Required Books
Alan Brinkley, American History: A Survey. Volume II: Since 1865.
Irwin Unger and Robert R. Tomes, American Issues: A Primary Source Reader
in United States History. Volume II: Since 1865.
These texts are available at the College
Bookstore. You may buy books in person or have them shipped to your home.
Contact the bookstore by phone, email or in person.
Learning Objectives
HST 143 is a one semester survey of the history of the United
States since 1865. The course examines the political, diplomatic,
economic, and social development of the country with equal emphasis.
By the end of this course you should be able to:
- trace the experiences of the newly freed slaves and their
descendants over the time period covered by the course, explain the betrayal
of African Americans by both major political parties at the end of the 19th
century, and understand the outcomes of different approaches by succeeding
generations of American blacks to achieve full political, economic, social,
and educational equality;
- understand the economic forces transforming the nation from
a rural and agricultural society into an urban and industrial state and
analyze their impact on society, day-to-day life, and culture;
- identify different social and economic reform movements and
explain their solutions to the problems that faced American society as a
result of rapid industrialization and the concentration of the nation’s
wealth in the hands of a few;
- explain the causes of the Great Depression and the
increased role of the federal government in combating its effects and
understand the expanded role of the U.S. government in domestic affairs
during the 20th century;
- analyze the causes and courses of the post-World War II
Civil Rights Movement;
- trace the rise of the United States as a great world power
and explain the nation’s role in the
two world wars of the 20th century;
- analyze the causes and outcomes of the Cold War on the
post-World War II period;
- appraise the origins of the Vietnam War and its impact on
American political and social development in the 1960s.
Course Policies
This is a distance learning course. As such, participants have
a great amount of flexibility in completing the course. Persons enrolled in this
section must complete all course requirements as outlined in the course
syllabus. It is the responsibility of
the course participant to schedule, complete and submit required course
assignments on time.
Likewise, participants are responsible for scheduling and
completing the course chapters, the relevant reading for the course and
understanding of associated exercises and tools. Material must be completed and
submitted on time. A final grade will be issued at the end of the term on the date
required by the College.
Course Requirements
There will be 2 exams (a mid-term and a final), 5 quizzes, 10
discussion boards, and 1 documentary editing assignment during the course of the
semester. The exams, quizzes, discussions, and documentary editing
assignment will be weighted as follows:
