HISTORY 22 (1)

American History Since 1865

2nd summer session, 2006                                                                                                                                        John E. Semonche

Syllabus

The assignments listed below are to be prepared for the class period listed. The readings are drawn from two books available for purchase at Student Stores: Gillon & Matson, The American Experiment: A History of the United States, Vol. II: Since 1865 (cited below as Text); and McClellan, Historical Moments: Changing Interpretations of America’s Past, Vol. 2: The Civil War Through the 20th Century, 2nd ed. (cited below as Sourcebook).

June 22   Introduction to course: methods, materials and the historical perspective.

         23    Text, pp. xxi-xxv, 611-20; Sourcebook, pp. iii-iv, 18-31; and Computer simulation no. 1: 1865--Should the Southern

                      States  Be Readmitted to the Union?

         26    Text, pp. 620-41, 648-51; and Sourcebook, pp. 31-47.

         27   Text, pp. 696-729; and Computer simulation no. 2: 1894--What Action Should the President Take Concerning the

                        Railroad Strike of 1894 and its Aftermath?

            8    Text, pp. 729-64.

            29   Text, pp. 641-48, 655-95; and Sourcebook, pp. 63-73.

            30   Text, pp. 765-803; and Sourcebook, pp. 107-21.

July          3    Text, pp. 848-70, 885-87; and Sourcebook, pp. 139-54.

          4    Holiday

            5    Text, pp. 804-47; and Computer Simulation No. 3:  1912:  Can You Get Your State to Approve a Woman's Suffrage Amendment?

          6    Text, pp. 870-884, 888-98; and Sourcebook, pp. 201-16.

          7    Text, pp. 908-26.

          10     Mid-term examination.

          11    Text, pp. 929-79; and Sourcebook, pp. 255-70.

          12     Text, pp. 979-1009; and Sourcebook, pp. 271-88.

          13     Text, pp. 1010-52.

          14     Sourcebook, pp. 289-340.

          17     Text, pp. 1053-93; and Sourcebook, pp. 341-56.

          18     Text, pp. 1094-1136.  

          19     Text, pp. 1137-41, 1146-57, 1164-68, 1171-83; and Sourcebook, pp. 393-408.

          20     Text, pp. 1142-46, 1157-64, 1168-70, 1184-94; and Sourcebook, pp. 430-47.

          21     Text, pp. 1194-1238; and Sourcebook, pp. 465-76.

          24     Text, pp. 1238-76.

          25     Text, pp. 1276-1309; and Sourcebook, pp. 504-31.

          26      Reading day.

          27      Final Examination--8:00-11:00 a.m.

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1. The instructor has been developing computer simulations and multimedia presentations to aid in the teaching of history. We will be doing the simulations in class, but if you would like to play with them on your own, follow the links from the instructor’s home page at the following address http://metalab.unc.edu/semche/history/jackweb.html. From that point you will be able to access the syllabus, lecture outlines, and simulations. In addition, the publisher of your textbook has provided a study guide and additional resources for you to access at http://college.hmco.com/history/us/gillon/am-exp/2e/students.html.

2. Approximately half of our class time will be spent discussing the reading, the visuals and their implications. It is imperative that you keep up with your assignments on a daily basis. Otherwise you will not be able to follow what is going on in class. If the reading is taking you more than three hours a night, do let me know.

3. Because class discussion is an important part of the course, it will figure into your grade. It will count 20%, perhaps even more if your discussion grade is appreciably better than your grade on the examinations.

4. The rest of the grade will be determined as follows: the mid-term examination will count 35%; and the final examination will count 45%. These numbers are provided so that you can figure your progress in the course, but I reserve the right to take both improvement and exceptional performance into account in calculating your final grade in the course.

5. I will be in my office in Hamilton Hall 416 Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. If some other time would be more convenient, see me before or after class to make an appointment. I would like to see you all individually. I also can be reached by email at semche@email.unc.edu.

6. With your involvement in the course, we should be able to make this excursion into American history an interesting experience.