HIST201: Interpreting American History: From 1865 to the Present

Teaching Assistant: Eben Levey

Email: ​elevey@terpmail.umd.edu
Office Hours: ​Virtual; Wednesday 11am-12pm, 2pm-3pm; or by appointment

Sections*
0104 Wednesday 9-9:50am - Online
0105 Wednesday 10-10:50am - Online
0106 Wednesday 1-1:50pm - Online

*we will be meeting regularly at these times on Zoom in my zoom meeting room:

https://umd.zoom.us/j/7191294683

Objectives

The principal aims of the (virtual) discussion sections are:

1) to enhance your understanding of the key issues in U.S. history (its ideas, concepts, and
people) through critical thinking and discussion;
2) to develop your understanding of history as a discipline; and
3) to encourage you to employ its conceptual tools through intellectual exchange and writing.

The discussion section is designed to reinforce what you have read or learned in online lectures,
as well as encourage you to develop the skills used in the creation of historical knowledge. You
will be expected to analyze primary as well as secondary sources, and develop your own
positions on historical issues. Your progress in this course will be measured by how effectively
you present those positions through participation in our virtual discussion sections each Monday,
as well as the quality of written assignments.

Expectations

● Complete all of the reading for the week. Given that our meetings are on Wednesdays
and the lectures and readings for the week are already available, I expect that you will
have watched both lectures and done the corresponding readings prior to discussion
section.
● Participate regularly during our weekly Zoom meetings.
● Complete assignments ​on time​.
● Show respect for your classmates and the TA.

Discussion Section Format & Participation

In addition to viewing the two (asynchronous) weekly lectures, you are required to attend a
weekly discussion section. These sections are designed to give students the opportunity to talk
about and think through the reading and lecture material in a smaller group setting. This term,
discussion sections will be held synchronously on Zoom at the appointed time. To attend, you
must use your official UMD Zoom account. Prior to meeting, you will read the assigned
materials listed on this syllabus (see below) as well as the textbook materials. Each week I will
post a series of prompts which you will prepare notes on, and they will form the basis of our
discussions. Participation is the key to achieving a good grade in our virtual discussion sections.

Typically, we will begin sections with announcements and introductory remarks about that
week’s materials. Then you will split into pre-assigned breakout groups and I will assign each
group a question to discuss and debate. After a period of time, we will then all come back
together, and each group will present their group’s findings to the class. Each student is required
to present at least twice in the semester. After which, we will open it up to the whole class for
comments, rebuttals, and questions.

Here is a rough breakdown of each section:

- Announcements and Introduction (10 min)
- Breakout Groups (~15 min)
- Presentations (12-20min; 3-5 min each)
- Questions, comments, rebuttals (5-15min)

Professor Smead, myself, and the other TA’s have done our best to organize this class to provide
you with quality education and full academic experience even though it is being held entirely
online. The best laid plans can sometimes go awry, so the ​class structure is subject to change​.
We hope you give us the same level of patience and understanding that we plan to show to you
as we all try to navigate these unprecedented times together.

Assignments
You are required to write ​two 1-2 page response papers (about 500 words each) ​that place the
week’s reading in dialogue and analyze the assigned readings. These assignments will be
centered around two of the assigned books for the course and will each be worth 10% of your
final grade, respectively. Response prompts will be given one week prior to the due date.

There will also be 2 exams and a final. Exams 1 and 2 will count for 15% each of your final
grade, while the final exam will count for 25%. These will be centered on written responses to
broad thematic questions that will ask you to bring in relevant information ​and primary source
evidence to support your arguments​.

Discussion section participation will make up a sizeable portion of your final grade, being worth
25%. In order to get good a participation grade, students must demonstrate that they understand,
or are at least trying to understand, the course material. This demonstration is done through
active engagement with the class discussion, asking crucial questions about the readings, and
making comments that demonstrate the student has read and thought about the assignments for
the day.

If you do not attend, you will receive a “0” for that week, and if you do not participate you will
not receive full credit for that week. I will be updating these grades fairly regularly on ELMS so
you are aware of your discussion/participation grade. To receive full credit, you should
demonstrate thoughtful engagement with the week’s material (including readings and posted
lectures) and your classmates’ reflections.

Grading
Your TA will be grading your discussion participation, exams, and written assignments.
Assignments as percentage of total grade:
Exams: 30% (2 exams worth 15% each - Week 5 and Week 9)
Response paper 1: 10% (February 12, 11:59 PM)
Response paper 2: 10% (April 30, 11:59 PM)
Discussion Participation: 25% (weekly)
Final Exam (Exam 3): 25%

Attendance
We understand that the ongoing pandemic has scattered many of us across time zones and in
unplanned work, living, or care arrangements, making attendance in synchronous class meetings
difficult. However, attendance at your discussion section is ​mandatory​. Missing section will
hurt your overall participation score. However, I will allow one missed section without penalty.
Beyond this, if you are going to be absent, you can attend another section as long as you let me
know in advance.

