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Introductory level

Study the United States history from the Civil War through the present. Examine race relations from Reconstruction to today, industrialization, the Great Depression, the rise of the United States to world power, and social and cultural trends such as the rise of feminism, the new right and mass culture.

1) Critical Thinking: Students hoping to do well in this course will work to develop this skill, which in history classes can be defined as the ability to perceive the basic question or problem posed by a given historical event or change or trend.2) Critical Reading: Students hoping to do well in this course will understand that no historical source or historical explanation presents the unvarnished truth about the past and will demonstrate the ability to ask questions of texts as they read them.3) Taking Good Notes: Students hoping to do well in this course will actively work on improving their study skills and habits. Good notes are the clearest sign of critical thinking and critical reading. You should be writing as you read, listen, and discuss, but not all information is of equal importance and your notes should reflect this. 4) Communication: Students hoping to do well in this class will work hard to provide a clear and persuasive answer to questions raised by peers, on an exam, or in a paper topic. Clarity, brevity, and an effective use of evidence in formal settings (presentations, papers, and exams, for example) are among the clearest indications that you’ve made good use of your undergraduate years. 

*The learning goals displayed here are those for one section of this course as offered in a recent semester, and are provided for the purpose of information only. The exact learning goals for each course section in a specific semester will be stated on the syllabus distributed at the start of the semester, and may differ in wording and emphasis from those shown here.