HIST 2112B: Survey of American History since 1877

Fall 2017
T/R 3:00 to 4:15
Classroom: D.M. Smith 105

Instructor: Dr. Smith TA: Sooa Lee

Email: jsmith427@gatech.edu Email: leesooa85@gatech.edu
Office: G21 Old Civil Engineering Building TA: Michael Bivona
Office Hours: T/R 9:30-10:30; Email: mbivona3@gatech.edu
please make an appointment

Course Description:
This course is a survey of United States history since Reconstruction. It will provide
students with a basic historical framework and introduce the major themes, events, and
personalities of the period. We will explore social, economic, cultural, and political
developments since 1877. The topics/themes to be covered include: urbanization,
industrialization, migration, diversity, citizenship, popular culture, war, and globalization.

Area E General Education Social Science Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course students will demonstrate the ability to describe the social,
political, and economic forces that influence social behavior through an examination of
the major events in modern American history. Students will demonstrate that they have
met the Area E learning outcome through exams and quizzes.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to identify critical events in modern U.S. history and the
nations global relationships
Students will be able to explain the social, political, and economic forces that
shaped U.S. history since Reconstruction
Students will be able to evaluate historical facts and interpretations based on
secondary and primary sources
Students will demonstrate a deeper understanding of the United States history of
diversity and cultural changes.

Required Books:
Margaret OMara, Pivotal Tuesdays: Four Elections That Shaped the Twentieth Century
Timothy Tyson, The Blood of Emmett Till

Grading and Requirements:

Exams: Three (3) in-class exams will be given. Each exam will consist of multiple-
choice questions. Exam questions will be drawn from lectures and chapters from Pivotal
Tuesdays. On the day of the exam students will need to bring two number-two pencils
and their student identification card.

1
Book Quiz: Students will have one in-class book quiz based on the reading from The
Blood of Emmett Till. The book quiz will consist of an essay question worth up to 50
points. You are required to write your essay answers in a blue book. Blue books can be
purchased at the bookstore. On the day of the book quiz students must bring a blue book,
two pens, and their student identification card.

It is a students responsibility to be in class for all exams and quizzes. If you miss an
exam or a quiz then you will receive a zero. If you have a verifiable medical emergency
and a waiver from the dean of students then I will allow you to make-up an exam.
You must have documentation of an emergency; otherwise I will not grant a make-up.
All make-up exams and quizzes must be scheduled with the instructor.

Exam/Quiz Schedule:
September 21: Exam One (Pivotal Tuesdays, chapters 1 & 2) worth up to 60 points
October 26: Exam Two (Pivotal Tuesdays, chapters 3 & 4) worth up to 60 points
November 9: Book Quiz (The Blood of Emmett Till) worth up to 50 points
December 14: Exam Three -11:30 (Pivotal Tuesdays, chapters 5-8) worth up to 80
points

Grading Scale
A: 100 90%
B: 89 80%
C: 79 70%
D: 69 60%
F: 59% or lower

General Courtesy Guidelines

I expect you to respect your classmates and me at all times. You are expected to be on
time for class and stay the entire period. I will not tolerate sleeping in class, speaking out
of turn, text messaging, or the use of electronics. Students are required to take hand-
written notes. Students who need laptops to take notes must receive permission from the
instructor and sit in the front rows of the classroom. If you engage in any kind of
distracting or inappropriate behavior I reserve the right to ask you to leave the class.

Academic Honesty
Students in this class will be expected to abide by the Georgia Tech honor code. All
students are responsible for understanding and complying with Georgia Tech rules. For
information see http://www.honor.gatech.edu

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have
questions related to any accommodations for testing, or taking notes, please speak with
me. Students may also contact the Office of Disability Services. The ODS phone
number is 404-894-2563. If you plan to taking exams through ADAPTS notify me two
weeks before the scheduled exam date.