MCCCD Program Description

United States History 1945 to the Present

Course: HIS108

First Term: 2010 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Survey of American history from 1945 to the present. Focuses on the political, social, economic and cultural history of the United States from the end of World War II to the present time. Includes domestic developments and foreign policy

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the global situation at the close of World War II as the Grand Alliance failed. (I) 2. Describe the beginnings of the Cold War between East and West. (II) 3. Explain economic, social and political characteristics of Post-War United States. (II) 4. Identify and explain important global and political challenges in the 1950s and 1960s. (III, IV) 5. Define and compare social aspects of the quiescent 1950s and tumultuous 1960s. (III, IV) 6. Trace the evolution of the Civil Rights, Women`s, and Minority Rights movements. (IV) 7. Explain foreign policy gains and domestic problems of the 1970s. (V) 8. Describe political changes in the 1980s at home and abroad. (VI) 9. Explain the changing role of the United States in the world following the end of the Cold War. (VI) 10. Describe and explain the United States responses in the 21st century to globalization and the rise of terrorism. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction II. The Crucible of War A. America at war B. Transition to peace C. The Cold War begins D. Truman`s politics and policies E. The Korean War and McCarthyism III. The American People at Mid-Century A. I Like Ike B. Politics of consensus C. The Cold War abroad D. Fifties` thought and culture E. Social and economic trends IV. New Frontiers A. The Kennedy style B. The Cold War close to home C. Lyndon Johnson and the Great Society D. Civil rights in the 1960s E. Youthful counter culture V. The Crisis of Authority A. Vietnam B. Nixon and Watergate C. Social aspects and economic policies D. Ford and Carter VI. The Reagan Counter-Revolution A. Conservatism resurgent B. New leadership in the Soviet Union C. Thawing the Cold War D. Race and civil rights VII. The Post Cold War World A. The Democrats return B. A nation of immigrants C. The Information Superhighway D. Globalization E. Terrorism at home

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 3/25/2003

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.