University of Dayton     Department of History

HST252: U.S. History Since 1865

Dr. Juan C. Santamarina
Office Hours:  M-F 12:00-1:00pm , and by appointment.  HM 443.
santamar@udayton.edu
Office Phone:  (937) 229-2834 

Course Description:

This course in U.S. history introduces students to transformations in the social, cultural, political, and economic landscapes in America from Reconstruction through the 20th century. History 252 surveys chronological progress by focusing on themes that shaped what people did, their understanding of themselves, and the experiences they had in a country that witnessed unprecedented growth and power in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. By emphasizing ideas, ideals, realities, and practices we study the causes and consequences of divisions within America (e.g. racism, class stratification, ethnic identity, and gender relations), the changing character of work, the impact of war, the shifts in family life, and the influence of popular culture in the U.S.

Grading:

Midterm Exam                          25%

    Final Exam                                25%

            ReadingDiscussion                     25%

            Final                                         25%

Assignments:

Key to the course’s functioning and to its outcomes is that students commit themselves to   reading primary and secondary sources which sharpen analytical skills. The assignments in 252 include exams, essays, formal and informal written work, oral presentation, quizzes, and class participation. These assignments are designed to help students build their abilities to think, write, and speak clearly and critically about the roots of historical causation and the pertinence of studying history for understanding the legacy of the past and present conditions.

Course Policies:

Ø      You must attend class. Students missing more than 2 classes during the semester will receive an automatic 5% reduction from their entire course grade.

Ø      You are expected to read each assignment listed for a given date before coming to class.

      Ø      Do not plagiarize. UD’s Student Handbook defines plagiarism as the following:  “Plagiarism consists of…

o  “Quoting directly from any source of material – including other students’ work and materials purchased from research consultants – without appropriately citing the source and identifying the quoted material; knowingly citing an incorrect source; using ideas (i.e. material other than information that is common knowledge) from any source of material – including other students’ work and materials purchased from research consultants – without citing the source and identifying the borrowed material.”  Student Handbook, Academic Information, p. 36)

               If you have questions regarding plagiarism, please discuss them with me.

If you engage in any type of academic dishonesty, you will receive an F for the course.  For more information on the university’s policies and penalties for academic dishonesty, see: http://www/udayton.edu/~studev/studenthandbook/

Ø      Arrive to class on time.

Ø      Do not walk in and out of the room (unless you feel physically ill) during class. If you need to leave early or will arrive late notify me beforehand for permission to do so.

****Documents below marked "ANALYSIS:" indicates documents for which you must prepare and submit

a Document Analysis Worksheet on the FRIDAY of that week.

Semester Schedule:

Week 3   MONDAY: --NO CLASSES, MEMORIAL DAY  TUESDAY:                        New National and International Politics:  Teddy Roosevelt and Progressivism Working conditions at the Westinghouse Works Excerpts from How the Other Half Lives, by Jacob Riis WEDNESDAY:               The Great War   WWI POSTERS http://www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/hist/gwposters/poster4.html   THURSDAY:               The Roaring Twenties ANALYSIS:"Conspicuous Consumption," from THE THEORY OF THE LEISURE CLASS, by Thorstein Veblen ANALYSIS:Excerpts from The Man Nobody Knows FRIDAY: NO CLASSES