Maura A. Henry, Ph. D.	Office: Donahue 259
Office Hours: M, W, F 8:30am	email: mhenry@hcc.mass.edu

Course Objectives

Our fast-paced class analyzes the social, cultural, economic, and political developments shaping United States history from the end of the Civil War to the present. Adopting a hands-on approach to history, students study several key themes, including: Reconstruction; the transformation of American business and labor relations; the emergence of the United States as a leading economic and military power; the struggles for equality by African-Americans, women, immigrants, and other disenfranchised groups; mass culture and its discontents; and the global conflicts and possibilities for a better world in the 20th and 21st centuries. Students interpret and debate a rich variety of primary sources, including texts, photographs, music, and film. Our course is challenging and rewarding - and it is definitely not for the faint of heart!

Please ask questions often!

The course sets out these objectives:

• Empower students to understand the history of the United States as both a dynamic, unpredictable process and as the product of the actions and ideas of men, women, and institutions.
• Enable students to contextualize history - placing people, events, and ideas within their social, political, and economic contexts.
• Help students to comprehend the importance of race, gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity, region, age, and religion in shaping the lives of Americans and the institutions of American society.
• Enhance students' analytic, oral presentation, and writing skills.

Required Reading

Alan Brinkley, American History: A Survey, Volume II (McGraw-Hill, 12th Edition)

Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman and Jon Gjerde (Editors), Major Problems in American History, Since 1865 (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007)

Jane Addams, Twenty Years at Hull House (Bedford/St. Martins)

Anne Moody, Coming of Age in Mississippi (Delta)

New York Times Archive Online

Course Requirements

You are required to do the following by the stated deadlines, and your work will be evaluated as follows:

• Complete all readings prior to due date, complete all chapter questions, submit 3 substantive posts per chapter (1 initial post and 2 substantial responses to classmates' initial postings) by the stated deadlines, complete the Writing Workshop, and engage in informed and collegial online discussion (50%).
• Complete and submit as directed Exam 1 (20%) and Exam 2 (30%) and utilize the personnel and resources at CAPS and the William Dwight Jr. Writing Center.
• Late work (postings and exams) will not be accepted and thus will not earn any credit.
• Avoid plagiarism at all costs - harsh penalties will ensue for those who violate this cardinal rule.