THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1865 HIS 315L (39116) Department of History University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Chris Ernst

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1 THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1865 HIS 315L (39116) Department of History University of Texas at Austin Dr. Chris Ernst Class meets: M, W, F 9-10am in JES A121A Office Hours: F 11:00-1:00pm (GAR 3.206) COURSE DESCRIPTION This course explores the most vital and occasionally controversial aspects of the social, cultural and political maturation of the United States into the world s preeminent superpower. Surveying more than 150 year, it ranges from the devastation wrought by the Civil War to the present struggles with global terrorism, environmental collapse, income inequality and racial animosity. Lectures will examine such topics as race, class, gender and sexuality. We will explore shifts in American identity, the evolution of American government and the expansion of the American economy. Major themes will include industrialization, Jim Crow, foreign wars, communism, consumer culture, the rise of the working class, continuous immigration and technological innovation. Throughout the course, we will read cutting-edge scholarship and analyze compelling primary sources. Students will become adept at interpreting images, deconstructing texts and evaluating historical evidence. This course may be used to fulfill three hours of the U.S. history component of the university core curriculum and addresses the following four core objectives established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: communication skills; critical thinking skills; personal responsibility; and social responsibility. REQUIRED TEXTS (Available at UT Co-op) Of the People: A History of the United States, vol. 3, by James Oakes, et al. Third Edition (Referred to as OTP in the Schedule of Lectures below.) Reading the American Past: Selected Historical Documents, vol. 2, From 1865, ed. by Michael P. Johnson. Fifth Edition The Feminine Mystique, by Betty Friedan. (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2012) ed. By Kirsten Fermaglich. Page 1 of 7

2 EVALUATION Participation 10% Midterm 20% Essay (2000 words) 35% Final examination 35% COURSE REQUIREMENTS Students will be required to write one midterm, a 2000-word essay and a final exam. Lecture will regularly include a class discussion and meaningful participation in these discussions will be a part of students grades. Thus, attendance is mandatory and students are expected to keep up with the assigned readings. COURSE FORMAT Although this course is lecture-based, in reality, the discussion and debate of ideas is central to every meeting. All viewpoints and perspectives are welcome as long as they meet the following criteria: they are delivered in a respectful manner and they are based on the course readings, lectures or texts (films, images, primary sources) used in class. These discussions are critical to the overall success of the course and students must be prepared to contribute meaningfully to our conversation. This is a dynamic lecture course that incorporates elements of an upper-level seminar. Many students will find their voices as intellectuals for the first time. Please be advised, however, if you do not do the readings, you will not do well in this course. COURSE POLICIES A Note on Attendance and Participation Attendance and participation for this course are mandatory. This means that you are expected to have done all the readings before you arrive in class. Every class depends upon a vigorous discussion of amongst other things the readings and the questions they raise. Your grade and the success of this class as a whole thus depends on your commitment to attendance and participation. A Note on Late Penalties The late penalty is 5% per calendar day, including weekends. Please note, no electronic versions of assignments will be accepted without the approval of Dr. Ernst. A Note on the Use of Personal Electronic Devices The use of electronic devices will not be permitted during class. This includes, but is not limited to: laptops, digital audio recorders, tablets, mobile phones, ipods and mp3 players. In case it s not obvious, there will be no texting or phone calls during class. Students caught using any of these devices, or otherwise violating the course policies with regard to the use of personal electronic devices, will be removed from class and forfeit any and all attendance and participation grades for said class. If a student violates Page 2 of 7

3 these policies two or more times, they will receive 0% participation and attendance for the entire course. Designated note takers will provide notes for students with documented needs. A Note on Classroom Behavior You have the right to learn in every class you attend. With that right, however, comes an important responsibility. You must ensure that your fellow students are able to exercise their own right to learn. Please be respectful of your fellow students. Discuss readings rationally and in a way that makes others feel comfortable contributing to the conversation. Do not dominate or intimidate your colleagues during class. You will lose participation marks if you stifle our discussions. On the other hand, if you are able to make the discussion flow in a way that encourages the participation of others, you will do well. In addition, make sure you come to class on time. Don t leave early. If you must arrive late or leave early, let me know in advance and sit close to the door to minimize disruption. A Note on Scholastic Dishonesty Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not necessarily limited to, cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another; submitting the same paper, or substantially similar papers, to meet requirements of more than one course without the approval and consent of all instructors concerned; depriving another student of necessary course materials; or interfering with another student s work. Acts of scholastic dishonesty will result in an F for the course and additional disciplinary action. A Note on Communication Course information will be available via Canvas and . It is your responsibility to keep your UT contact information up-to-date and check your and Canvas regularly. A Note on Accommodation Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with disabilities that have been documented by the University. If you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the instructor and provide appropriate UT documentation at the beginning of the course. Appropriate accommodation takes time and planning. It is your responsibility to inform me at the beginning of the course about the need to make these accommodations. Page 3 of 7

