Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

United States Since 1944 (Face-to-Face)

HIST 4750-01

Course: HIST 4750-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: History, Sociology & Anthro
CRN: 33308

Course Description

A political, economic, and social analysis of the post-World War II years. The continuing issues of the post-war decades are examined in the light of growing American responsibilities. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts


Textbook: Openstax U.S. History, openstax.org/details/books/us-history (Open Access text)


 

Monograph: Frye Gaillard, A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s, Our Decade of Hope, Possibility, and 
Innocence Lost (Montgomery: New South Books, 2018).   

Learning Outcomes


 Essential Student Learning Outcomes (SUU ELOs are in Bold) with Course-specific Subsections:


At the end of the semester students should have gained the following knowledge and skills:


1. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
: Students demonstrate knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world through study in the fine arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, life and physical sciences.


(a) demonstrate factual and critical knowledge of the major historical figures, events and cultural developments during this time period  


(b) demonstrate a broad understanding of the ideologies, society and theories (economic, social, political) during this time period 


2. Critical Thinking:
Students demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.


 


 


 
   


 


(a) critically examine, assess, and analyze various sides to arguments in historical debates in the study of this time period  


3. Communication:
Students develop and express ideas and will be able to do so in a variety of ways, namely in writing, by speaking, visually, kinesthetically, through design or aurally.

(b) communicate historical arguments effectively both orally and in written form, including having a strong ability to craft well-organized critical and analytical essays that utilize historical data (sources) in support of a thesis  

Course Requirements


Assignments:


EXAMS: There are three tests for this course.  They have multiple-choice, short answer, and essay components. Please see tabs for dates. 60%


IN-CLASS WRITING, VIDEO NOTES & ATTENDANCE: Good attendance and active participation in class discussions is important to student success in this class. In addition, throughout the semester the class will be given short written assignments in this category.  20%


PAPER & PRESENTATION: There is a term paper and short presentation for this course. It requires a thorough and critical reading of A Hard Rain about 1960s America.  Please see "Assignments" tab for specifics. 20%

Course Outline


Course Schedule & Readings:

 
Week 1                                    WWII and its Impacts on Postwar America; Read Ch. 27
(Sept. 2-4)
 
Week 2                                    Wars: Cold and Hot; Read Ch. 27, Ch. 28 * Labor Day
(Sept. 7*-11)
 
Week 3                                    Postwar Politics & The Affluent Society; Read Ch. 28
(Sept. 14-18)
 
Week 4                                    The Consumer Culture & The Age of Consensus; Read Ch. 28
(Sept. 21-25)
 
Week 5                                    New Frontiers at Home; Read Ch.  29 & Start A Hard Rain
(Sept. 28-Oct. 2)
 
Week 6                                    Great Society and Vietnam; Read A Hard Rain
(Oct. 5-9)
 
Week 7                                    Pragmatism& Centrism in Politics, and the Cold War; Read A Hard Rain
(Oct. 12-16)                             
 
Week 8                                    Contested Futures, 1960s; Read Ch. 29, Read A Hard Rain * Fall Break
(Oct. 19*-24)
 
Week 9                                    Political Storms: At Home & Abroad, 1968-1980; Read Ch. 30 & 31
(Oct 26-30)
 
Week 10                                  The 1970s; Read Ch. 30 & A Hard Rain
(Nov. 2-6)
 
Week 11                                  The 1980s & the Age of Reagan; Read Ch. 30 & 31                   
(Nov. 9-13)
 
Week 12                                  Social Tensions and Culture Wars, Going Global 
(Nov. 16-20)
 
Week 13                                  Thanksgiving Break (all week)
(Nov. 23-27)
 
Week 14                                  Late 1980s-1990s; Read Ch. 31
(Nov. 30-Dec. 4)
 
Week 15                                  The Wars on Terror & Challenges, Twenty-First Century; Read Ch.  32
(Dec. 7-11)
 
Week 16                                  Finals Week 
(Dec. 14-18)                             
 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Instructor will accept late work with one letter grade taken off.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is required and graded for this class. 

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.