Modern America traces the rise of America to the World's greatest power.  The course is about Industrialism, World Wars I and II, the Depression, the New Deal, the Cold War, the Vietnam experience, and America's place in the new Millennium.

Course Outline and Syllabus

History 3–Modern America

College of the Redwoods, Del Norte

 

Thomas S. Owen, M.A., J.D., Instructor Fall Semester, 2000

Mr. Owen’s office is located in the faculty office building near the bookstore.

Telephone: (707) 465-2361;

email: tom-owen@redwoods.edu

website: tsopage.htm

Description of Course.

America entered the world stage after 1890, and became the dominant nation on earth. Internally, America transformed from a rural, agrarian society to the industrial giant it is today. This course will explore those and other exciting developments, with an emphasis on discovering the uniquely American character and how it affects American policy. The concentration will be on themes and ideas, not dates. With the recent Hollywood attention to World War II, the class will devote more time to an exploration of the war, and America's role in winning the victory. In addition, CR, Del Norte now has free internet access in the library, and internet URL's (addresses) will be provided throughout the semester for further study. No advance computer knowledge is required.

 

Course Outline.

1. Populism and Politics of the Gilded Age

2. The Progressive Movement

3. America flirts with imperialism

4. Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson

5. World War I, the war to end all wars

6. The Roaring Twenties

7. The Great Depression and the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt

8. World War II

9. Truman, Korea and the Cold War

10. Eisenhower and the Baby Boom

11. JFK and the New Frontier

12. Vietnam, LBJ and the 60's

13. Nixon and Watergate

14. The Reagan-Bush Presidencies and the rise of the new Right

15. The Republican Revolution of 1994 and the rise of Newt Gingrich

16. Clinton and his legacy

 

TEXTBOOK

The Unfinished Nation, Alan Brinkley We will also utilize original source documents for a portion of the class work. Note: This text is the text for History 1, 2 & 3, thereby offering a significant savings to the student!

ON-LINE RESOURCES

The publishers of The Unfinished Nation have created a very effective and helpful website to accompany the text. It contains summaries, additional information, and sample multiple choice and true false tests. The URL for the site is http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/history/usa/unfinishednation

EXAM POLICY

Instead of one huge, stressful midterm, there will be two or three smaller exams, plus a final. The exams may consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Grading will be on the curve, and will be adjusted by substituting the high score in the class for the maximum score, and then calculating 90% and above for A’s, 80% for B’s, etc.

OPTIONAL TERM PAPER POLICY.

Students may prepare a term paper of from 5 to 10 pages, double spaced, on a topic of their choice, after discussion with the instructor. The paper may be done for extra credit, or if turned in sufficiently in advance of the end of the class, and if the paper is well done, then it may be substituted for the final exam.

Internet Links:

History/Social Sciences Resource Page