Professor: Dr. Susannah U. Bruce Office: AB4 Room 455 Email:sbruce@shsu.edu Office Phone: 936-294-3659 Office Hours: MWF, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, Fridays 9:00-10:00 am after 1st exam & by appt.

HIS164.02: US History since 1876 CID 3442 MWF 9:00 am - 9:50 am, AB4 Olson Auditorium Spring 2008

Teaching Assistant: Mr. Blake Whitaker Office: AB4 309 Email: blakwhit@shsu.edu Office Phone: 936.294.3752 Office Hours: MW 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, F  9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Welcome to the web page for HIS164: U.S. History since 1876.  By following the links below, you can jump to specific aspects of this course regarding reading assignments, examinations, attendance policies, etc.  Please be sure to read over the entire syllabus, and then print it for further viewing.  Or, you can print the sections that you'll need to refer to frequently, such as the reading schedule, or just return to this page to learn what you'll need to have prepared for each class meeting.  Whichever printing option you choose, you are responsible for understanding all of the policies explained in this syllabus.

Click on any of the links below to jump to that section of the syllabus COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES REQUIRED TEXTS OFFICE HOURS EXAMINATIONS HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES

Click on any of the links below to jump to that section of the syllabus ATTENDANCE COURSE GRADING & SCALE LECTURE & READING SCHEDULE COURSE POLICIES LEARNING ASSISTANCE

Click here for the Review Sheet for Exam #5 (final) on 8:00 AM on Wednesday, May 14, 2008

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES:
Welcome to History 164, an introduction to American history from1876 to 1976.  The objective of this course is to increase your knowledge of American social, political, economic, and military history from the period of Reconstruction through the mid-1970s.  Students will learn to discuss historical concepts intelligently and comprehend local, state, national and international events with new insights based on your knowledge of historical precedent.  To assist you in achieving these goals, the main text for this course, The American Experiment, Vol. 2,  will serve as a general reference source and study tool, providing information on central themes in American history.  The Atlas of American History serves as an essential tool to helping you understand the global role of the United States in the late-nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Gillon, Steven M. and Cathy D. Matson, The American Experiment: A History of the United States, Volume II: Since 1865.  Second Edition.  Houghton Mifflin, 2006.

The bookstores MUST have this wrapped with a FREE Rand McNally Atlas of American History. 

I have checked with Barnes & Noble on campus and Bearkat Books and they have the correct books.  I assume the other bookstores do, too.

Trouble with Reading?

If you have noticed that you have difficulty understanding and remembering what you read in your history textbooks, I strongly advise you to take visit the SAM Center to see how they can help you with textbook reading and other important study skills. Click here learn more about their study skills sessions.   The SHSU Reading Center is another great option for help with textbook reading.

OFFICE HOURS:
I hold regular office hours in AB4 Room 455 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, and most Fridays 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM after the first exam, and by appointment.  I strongly encourage you to come see me during these times to discuss any questions you might have about the class, study methods, and history in general.  If you have other classes during my office hours, please remember that's why we have most Fridays after the first exam set aside for you to meet with the teaching assistant or me. NOTE: The moment you sense that you are falling behind, PLEASE come see me. The sooner we discuss the problem the sooner you can get back on track, and the better you’ll do in the class. If you just have a quick question and don't have time to stop by my office, you can always email me at sbruce@shsu.edu.

EXAMINATIONS:
There will be five examinations in this class, each worth 100 points.  They will generally follow a format of multiple choice, mapping, and chronology.  For every exam, you will need a Scantron Form No. 882-E or 882-ES and a #2 pencil.

Regarding MAKE-UP EXAMS:  If you miss a test due to illness or family emergency, you may make-up the exam as long as you have documentation for your absence--a doctor's note, for example. The day for approved students to make-up all missed exams for this class is Friday, May 9, 2008 during regular class time in the Olson auditorium.

NOTE: After the first examination, we will not be meeting for lecture on Fridays. From that point on, lectures will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, while Fridays will be reserved for when there is a test or for you to meet with the teaching assistant or me to discuss questions you may have about lectures, exams, or your general learning process in this course.  This policy is necessary due to the number of students I teach each semester. I simply cannot schedule enough office time to accommodate all of your schedules, so we use class time on Fridays after the first exam to meet with you.  I will also use a few Fridays for study skills training on textbook reading, test-taking skills, etc.  The specific dates for these events will be announced in class.

HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES:
These are NOT extra credit--they are required.  In this class, there are numerous opportunities to score points.  The purpose of this is to help you become more aware of HISTORY in the world around you, which includes the SHSU community, the town of Huntsville, your own community, and the nation and world around you. To this end, students will receive ten points for each approved class activity completed, with a MAXIMUM of 25 points possible. To receive credit for each approved activity:

1. Complete the questionnaire or, where there is no questionnaire available, write a brief summary (1-2 paragraphs) of the experience referring to something you found interesting or not particularly interesting at the (approved) historical museum, site, or event you visited.  If there is no questionnaire (I provide these below for area museums) available for the museum or event you are attending, you will need to include a flier or ticket with your summary.  If there is a questionnaire, that is sufficient--you do not need to write a summary or include a flier/program.You can print these questionnaires out by clicking on the links below.

2. Write your name, student ID number, and the time and section of this class on every piece of paper, flier or ticket you turn in.

3.  If you are interested in attending an historical event or visiting a museum or historical site in your home town or during a trip, feel free to talk with me to see if this could count for a historical activity.

