Syllabus

HST 2340 America’s Ethnic History (3 units)

Fall 2012 – MWF 9:00 am, in Cuvilly 1

online home  http://AEHFall2012.blogspot.com

Patricia Andrews, MA

pandrews@ndnu.edu

Course Summary

This course explores the histories of ethnic groups in the U.S. One emphasis of the course will be the struggles of various ethnic minorities to achieve a just solution to the American project of forging a nation out of diverse people. Another emphasis will be on the unique traditions they have contributed to the nation we call the United States. The course will emphasize the authentic histories and unique contributions of America’s ethnic groups, and examine the role of immigration in American life. Particular attention will be given to the shifting causes and patterns of immigration, similarities and differences among the experiences of immigrants in the United States, nativism, the development of immigration restrictions, and the effects of immigration on the economic, social, cultural, and political life of the nation over time.

Texts

Daniels, Roger. Coming To America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life

Additional readings as assigned in class

Learning Outcomes

Students will…

1.     Demonstrate knowledge of the political, cultural, economic, social, religious, intellectual, and artistic experiences of ethnic minority groups in the US, and develop an understanding of the centrality of immigration and ethnicity to United States history;

2.     Understand how decisions made in the past continue to shape society and political discourse, particularly nativist movements and their effects on immigrants and immigration policy;

3.     Demonstrate familiarity with the historical literature and conflicting interpretations of the past in order to deepen awareness of the varied origins of immigrants to the U.S. and of the diverse experiences immigrants encountered in the United States;

4.     Weigh and interpret evidence and present a sustained argument supported by historical evidence;

5.     Effectively communicate historical knowledge and reasoning orally and in writing;

6.     Use the tools of social science research – statistical and qualitative – in formulating a research topic, collecting and analyzing evidence, and presenting results; and

7.     Think critically about the very idea of history, its purposes, and the manner in which we create and debate stories about our American past.

Requirements

Consistent attendance, reading and note-taking are essential to college success. In-class assignments will assess students’ preparation on a regular basis. Students may be quizzed on material covered in class or in reading assignments at any time.

1)    Students will produce a minimum of 32 pages of written work. All formal papers must be submitted in MLA format.

2)    There will be approximately 100 pages of reading per week. An online reading journal will be kept on a weekly basis as readings are completed. This will be kept online using blogger.com.

3)    Oral communication opportunities will develop confidence and skill in public speaking.

4)    Attendance and participation are required. Learning in a classroom setting is a community experience with collective responsibilities: you will contribute to each other’s learning by giving your time, your thoughts, your questions, your interest, and your attention.

5)    History courses require considerable reading and writing. Please plan your study time accordingly and let me know if you are concerned about falling behind in either of these areas.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is a cornerstone of our values at NDNU. If any words or ideas used in an assignment submission do not represent your original words or ideas, you must cite all relevant sources and make clear the extent to which such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source. Consult the NDNU Student Handbook regarding consequences of misrepresenting your work.

Note to Students with Disabilities

Notre Dame de Namur University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students who have a disability that might affect academic performance in this class are encouraged to confer with the instructor at the beginning of the semester and to contact Dr. Peggy Koshland Crane in the Program for Academic Support and Services (PASS) (650-508-3670; mcrane@ndnu.edu). In order to receive accommodations, students must register with the PASS office.

Evaluation

A total of 1000 points is possible, broken down into the categories below. Students are encouraged to keep track of their progress on a regular basis throughout the semester.

Exams                                        2 @ 40 points = 80

Document Analysis Papers     2 @ 100 points = 200

Online Reading Journal                               1 @ 200

Mini Research Projects           2 @ 100 points = 200

Attendance                        40 days @ 4 points = 160

 Participation                     40 days @ 4 points = 160