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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS-RS 371 H"
COURSE NAME: "The American 20th Century - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Lanzone
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 3:00-4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: One previous history course. Co-requisites: EN 110; Recommended: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
History Research Seminar: 300-level history courses designated by the prefix HS-RS indicate courses being offered as Research Seminars. These courses are writing-intensive and help to train students to carry out original research by guiding them through the preparation of a significant research paper. History majors are encouraged to take these before their senior year, and especially before the semester in which they prepare their thesis.
This seminar examines the history of the United States from the closing of the frontier to the present. Although the analysis of the 20th century will generally be chronological, an attempt will be made to trace the importance of key experiences and ideas that have shaped US society during the last 100 years. Special attention will be paid to such topics as the closing of the frontier, immigration, World War I, the Great Depression, the impact of American literature, World War II, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Sixties, and to ideas such as democracy, freedom, “American Identity” and the “American Dream.”
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
There will be two class meetings a week.  This course will be run as a seminar in which students discuss the assigned readings and research projects.



Students who achieve high levels of academic excellence (minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5) have the option of taking specially designated Honors Courses. These may also include occasional interdisciplinary seminars open only to such students. More frequently, regular John Cabot University courses may be offered with an option of taking them for four academic credits as Honors Courses. Students who register for such courses as Honors Courses must complete additional assignments (e.g., research papers or portfolios) in which they delve more deeply into the subject matter in question. These additional assignments are graded on a "grant of Honors credit/no grant of Honors credit" basis and are not calculated into the final grade for the course. For the granting of Honors credit, students should produce work of a quality that would receive a B (3.00/4.00) or higher and this will be noted on their transcripts. Students taking a course as an Honors Course also enjoy additional mentoring time with the instructor. Instructors for Honors Courses are chosen by the Dean of Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Department Chair, based on their expertise and teaching excellence
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The American 20th Century provides the student with a deep and critical understanding of United States of America in terms of historical events, social systems, economic processes and ideologies. One of the aims of the course is to enhance student's skills in critical thinking and reading. To this end, students shall investigate one key event in the recent history of the United States of America (group discussions will be a central part of the course structure) and develop their abilities to:

  • Formulate a research question about a historical subject.
  • Evaluate primary and secondary sources..
  • Respect academic integrity and ethical standards.
  • Communicate and develop information and ideas.
    • TEXTBOOK:
    NONE
    REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
    Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
    The American CenturyHarold EvansKnopf0-375-70938-X  

    RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
    NONE
    GRADING POLICY
    -ASSESSMENT METHODS:
    AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
    AttendanceAttendance is mandatory. Participation is graded based on the student's comments, questions, active note-taking and general active engagement in class discussions and activities30
    Paper#1Students will develop a paper on one of the problems/issues discussed in class and will analyze its dynamics, problems and prospects15
    Midterm ExamEssay-based exam in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings10
    Final ExamEssay-based exam in which students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings30
    paper#2Students will develop a paper on one of the problems/issues discussed in class and will analyze its dynamics, problems and prospects.15

    -ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
    AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
    BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
    CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
    DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
    FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
    -ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

    ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

    More than two absences will have a negative effect on the grade, the more absences, the negative-er the effect. Students cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

    ACADEMIC HONESTY
    As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
    STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
    John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
    SCHEDULE

     

     

    week 1: The Closing of the Frontier































    week 2: America Moves to the City

    week 3: The Phenomenon of American Immigration

    week 3: Progressivism and the Republican Roosevelt

    week 4: Wilsonian Progressivism Home and Abroad

    week 4: World War I : The War to end War

    week 5: American Life in the Roaring Twenties

    week 6: The Great Depression and the New Deal

    week 7: World War II in Europe

    week 7: America in World War II































    week 8: Midterm exam































    week 8: The 1940s

    week 9: The Eisenhower Era 1952-1960

    week 10: Kennedy’s New Frontier

    week 10: Civil Rights and Vietnam

    week 11: The Seventies































    week 12 The Eighties

    week 13 The Nineties and the New Millennium































    Final exam