HIS 108-- Course Assignments


This course consists of ten reading assignments, one outside source assignment and a final optional essay bonus assignment. Each of the ten units list assigned readings by page number from the assigned text. The material contained therein is sufficient for providing satisfactory answers to the questions listed. In addition students are free to use whatever other sources they choose in formulating their answers. A good source is the recommended readings at the end of each chapter in the text, various internet sources, some television documentaries.

Assignments follow the chapters in the text with two exceptions: civil rights and the Vietnam War. The text treats portions of these topics in various chapters. We will address them with a thematic approach and readings are listed accordingly.

Responses should be emailed directly to me. In most instances 1-2 pages of substantive content will be sufficient. The main reason for lack of success in an internet course is procrastination. Submit your assignments in a timely and continuous manner

 

 
Send E-Mail to Gawronski HIS 108 Title Page

 
Unit 1 The Postwar World and Truman's Response
Unit 2 The Eisenhower Era
Unit 3 Rise of Liberalism under JFK and LBJ
Unit 4 The Great Society
Unit 5 The Civil Rights Movement
Unit 6 Era of the Vietnam War
Unit 7 The Nixon Presidency
Unit 8 The Fort-Carter Transition
Unit 9 The Reagan Revolution
Unit 10 Centrist Government under G.H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton
  Outside Assignment
  Bonus Assignment


 

Unit 1

The Postwar world and Truman's Response

Readings

 

Pages 1-55


 

 Questions

What were the major problems facing President Truman, both foreign
 and domestic?  How did he attempt to address them?

 

Unit 2 The Eisenhower Era
 
Readings

Pages 55 - 119

Questions

What were the major domestic developments of the Eisenhower Presidency? Which did the president regard as most significant

Unit 3

The rise of liberalism under JFK and LBJ

Readings

Pages 120 - 146

Questions

Describe teh successes and failures of the brief Kennedy presidency.
 

 

Unit 4 The Great Society
 
Readings

 Pages 146 - 181

Questions

Describe the principle pieces of legislation in Johnson’s Great Society program? His War on Poverty program?

 

Unit 5 The Civil Rights Movement

Readings

Pages 148-152, 161 - 167, 175, 197-202

Questions

List chronologically the major events in the unfolding of the civil rights movement
 

 

Unit 6 Era of the Vietnam War
 
Readings

Pages 153-157, 167-168, 176-183, 203-206, 212-213

Questions

Trace the evolution of American involvement in Vietnam? What
were the costs of that war? And what was the outcome?

 

Unit 7 The Nixon Presidency

Readings

Pages 184-220

Questions

What were the domestic achievements of the Nixon presidency?
What were the foreign affairs achievements?
 

 

Unit 8

The Ford-Carter Transition

 

Readings

Pages 220 -237

Questions

Describe how the energy issue was handled during the Ford-Carter era and include its effects on politics and the economy. Evaluate Carter’s handling of foreign affairs
 

 

Unit 9

The Reagan Revolution

 

Readings

Pages 237-274

Questions

What were Reagan’s political, social and economic views? Give examples of how they were implemented.  What were the effects of his policies?

Unit 10 Centrist government under G.H.W.Bush and Bill Clinton

Readings

Pages 275 - 307

Questions

Give examples of how both presidencies attempted centrist solutions to problems they were facing. How successful were they in doing so?
 

 

Outside Assignment

From a non-text source, e.g., an historical theme movie, a segment from a television series such as The American Experience, or from a documentary on the History Channel, write a 2-3 page critique of what you chose to view. The subject matter must be relevant to the scope of this course.

A large portion of historical material delivered in this manner is quite good. The purpose of this assignment is to show that the study of history can continue outside the classroom, in an informal and entertaining manner.

 

 

 

 

Bonus Assignment

This assignment is entirely optional. Attempting it will in no way impact negatively on your grade, but it can add “bonus points” in determining your final grade for the course. Do as much or as little as you choose. Or, do nothing. It is entirely your choice.

Terrorist attacks on American interests began long before 9/11. List these various earlier attacks, the government’s response to them, and how that response might now impact on the security of the American nation. Use whatever source materials you choose. You will NOT be graded on opinion, but back your opinions with fact, fully understanding that “fact” can be interpreted