PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE  MASTER SYLLABUS
HONORS U.S. HISTORY II HIS 2280
Class Hours: 3.0								Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0								Date Revised: Spring 01
Catalog Course Description:
	A survey of United States history from 1877 to the present that seeks to develop a conceptual understanding of industrial and contemporary American civilization through the use of primary and secondary sources and extensive class discussions.
Entry Level Standards:
	Students must be able to read with a questioning mind and write essay answers to examinations in order to perform well in the course.  They must be “active learners” in the sense that they should seek to more than memorize and passively absorb reading and lecture material. In this course, students are required to demonstrate critical thinking skills through out-of-class essays and in-class discussions.
Prerequisites:
	Consent of instructor and ACT composite score of 24
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:
	Henretta, et al. America’s History, 4th edition.  Unger and Tomes, A Primary Source Reader in United States History, 2nd Edition.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
	Week					Topic
	1					The Economic Transformation of America
	2					Urban Growth and Farm Protest
	3					Domestic Turmoil and Overseas Expansion
	4					Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Program
	5					Progressivism at Its Height
	6					World War I
	7					The Age of Jazz and Mass Culture
	8					The Great Depression
	9					The New Deal
	10					World War II
	11					Postwar America
	12					The Eisenhower Years
	13					Trying Times
	14					Crisis of Confidence
	15					The Reagan-Bush Era
	16					Toward the New Millenium
II. Course Objectives*:
	A.			Gain a critical and conceptual understanding of the American past through a survey of key events and personalities between 1877 and the present. IV.1, IV.3
	B.			Establish major political, cultural, social and economic themes and trace continuity and change during the 19th and 20th centuries. IV.1, IV.3
	C.			Analyze how past societies differed from our contemporary world. IV.1, IV.3
	D.			Analyze what post societies have contributed to our contemporary world. IV.1, IV.3
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
	1.				Read the primary and secondary sources and use critical thinking skills to relate factual material to the themes of the course. Communication Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome
	2.				Listen effectively to lectures, take notes, and use critical thinking skills to organize their lecture notes in preparation for exams. Communication Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
	3.				Write analytical essays, including at least one research paper, about the past. Communication Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome
	4.				Through participation in class discussions and/or group projects, engage in an exchange of ideas with their peers. Communication Outcome, Personal Development Outcome, Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
	1.			Understand the significant stages of development in American history. A, B
	2.			Understand how different cultures hold values different from their own. A, B, C
	3.			Develop a greater appreciation of cultures and beliefs different from their own. A, B, C, D
	4.			Understand how present assumptions, values and practices emerged. A, B, D
	5.			Understand how present assumptions, values and practices evolved. A, B, D
	6.			Be more aware of political  issues in contemporary society. D
	7.			Be more aware of social  issues in contemporary society. D
	8.			Be more aware of economic issues in contemporary society. D
	9.			Be more aware of environmental issues in contemporary society. D
	10.			Possess a fuller capacity for analytical and conceptual thought. B, C, D
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
	A. Testing Procedures:
			Students will also be given quizzes that evaluate their comprehension of the assigned reading materials.
	B. Laboratory Expectations:
		N/A
	C. Field Work:
		Students will be asked to write a series of essays that require them to create a factually based interpretation of the past. Students will write a research paper that requires them to critically analyze primary and secondary sources.
	D. Other Evaluation Methods:
		N/A
VI. Policies:
	Attendance Policy:
		Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  Individual departments/programs/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, may have requirements that are more stringent.  Modifications made to that basic policy are as follows: 1. Students in MWF classes will be allowed 6 absences.  Students in TR classes will be allowed 4 absences.  Night classes permit only 2 absences.  Any absences over the limit will result in a five-point deduction from the student’s grade. 2. Three late arrivals to class count as one absence.