DUE DATE:
All activities are due on OR BEFORE Monday, May 5, 2008 by 5:00 pm in the teaching assistant's office (AB4 Room 309. Please note that when you have reached 25 points, you may submit your folder (according to the guidelines for "Submitting your Activities") to the T.A. at that time, rather than wait for the final due date. Please turn in all activities to the Teaching Assistant.

There are NO extensions on this due date because you have nearly the entire semester to complete it.

POLICY ON LATE PROJECTS: Due to the fact that you have all semester to complete this assignment, ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSES for tardiness will be accepted.   If you turn these in late, the highest score you can earn is a 15/25 and you lose five points for every day it is late in addition to that. If you turn your assignment in one day late for example, you get 15/25; two days late is 10/25.  You can also lose points for failing to include a title page, as outlined below, with your activities. 

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING YOUR ACTIVITIES:

Place all activities together and securely staple it --- there is no need for a folder and paper clips fall off when they get stuck on another project, which means your assignment could be lost.

Make sure your name, class, and student ID is on every page/item you submit
You MUST include a title page at the front of the folder listing:
--Your name
--Your Student ID #
--Date when Submitting Assignment
--Section, Day and Time of this course
--My name
--A table of contents listing each activity included and total number of points

Example Title Page:

Jane Smith's Historical Activities
stdjms99@shsu.edu
March 30, 2008
HIS164.02
MWF 9:00-10:00
Dr. Susannah U. Bruce

Table of Contents:

1. Sam Houston Memorial Museum Scavenger Hunt Questionnaire -- 5 points
2. H.E.A.R.T.S. Veteran's Museum Scavenger Hunt Questionnaire -- 5 points
3. Prison Museum Questionnaire -- 5 points
4. Visit to historic Oakwood Cemetery -- 5 points
5. Paragraph Summary of my volunteer work at the Sam Houston Folk Life Festival -- 5 points

Total Points Submitted: 25 points

APPROVED HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES:
Each activity is worth 5 points. You can only do each activity ONCE. The following is a list of approved activities to complete this assignment.

ATTENDANCE:
You are expected to be in every class session and I will take attendance to encourage this.  If you have a perfect attendance record for the semester, you can earn 25 points.  Emergencies may arise, however, so every student is allowed to miss four classes and, if these are the only absences, still score a perfect 25/25. After that, you lose 1 points per absence.  Attendance is taken by the teaching assistant according to the class seating chart. NOTE: If you come to class late and the TA has already marked you absent, you will be counted absent.  Also, if you are sleeping or being generally disruptive in class, I reserve the right to count you absent from that lecture.

ASSISTANCE WITH LEARNING:
Before we go any further, I’d like to encourage you again to contact me and/or the SAM Center (Student Advising & Mentoring Center) as soon as you find yourself confused by the material we’re reading and discussing or if you’re falling behind on your work. Some of you may wish to work with the SAM Center even if you’re doing well, but wish to do better. They are "a resource dedicated to helping students adjust to academic life at Sam Houston State University. Services available include career testing, aid with time management and/or study skills," and much more.   These services are available to you as an SHSU student, and I encourage you to take advantage of them.  The SAM Center is located in room 210 in Academic Building IV, which is the same building in which we meet for lecture. You may contact them to make an appointment at SAMCenter@shsu.edu or by telephone (936) 294-4444.  

Another excellent resource on campus is the SHSU Reading Center -- it's an excellent place to go for help with textbook reading.

Schedule of Lecture Topics and Readings

These reading assignments are structured to correspond to the lectures to best assist you in understanding the subjects being discussed. The topics and reading schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the pace of this course. If you click on the "Lecture Outline" for each class, you can print this out prior to coming to lecture. Readings are listed as specific chapters in The American Experiment or your U.S. Historical Atlas.

COURSE POLICIES
NOTE: Student enrollment in this course confirms that you have read and accepted these policies.

Student Syllabus Guidelines: You may find online a more detailed description of the following policies. These guidelines will also provide you with a link to the specific university policy or procedure:

http://www.shsu.edu/syllabus/

Academic Dishonesty: Students are expected to maintain honesty and integrity in the academic experiences both in and out of the classroom. See Student Syllabus Guidelines.

Classroom Rules of Conduct: Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Students are to treat faculty and students with respect. Students are to turn off all cell phones while in the classroom. Under no circumstances are cell phones or any electronic devices to be used or seen during times of examination.

Student Absences on Religious Holy Days: Students are allowed to miss class and other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. Students remain responsible for all work. See Student Syllabus Guidelines.

Students with Disabilities Policy: It is the policy of Sam Houston State University that individuals otherwise qualified shall not be excluded, solely by reason of their disability, from participation in any academic program of the university. Further, they shall not be denied the benefits of these programs nor shall they be subjected to discrimination. Students with disabilities that might affect their academic performance should visit with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities located in the Counseling Center. See Student Syllabus Guidelines.

Visitors in the Classroom: Only registered students may attend class. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis by the professor. In all cases, visitors must not present a disruption to the class by their attendance. Students wishing to audit a class must apply to do so through the Registrar’s Office.

Copyright Statement
The materials presented in this syllabus and course are copyrighted. Reproduction of these materials without the express permission of the copyright holder is prohibited. Tape recorders are not permitted in class unless approved by instructor and Office of Student Services.

To contact Dr. Bruce, click HERE.
To return to Dr. Bruce's homepage, click HERE.
Last Update: April 2008