HIST 2271: Introduction to American History II
Students survey the history of the United States from the Civil War to the present, with an emphasis on the principal forces affecting the development of a distinctive social and political culture in the United States. Selected topics examine the emergence of the United States as a global economic, political, military, and cultural power.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Communicate clearly, in writing, their familiarity with the chronology and facts of American history.
- Advance their knowledge and understanding of the nature and uses of history itself.
- Articulate a deeper understanding of where much of modern America has its roots.
- Demonstrate a greater awareness of themes and ideas that affect America – and Canada – today.
- Increase their ability to think clearly and write cogently on critical issues of the past, present, and future, as they relate to American history.
Course topics
HIST 2271: Introduction to American History II includes the following 9 units:
Unit 1: Reconstruction, Redemption, and the Incorporation of the West
Unit 2: Industrialization and the Progressive Era
Unit 3: A New Global Leader
Unit 4: The Interwar Years at Home
Unit 5: World War Two and a Pax Americana • Unit 6: Postwar America - the Fabulous 50s
Unit 7: Coming Apart: the 60s and 70s
Unit 8: The Return of the Right and a New World Order
Unit 9: A New Century
Required text and materials
The following open text is required for this course:
- Corbett, Scott P., Volker Janssen, John M. Lund, Todd Pfannestiel, Sylive Waskiewicz, and
Paul Vickery. U.S. History. OpenStax, 2014. CC by 4.0
The open text is available for free at OpenStax.org.
Note: If you have questions about course textbooks or other materials, email olmaterials@tru.ca.
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.
| Assignment 1: Primary Document Exercises | 15% |
| Quiz 1 | 7.5% |
| Assignment 2: Short Essay 1 | 15% |
| Assignment 3: Reading Notes | 15% |
| Quiz 2 | 7.5% |
| Assignment 4: Short Essay 2 | 15% |
| Final Exam (mandatory) | 25% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
