Social & Political History of the U.S. Since 1877 Course Notes

Course Overview and Logistics

• Course Identifiers: HIST 1302-02 — Social & Political History of the U.S. Since 1877.

• Semester and Year: Fall 2026.

• Course Registration Number (CRN): $13200$.

• Instructor Information: Dr. James Herbst.

• Class Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (MWF) from $9:00$ AM to $9:50$ AM.

• Location: PAB 104.

• Office Information: Located in PAB 305P.

• Office Hours:

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: $10:00$ AM – $11:00$ AM.

  • Monday and Wednesday: $11:50$ AM – $2:30$ PM.

• Prerequisites: None.

• Communication Protocol: All course correspondence must take place through Canvas or via a TSU student email account. Personal email accounts will not receive a response.

Course Scope and Curriculum

The course covers United States history beginning with the Reconstruction and Civil War era through the present day. Key areas of focus include:

• Industrialization and immigration patterns.

• The World Wars.

• The Great Depression.

• The Cold War and post-Cold War eras.

• Civil and human rights movements.

• Broad economic and technological changes.

• Migration and the processes of urbanization and suburbanization.

• The expansion of the federal government.

• U.S. foreign policy development.

• American culture, religion, and intellectual history.

Required Materials

• Textbook: A People & A Nation, Volume II: Since 1865, 11th Edition.

• Authors: Norton, Kamensky, Sheriff, et al.

• ISBN-13: $9781337402750$.

• Coverage: The semester covers Chapters $15$ through $29$.

Grading Scale and Assessment Structure

The course is graded out of a total of $500$ points. There is no extra credit available for this course.

Grade Targets

• A+: $485$ – $500$ points.

• A: $470$ – $480$ points.

• A-: $450$ – $465$ points.

• B+: $435$ – $445$ points.

• B: $420$ – $430$ points.

• B-: $400$ – $415$ points.

• C+: $385$ – $395$ points.

• C: $370$ – $380$ points.

• C-: $350$ – $365$ points.

• D+: $335$ – $345$ points.

• D: $320$ – $330$ points.

• D-: $300$ – $315$ points.

• F: $0$ – $295$ points.

Assessment Categories

• Historical/Document Analyses: $100$ points total ($20\%$ of final grade).

• Syllabus + 7 Chapter Quizzes: $150$ points total ($30\%$ of final grade).

• Midterm Assignment: $150$ points ($30\%$ of final grade).

• Final Exam: $100$ points ($20\%$ of final grade).

Detailed Assignment Descriptions

Quizzes ($150$ Points Total)

Eight quizzes are administered throughout the term:

1. Syllabus Quiz.

2. Quiz I: Chapters $15$ – $18$.

3. Quiz II: Chapters $19$ – $20$.

4. Quiz III: Chapter $21$.

5. Quiz IV: Chapters $22$ – $23$.

6. Quiz V: Chapters $24$ – $25$.

7. Quiz VI: Chapter $26$.

8. Quiz VII: Chapters $27$ – $28$.

Document Analyses ($100$ Points Total)

Students complete two historical source analyses worth $50$ points each. Specific focus sources include:

• George Kennan.

• Malcolm X.

Grading criteria for these analyses include:

• Historical content and argument.

• Point of view.

• Organization and development.

• Style, grammar, and mechanics.

• Adherence to formatting requirements.

Midterm Assignment ($150$ Points)

This is a Common Core writing assignment requiring the use of primary sources. It must be completed individually. The length requirement is $500$ – $1,000$ words. The point breakdown is as follows:

• Source List: $10$ points.

• Thesis + Supporting Evidence: $20$ points.

• Annotated Bibliography: $20$ points.

• Final Version: $100$ points.

Final Exam ($100$ Points)

• Format: Multiple choice.

• Coverage: Chapters $15$ through $29$.

• Requirement: Must be completed individually.

Course Policies and Submission Requirements

Deadlines and Late Work

• All assignments are due through Canvas by $11:59$ PM on the specified date.

• Late submissions result in a $1$ letter-grade reduction per day.

• Work submitted more than $2$ days late typically receives a zero ($0$).

• Exceptions are reserved for approved/excused absences or qualifying emergencies. Students must notify the instructor of an excused absence within one week.

Attendance Policy

Regular class attendance is expected. Potentially excused absences include:

• Verified illness.

• Death in the immediate family.

• Legal proceedings.

• Major religious holidays.

• Approved university activities.

• Official university representation.

Written Assignment Standards

• Submissions must be made via Canvas in .doc or .docx format.

• All work must use Chicago Style formatting.

• Submissions are regularly screened with plagiarism-detection software.

Semester Schedule (Fall 2026)

• Aug 17–23: Chapter $15$; Syllabus Quiz.

• Aug 24–30: Chapter $16$; Work TBD.

• Aug 31–Sept 06: Chapter $17$; Work TBD.

• Sept 07–13: Chapter $18$; Quiz I.

• Sept 14–20: Chapter $19$; Work TBD.

• Sept 21–27: Chapter $20$; Quiz II.

• Sept 28–Oct 04: Chapter $21$; Quiz III.

• Oct 05–11: Chapter $22$; Midterm Final Version.

• Oct 12–18: Chapter $23$; Quiz IV.

• Oct 19–25: Chapter $24$; Kennan Document Analysis.

• Oct 26–Nov 01: Chapter $25$; Quiz V.

• Nov 02–08: Chapter $26$; Quiz VI.

• Nov 09–15: Chapter $27$; Malcolm X Document Analysis.

• Nov 16–22: Chapter $28$; Quiz VII.

• Nov 23–29: Chapter $29$; No assignment.

• Nov 30–Dec 03: Review period; No assignment.

• Dec 07: Chapters $15$ – $29$; Final Exam.

Note: While some syllabus documents may list an outdated date (e.g., Dec 1, 2022) for the final exam, the course schedule specifies Dec. 7, 2026. Canvas should be used to verify the definitive date and time.

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence

Academic Misconduct

Strict policies are in place regarding academic honesty. Prohibited actions include:

• Copying another student's work.

• Plagiarism.

• Cheating on quizzes or exams.

• Sharing unauthorized answers.

• Having another individual complete your work.

• Unauthorized collaboration on written assignments.

Penalties for violations include a zero on the assignment, severe disciplinary action, or automatic course failure following a second violation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use

AI is permitted for specific tasks including brainstorming, idea generation, concept clarification, drafting, refining, and assisting with grammar or clarity. Use of AI requires:

• Self-editing the final work.

• Full disclosure of how AI contributed to the assignment.

• Adherence to the rule that the Midterm must be completed individually.

Strategic Recommendations for Success

1. Prioritize quiz deadlines to secure the $150$ available points.

2. Acknowledge the weight of the Midterm, which constitutes $30\%$ of the total course grade.

3. Treat document analyses with care, as they account for $20\%$ of the grade.

4. Read Chapters $15$ – $29$ progressively throughout the term to avoid cramming for the final exam.

5. Frequently monitor Canvas for assignments designated as "TBD" in the initial schedule.

6. Maintain personal copies of every submission and verify that Canvas has successfully recorded the upload.

7. Master Chicago Style early for consistent application in writing.

8. Properly disclose AI usage on all permitted coursework.

9. Track points closely, as the lack of extra credit makes all $500$ points critical.

10. Cross-reference all exam dates with Canvas to resolve any scheduling discrepancies.