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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 371"
COURSE NAME: "The American 20th Century"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lanzone Andrea
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 16:30-17:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Co-requisites: EN 110; Recommended: Junior Standing, One previous history course
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday 15:00-17:00
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The seminar examines the history of the United States of America 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 the US society during the last 100 years. Special attention will be paid to such topics as the Closing of theFrontier, Immigration, World War I, the Great Depression, the impact of American Literature, World War II, Cold War, Vietnam War, the Sixties, and to ideas such as Democracy, Freedom, “American Identity” and the “American Dream”.  
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The Closing of the Frontier

America Moves to the City

The Phenomenon of American Immigration

Progressivism and the Republican Roosevelt

Wilsonian Progressivism Home and Abroad

World War I : The War to end War

American Life in the Roaring Twenties

The Great Depression and the New Deal

World War II in Europe

America in World War II

The Forties

The Eisenhower Era 1952-1960

Kennedy’s New Frontier

The Stormy Sixties: Civil Rights and Vietnam

The Seventies and the Eighties

The Nineties and the New Millennium 
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.  
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
A people's History of the United States of America Howard Zinn  0060838655   
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm exam 15%
Paper 20%
Final exam 25%
Attendance and Participation 40%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
More than two absences will have a negative effect on the grade, the more absences, the negative-er the effect 
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