HIST102 - American History since 1877

Course Details

Course Code: HIST102 Course ID: 3039 Credit Hours: 3 Level: Undergraduate

This course is a survey of history of the United States from the end of Reconstruction to modern times. Emphasis will be placed on internal expansion, inherent isolationism, America’s road to becoming a world power, and the development of the concept of America as the "policeman" of the world.

Course Schedule

Registration Dates Course Dates Start Month Session Weeks
05/29/2023 - 11/03/2023 11/06/2023 - 12/31/2023 November Fall 2023 Session I 8 Week session
06/26/2023 - 12/01/2023 12/04/2023 - 01/28/2024 December Fall 2023 Session D 8 Week session
07/31/2023 - 12/29/2023 01/01/2024 - 02/25/2024 January Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/2023 - 02/02/2024 02/05/2024 - 03/31/2024 February Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/2023 - 03/01/2024 03/04/2024 - 04/28/2024 March Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Current Syllabi

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to

  • Examine the historical development of the United States since Reconstruction, including the major events and figures in recent American history and their significance.
  • Analyze the internal and external forces that altered the nation from 1877 to the present.
  • Evaluate the major goals of the various presidential administrations.
  • Describe the major economic cycles and causes of economic change in the United States, along with the key points in the evolution of American industry and society.
  • Develop your skills in analytical thinking and historical writing.

Describe how students will be evaluated for each graded activity.

Reading Assignments: This course relies mainly on the assigned text, lecturettes, and supplemental readings. Links to these readings are located in the weekly lesson section of the course.

Forum Assignments: Throughout the course you will answer questions in the Forums, respond to the postings of your classmates, and answer follow-up questions that your instructor will post in the Forum. Directions for the Forum assignments are located within the classroom and an explanation of the exact expectations can be found in the “Forum Guidance and Requirements” document within the Week 1 Assignment lesson. Additionally, there are two debate forums. At the beginning of the session you will be divided into two groups. For each of the debates, you will need to contribute an initial response to the debate, and then respond to three of your peers.

Written Assignments: For this course, there is a written Assignment Proposal and the Written Assignment. An in-depth explanation of the exact expectations are located in the Assignments section in Course Tools.

Written Assignment Follow-up Questions: During the course, two weeks after the written assignment is due, you will have the opportunity to post the answer to one of the questions that your instructor will ask while grading your paper. A special forum is in the class during Week Eight for this purpose.

Exams: There is an open book final exam, non-proctored, that will be available for you to complete during Week Eight.

NameGrade %
Assignments 20.00%
Written Assignment 1 10.00%
Written Assignment 2 10.00%
Discussions 50.00%
Introduction 1.85%
W1: History From Hollywood 1.25%
W2: Discussion Readings 6.40%
Week 2 Follow-up 1.60%
W3: Debate - Imperialism 7.20%
W4: Discussion of Readings 6.40%
Week 4 Follow-up 1.60%
W5: Discussion of Readings 6.40%
Week 5 Follow-up 1.60%
W6: Debate - Vietnam War 7.20%
W7: Discussion of Readings 6.40%
Week 7 Follow-up 1.60%
W8: Course Wrap-Up Take Aways 0.50%
Assignment Follow-Up 5.00%
Assignment 2 Follow-Up 5.00%
Final Exam 25.00%
Final Exam 25.00%

Previous Syllabi

Not current for future courses.