Fall 2010 ChS 245 OL
History of the Americas

Instructor: Dr. Gabriel M. Buelna
Schedule: Online
E-mail: gabriel@csun.edu

Office Hours:  Online via e-mail and appointment via phone at (323) 267-9749
Office: Jerome Richfield Hall 141
Office Hours: By Appointment

Objectives: Comparative analysis of significant political and social events in the U.S.A. from colonial times to the present. Emphasis will be placed upon the historical development of American institutions and ideals as they have been affected by regional dynamics within the United States and by international, socio-political and economic relationships particularly with Latin America. (Meets Title V requirements in American History, Institutions and Ideals.)

Required Readings:

• Zinn, Howard (2005).  People's History of United States, Pennsylvania.

• Additional readings available online

Requirements and Grading

1.   Attendance- Class participation is mandatory.  While students and instructor do not physically meet, students are to complete readings for week and “Moogle Discussion” Question by Thursday at midnight each week.  Late postings will not be accepted.   We will also be meeting in chat room through WebCT on an as needed basis.  Videos are part of the class presentation, with links to the CSUN library for you to check out.  You are responsible for scheduling the viewing of the video by the day it is due.

2.   PowerPoint- Assignments are posted next to students name on website http://www.gabrielbuelna.com/students . Students are to e-mail professor Power Point presentation to be posted on website by Wednesday, November 10th at midnight.  The presentation should be no longer than fifteen PowerPoint slides with detailed notes and graphics.  Presentation should also include a reference page.  Presentation should be a combination of very good content and graphics.  Student will be evaluated on how presentation is integrated with readings and video.  Students are expected to spend significant amount of time on project.  Instructor can review presentation upon request prior to posting.

3.  Mid-Term Exam:  Thursday, October 21st-Exam questions e-mailed to students.

4.   Final Exam: Thursday, December 16th-Exam questions e-mailed to students.

Biography                        10 Points
Discussion Questions      60 points total (5 points each)
PowerPoint                      30 Points
Mid-Term                         30 Points
Final Exam                       30 Points                                   
                                      160 Points Total

Schedule of Topics and Readings

Week 1           August 26th

• Students to post short biography and picture on Moogle profile.  Biography should be at least three paragraphs in length, including the analysis of Acuna interview.   This is due by Thursday, August 26th by noon via moogle.csun.edu. 

Week 2           September 2nd

• Read Chapter 1 and 2

• Complete Discussion Question for this week

Week 3          September 9th

• Read Zinn, Chapter 3 and 4
• Complete Discussion Question for this week

Week 4-         September 16th

• Read Zinn, Chapter 5 and 6
• Complete Discussion Question for this week

Week 5-         September 23rd

• Read Zinn, Chapter 7 and 8
• Watch Video at library on U.S. Mexico War-Follow the link for details on the video http://suncat.csun.edu/record=b1777057  
• You can also review the following presentation on the U.S. Mexico War at http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/index_flash.html
• Complete Discussion Question for this week

Week 6          September 30th

• Read Zinn, Chapter 9
• Complete Discussion Question for this week

Week 7           October 7th

• Read Zinn, Chapter 10 and 11
• Complete Discussion Question for this week.

Week 8           October 14th

    Watch documentary on Howard Zinn at library.  Following the link http://suncat.csun.edu/record=b2041934

Week 9          October 21st

Mid-Term Exam-due Thursday, October21st by noon.  Exam will be distributed one week earlier and is to be sent to professor via e-mail at gabriel@sbcglobal.net.

Week 10         October 28th

• Read Zinn, Chapter 12 -14
• Complete Discussion Question for this week.

Week 11         November 4th

• Read the following article "The Origins and History of the Chicano Movement" by Roberto Rodriguez:   http://www.jsri.msu.edu/RandS/research/ops/oc07abs.html
• Complete Discussion Question for this week

Week 12       November 10th-PowerPoint presentations due

• Read the following article by Dr. Rodolfo Acuña titled "Truth and Objectivity and Chicano History"              http://www.jsri.msu.edu/RandS/research/ops/oc09abs.htm
• Complete Discussion Question for this week.

Week 13         November 18th

• Read Zinn, Chapter 15 -17
• Complete Discussion Question for this week
• PowerPoint Presentations Due

Week 14         November 25th-Thanksgiving Week-No Class

Week 15         November 25th-Thanksgiving Week-No Class

• Students to read Anglos and Mexicans In the Twenty First Century By David Montejano.  http://www.jsri.msu.edu/RandS/research/ops/oc03abs.html
• Complete Discussion Question for this week

Week 16         December 2nd

• Students to read  The Illusive Race Question & Class: By Dr. Rodolfo Acuña   Click HERE to download article.
• Complete Discussion Question for this week

Final Week       December 9th

• Final Assignment to be announced

Final Exam Due, Thursday, December 16th