4 SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND READINGS Week 1 W Aug 24 F Aug 25 Theme 1: Introduction, Destruction and Reconstruction Introduction Falling Apart: The Civil War and its Aftermath OTP Week 2 M Aug 29 W Aug 31 Putting Back the Pieces: Presidential Reconstruction and Congressional Reconstruction OTP Reconstruction Fails: An Opportunity Missed Johnson viii-xiv; 16-1;16-2; 16-3;16-4;16-5 Theme 2: Cowboys and Indians F Sept 2 Week 3 M Sept 5 W Sept 7 F Sept 9 Railroads, Indian Wars and Farmers OTP ; Johnson 17-1; 17-2; 17-3; 17-4 Theme 3: The Gilded Age Labor Day (No Class) Industrialization OTP Gender Roles Johnson 19-1; 19-2; 19-3 Week 4 M Sept 12 W Sept 14 F Sept 16 God in America OTP Sex and the City OTP A nation of Immigrants and Those who Hate Them Johnson 19-4; 20-2; 20-5 Page 4 of 7

5 Week 5 M Sept 19 W Sept 21 F Sept 23 Week 6 M Sept 26 W Sept 28 Theme 4: Progressives and Populists Capitalists and Workers OTP Teddy Roosevelt and Other Progressives OTP Johnson 21-1; 21-2; 21-4 Efficiency and the Economy OTP Johnson 21-5; 21-6 Theme 5: Modernity and War The Great War and Modern Memory OTP Johnson 22-2; 22-3; 22-4 Wilson and Internationalism OTP Theme 6: The Great Depression F Sept 30 Week 7 M Oct 3 W Oct 5 F Oct 7 The Roaring Twenties OTP Johnson 23-3; 23-4; 23-5 The Dirty Thirties OTP Johnson 24-1 A New President and The New Deal OTP Johnson 24-2; 24-3; 24-4 Study Day (No Class) Week 8 M Oct 10 **Midterm (In Class) Please bring blue books.** Theme 7: World War II W Oct 12 F Oct 14 A Day That Will Live in Infamy OTP Johnson 25-1; 25-2 Fighting Nazis OTP Johnson 25-3 Page 5 of 7

6 Week 9 M Oct 17 W Oct 19 F Oct 21 Week 10 M Oct 24 W Oct 26 F Oct 28 Week 11 M Oct 31 W Nov 2 Fighting Imperial Japan OTP Johnson 25-4; 25-5 WWII: In-class Film Analysis and Discussion WWII: In-class Film Analysis and Discussion Theme 9: Nuclear Families and Nuclear War The Cold War OTP Johnson 26-1; 26-2 The Korean War and the Red Scare Redux OTP Johnson 26-4; 26-5 Affluenza OTP Johnson 27-1; 27-2; 27-4; 27-5 Theme 10: Hippies and Hand Grenades The Great Society OTP Johnson 28-1; 28-2; Counterculture and Vietnam OTP Johnson 29-2; 29-4; 29-5 Theme 11: Civil Rights and White Flight F Nov 4 The Civil Rights Movement OTP Johnson 28-4; 28-5 Week 12 M Nov 7 W Nov 9 Why We re All Feminists OTP Johnson 30-2; 30-3 Study Day (No Class) F Nov 11 ** Essay due in class ** In-class Film Analysis and Discussion Page 6 of 7

7 Week 13 M Nov 14 W Nov 16 F Nov 18 Week 14 M Nov 21 W Nov 23 F Nov 25 Mass Culture OTP A Silent Majority OTP Johnson 30-1 A Silent Spring OTP Theme 12: Neocons and The End of History Ronald Regan OTP Johnson 30-4 Thanksgiving Holiday (No class) Thanksgiving Holiday (No class) Week 15 M Nov 28 The New World Order OTP Johnson 31-1 Theme 13: Endless War W Nov 30 F Dec 2 Week 16 M Dec 5 The Bushes The Clintons OTP Johnson 31-2; 31-3 Exam Review OTP Johnson 31-4; 31-5 Study Day (No Class) OTP Final Exam: TBA Page 7 of 7