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. Students communicate research findings and critical analysis of selected topics including the emergence of the United States as a global economic, political, military, and cultural power.
Learning outcomes
- Communicate clearly, in writing, their familiarity with the chronology and facts of American history.
- To write cogently on critical issues of the past, present and future, as they relate to American history.
- Illustrate, through writing and speaking, 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;
- Illustrate a greater awareness of themes and ideas that affect America – and Canada – today.
Course topics
- 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 Education Resources (OER) textbook, free of charge, is required for this course:
- Corbett, Scott P., Volker Janssen, John M. Lund, Todd Pfannestiel, Sylive Waskiewicz, and Paul Vickery. (2014) U.S. History. OpenStax. 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.
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% |
| Mandatory Final Exam | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
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.
