General Information

Goals:             The goals of this course are (1) to learn the specific historical facts and opinions about the history of the United States from the end of Reconstruction (1877) through today's headlines in the news, (2) to discuss and to think about the importance of these facts and opinions within the larger context of changing and current United States history and society, and (3) to consider what the study of US history can reveal about the study of History itself as a discipline.  Critical to the course will be developing learning skills and focusing on how to think critically and analytically.

Objectives:  At the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Describe the general history of the modern United States.
2. Identify and explain the importance of various people, places, dates, or events in modern US History (while the list of identifications contains all identifications on which you will be tested, for purposes of your objectives and your personal goals you should consider this list suggestive rather than exhaustive).
3. Discuss the importance, impact, and influence of race, gender, religion, and culture in modern United States society and politics.
4. Discuss the importance, impact, and influence of the United States in 20th century world affairs.
5. Appreciate that events in modern United States political, social, and cultural history are influenced and shaped by both liberalism and conservatism.
6. Display the ability to read both primary and secondary sources critically
7. Demonstrate the ability to frame historical questions for research and to perform analytical historical research (both on the internet and in the library).

Attendance:    Attendance is mandatory.  Classes are vital for understanding, learning, and discussing this material and your attendance at and participation in class will factor into your final grade.  Students who miss more than one class should expect to receive no higher than a "B"; student who miss more than two classes will fail the course. 

 Contact:         You can reach me at Sam@Brown.edu or at (401) 339-1546.  I am open to any questions and concerns.  Please feel free to contact me between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM.

 Feedback:      I am dedicated to making this class a successful and enjoyable one for you to take, and I am looking for your comments and feedback to make that possible.  I will do everything in my power to make sure that you are comfortable in the class, but please remember that I cannot respond to requests or comments that I have not heard. If you have any comments for me, please, PLEASE let me know. 

Assignments: In addition to homework readings, there will be one short paper, one long paper, one quiz, and one final examination.  All readings are to be done for the day following the one on which they appear on the syllabus.  For more information, see the section on Papers and Exams.  You must submit assignments on time; failing to submit any assignment when it is due is grounds for failing the course.

Grading:         Evaluations for this course will be decided on the following basis:  Class Participation (10%), Short Paper (25%), Long Paper (25%), Quizzes (10% each = 20%), and Final Exam (25%).  If you choose to write a longer research paper, you might bump your final grade (depending on the quality of the paper) by either one, two, or three grades (B to B+, B to A-, or B to A, for instance).