HIS 229 - Contemporary United States History

Credits: 3
3 Lecture Hours

Description
In this course, students examine the political, social and cultural movements that have shaped America during the 20th and 21st centuries. The course examines key events and transformations, from civil rights movements to technological and cultural shifts. Students analyze the impact of these movements on contemporary American society and its global influence.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:

Explain why the United States entered the 20th century as the leading industrial nation.
Identify the reasons why the United States entered World War I.
Explain why isolationist sentiments dominated the 1920s and 1930s.
Define the economic factors at work during the 1920s and 1930s.
Explain the significance of World War II and America’s reentry in global matters.
Discuss America’s place in the Cold War.
Describe the social, political and economic developments since World War II.
Evaluate post-Cold War foreign policy.
Assess the validity, bias and relevance of primary and secondary sources to construct well-supported historical arguments.

Listed Topics

The industrial revolution in America
American imperialism
World War I
1920s America
The Great Depression
World War II
The Cold War
Social and cultural transformations in post-World War II America
The Reagan revolution
The war on terror, globalization and the information revolution
Post-Cold War America

Reference Materials
Current textbook, scholarly readings, films, maps and electronic resources as assigned

Students who successfully complete this course acquire general knowledge, skills and abilities that align with CCAC’s definition of an educated person. Specifically, this course fulfills these General Education Goals:

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Information Literacy

Approved By: Dr. Quintin B. Bullock Date Approved: 04/15/2025
Last Reviewed: 04/15/2025

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