United States Military History

2014 – 2015

 

Mr. Boland

 

Course Syllabus

 

 

Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory. George S. Patton

 

COURSE OVERVIEW:

A study of the U.S. Military history from the Colonial times to the 20th Century. Special emphasis is placed on the causes and results of wars, leaders and battles, and the impact U.S. Military History has had in the world. U.S. History I and II and/or a comprehensive knowledge of America history are highly recommended for students enrolling in this course.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

¨       To explore and master a broad body of United States historical knowledge.

¨       To develop historical analytical skills needed to critically assess important events and periods in United States military history.

 

 

REQUIREMENTS

Ř      EFFORT! (Since this is a college level course is it expected to maintain a positive attitude and do the WORK.)

Ř      Note taking (At this level you should not have to be told to take notes either from class discussion or assigned reading.)

Ř      READ (This requires self discipline. When a reading is assigned it needs to completely read by the assigned date. NO EXCUSES.

Ř      Be Responsible When you are absent it is your duty to get the notes, assignments or materials you missed and make up the missed tests and quizzes and hand any materials/work that was not handed in due to your class absence. Also, for major work like essays and projects if you miss my class but are in school that day the work is considered late. Assignments/quizzes/tests not made up will become zeros.

Ř      Lateness is not Acceptable (All work needs to be completed by the assigned date.)

Ř      Participate in class (Do not sit in the stands and watch.)

Ř      DO NOT USE YOUR CELLPHONES IN CLASS!! (Use of your cell phone in and during class will negatively affect your grade.)

Ř      Macbook Rules Apply!

 

GRADING: Your grade will calculated on the following:

►     Class Participation/Attendance/class work/HW   30%

►     Essays/Projects                                                 40%

►     Test/Quizzes                                                     30%

q       There is and will be NO EXTRA CREDIT!

 

SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS

v      Notebook/ Binder (whatever your preference)

v      Folder*

v      Blue or Black pens (NO work will be accepted in pencil)

 

Course E- Textbooks

 

American Military History Vol I

http://www.history.army.mil/books/AMH-V1/AMH-V1-PDF.htm

 

American Military History Vol II

http://www.history.army.mil/books/AMH-V2/AMH-V2-PDF.htm

 

Supplemental texts

Ambrose,  Stephen. Americans at War. New York. Penguin Book. 1998.

 

 

Course Note

** The syllabus may be modified as needed during the school year. All changes will be announced to students.

 

 

Week of Sept 3-2014

 

Key Points

·        Intro/Course Overview

·        Read Chp 1: American Military History Vol I

·        Mini-essay on War Due 9/12/14

 

Week of Sept 8-2014

 

Topic: American Revolution

 

Key Points

  • The American Revolution background and start

·         Read Chp 3: American Military History Vol I

  • Task:  ESSAY—Could the 13 colonies have won the American Revolution without European help? Due 9/23/14

 

Week of Sept 15-2014

 

Topic: American Revolution

 

Key Points

  • The American Revolution and its consequences

·         Read Chp 4: American Military History Vol I

·         ESSAY— Could the 13 colonies have won the American Revolution without European help? Due 9/23/14

 

Week of Sept 22-2014

 

Topic: War 1812

 

Key Points

  • The War of 1812 and its consequences

·         Read Chp 6: American Military History Vol I

 

Week of Sept 29-2014

 

Topic: Mexican American War

 

Key Points

  • The Mexican American War  and its consequences

·         Read Chp 8: American Military History Vol I

 

Week of Oct 6-2014

 

Topic: Civil War

 

Key Point

  • Steps/factors leading to CW: mobilization, resources, and internal dissent

·         Read Chp 9 & 10: American Military History Vol I

  • Task: Civil War Mini-textbook Due 10/23/14

 

Week of Oct 13-2014

 

Topic: Civil War

 

Key Point

  • Major battles and strategies and impact on Civil War

·         Read Chp 11: American Military History Vol I

  • Task: Civil War Mini-textbook Due 10/23/14

 

Week of Oct -20 -14

 

Topic: Civil War

 

Key Point

 

  • Social, political, and economic effects of the Civil War

·         Read Chp 12: American Military History Vol I

  • Task: Civil War Mini-textbook Due 10/23/14

 

 

Week of Oct 27-2014

 

Topic: Spanish American War

 

Key Points

  • The Spanish American War  and its consequences

·         Read Chp 15: American Military History Vol I

·         Task: Battle Analysis Worksheet Due 11/14/14

 

 

Week of Nov-3-2014

 

Topic: World War I

 

Key Points

  • Social, political, and economic effects of World War I

·         Read Chp 1: American Military History Vol II

·         Task: Battle Analysis Worksheet Due 11/14/14

 

Week of Nov- 10-14

 

Topic: World War II

 

Key Points

  • Steps/factors leading to World War II
  • Major battles and strategies and impact on World War II

·         Read Chp 3 & 4: American Military History Vol II

  • Task: Battle Analysis Worksheet Due 11/14/14

 

Week of Nov -17-14

 

Topic: World War II

 

Key Points

  • Social, political, and economic effects of World War II

·         Read Chp 5 & 6 American Military History Vol II

  • Task: World War II Powerpoint due Dec-11-14

 

Week of Nov-24-14

 

Topic: World War II/Cold War

 

Key Points

  • Background and start of the Cold War

·         Read Chp 7 American Military History Vol II

  • Task: World War II Powerpoint due Dec-11-14

 

 

Week of Dec-1-14

 

Topic: Korean War

 

Key Points

  • The Korean War and its consequences
  • Task: World War II Powerpoint due Dec-11-14

 

Week of Dec-8-14

 

Topic: Cold War/Vietnam War

 

Key Points

  • Social, political, and economic effects of the Cold War

·         Read Chp 8 American Military History Vol II

 

 

Week of Dec-15 -14

 

Topic: Vietnam War

 

Key Points

  • Steps/factors leading to Vietnam: mobilization, resources, and internal dissent

·         Read Chp 10 American Military History Vol II

·         Task: Cold War Timeline due Jan 8-15

 

Week of Jan-5 -15

 

Topic: Post Vietnam Military Operations

 

Key Points

  • Social, and political, effects of  the Vietnam War

·         Read Chp 11 American Military History Vol II

·         Task: Cold War Timeline due Jan 8-15

 

Week of Jan-12-15

 

Topic: Post Vietnam military operations

 

Key Points

·         Post Vietnam Conflicts/Grenda/GW I

·         Read Chp 12 American Military History Vol II

·         Task: ESSAY—Evaluate which period of American military history had the greatest impact on American society due Jan-16-15

 

 

 

Week of Jan-19 -15

 

·         Midterm Exams

 

Week of Jan-26 -15

 

Topic: Global War on Terrorism

 

Key Points

·         Global war on Terrorism

·         Course Wrap-up