Print Version of Syllabus

History 210 - Post-World War II United States

Cerritos College
Prof. George Jarrett
Spring 2019
Ticket # 20445
Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Social Sciences 310

Instructor Contact Information

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.,
Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.,
Thursdays, 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
and by appointment
Social Sciences 31 (basement)

Telephone: (562) 860-2451 x2740

Email: gjarrett@cerritos.edu *best way to reach me*
Course website: http://cerritos.instructure.com

Course Overview

Welcome to History 210! This class explores the development of the United States since 1945. We will consider significant aspects of the politics, society, and culture of the post-war period: the Civil Rights movement, Chicano movement, and other movements for racial justice; changes in the role of women; the Cold War, including the Vietnam war and the arms race; the rise of a New Right, including the elections of Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump; the reform of the Democratic party under Bill Clinton and Barack Obama; and the War on Terror.

My role as your professor is to create opportunities for you to learn about history. I will do this by assigning you readings, writings, discussions, and tests and quizzes, as well as leading lectures, showing video clips, and leading discussions during class time. These assignments will also give you to opportunities to show your understanding of the historical events, concepts and skills we study. In discussions, my role is to facilitate interaction between students, not to provide the answers to discussion questions. When we all work together to search for the truth, we reach a deeper understanding.

A central goal for this class is to develop your ability to think like a historian. We will stress the ways that history is an argument about the meaning of the past. We will join that argument through discussions and our own interpretations of primary sources. Historians use evidence from the past (what we call primary sources) to explain the meaning and significance of past events (what we call interpretations).

Working with historical sources will help develop your abilities to express yourself clearly and persuasively, in speech and writing. These abilities are useful far beyond the history classroom. Furthermore, knowledge of American history and historical thinking should help make you a more thoughtful member of our society.

Due to this class, students should be able to:

• Discuss major events, people, and controversies in the US since 1945
• Read and interpret primary and secondary sources
• Write organized essays that synthesize historical sources

Required Reading

• William Chafe, The Unfinished Journey: America since World War II. 8 ed. (New York: Oxford, 2014) ISBN: 978-0-19934799-5.
• Michael K. Honey, To the Promised Land: Martin Luther King and the Fight for Economic Justice. (New York: W. W. Norton, 2018), ISBN: 978-0-393-65126-3.
• Lorena Oropeza, ¡Raza Sí! ¡Guerra No!: Chicano Protest and Patriotism during the Viet Nam War Era. (Berkeley: U. California Press, 2005) ISBN: 978-0-520-24195-4.
• Supplemental readings distributed in class and/or from the course web site.

Required Materials and Software/Services

• Pen or pencil, for exams.
• 2 exam blue books, for interpretive exams.
• Access to the class Canvas website to take quizzes.

Note: For the writing assignments, you will need to use a word processing application capable of producing footnotes, such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, OpenOffice, LibreOffice, or Apple Pages. Computers with Microsoft Word are available for free student use at the library, where you can also print for a fee. Google Docs is available to use for free on the web. OpenOffice and LibreOffice can be downloaded for free and installed on your own computer. Apple Pages comes free with most MacBook and iMac computers. Microsoft offers Microsoft Office free to college students.

To access the required quizzes you will need to use a computer (desktop/laptop/notebook) or, in a pinch, a mobile device (phone/tablet). Canvas and LaunchPad were originally designed to work in web browsers (such as Chrome, Safari, or Firefox) on a computer, then later modified to work on touchscreen devices like phones and tablets. It can be frustrating to use the quizzes on a mobile device. If you don't have a computer of your own, I recommend that you use one at the computer lab in the campus library.

For checking announcements and grades, sending messages to the instructor, or shorter readings, a phone should work fine. I recommend installing the Canvas Student mobile app from the appropriate app Store on your device if you want notifications from this course.

Recommendation

Success in this course relies on extensive reading and writing. You are strongly encouraged to enroll in History 210 only after completing the English placement process or ENGL 52 or equivalent with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher, and the Reading Placement Process or READ 54 with a grade of Credit or "C" or higher. 

