Santa Ana College

History 118: Social and Cultural History of United States

Ticket #53411

M/W 8:40-10:05AM

Dunlap Hall Room D-201

 

Instructor: Moises Medina    

Contact: medina_moises@sac.edu (714) 564-6512

Office: Dunlap Hall D-404 Hours TBD

 

Course Description/Objectives:

 

History 118 will analyze major social and cultural developments in the United States. Through a chronological and topical telling this course aims to acquaint students with the broad historical trends and continuing controversies in US history. It will help students realize that there are many ways to look at and respond to events. In so doing the hope is that students will be better able to understand the present and thus be better capable of shaping the future. To accomplish these goals, the class will cover a variety of topics as listed below in the syllabus. In order for students to fully understand and appreciate the course information, students should stay current with the news, regularly attend class, complete all assigned work, and keep current with the reading assignments.

 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

 

1. Students will critically analyze and interpret primary documents and secondary sources, and will be able to interpret qualitative and quantitative data in order to evaluate historical events.
2. Students will develop communication skills through oral and written exercises, and develop analytical skills by critically interpreting historical topics.
3. Students will analyze how local, national, and international policies and practices developed in the past continue to impact their contemporary lives.

 

Course Policy and Guidelines:

 

The following are steps that will help students successfully complete the course.

 

Students are required to attend class.

 

-2 unexcused absences will result in docking of points and/or lowering of letter grade.

 

 Students are expected to arrive in class on time.

 

-Excessive tardiness will result in the docking of points and/or lowering of letter grade.

 

 Students are required to come prepared to class

 

-Showing up everyday is not enough. Each student is expected to come to class prepared, having done the required reading for the week and the assigned course work.

 

 Students are required to participate in class discussions.

 

-This course will involve in class discussion of the material that is covered (lectures, readings, films, etc). Students will therefore be expected to ask questions and actively participate in class discussions. Your grade depends on it.

 

Students are required to turn assignments in on time. (That means in class- not in mail- box or outside of class)

 

-Assignments will be docked a whole letter grade for each day late (max 2days). Absence is not an excuse for late work; it is the student’s responsibility to turn in assignment in on time. (Note: unless otherwise agreed upon, emailing assignments is not allowed.)

 

If students adhere to all the aforementioned guidelines, successful completion of course is not difficult. However, even if all steps are completed, an unsatisfactory grade may still be issued based on quality of work.

 

Mobile devices/ cellular phones:

 

Mobile devices (i.e. Laptop) are allowed for classroom use. However Internet browsing is strictly prohibited and will lead to banning of mobile devices and/or dismissal of the student.

 

Cell phone use is strictly prohibited. Classroom use of a cell phone will result in dismissal of student from class and lowering of letter grade.

 

Academic dishonesty/Plagiarism

 

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any student(s) found cheating will automatically fail any related assignment and be subject to administrative review by the Dean of Students. It is the student’s responsibility to completely understand what qualifies as plagiarism.

 

Generally speaking plagiarism is, "the wrongful appropriation, close imitation, or purloining and publication, of another author's language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions, and the representation of them as one's own original work."

 

Students with disabilities

 

A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS). To make arrangements for academic accommodations, contact the DSPS office in Johnson Center, U-103, or phone (714) 564-6264 for a referral to the appropriate DSPS department

 

Required Text:

 

Foner, Eric ed. Give Me Liberty!: An American History, Seagull 3^rd Edition Single Volume ISBN: 9780393911893

 

Give Me Liberty! is the primary text for this course. It will fill gaps left in the lectures and will add substance to what students learn in class. It will additionally provide students with maps, photos, graphs, historiography, and other information to complement the lectures.

 

Course Website:

 

Unless otherwise noted, all course material (syllabus, primary source readings, assignment prompts, media, e-links, etc) will be posted on the course Canvas Page.

 

https://rsccd.instructure.com/

 

It is the student’s responsibility to access and check the course website throughout the semester, as material relevant to assignments, prompts and information that will be on exams will be posted there. The course website message/email system is also the best way to contact me outside of classroom hours.

 

Grading:

 

Essays 20%

Quizzes 20%

ID Assignment 3%

Participation 2%

Midterm 25%

Final 30%

 

Course Work/Assignments: 

 

Written Assignments:

 

(*All written assignments must be double spaced with 12pt font and 1inch margins. Note: Late work will be penalized a full letter grade for each calendar day late- max 3 days)

 

Reading Responses (20%) 

Students will write a 2-3 page response that actively engages with one of the primary source handouts assigned for reading. (see course website for more information)

 

Reading Response #1 (10%): Due Wednesday. Oct 03

Reading Response #2 (10%): Due Wednesday. Nov 28

 

*Please see the "Understanding Primary Sources" document (posted on the course website) as a guide to understanding what primary sources are.

 

Exams:

 

Quizzes (20%):

There will be four short quizzes (5% each) based on readings, lecture, and discussions

 

Quiz 1: Wednesday. September 19

Quiz 2: Wednesday. October 03

Quiz 3: Wednesday. November 07

Quiz 4: Wednesday. November 28

 

Midterm (25%):

The midterm will cover all readings, lectures, and discussions from the first half of the course. The exam may consists of ID terms, short answer questions, and essay responses

 

Midterm: Wednesday. October 17^th

 

Final (30%):

 

The final will be cumulative. Like the midterm there may be ID, short answer, and an essay questions, Students may also be asked to write an essay that will ask them to discuss and/or make some connection between a prevalent theme in the course.

 

Final: Wednesday. Dec 12th

 

Other:

 

2% Participation

3% 2 ID Assignments

Due at Midterm (10/17) and Final (12/12)

 

Note:

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the professor. It is the student’s responsibility to stay informed about these changes as they may adversely affect the student’s grade.