HIST 112
U.S. HISTORY SINCE 1877

1. Catalog Entry

HIST 112. U.S. History Since 1877
Three hours lecture (3).

General survey of national history since the beginnings of industrialization in the 1870s. Explores economic, political, and social developments in the United States and growing American involvement in world affairs. This course has been approved for General Education credit in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Area of the curriculum.

2. Detailed Description Course Content

The major topics covered in this course are those considered to represent the foundations of American history. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a broad background in American history since 1877. These topics, with various degrees of emphasis, are common to all recent textbooks written for an introductory course in American history.

1. Industrialization and Urbanization
2. The Response to Industrialization
3. The New West and the New South
4. Populism and late Nineteenth Century Politics
5. Imperialism
6. The Progressive Movement and Urban Reform
7. World War I
8. The Twenties
9. The Great Depression
10. World War II
11. The Cold War
12. The 1960s
13. The Civil Rights Movement
14. The Vietnam War
15. American Politics and Society Since 1970

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The class meets three hours a week. A textbook is required by all instructors; each instructor has the option of selecting a different text. Additionally, some instructors require other readings. Teaching methods involve a mix of lecture and discussion. Generally large classes require a teaching methodology capable of reaching a wide variety of students. Visual aids emphasize maps and graphs, but other aids such as videotapes, slides and various forms of multimedia including the internet may also be utilized.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

A student in History 112 will be introduced to the major issues/problems that have confronted American society from 1877. Students should develop an awareness of history's complexity and clearly see history's relevance to their own lives. Students in History 112 will develop a foundation for further study in history and in other disciplines.

Broad General Education Goals

• Students will develop the ability to think critically and creatively about ideas, issues, and problems not only through historical inquiry but also through the use of philosophy, science, technology, literature, humanities, and political thought.
• Students will be introduced to the wide variety of tools, methods, and data that are available for conducting historical research.
• Students will come to understand how evolving technology has historically helped societies to gather, interpret, consolidate, and refine knowledge and contribute to problem-solving.
• Students will develop an appreciation of the often collaborative nature of inquiry and problem solving.
• Students will acquire an historical perspective, permitting them to identify the personal and cultural values that shape decisions in public, professional, and private lives, both in the past and present.

Goals for Area 8 - Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Students will gain an understanding of the interpretive nature of history as a discipline and the critical skills involved in formulating theories, evaluating evidence, solving problems and posing questions through the use of primary and secondary sources.
• Students will develop an understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural factors that through time have shaped history by examining diverse cultures and ethnicities, describing change over time, and investigating the emergence of new ideas.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the diverse ways in which human relations have been structured across time and cultures by comparing societies.
• Students will acquire basic knowledge and skills, permitting them to apply social scientific methodology in evaluating and interpreting their own society and the societies of others.

5. Assessment Measures

Assessment measures may include any or all of the following: participation in class, writing exercises, oral discussions of readings, and testing that includes objective and/or essay questions on quizzes and examinations. All tests are structured to emphasize an understanding of ideas, concepts, and inter-relationships. Assessment measures are designed to evaluate student learning and progression towards the fulfillment of the general education program goals and the specific goals and objectives of the Social and Behavioral Science area as stated above in D.

6. Other Course Information

None.

7. Review and Approval

DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
January 2005 Reviewed and Approved by Charles McClellan