History 108

Course Description
A survey of political, economic, diplomatic and social development of the United States from 1877 to the present. This course meets the State requirement for American history and is designed for college transfer students.

We will study American history from the period of Reconstruction through our present times, 1877-present. History is the study of forces of change and forces of stability in the world, over time. With that simple definition as a starting point, we will look at how major forces have shaped our world. These forces take the form of some major longitudinal themes that we will trace in our course.

LIBERTY: The growth of the ideal of democracy and the pursuit of freedom.
EQUALITY: The diversity of the American people and their struggle for fairness.
POWER: The exceptional nature of American strengths and resources, and the responsibilities that come with these.

Objectives

1. To develop a better understanding of important developments, events and individuals in American history since 1877.
2. To develop a better understanding of the nature of the relationship between people and the historical process.
3. To acquire a better understanding of the techniques and tools of the historian.
4. To continue to develop and improve study and research skills which includes reading comprehension, critical thinking and effective verbal and written communication.
5. To utilize and understand how current technology works as a study and research tool.

Email Accounts 
You will need to use your Official Citrus College issued email account. Your email is established when you are registered for classes. You must have access to your email account prior to starting the class.

Details regarding the course are set forth in the class website (see below). When you go there, pay particular attention to the syllabus section and the assignment section.  

• Your WingSpan ID becomes your Blackboard Username
• Your WingSpan PIN (Personal Identification Number) becomes your Blackboard password
• To change your PIN/password requires, change it in WingSpan
• Data will be transferred from WingSpan to Blackboard on a regular basis

Once you get to the Blackboard welcome page, click on the Political and Social History of the United States  course link on the right, and you will go to the course site. Familiarize yourself with the course site and if you have any questions please email your instructor with your concerns. Get your textbook and get started with your initial assignments. A major key to your success in this course will be keeping up with both the reading and other assignments.   

If you have a disability documented by a physician or other appropriate professional and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact the DSP&S office at (626) 914-8675. Please discuss your accommodations with me by email and be sure to allow at least one week to arrange appropriate accommodations.