HISTORY 12: U.S HISTORY FROM 1865 TO THE PRESENT y CSU Fresno y Fall Semester 2003 y Professor Jill Fields

Course Requirements

• John Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks
• Ruth Rosen, The Lost Sisterhood
• Anne Moody, Coming of Age in Mississippi
• Occasionally you will also be asked to read and assess relevant primary documents.

• http://memory.loc.gov/ammem
• http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall
• http://www.ourdocuments.gov
• http://www.ku.edu/carrie/docs
• http://lii.org
• http://www.pbs.org/greatspeeches
• http://womhist.binghamton.edu/
• http://historywired.si.edu/index.html
• http://www.nwhp.org

1) Thoughtful reading of assigned texts by dates noted.

2) Regular class attendance and participation (10% of grade). Class participation includes contributions to class discussions, and may also include in-class quizzes given at the discretion of the professor. Consistent attendance is expected. You are responsible for all information covered in class, including possible schedule changes, whether you are present or not. If you miss class it is recommended that you obtain notes from another student.

3) ½ to 1 page "response and reflection" papers that students will complete during the last 5 minutes of each class meeting (15% of grade). Due at the end of each class meeting. No late papers accepted for this assignment.

4) A 2 to 3 page primary research paper (15% of grade) discussing how an event reported in the Fresno Bee (or other California paper) relates to national historical trends occurring during the same period. Students will sign up for due dates for the paper, and will also present their topics in class.

5) A 5 to 7 page midterm and final exam (30% of grade each) composed of short essays identifying historical terms and explaining their significance and longer essays analyzing larger historical trends and concepts. A list of terms will be provided prior to the exam as a study guide, as will longer essay questions. These terms and questions will be drawn from readings, lectures, and discussions with the expectation that students have thought about and synthesized this material.

All papers must be typed, double-spaced with standard margins, proof-read, spell-checked, include page numbers, and be turned in on time to be eligible for full credit. Papers more than one week late will not be accepted without prior approval. Grades are based on an assessment of both the content and form of each paper. Criteria for this assessment include:

Grammatical errors of a basic nature undermine the accuracy, clarity, and persuasive force of your paper, and therefore lower the grade given to your paper. Original thinking, passionate engagement with the text and topic, succinct phrasing, and creative use of language which enhance the presentation of your evidence and the power of your argument raise your grade.

There are an unlimited number of ways to express your ideas and knowledge on a topic in writing. In order to explore the possibilities for self-expression you must have a strong grasp of the basic tools of language. While everyone makes at least an occasional error in grammar, papers which contain more than occasional errors of the kind listed below can not be considered satisfactory

work at the college level.

Incorrect use of its (possessive pronoun) and it’s (contraction of "it is")

Incorrect use of singular and plural verb forms

Inconsistent verb tense selection (past/present)

Random capitalization of words

Spelling errors which would be corrected by using "spell check"

Incomplete sentences

Don’t get discouraged!--writing is not always easy and, like anything, it takes practice to improve.

10% of your overall grade is based on class participation. This emphasis is designed to encourage students to take an active part in creating the content and form of our study of U.S. history this semester. Every student has the opportunity to contribute to the success of the class and to the education of fellow students. Participation in class discussions includes asking questions, venturing opinions, and posing hypotheses. Students are also encouraged to bring additional information into our discussions by sharing areas of expertise and relevant personal experience and family histories. Exceptional class participation will result in extra credit for your final course grade.

The grade for the course may be based upon more than just the mathematical calculation of grades received on required assignments. Class participation which demonstrates a strong engagement with the content and texts, improvement in the quality of analysis and writing over the course of the semester, and evidence of intellectual development can all contribute to your final grade.

For extra credit students may turn in examples of grammatical errors found in contemporary published sources such as a magazines or newspapers along with how the sentence or passage should be rewritten. The amount of extra credit accorded will depend upon the extent and quality of work submitted.