Catalog Description: This course will examine United States history from 1877 to 1945 and will include discussions of the Industrial Revolution, the Populist and Progressive movements, World War I, the era of the 1920s, the Great Depression and New Deal, and World War II. Credit 3

1) Jackson Lears, Rebirth of a Nation: The Making of Modern America, 1877-1920 (New York: Harper, 2009).
2) Donald McRae, The Great Trials of Clarence Darrow: The Landmark Cases of Leopold and Loeb, John T. Scopes, and Ossian Sweet (New York: Harper, 2010).
3) Ronald Takaki, Double Victory: A Multicultural History of America in World War II (Back Bay Books, 2001). Also available as audio book.

Examinations: Each exam in this course will cover the material in the unit immediately preceding it. Exams will be based on class lectures as well as assigned readings. Exams will include short answer and essay questions. Review sheets will be posted before each exam. Please note: Make-up exams will only be given for excused University absences. All make-up exams will be administered on May 3. No exceptions.  

Case Report: Handout with Instructions | In teams of two, everyone will present an in-class report on a court case that played a significant part in the emergence of modern America. Each written report will be provided to the class via blackboard by noon on the day prior to presentation. All students will bring their copy of the report to class with their critique of the report and at least four thoughtful questions on the subject.  Immediately after the report there will be questions, and each student will grade the report according to the standards outlined on blackboard. Each team is required to post its discussions about the preparation of the report on the discussion board so I can evaluate the contribution of all team members. Additional guidance and case choices are posted on blackboard under Case Report.

Digital Storytelling Project: Each student will write a script and design their own digital storytelling project as part of this course. For more information on what digital storytelling is click here.

Topic selection and approval | by February 15 | Each student will select his or her own topic, which must be approved by me. We will meet during regular class times and individually scheduled appointments to refine your topic. When you come to meet with me individually, have a typed, single-page document including your name, date, and a paragraph about the topic. Once your topic is approved, it may not be changed without formal consultation with me.

Topic statement and working bibliography | by March 1 | Each student will submit a formal topic statement, research plan, and working bibliography to me via blackboard. Your bibliography must contain no fewer than 7 primary and secondary sources. Be sure the bibliography is formatted in accordance with the Chicago Manual of Style. No online sources -- other than primary documents -- may be included in the bibliography.

Rough draft | by March 22 | Each student must turn in a rough draft of their script to the campus Writing Center by March 22.  This consists of  a minimum of 7 pages of text – bibliography and endnotes do not count. You should make an appointment with the Writing Center, since they require a minimum of 48 hours to check your work. Plan ahead and remember that your work will not be graded by them; they will only be assisting you. Note that I will receive notice from the Writing Center of each student assisted and the date. Note also that the deadline of March 22 is to ensure that you get feedback on the draft from a source that will not be grading the final product. This allows several weeks for you to make corrections before the final paper is due. 

Final Draft | by May 3 | The final digital storytelling project is due on blackboard by May 3. More specific technical requirements may be updated later.

Regular attendance and punctuality are indicative of serious scholarship. You should be in class, awake and aware, and prepared for discussion. Students missing more than two classes may receive a failing grade at the end of the term. Students who are regularly tardy will be denied entrance to class. For more information on attendance requirements see: http://www.shsu.edu/catalog/scholasticrequirements.html.

Section 51.911(b) of the Texas Education Code requires that an institution of higher education excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence.

SHSU policy 861001 provides the procedure to be followed by the student and instructor.  A student desiring to absent himself/herself from a scheduled class in order to observe (a) religious holy day(s) shall present to the instructor involved a written statement concerning the religious holy day(s). This request must be made in the first fifteen days of the semester in which the absence(s) will occur. The instructor will complete a form notifying the student of a reasonable timeframe in which the missed assignments and/or examinations are to be completed.

Cellular telephones and similar devices have become a part of everyday life. In the academic classroom, however, these devices can be a serious distraction, and during tests they can be a serious problem.

The use by students of a telephone, text messager, or laptop computer during class-time is prohibited. Failure to comply with the instructor's policy may result in expulsion from the classroom or with multiple offenses failure of the course.

Any use of a telephone or text messager or any device that performs these functions during a test period is also prohibited. These devices should not be present during a test or should be stored securely in such a way that they cannot be seen or used by the student.  Even the visible presence of such a device during the test period will result in a zero for that test. Use of these devices during a test is considered de facto evidence of cheating and could result in a charge of academic dishonesty (see student code of conduct).

The Sam Houston Writing Center, located in Farrington 111, is open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, and 2 - 7 p.m. on Sunday.  Writing tutors will work with you at any stage of the writing process (brainstorming, generating a draft, organizing a draft, or revising a draft) for any written assignment. The Writing Center operates on an appointment system, so please call (936) 294-3680 to schedule a session with a writing tutor. Skype sessions are available for distance students, and a tutor is available at the University Center. See website for more information: www.shsu.edu/wctr.

For additional information or to schedule a class orientation, please contact us at 936-294-3680 or via email at wctr@shsu.edu . You can also find information on our website: www.shsu.edu/~wctr . We wish you a successful semester; let us know how we can help.