Faculty Syllabus
HIST-1302 United States History II
Jayne Serna
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
HIST-1302-014 (28804)
LEC TuTh 1:30pm - 2:50pm SGC SGC1 1201
HIST-1302-018 (29077)
LEC TuTh 2:55pm - 4:20pm SGC SGC1 1201
HIST-1302-051 (17161)
LEC TuTh 9:00am - 10:20am RRC RRC1 1222.00
Course Requirements
Course Description: Study of the history of the United States from 1877 to the present.
SCANS Competencies: None required, but students will need good reading, writing and study skills to succeed in this course. Students will be expected to read about 450 pages of textbook, and, depending on the individual instructor, may be obliged to read an outside book and/or do a research paper. Students will have to write essays, book reports, and/or research papers and will be expected to observe decent English grammar and spelling rules. Although students will be told when tests will take place and be given detailed learning objectives to facilitate study, students will be expected to study information in detail to prepare for the tests.
Instructional Methodology: This course will be conducted primarily in a lecture format, but will also include class discussion. You will be expected to take notes during the lectures and participate in class discussions.
Course Rationale: The Texas legislature requires students to take 6 hours of American history to graduate from an institution of higher learning in Texas. This course helps fulfill that requirement. Students taking History 1302 can expect to improve their reading and writing competencies, critical thinking skills, research skills, etc., all of which help students better succeed in life outside academia.
Textbook: Give Me Liberty: Volume II (Foner), 7th Seagull Edition. The accompanying website for this text may be found at the address listed below. This site has practice tests, chapter summaries, glossaries, and web links that might prove useful to you. https://digital.wwnorton.com/givemeliberty5s
Grading System: Your exams will count as 90% of your grade. Each of the four major exams will count as 25% of this portion. These exams will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions (2 points each) and an essay question (20 points). These questions will cover materials from both the lectures and the readings. Not all of the readings will be covered directly in class, so it is crucial that you to complete the assigned readings.
If you must be absent for an exam, make arrangements to schedule the make-up exam before your absence. You must contact me about your absence before class begins. Make up exams may consist of four or more essay questions rather than the regular format at instructor discretion. Except under unusual circumstances, you may not miss more than one scheduled exam. You will receive a grade of 0 for any subsequently missed exam.
You would need to take a makeup exam at the testing center on your ACC campus or during my office hour if you are a high school student. Please see TESTING CENTER POLICY: http://www.austincc.edu/testctr for more information about the testing center. You will receive a grade of 0 for any subsequently missed exam.
If you fail an exam, you may receive a grade of 70 if you write a one paragraph definition and example for each of the study questions from the chapters covered on that exam. These questions will be given out at the beginning of each unit. These must be turned in on or before the date on the next scheduled exam. You may exercise this option only once.
**A student must successfully complete a book review to earn a grade of A.**
The requirements for the book review are included on a separate document. The book you choose must be on the approved book list or be individually approved by the instructor. Any unapproved books may automatically be given a “no grade.”
Course Policies:
Attendance: Attendance is required and will be recorded at the beginning of each class period. Excessive absences will negatively affect your grade. No more than 3 absences for any reason will be acceptable. Beginning with your 4th absence, 5 points may be deducted from your final average. Please e-mail if you will be absent. Dual credit students--you may not miss this class for any high school activities and expect the absence to be overlooked or “excused”. Please be on time for class! Your attendance will not “count” if you are not alert and participating in class.
Withdrawals: These are your responsibility. Keep track of your grades and check the ACC calendar to determine if this needs to be an option. Keep the rule of 6 in mind as you make this decision. Check for important dates for this summer session at http://www.austincc.edu/calendars/important-dates-and-deadlines/additional-session-information
Student discipline: It is important that all students have the optimum opportunity to learn. Please turn off cell phones (no texting!), do not use any electronic devices, and refrain from conversations other than class discussions during class sessions. If you disrupt class (this includes using your cell phone during class), you will be asked to leave. If the problem persists, you will be removed from the class.
