HomeMy WebLinkAboutHIS-116Bergen Community College
School of Arts, Humanities, & Wellness
Department of History & Geography
Course Syllabus
HIS116-Women in American History
Basic Information about Course and Instructor
Semester and year:
Course and Section Number:
Meeting Times and Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description
This course is a survey of the history of women in America from the colonial period to the present.
Feminism, women’s suffrage, and the advocacy of social and economic equality are the unify themes of
the course.
3 credits
General Education Course – Humanities Elective
Student Learning Objectives: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be
able to
1. Identify the major periods in the history of Women in America from colonial times until the
present.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the narrative framework and factual basis of Women in U.S.
history.
3. Identify and analyze the important political, economic, social, intellectual, cultural forces that
shaped these periods.
4. Demonstrate the ability to develop a thesis and support it with historical evidence both in writing
and orally.
5. Demonstrate basic research skills by locating and using source materials.
6. Summarize, paraphrase, and quote historical information in properly cited written analyses
7. Demonstrate the ability to state and support their own interpretation of historical issues concisely,
coherently, and logically.
--All learning objectives will be assessed by student’s performance in answering test questions, writing
essays, writing research papers, oral presentations, and class discussions.
In pursuit of the foregoing goals, the course is based on the reading and discussion of historical writings
both primary and secondary sources; the techniques of historical research and writing are reviewed;
students are given the opportunity and are encouraged to participate actively in class discussions; and
students are required to do a substantial amount of expository and critical writing in response to the
material presented in the course.
The Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) in this course are intended to be aligned with as many of the
college's Core Competencies and General Education Goals as possible. They are also correlated with
the overall Learning Goals of the Philosophy Program. In addition, student progress in reaching the
course's SLOs is to be assessed through a variety of assessment types (tools) and on the basis of a
variety of assessment criteria. These alignments and correlations are depicted in the attached
document. [Back to course listing]
See an individual classroom syllabus for this course based on the policies stated in this departmental
syllabus. [Back to course listing]
Course Content
This course is the first part of the history of the United States in the 20th Century. It will give students the
basic narrative framework for understanding the United States from the Gilded Age to the onset of the
Cold War. Attention will be paid to political, social, cultural, economic, and diplomatic developments that
shaped the U.S. Students will also be introduced to historical methodologies of research and writing.
The class also serves as an introduction to basic historical methodology and historiography. Students will
acquire a solid understanding of historical facts and interpretation while gaining a sense of the broad
scope of history as a discipline.
The authors accomplished this by seeking integration -- combing political and social history, to fit the
experience of particular groups into the broader perspective of the American past, and to give voice to
minor and major players alike. This strong, clear narrative is told in an engaging, forthright way, but also
provides students with an abundance of tools to help them absorb the material and put it into context.
Special Features of the Course (if any) [to be designated by the instructor]
E.g., the use of learning technologies in the course (Internet, PowerPoint, etc.); the inclusion of
technological literacy and/or information literacy learning in the course; etc.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials
The required text for this course is Nancy F. Cott, ed., No Small Courage: A History of Women
in the United States, Oxford University Press.
Writing and Critical Thinking Requirement(s)
Because HIS-116 is a General Education course, it requires students to complete a variety of critical
thinking and writing assignments. These assignments may include class discussions and debates requiring
the application of critical thinking skills, short in-class essays, out-of-class writing projects (journals,
research papers, argument-analysis papers, book reviews, etc.), tests and examinations containing essay
components, and so forth. Instructors will respond to and comment on students' writing in detail.
Grading Policy
A student's final grade for the course is based primarily on his or her performance on the required work
for the course (writing assignments, examinations, class presentations, etc.) and on his or her
overall mastery of the material covered in the course. A student's class participation may also be
evaluated, and the grade thereon may be used as a factor in determining the student's final grade for the
course; but a class participation grade will count for no more than fifteen percent (15%) of the final grade.
Attendance Policy
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each
section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance
will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
History and Geography Departmental Attendance Policy:
It is imperative that students attend class on a daily basis in order to secure the knowledge necessary to
succeed in the course. Coming to class on time and staying for the entire class period is expected.
Excessive absences will have a detrimental effect on your performance in this course. Attendance will be
taken at each class session. It is expected that class will be conducted such that students will benefit in
their written work by the lectures and class discussion. If students occasionally arrive late, they should be
encouraged to enter quietly, not disturbing the class. If students miss class, they should be encouraged to
use the course calendar to stay abreast of material. It is probably a good idea for students to find study
partners and to exchange telephone numbers. Make-ups for examinations should be allowed by the
instructor if, in the instructor's judgment, the student has presented a good excuse for missing the work.
Instructors may penalize work which is late; however, the instructor's policies for make-ups and late work
must be clearly specified on the student guide. Collegiality is expected at all times during the course.
Attendance Policy in this Course:
[To be designated by the instructor]
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements [optional but recommended]
Examples:
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty.
ADA statement.
Sexual Harassment statement.
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology.
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Student and Faculty Support Services [optional but recommended]
List support services, e.g., the Writing Center, the Math Lab, the Tutorial Center, Online Writing Lab
(OWL), Office of Specialized Services, etc. Include information on the BCC Library.
Example:
Student and Faculty Support Services
The Distance Learning Office –
for any problems you may have
accessing your online courses
Room C-
334
201-612-5581
psimms@bergen.edu
Smarthinking Tutorial Service On Line at: www.bergen.edu/library/learning/tutor/smart/index.asp
The Tutoring Center Room S-
118
201-447-7908
The Technology Assisted
Learning Lab (Math and English)
Room C-
110
201-447-7988
The Writing Center Room C-
110
201-447-7136
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) www.bergen.edu/owl
The Office of Specialized
Services (for Students with
Disabilities)
Room S-
153
201-612-5270
The Sidney Silverman Library –
Reference Desk
Room L-
226
201-447-7436
Include a Course Outline and Calendar [can be combined in a single syllabus section]
The Course Outline and Calendar must include all of the following elements:
• A daily or (at least) weekly schedule of topics to be covered.
• Dates for exams, quizzes, or other means of assessment. (This does not mean that all evaluation
of students must be in groups and at the same time. Exams and other means of assessment can be
listed as "to be scheduled individually.")
• Due dates for major assignments – e.g., when is a paper due; if the topic has to be approved,
when; if an outline or draft is an interim step, when it is due.
• Any required special events must be included in the outline/calendar, e.g., a lecture by a visiting
speaker, a dramatic or musical performance, a field trip.
• Designation of Student Learning Objectives – by number – for each topic (see sample below).
• A note to students stating that the course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
Sample Format for Course Outline and Calendar
Note to Students: The following Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
Week(s) Date(s) Topic/Activity Learning
Objectives Assignments/Events
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
See the Sample Course Outline and Calendar below.
1. Native American Women Confront Colonization
2. Colonial Mosaic: 1600-1760
3. The Limits of Independence: 1760-1800
4. Breaking New Ground: 1800-1848
5. An Unfinished Battle: 1848-1865
6. Labor for Liberty: 1865-1890
7. New Paths to Power: 1890-1920
8. From Ballot to Breadlines: 1920-1940
9. Pushing the Limits: 1941-1961
10. The Road to Equality: 1962-Today