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course should understand:

• The origins of the Cold War.
• The similarities and differences between the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
• The origins, course, and impact of the Civil Rights Movement from Mendez v. Westminsterto the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
• The role played by the CIA and the State Department in the overthrow of Mosaddegh, Arbenz, attempted overthrow of Fidel Castro, and overthrow of Allende.
• The origins, events and points of view of American youth radicalism, Black Radicalism, and the Counter Culture of the 1960s.
• The major stages and events of the Women's Movement, Chicano Movement, American Indian Movement, and Gay Movement.
• The major phases and policies of the later Cold War from 1979 to 1989.
• The policies and military interventions of the U.S. in the Middle East from 1948-present.

In addition, students will learn to distinguish between sources and interpretations, and to weigh the significance of evidence and claims.

Assignments

Exploration Project	160 points
Interpretive Examinations (2)	200
Objective Examinations (4)	200
Reading Responses (2)	40
Quizzes	100
Total	700
Extra credit not more than	20 pts additional

Exploration step 1: Source Selection (20 points)

Objective: Guided by your own interests, identify a monograph or document collection on a topic in American history since 1945 that meets scholarly standards and addresses a historical topic you want to know more about.

Format: A written answer to a series of question regarding the book you have selected, why it interests you, and why it is appropriate for the assignment.

Exploration step 2: Pre-writing Assignment (20 points)

Objective: Learn/practice skills of proper quotation, paraphrasing and summarization, and footnote citations, which will be used in your writing.

Format: A short, two-paragraph writing on assigned sources, which will be evaluated strictly for the accuracy of its quotations, paraphrasing, and citations.

Exploration step 3: Secondary-source précis (40 points)

Objective: Demonstrate the ability to identify and distill the key points of a historical argument.

Format: Once you have selected an approved book-length work of history for your exploration topic, you will read the book carefully and write a structured, three-paragraph summary and analysis of the book.

Exploration step 4: Final Report (80 points)

Objective: Demonstrate understanding of your chosen monograph, including: the author’s thesis, the source(s) the author used, and its place in the larger context of American history.

Format: A paper of 3-5 pages that extensively analyzes the chosen monograph. You will also informally discuss the book and your analysis of it during one or more class sessions.

Objective Exams (4 at 50 points/each, 200 points total)

Objective: Develop understanding of significant events in American history.

Format: Matching terms and descriptions, from textbook readings. Quizzes will serve as study guides for each exam. The last objective exam will be given as part of the final exam.

Interpretive Exams (2 at 100 points/each, 200 points total)

Objective: Demonstrate your ability to interpret and judge broad changes and major turning points in American history.

Format: Short in-class essay of about five paragraphs, your own synthesis of lecture content and textbook material. Study questions given in advance. You must provide a blank blue book for each exam. The second objective exam will be given as one part of the final exam.

Reading Responses (2 at 20 points, 40 points total)

Objective: Practice interpreting secondary sources; gain better understanding of events; look at how expert historians use sources and structure their arguments in writing.

Format: For each of the two monographs the entire class will read, Honey’s To the Promised Land and Oropeza’s ¡Raza Si!, you will complete a series of written questions meant to demonstrate your understanding of the book and its author’s methods.

Quizzes (14 at 10 points/each, 4 lowest dropped, for a total of 100 pts.)

Objective: Develop understanding of significant events in American history, demonstrate knowledge of the specific details of these events, and prepare for exams.

Format: According to the schedule on Canvas, regular multiple-choice/true-false quizzes will be given to assess your understanding of the reading assignments. The quiz must be completed on Canvas no later than 10 minutes before class time on the due date. Late quizzes will receive 0 points. There will be no make-ups or retakes, regardless of the reason, but the five lowest scores will not be counted.

Extra Credit (Maximum 20 points additional)

From time to time, there may be relevant events on campus and/or in the community. At the professor’s discretion, you may attend a relevant event, and write a one-page description of the event and its relevance to the history we are studying. Each event may earn up to 10 points, for a maximum of 20 points total extra credit for any one student.

Grading Policy

Grades will be assigned according to an absolute standard of expectation, not on a curve. Each assignment will be assessed with a point value corresponding to a letter grade (A through F, 0 for assignments not submitted). The course grade will be calculated from a total of all points earned, on a scale based on 700:

Grade	Minimum	Maximum
A	630	700+
B	560	629
C	490	559
D	420	489
F	0	419

For the research paper only, a failing paper turned in on time, may be rewritten for partial credit. Late papers and plagiarized papers cannot be rewritten for credit.

