Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: HIST-1302 (Section: 02, CRN: 10008)
United States History II
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Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Christina Wilbur
Email wilburca@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6394
Office Student Center - Room: 414
Office Hours Mon/Wed 8:00-9:30 / 11:00-12:00
Tues/Thurs 8:00-9:30
Fri 8:00-10:00 
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II examines industrialization, immigration, world wars, the Great Depression, Cold War and post-Cold War eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include: American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, urbanization and suburbaniza
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Textbook:
OpenStax US History
This is a free, online textbook you can access here: OpenStax US History.
There is also an audio version of the text that you can access here: Audio OpenStax US History
Additional links to the textbook are also provided within Blackboard. 
Additional Materials/Resources All course materials are available online, but students will need 10 Scantron 882-E forms for exams and quizzes.
Corequisites/Prerequisites
  • ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
  • ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing
Learning Outcomes Learning Outcomes - Students will be able to:
Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of United States history.
Core Objectives Core Objectives:
Critical Thinking Skills– Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Communication Skills– Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.
Social Responsibility Skills- Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Personal Responsibility Skills– Integrates choices, actions and consequences in ethical decision making.
Lecture Topics Outline
OpenStax: Chapter 17: Go West Young Man! Westward Expansion, 1840-1900
         Read: The Significance of the Frontier on American History
OpenStax: Chapter 18: Industrialization and the Rise of Big Business, 1870-1900 &
         Read: William Carnegie’s Gospel of Wealth
OpenStax: Chapter 19: The Growing Pains of Urbanization, 1870-1900
OpenStax: Chapter 21: Leading the Way: The Progressive Movement, 1890-1920
 
Chapter 22: Age of Empire: American Foreign Policy, 1890-1914
         Read: American Imperialism document
         Read: Theodore Roosevelt
OpenStax Chapter 23: Americans and the Great War, 1914-1919
SPRING BREAK
OpenStax: Chapter 24: The Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation, 1919-1929
OpenStax Chapter 25: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? The Great Depression, 1929-1932
OpenStax Chapter 26: Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1941
 
OpenStax Chapter 27: Fighting the Good Fight in World War II, 1941-194
OpenStax Chapter 28: Post-War Prosperity and Cold War Fears, 1945-1960
         Read: Containment
         Read: MLK’s Letters from a Birmingham Jail
OpenStax Chapter 29: Contesting Futures: America in the 1960s
OpenStax Chapter 30: Political Storms at Home and Abroad, 1968-1980
         View: Gloria Steinem Explains Why You Should Be a Feminist
Open Stax Chapter 31: From Cold War to Culture Wars, 1980-2000
Final Exam Week

Major Assignments Schedule
Module One    
1/23-1/26
 
  No class: Tuesday, 1/21: Snow Day
No class: Wednesday, 1/22: Snow Day
1/27 – 2/2
 
Read: OpenStax: Chapter 17:
Go West Young Man! Westward Expansion, 1840-1900
·         Read: The Significance of the Frontier on American History
Syllabus Quiz due by 10:00 pm Sunday, 2/2
 
2/3 - 2/9
 
Read: OpenStax: Chapter 18: Industrialization and the Rise of Big Business, 1870-1900 &
·         Read: William Carnegie’s Gospel of Wealth

 
 
2/10 - 2/16
 
Read: OpenStax: Chapter 19: The Growing Pains of Urbanization, 1870-1900  
2/17 - 2/23
 
Read: OpenStax: Chapter 21: Leading the Way: The Progressive Movement, 1890-1920
1302.02 TTH class: Thursday, 2/20
Module Two    
2/24-3/2
 
Read: Chapter 22: Age of Empire: American Foreign Policy, 1890-1914
·         Read: American Imperialism document
·         Read: Theodore Roosevelt
Monday, 2/24: Final day to drop class without penalty.
3/3-3/9
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 23: Americans and the Great War, 1914-1919  
3/10 - 3/16 SPRING BREAK
 
 
3/17-3/23 Read: OpenStax: Chapter 24: The Jazz Age: Redefining the Nation, 1919-1929
 
