HIST 251 - United States History Since 1865

3 Credit: (3 lecture, 0 lab, 0 clinical) 3 Contact Hours: [Reading Level 3 ]

This introductory survey course treats the history of the United States from the years after the Civil War during the heyday of industrialization to somewhere near the present day of technological expansion, economic uncertainty, and environmental decay. The course critically examines the growth and power of the United States and its changing role in the community of nations, and addresses with America’s responses to the changing world situation and periodic international crises, as well as our nation’s ongoing adjustment to various periods of domestic upheaval and change. The course attempts to acquaint the student with a chronological outline of our history as well as major issues and themes that influenced our development and decision-making in the last century. America’s story is placed in a global context and to examine and analyze it from different historical perspectives. Questions are raised to stimulate thinking about where America has been and why, and where, perhaps, we seem to be headed. Both information and insight are emphasized so we might come to better understand how our country has behaved in a variety of historical contexts.  It is hoped that this will facilitate making of wise decisions both today and tomorrow.
OFFERED: spring semesters

Course Goals/ Objectives/ Competencies:
Goal 1:  Demonstrate a working knowledge of significant events, personalities, issues, conflicts and interpretations thereof in American historical development since the Civil War and Reconstruction Era.

1. Describe the forces at work in the subjugation of the West.
2. Examine the industrialization of America.
3. Apprise the rise of the United States to a position of world power and influence.
4. Understand the forces that contribute to the making of the American Century.
5. Recognize the key aspects of the Cold War and how it shaped American foreign policy.
6. Describe how America and her world role has been changing in the late 20^th and early 21^st Century.
7. Associate social, political, economic, and cultural trends of contemporary America with their roots in earlier periods of our history.

Goal 2:  Demonstrate critical thinking skills.

1. Concatenate the various developments in United States history & demonstrate an understanding of who we are as a people, where we have come from, and where we might be headed.
2. Manifest comprehension of key aspects of American historical development on quizzes, tests, and exams.

Goal 3:  Demonstrate written communication skills.

1. Write a logical, coherent, critical essay or paper.
2. Take and use class notes and outlines.

Goal 4:  Demonstrate oral communication skills.

1. Exchange viewpoints in a small group setting and arrive at consensus in response to critical thinking questions and problems.
2. Present material to the class in a clear, coherent, useful, and meaningful manner.

Goal 5:  Demonstrate the interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills needed in the workplace.

1. Employ effective written and oral communication in group settings to organize information, concatenate different perspectives, compromise, and arrive at a working consensus.
2. Meet deadlines.