This course is designed to provide an overview of American History since 1877, focusing on the political, economic, social, cultural, and other factors that shaped the United States in its emergence as a superpower. By examining the past, one can gain a better perspective on current affairs and the historical roots of many social and political concerns present throughout American History.

Texts:

     David Goldfield, et al, The American Journey: A History of the United States, Vol. II
Paul F. Boller, Ronald Story, A More Perfect Union: Documents in U.S. History, Vol. II
An online study guide is also available at www.prenhall.com/goldfield.

Office Hours: My office is 204E  LA and I will be there Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:00,  Tuesday and Thursday  between 2:00 and 3:00, and Thursday evenings between 6:30 and 7:30. I am also available by appointment. This time is set aside to aid students with questions or problems regarding the course. The office phone number is 974-5451.  My email is sadamiak@aix1.uco.edu.

Grading:
FIRST HOUR EXAM          25%: Feb. 22
SECOND HOUR EXAM     25%: Apr. 5
MAP QUIZZES                   15%
QUIZZES                            10%
FINAL EXAM                     25% : May 14, 9:00 a.m.
 

Grading Scale: 90-100 = A       80-89 = B      70-79 = C        60-69 = D      Below 60 = F
 
Exams: All exams will include objective and essay questions and will be based on BOTH lectures and readings. The final exam will not be comprehensive and will cover the last third of the course. Failure to take any exam will result in failing the class. No Exam makeups will be given without prior permission except under the following conditions: (1) Death (or serious crisis) within the immediate family, (2) Serious verifiable illness, or (3) University sponsored activities. In all such cases you must notify the instructor as soon as possible.

Map Quizzes: There will be three map quizzes. Details will be discussed in class.

Quizzes: Throughout the semester there will be approximately ten unannounced objective quizzes based upon class material and assigned readings. There will be no makeups for quizzes, but students may drop their two lowest quiz grades.

Attendance: Each student is expected to attend class on a regular basis. Attendance will be taken periodically through the semester. While attendance is not calculated into the student's course grade, it will be considered as a factor in determining borderline grades. In case of absence, the student remains responsible for any lecture material or announcements made during the missed class.

Academic Dishonesty: Under no circumstances will academic dishonesty be tolerated. Typical examples of academic dishonesty include (but are not necessarily restricted to) cheating on examinations and/or plagiarism. Plagiarism means representing someone else's work as your own. Academic dishonesty may result in the student failing the course.

Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Equity Officer Brad Morelli at ext. 2573, or see me after class as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Class Schedule:

Part I: A Growing Industrial Power, 1877-1900

Jan. 18: Introduction
 Jan.  20,22,25: The Rise of Big Business. Readings: American Journey, pp. 594-608; Boller, section 14,15, 17,18.
Jan. 27,29: Growth of the Cities, American Journey, 608-624; Boller, 7,8.
Feb. 1,3: A New South?, American Journey, Ch. 19; Boller, 9,10.
Map Quiz: Feb. 3.
Feb. 5,8: The West, American Journey, Ch. 21; Boller, 5,6.
Feb. 10,12: The Failure of Traditional Politics, American Journey, Ch. 22; Boller, 16.
Feb. 15,17,19: Imperialism and American Expansionism, American Journey, pp. 720-737;
 Boller, 19.
Feb. 22: EXAM I !!!!! Bring a bluebook!!!

Part II: Rise of a World Power, 1900-1941
Feb. 24,26, Mar. 1: The Progressives, American Journey, Ch. 23, pp.737-745; Boller, 20,21.
Mar. 3,5,8: Woodrow Wilson and the World War, American Journey,  Ch. 25; Boller, 22.
Mar. 10,12: The Roaring 20s, American Journey, Ch. 26; Boller, 23,24,25.
Map Quiz: March 10.
Mar. 13-21: Spring Break
Mar. 22,24: The Great Depression, American Journey, pp. 812-822; Boller, 26.
Mar. 26,29: FDR and the New Deal, American Journey, pp.822-840; Boller, 27,28.
Mar. 31, Apr. 2: Roads to War, American Journey, pp.846-852; Boller, 29.
Apr. 5 : Exam II

Part III: The US in a Nuclear Age, 1941-

Apr. 7,9,12,14: World War II, American Journey, Ch. 28; Boller, 30,31.
Apr.16,19: Origins of the Cold War, American Journey, Ch. 29; Boller, 32-34.
Apr. 21,23,26: Eisenhower's America, American Journey, pp.910-924; Boller, 35, 39.
Map Quiz: April 21.
Apr. 28,30: New Frontiers?, American Journey, pp. 924-938; Boller, 36,37,40-42.
May 3,5: The US and Vietnam, American Journey, pp. 944-965; Boller, 38, 43.
May 7: A Time of Limits, American Journey, Ch. 32, pp. 966-969; Boller, 44-45.