Secrets for Success

To pass this class: (1) read the assigned chapters, making sure you understand them; (2) come to class ready to learn by engaging with the lecture, discussions, and other activities; and (3) turn in every single assignment, on time.

iFalcon: Successful students share particular habits of mind that help them learn. Here at Cerritos College, we encourage these habits with the key terms of the iFalcon mnemonic: focus, advance, link up, comprehend, organize, and new ideas. Find out more about iFalcon on the web at http://www.cerritos.edu/ifalcon

Student Success Center: Throughout the semester, the Student Success Center offers workshops, many on topics relevant to successful study of history. Topics include skills such as note-taking, reading a textbook, and writing essay exams. You can look for events at http://www.cerritos.edu/sc

Course Website: Readings, grades, and other information will be made available at http://cerritos.instructure.com/. Please make sure that your email address on Canvas is current to ensure that you receive class announcements.

Learning Accommodations

Any student who has a learning disability or a physical disability that requires special accommodation should inform me at the beginning of the term. As several assignments are to be completed online via Canvas, if your disability makes using Canvas a barrier, please let me know that as well. Please also contact the Disabled Student Programs and Services at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2335, as early as possible in the term. Use of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) services including testing accommodations, requires prior authorization by DSPS and compliance with approved procedures.

Attendance Policy

• Per the Cerritos College Attendance Policy, students who miss 10% or more of class time are subject to drop. Students who are absent during the Add period (first week of an 18-week class) are subject to drop. Excused absences are allowed only for medical necessity, school-sanctioned events (tournaments, field trips, etc.), and military service. Missing class does not relieve you of the necessity of making up any missing work.
• The burden of communication is on you if you have some compelling reason to miss class, turn in an assignment late, take an incomplete, or have a medical or military reason to withdraw. Always, inform me ahead of time (email is preferred), or in the case of an unexpected event, as soon as practical after the event. If you simply ghost the class, don't be surprised to find an "F" on your transcript--the responsibility to withdraw from the class is on the student.

Additional Policies

• Written assignments due at the beginning of class on the due date. Written assignments turned in late will be penalized by a 50% reduction in grade. Exceptions will be made only in the case of medical necessity, verified by a signed note from a licensed physician. Late papers can be turned in at office hours or a subsequent class meeting. Don't wait to turn in a late paper--hand it in as soon as it is done.
• Make-ups.There can be NO make-ups for missed quizzes, regardless of the reason. For exams only, in an emergency, a written, verifiable medical explanation (signed by a health practitioner) will be the only acceptable excuse for a make-up. If you know you will have an unavoidable commitment, such as a tournament or out of town travel, on the day of a scheduled exam, make arrangements in advance for a make-up.
• Plagiarism & Cheating.All assignments should be your own ideas, expressed in your own words. You may quote briefly from other works, but you MUST cite the source. Do not copy from other writers' works, whether from another student, a published book, or the internet. You also may not turn in the same paper for two different classes. Providing your work (such as a test, paper, or take-home writing assignment) for another student to copy will be penalized as cheating. Cheating on exams will not be tolerated. Students who cheat or plagiarize will be dealt with through college-mandated procedures. At minimum, you will receive no credit for the assignment, which may result in failure of the class. Please see the college academic honesty policy: http://cms.cerritos.edu/academic-affairs/academic-honesty.htm
• com.Writing assignments will be submitted through the anti-plagiarism service, turnitin.com via the course Canvas website.
• Discussion Etiquette.Feel free to ask questions and make relevant comments, and to ask for clarification. Discussion works best when we respect each other's opinions. In good discussions, disagreement is accepted, even encouraged. I will not look for the "right" answer, but for signs that you have thought about the material and listened to other students. Talk to me for tips on speaking in class.
• Interruptionsfor reasons other than learning history are not acceptable. Do not text or play games on a phone or other device during class. Please don't read or do homework for other classes, or carry on personal conversations with other students during lecture. If you arrive late or leave early, do so quietly. Students who habitually disrupt the class in these ways (including students who prefer to pay attention to their devices rather than lecture or discussion) may be asked to leave the room, or dropped from the class.
• Safe Zone:I am a member of the campus "Safe Zone" committee, and as an ally, promise to help make this class, and our campus, a safe and supportive environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) people. If you have any issues you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to talk to me.

NOTE: Course Summary (below) does not include reading assignments.

See the schedule in the printed syllabus for a complete list of readings, assignments, and due dates.