time you return to class to complete the make up exam and return it to me.

 

Any student is exempt from the Fourth Exam if they meet the following requirements:

1)      Student must have an average of 90 or above on the day the Fourth Exam is “handed out.”

2)      Student cannot have missed more than two classes for the entire semester.

3)      Neither of the 2 missed classes may be the last two classes of the year.

 

C. RESEARCH PAPER

The research paper will be 5 - 7 pages in length, double-spaced, typed, and with a minimum of five approved references (at least two of which must be from the internet.)  You may select a person, event or topic covered by this course. Please submit your topic in writing for approval by SEPTEMBER 21st.  Specific instructions will be provided later regarding style, footnoting and reference requirements.  A first submission of your research plan is due by OCTOBER 26th.  A final copy of your research paper will be due NOVEMBER 30th.  No research paper will be accepted without a reviewed research plan.

 

 

ACADEMIC PROBLEMS **FROM HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT HAND BOOK**

Feel free to with your instructor about any problems you may have with the course.  It is usually best to make an appointment to see him in an office rather than trying to get and answer to a question or to take care of a problem between classes.

            Faculty members are expected to provide information at the start of each semester on how the final grade will be determined.  Faculty members are very conscientious about determining student grades, but if you feel an error has been made, talk to the instructor.

            If you feel your concerns have not been addressed, you may speak with the Vice President for Academic Affairs on campus.  Although the practice is rare, a grade can be appealed.  Information on how to appeal can be obtained from the vice President for Academic Affairs on campus.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to attend every class.  Attendance will be taken in every class.  I recognize that legitimate reasons may force students to miss an occasional class.  The first 2 (two) absences will not negatively affect your grade.  The 3rd absence will cost 2 (two) points off your final grade.  The 4th absence will cost 4 (four) points; the 5th will cost 6 (six) points and so on.  THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS; THERE ARE NO EXCUSED ABSENCES.  Absences are counted from the first day of class, not when the student began attending the class.  Students who fall behind on absences can "make-up" missed classes by writing a brief report on the topic(s) covered that night.  See me for details.

 

LATE FOR CLASS

            Events may take place that cause you to be late for class.  This is understandable.  However, repeated tardiness is both detrimental to your grade and a disturbance to the rest of the class.  Therefore, the following penalties will apply:

 

            1st tardy – No penalty

            2nd tardy – 1 point off final average

            3rd tardy – 2 points off final average

 

            (NOTE: Late is defined as arriving to class more that 20 minutes after class starts.  No credit will be given for attending class if you arrive more than 40 minutes late.)

 

            (Note2: **FROM THE HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT HANDBOOK** Students maybe dropped from a course when they are failing AND have absences totaling 20% of the class.  (20% of this class = 3 classes)

 

CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS **FROM THE HIGHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT HANDBOOK**

            No acts of disruption in the classroom will be tolerated at Highland Community College.  If a student is being disruptive, they are violating the rights of others to an educational atmosphere, interfering with the operations of the College and /or being insubordinate to College authorities.

            Every instructor will:

·        State clearly in the first day handout their personal policy about disruptive acts in accordance with their expectations of their students.

·        List examples of disruptive acts and how those specific acts will be handled.  (Not all acts of disruption can be anticipated and this list is not all inclusive)

·        Send his policy (first-day hand out) to the Vice President fro Academic Affairs or appropriate Regional Coordinator for review and acceptance.

Situations which demean, embarrass, sexually harass, or threaten the life or physical safety of others will not be tolerated and the instructor will drop the student from the class.  A grade of “W” will appear on the academic transcripts.

For other such disruptive acts, removal from the classroom the first time will serve as a warning to the student to discontinue the offending behavior(s) in any and all future class operations.  Although no written record of this warning is required by the administration, in may be prudent for the instructor to keep one.  The student is encouraged to discuss the situation with the instructor before the next class session.

A second offense by the student of disruptive behavior (which may or may not be the exact same offense as the first) will result in the student being removed from the course for the semester.  A grade of “W” will appear on the academic transcripts.

When the instructor feels it is necessary to remove a student from the class, a drop/add form will be completed and forwarded to the Vice President of Student Services along with an explanation of the event.

The student may appeal the decision of the instructor to the Vice President for Student Service.  Thereafter, the student or instructor may appeal the decision of the Vice President for Student Services to the President of Highland Community College.  The President’s decision is final.

 

So, on that note, here is MR.C’s LIST OF DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS:

*Grandstanding – (defined as): Students who use a classroom discussion as a chance to speak about their favorite subjects despite the irrelevancy their comments may have in regard to the discussion of the class as a whole.  Students who use the classroom as a place to communicate to their peers, tales of their personal lives, which is also not appropriate to the setting.   

*Sleeping in Class

*Use of cell phone or other electronic device (other than a tape recorder)

*Prolonged Chattering

*Excessive Lateness 

*Overt Inattentiveness

*Use of Pagers, Cell Phones, and Passing Notes

*Verbal or Physical Threats, to Students or Faculty

 

Any student found to be partaking in one or more of these specific disruptive behaviors – or any behavior considered disruptive will receive 1 (one) warning per class.  After that, if the behavior continues the student will be asked to leave the room.  The student will then receive an “absence”.  If the student refuses to leave the classroom, they will be immediately dropped from the class.

 

 

GUIDELINES FOR REQUESTING ACCOMODATION BASED ON DOCUMENTED DISABILITY OR MEDICAL CONDITION:
It is the intention of Highland Community College to work toward full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to make instructional programs accessible to all people, and to provide reasonable accommodations according to the law.

Students should understand that it is their responsibility to self-identify their need(s) for accommodation and that they must provide current, comprehensive diagnosis of a specific disability or medical condition from a qualified professional in order to receive services. Documentation must include specific recommendations for accommodation(s). Documentation should be provided in a timely manner prior to or early in the semester so that the requested accommodation can be considered and, if warranted, arranged.

On-Campus Students: At enrollment all on campus students will complete a form which will allow them to self-identify any disability. Questions should be directed to the Disabilities Coordinator.

Off-Campus Regional Students: Self-identify your disability and accommodation needs with the Coordinator and/or instructor preferably prior to the first night of class or early in the semester.

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE:

The following is a tentative class schedule of chapters and exams.

                                                            see attached schedule

 

 

 

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