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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 371"
COURSE NAME: "The American 20th Century"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Lanzone
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Co-requisites: EN 110; Recommended: Junior Standing, One previous history course
OFFICE HOURS:

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 Phenomenon of Immigration, World War I in Europe, the Great Depression, World War II, Cold War, Vietnam War, the Sixties, JFK, Martin Luther King, Mario Savio and to ideas such as Democracy, Freedom, “American Identity” and the “American Dream”.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

How the West was won/ How the West was lost

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

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:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Free and the UnfreePeter N. CarrollPenguin0-14-100158-5  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
midterm 10%
paper 20%
oral presentation 10%
Final 20%
attendance and participation 40%

-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 cour
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:
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

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