I will also be available for one-on-one meetings during office hours (by appointment).

Late/ Missing Assignments

If you are unable to complete an assignment for any reason, please email me immediately to
request a make-up (in advance, if possible). With documentation, missed assignments can be
made up in a timely manner with no penalty in the event of an illness, family emergency,
religious holiday, and other University-excused “absence.” Unexcused late assignments will be
marked down one letter grade for each day it is late.

Decorum
Keep your mics muted unless you are making a comment.Turn your video on, especially if you
are talking or in break out groups.I recommend that you use headphones with a mic, if you have
them. They not only make it easier for your classmates to hear you but also block out
background noise. Keep comments on topic and the chat box should only be used for class
purposes.

Even though we will be meeting virtually, it is still important to conduct ourselves with
professionalism. When you are attending a Zoom section, you are at school, and should conduct
yourself as such. To craft an open and interactive online learning environment, communication
has to be conducted in a professional and courteous manner at all times, guided by common
sense, collegiality and basic rules of etiquette.

With a diversity of perspectives and experience, we may find ourselves in disagreement and/or
debate with one another. Disagreement and debate are the essential aspects of academia, yet it is
important that we agree to conduct ourselves in a professional manner and that we work together
to foster and preserve a virtual classroom environment in which we can respectfully discuss and
deliberate controversial questions. Any behavior (including harassment, sexual harassment, and
racially and/or culturally derogatory language) that threatens this atmosphere will not be
tolerated.

Feedback
I encourage you to email me any questions you have. I will try to answer emails within 24 hours,
(not including weekends). Due to the high number of students in my sections I cannot read and
give feedback on drafts of papers, but you are encouraged to send me an outline to discuss with
me during office hours. Also, the Writing Center in McKeldin is a great resource for those who
want more individualized help with any writing assignments

Academic integrity​:
(​https://www.president.umd.edu/sites/president.umd.edu/files/documents/policies/III-100A.pdf​ ).
The UMD Honor Code prohibits students from cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers,
submitting the same paper for credit in two courses without authorization, buying papers,
submitting fraudulent documents and forging signatures. On every examination, paper or other
academic exercise not exempted by the instructor, students must write by hand and sign the
following pledge:
I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on
this examination (or assignment).

Allegations of academic dishonesty will be reported directly to the Student Honor Council:
http://www.shc.umd.edu

Accessibility and Disability Service​:​ (​https://www.counseling.umd.edu/ads​). Students with a

documented disability should inform the instructors within the add-drop period if academic
accommodations will be needed. ​NB: You are expected to meet with your instructor in
person​ to provide them with a copy of the ​Accommodations Letter​ and to obtain your
instructor’s signature on the ​Acknowledgement of Student Request​ form. You and your instructor
will plan together how accommodations will be implemented throughout the semester. To obtain
the required Accommodation Letter, please contact Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) at
301-314-7682 or ​adsfrontdesk@umd.edu​.

Copyright notice​:​ Class lectures and other materials are copyrighted. They may not be
reproduced for anything other than personal use without written permission from the instructor.
Copyright infringements may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Sexual violence:
The University of Maryland is committed to providing support and resources, including
academic accommodations, for students who experience sexual or relationship violence (as
defined by the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy). To report an incident and/or obtain an
academic accommodation, contact the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct at
301–405–1142. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, contact Campus Advocates
Respond and Educate (CARE) to Stop Violence at 301–741–3555. Disclosures made to faculty
are not confidential and must be reported to the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual
Misconduct. For more information visit ​www.ocrsm.umd.edu​.

Diversity:
The University of Maryland values the diversity of its student body. Along with the University, I
am committed to providing a classroom atmosphere that encourages the equitable participation
of all students regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, or
sexual orientation. Potential devaluation of students in the classroom that can occur by reference
to demeaning stereotypes of any group and/or overlooking the contributions of a particular group
to the topic under discussion is inappropriate.

Counseling & Mental Health Services:

Counseling Center: Shoemaker Building, 301.314.7651, ​www.counseling.umd.edu
Mental Health Service (University Health Center): Campus Drive,
301.314.8106, ​http://www.health.umd.edu/mentalhealth/services
University Chaplains: University Chapel,
301.314.9866, ​http://thestamp.umd.edu/engagement/memorial_chapel/chaplains