Textbook: Schaller, et al. American Horizons, Volume II Since 1865. New York: Oxford
University Press, 2013. You can use either the first or the second edition.
Novels: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Outsiders by S.E. Hilton
For the final exam, you will answer the two following questions in essays that are at least four paragraphs. Answers must include a coherent thesis statement substantiated by at least three supporting pieces of evidence and citations from the textbook, lectures or the novels. Please be as clear as possible. Grammar is important. Please spell check and properly punctuate. The questions are:
1) Between the beginning of World War II and the present decade, the United States underwent significant reform through key legislative acts which addressed race relations, poverty, and gender. Explain these different categories of reform, their early proponents, their evolution into legislation, and whether or not this legislation truly addressed the issues.
2) In this class, you read two novels. What do novels tell us about history that history books can not? Provide three examples of historical context from novels and how this historical context tied into the content of this course. Back up your arguments with examples from the novels and from the lectures/texts. Also, address this question : Do you think novels belong in history courses?
