AMH 2020 History of the United States since 1877

AMH 2020 History of the United States since 1877 Miami Dade College

This course focuses on the social, economic, cultural, and political developments in the United States since
1877. The student will gain knowledge of changes and continuities in the history of the United States since
the late nineteenth century (lecture).
Instructional Approach/Strategies:
This class will be delivered primarily through lectures, videos, powerpoint presentations and small
group activities.
Prerequisites: None
Give Me Liberty! An American History, Vol. II, by Eric Foner, the Seagull 5th edition
Course Overview:
AMH 2020 is a US survey course, beginning after the American Civil War. It is the hope that this course will
enable you to have a greater understanding of American history and to see how we are but a product of history.
Course Objective:
Students will demonstrate that they have acquired an understanding of American history through their
performance on their quizzes, their midterm and their final. Students will be expected to keep up with the reading,
which will be supplemented as needed, as well as take notes.
Course Requirements:
Students will be required to:
 Attend class REGULARLY as attendance is mandatory. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to get lecture
notes from another person. Please note: Attendance will account for 5 percent of your grade.
 You are expected to come to class prepared and on time.
 Take notes.
 Take the quizzes on the assigned readings.
 Take the Midterm.
 Take the Final.
 Complete all work assigned.
 Earn a minimum class average of 70%.
The Particulars:
YOU MUST COME TO CLASS PREPARED. YOU MUST BE PUNCTUAL.
Being prepared for class means:
o You are punctual.
o You have done the reading in advance.
o You are prepared to take quizzes on assigned reading.
Being an active member of this course means:
o You come to class prepared.
o You are ready to take quizzes on the assigned reading material.
o You are ready to learn.
Being punctual means:
o You show up to class by the designated time.
Being late is a sign that you think your time is more valuable than your instructor’s and your classmates. This is not
so. PLEASE NOTE: Three tardies is the equivalent to ONE absence. If you are late, please enter the classroom quietly
and do not let the door slam behind you, take a seat at the back of the class and join in the class activities.
Communication:
Students will be expected to check their MDC e-mail often. E-mail is how professors communicate with students.
When emailing the professor, students need to use MDC e-mail, sign his/her name at the bottom, AND include the
time of class.
Students may also contact me electronically at: [email protected]
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory: You MUST come to every class in order to obtain the most complete educational
experience. As such, it should be clear that you cannot master the course objectives if you are not in class to learn
them. Therefore, it stands to reason that participation in this class is only possible if you attend class. Again, attendance
will constitute 5 percent of your grade. While students are expected to attend and participate, mere attendance is not
a criterion for a passing grade. For the record, MDC has a policy for no shows during the first week of class:
withdrawal student.
PLEASE NOTE: In a summer course, one class is the equivalent to 2.5 classes. Thus, it is imperative that you attend
class regularly or you will not succeed, and I will exercise my right to withdraw you. Thus, if you disappear from class,
you may be dropped. You should also be aware that, as per MDC policy, five absences constitutes grounds for failure
and excused absences from regular class meetings may be excused for legitimate reasons only at the instructor’s
discretion.
After an absence, students are responsible for obtaining class notes and assignment information. Thus, students
should get the name and phone number of at least two classmates so that he/she may get the notes and assignments
missed. PLEASE NOTE: It is not the instructor’s responsibility to bring missed handouts to class following your absence.
Students should have a classmate collect handouts missed due to an absence.
If you know in advance that you will be absent, ask for the assignments prior to that date, and complete homework
ahead of time so that it can be checked.
Leaving Class before Class is Over:
Students will need to obtain prior approval from the professor either by phone, email, or in person to leave early due
to an emergency. It is understandable that emergencies occur from time to time, in such cases contact the professor
as soon as possible. PLEASE NOTE: Communications by phone or email are the best methods.
Excused and Unexcused Absences:
An excused absence means that you presented the instructor with proper documentation concerning your absence.
This will enable students to make up missed tests within one week of the absence. An unexcused absence means that
you have no documentation concerning your absence and you forfeit the right to make up missed tests.
Tardiness:
Being late to class is unacceptable. While I would prefer that students arrive late than not at all, tardies are disruptive
to the class. Thus, it is imperative that students keep tardiness to a minimum. Tardiness will count as ½ of an absence