HIST 2523 History of the U.S. 1877 to Present Syllabus 010 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
54.0102
Course Meeting Time

Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Course Description

A survey of the history of the United States from the late 1870s to the present. Emphasis is placed on political as well as economic, cultural, and social forces which have shaped the American past. IAI: S2 901.

Prerequisites

Appropriate assessment score or ENGL 1422 with a grade of C or better - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.

Course Alignment

IAI Number
S2-901
IAI Title
United States History II
General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking
Explanation of Course Alignment

Goals and Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, you will: Distinguish between primary and secondary sources as the foundation of modern historical scholarship.

Interpret primary sources critically by analyzing their historical contexts.

Formulate historical interpretations and defend them critically with reference to primary and secondary sources.

Demonstrate an understanding of the various political, economic, and social movements within the United States since 1877.

General Education Goals and Objectives

The general education program at KCC is designed to enable students to acquire communication and reasoning skills at a level reflecting college-level learning. Students who complete the general education program will be able to examine complex topics and apply systematic processes to form conclusions. The specific general education objective addressed in this course is:

Critical Thinking. Students who graduate from KCC will be able to comprehensively analyze and evaluate issues, ideas, and evidence before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Steven DePasquale
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8742
Faculty Office Number
L310
Faculty Student Support Hours

I will be in my office on the following days and time:

Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 1:45-2:15

Thursdays 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 1:45-2:15

We can also schedule a virtual meeting or a face-to-face meeting in my office if the scheduled times don’t work for you.

In addition, you can contact me through email, KCC or Canvas, or the telephone. Barring an emergency I will respond to your communication within twenty-four hours.

Faculty Information

Mr. DePasquale

Office Phone: 815-802-8742

E-Mail: sdepasquale@kcc.edu

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Distinguish between primary and secondary sources as the foundation of modern historical scholarship
  2. Interpret primary sources critically by analyzing their historical contexts
  3. Formulate historical interpretations, both orally and in writing, and defend them critically with reference to primary and secondary sources
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the various political, social, and economic movements within the United States, including the origins and development of its peoples and cultures to 1877
Topical Outline
  1. Winning the West
  2. The Rise of Industrial America
  3. Life in Industrial America
  4. The Rise of the Urban Metropolis
  5. Politics in the Gilded Age
  6. The Populist Movement
  7. America Becomes a World Power
  8. Social Progressivism
  9. Political Progressivism
  10. America and the Great War
  11. The Roaring Twenties
  12. The Great Depression
  13. The First New Deal
  14. The Second New Deal
  15. The Road to the Second World War
  16. America and the Second World War
  17. The Rise of the Cold War
  18. Cold War America
  19. The Civil Rights Movement
  20. The Height of Liberalism
  21. The Vietnam War Era
  22. The Rights Movement
  23. America in Crisis
  24. The Conservative Revolution
  25. End of the Cold War Era
  26. Post-Cold Ware America
  27. America in a New Millennium
  28. An Era of Historic Firsts
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Of the People: A History of the United States, Volume II since 1865.

Located as an eBook in Modules on Canvas

Methods of Evaluation

In Class Assignments  17% of Final Grade

Textbook Chapter Quizzes  50% of final grade

Unit Exams 33  % of final grade

Grading Scale:

A=100-90%

B= 89-80%

C= 79-70%

D=69-60%

F=59% or less

Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Calendar

The Triumph of Industrial Capitalism

The Culture and Politics of Industrial America

Industry and Empire

A United Body of Action

A Global Power

The Modern Nation

A Great Depression and a New Deal

The Second World War

The Cold War

The Consumer Society

“The Table of Democracy”

Living with Less

The Triumph of Conservatism

The Globalized, Information Society

“The American Dream”

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.