3/24 - 3/30
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 25: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? The Great Depression, 1929-1932 No class:  Tuesday, 3/25. Instructor at conference.
3/31 – 4/6
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 26: Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1941 Exam II:
1302.02 TTH class: Thursday, 4/3
 
Module Three    
4/7 - 4/13
 
Read OpenStax Chapter 27: Fighting the Good Fight in World War II, 1941-194  
4/14 - 4/20
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 28:
Post-War Prosperity and Cold War Fears, 1945-1960
·         Read: Containment
·         Read: MLK’s Letters from a Birmingham Jail
Monday, 4/18: Last day to drop with penalty
4/21 - 4/27
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 29: Contesting Futures: America in the 1960s  
4/28 - 5/4
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 30: Political Storms at Home and Abroad, 1968-1980
·         View: Gloria Steinem Explains Why You Should Be a Feminist
 
5/5 – 5/11 Read: Open Stax Chapter 31: From Cold War to Culture Wars, 1980-2000  
5/12 – 5/18 Final Exam Week Final Exam:
1302.02 TTH class: Tuesday, 5/13
 

Final Exam Date May 13, 2025 - 9:30 AM   Through  May 13, 2025 - 10:45 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
3 exams: 20% each = 60%
4/5 quizzes (lowest or missed quiz dropped): 5% each = 20%
Class presentation: 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Exams:  
You will take 3 major exams in this course.  Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Makeup exams will only be provided in exceptional circumstances such as serious hospitalization or death in the family. Documentation may be required to take a missed exam. 
 
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be announced the class before the quiz.  Topics will range from class lectures, class assignments, readings to films. One quiz - the lowest, or a missed quiz - will be dropped.
 
Extra Credit:
Completing the OpenStax Assignable Modules is the only extra credit available in this class.
 
OpenStax Assignable Practice Modules:In Blackboard you can access practice modules that will assist in preparing you for your exams. They are not required but if a student completes all of the practice modules by 11:59 PM the Sunday night before the exam, with a minimum score of 85%, they will receive 1 point on their final average for a maximum total of 4 points on the final average. (1 point per exam = 4 points).
 
 

Attendance Policy Class Attendance: 
Attendance is expected.  Excessive absences or tardiness will have a detrimental effect on your overall performance in the class. Students are expected to arrive to class on time. 
Additional Information Cell phone Policy:
To maintain a focused and respectful learning environment, cell phones must be turned off or silenced and stored out of sight during class sessions. Use of cell phones for texting, browsing, or any other purpose is strictly prohibited unless explicitly authorized by the instructor for a specific activity.
Consequences for Policy Violations:
1.      First Violation: Verbal reminder to comply with the policy.
2.      Subsequent ViolationsEach instance will result in a deduction of 5 points from your final grade.
Important Notes:
If you are expecting an urgent call or message (e.g., family emergency), please notify the instructor before class begins. Failure to comply with this policy repeatedly may also result in a meeting with the instructor to discuss further consequences. Your cooperation is essential in fostering a productive academic environment for everyone. 

Email: 
You must put the class and section number in the subject line of the email.  I must know what class you are in so that I can answer your question. You are welcome to email me and I do try to respond promptly within 24 to 48 hours during the week. I am available during normal business hours – Monday-Friday 9-5.  Emails received in the evening will not get a response until the next day.  I do not respond to email on the weekends.  Please use your lamarpa email to communicate with me as emails from Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc. may end up in a clutter folder and I will not see it, and therefore, not respond. Most questions can be answered by reading the class syllabus, assignment sheet, or other directions available to you in Blackboard.  Students should always be aware of the tone and structure of their correspondence.
 
All emails should include:
●       A greeting
●       A clear statement of the question or inquiry
●       Your name
●       Include proper spelling and grammar.  'Texting' abbreviations, lack of punctuation,and 'i' are not acceptable. 

Civility in the Classroom
Student incivility, rudeness, or attacks of a personal nature will not be tolerated, whether directed at the instructor or another student. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities on campus or in online classes will be required to cease such behavior. If the behavior continues after the first warning, the student will no longer continue as a student of the course.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431