ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Syracuse, New York

Tentative Syllabus
History 106.002
United States History of the 19th Century

Fall 2014 Office: Mawhinney, Rm. 398
Prof. Ross Phone: 498-2041
10:10-11:00
M-390 Office Hours: M 9:30-10:00 am M 1:45-3:45 p.m. T 3:45-5:00 p.m. TH 3:45-5:00 p.m. or by appointment

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of this course is to help students to analyze the past and relate it to current problems and concerns while they develop a basic understanding of United States history of the 19th century. This is done by requiring students to:

a) identify the development and evolution of American politics, economics, religion, society, culture and the military;

b) identify and discuss how America’s needs, goals, and decisions have influenced and affected world events;

c) identify the contributions to America’s development by people of color and women;

d) sort through myths about America and develop a more accurate picture of the United States.

Required Texts:

There will be one (1) required text for this course:

Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty customize 4th edition (F)
There will be additional readings placed on Angel; a list of these readings will be placed under Learning Modules on ANGEL by the beginning of the second week of classes.

Exams:

There will be four (4) exams in this class. The fourth exam is the final. Of the first three exams, the lowest grade will be automatically dropped. Each exam is worth a maximum of 100 points. The final exam is worth 100 points. Please bring a sharpened number two pencil to all exams. If school is cancelled because of bad weather, the exam will be given on the next scheduled class day. The final exam is mandatory.

NOTE: If a student misses exams one through three for any reason, that exam will be the one dropped. In the rare case when a student misses a second exam, the student will have one week from the date of the scheduled exam to take the make-up exam. The make-up exam may be an essay exam. It is up to the student to make arrangements with me to make up the exam.

Team Research & Writing Project:

This team project will be handed out and explained in class on 9-3-14. This team project will require students to research an assigned topic from the Gilded Age utilizing primary documents and requiring a presentation of the analysis and research on the topic. This project will require numerous team meetings outside of class. This project will be worth a maximum of 100 points.

Class Participation:

In this class there will be lecture, discussion of the assigned readings, films, and in-class activities. Class participation involves reading the material prior to class (as required) and coming to class prepared to discuss it. It, also, means answering the questions raised in class. It, also, includes making relevant, not previously mentioned, comments on material. Asking questions for clarification is not included in these points.
Film Note: Films will be shown in class. While it is hoped that they are entertaining, the films are shown for their educational value. Students are expected to take notes on them. Class participation = 60 points.

Attendance and Absences:

Attendance in this class is required unless you have a good reason to be elsewhere. Attendance will be taken on a regular basis. Each student will be allowed three (3) absences. For each absence after three, five points will be deducted from your final attendance point total. Nine or more absences will result in a grade of “F/UF” for the course.

Exception: Should a serious illness or death in the student’s immediate family occur, the student should notify me immediately. The absence will be excused if the student can verify in writing, the illness or death.