Freedom of expression: You have it. Use it wisely and respectfully. While a topic may be controversial or volatile, your demeanor need not be.
Student Privacy: The federal government requires that student privacy be preserved; thus the posting of grades, even by the last four digits of the social security number, is forbidden. All communication will remain between the instructor and the student and the instructor will not be able to share details of the student’s performance with parents, spouses, etc. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the confidentiality of educational records. Grades cannot be given over the phone, through a fellow student, or by e-mail in this course.
ADA: Any student needing special accommodations under ADA must complete the necessary forms in the Office of Student Assistance and inform the instructor no later than the second week of class. Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Student Assistance on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.
Academic Dishonesty: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework. Cheating or collusion will not be permitted and will result in an F for the course and additional disciplinary action.
Readings
Textbook: Give Me Liberty: Volume II (Foner), 7th Seagull Edition. The accompanying website for this text may be found at the address listed below. This site has practice tests, chapter summaries, glossaries, and web links that might prove useful to you. https://digital.wwnorton.com/givemeliberty5s
Course Subjects
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Industrialization |
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Westward Expansion |
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Populism |
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Segregation |
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Progessivism |
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Pre WWI Intervention |
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The US and WWI |
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The 1920s culture |
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The 1920s economy |
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The Great Depression |
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The New Deal |
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The US and WWII |
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WWII to the Cold War |
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Truman & Anti-Communism |
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Eisenhower and Affluence |
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Civil Rights |
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JFK, LBJ and Vietnam |
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Vietnam and Watergate |
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No Class |
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Nixon, Carter, Ford |
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Reagan and Conservatism |
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Post Cold-War Issues |
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The Clinton Impeachment, 9/11 |
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Obama and the Modern Era |
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Common Course Objectives: After completing History 1302 the student should be able to (chapter):
2. Identify the major industries of the 19th century American West. (16)
3. Explain the rise of the major industries in the 19th century United States. (16, 18)
4. Describe the effects of 19th century industrialization on labor unions, women and minorities.(16, 18)
5. Describe the social effects of urbanization on the 19th century United States.(16, 18)
6. Explain the major events of Gilded Age politics.(16, 17)
7. Describe the rise of the American overseas empire by 1900. (17)
8. Identify the main political, social, intellectual and economic effects of Progressivism on American society. (18)
9. Compare and contrast the “Square Deal,” the “New Nationalism” and the “New Freedom” programs. (18)
10. Explain the background of and U.S. participation in World War I. (19)
11. Describe how World War I transformed the roles of women, African Americans and Hispanic Americans. (19)
12. Explain how the 1920s changed American society politically, socially and economically. (20)
13. Identify the major writers of the 1920s.(20)
14. Describe the causes of and results of the Great Depression. (20-21)
15. Identify the changes in American politics and society brought about by the New Deal. (21)
16. Explain the effects of American foreign policy in the 1920s and 1930s and the coming of World War II. (19, 20, 21, 22)
17. Describe the social, economic and political effects of World War II on American society. (22)
18. Evaluate the major causes and effects of the Cold War on America from 1945 to 1960. (23-24)
19. Describe the key events of the 1950s and their effects on American society with special emphasis on McCarthy and civil rights. (23-24)
20. Compare and contrast the “New Frontier” and “Great Society” programs. (25)
21. Examine the American involvement in Vietnam and the effect of that war on American society. (25-26)
22. Describe the Republican Resurgence and the effects of Watergate.(26)
23. Evaluate the effects of the 1980s on American society. (26)
24. Describe the effects of the end of the Cold War in 1989. (27)
25. Evaluate the results of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon on American politics and society.(28)
26. Describe the impact of the election of Barack Obama to the presidency in 2008.(28)
Office Hours
T 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM RRC
NOTE RRC 1 Adjunct Faculty Office and by arrangementPublished: 01/16/2026 16:42:51