AMST 3100-010 Syllabus

Intro to American Studies – the 2000s

[CRN 14094]

Instructor Information Office Hours Class Meetings

LeeAnn Pounds, JD (she/her) Wednesdays: 1:15-2:15 pm Mon & Wed 2:30-3:45 pm
lpounds@[Link] Fretwell 314 Denny 120
If time-sensitive – or by appointment on Zoom
text: (704)517-8315

Course Description
In this decades course students will take an in-depth look at such areas as politics, pop
culture, music, technology, and media within the 2000s. The class with focus on how each
of these forces shaped American society during the 2000s and had continuing influences
on America today.

Learning Objectives and Expectations

Through this course, students will:
• Critically analyze and demonstrate an understanding of the historic and cultural
uniqueness or consistency of events, controversies, and trends in this decade;
• Evaluate how events, trends, and innovations reinforced or changed existing American
culture and values;
• Connect events from the 2000s with present day American politics, music, technology,
and entertainment;
• Analyze significant 2000s event and notable personalities with an awareness of varied
historical perspectives, while exploring how these viewpoint differences impact
American society and culture;
• Produce written artifacts that demonstrate an ability to analyze relevant content from
the class and utilize knowledge to communicate critical thinking to their audience;
and
• Curate content and utilize multimodal capabilities to present researched information
professionally and appropriately for the intended audience.
Students are expected to engage in critical thinking and writing to produce professional
quality content. Attendance and compliance with deadlines are expected, absent extreme
circumstances discussed with the Instructor prior to a deadline or absence. See policies
below for more details.
STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE AVAILABLE DURING ALL CLASS MEETINGS A COPY OF YOUR
ASSIGNED READING ANNOTATED AND YOUR NOTES, ALONG WITH PEN OR PENCIL AND
PAPER.
Required Textbook

Bachelor, Bob. The 2000s (2009); Greenwood Press. ISBN 978 0 313 34912 6 (print); [part of
the American Popular Culture Through History Series]

Along with many selected readings provided on Canvas and some readings linked on course
schedule

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Grading Scale:

A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69 and F=59-50

Assignments and Grade Distribution – percentages listed related to final

grade total
1) Analysis Essay 15% of the course grade - due 9/25
Students are required to submit an analysis paper. Instructions for this assignment will
be posted on Canvas. Extra credit will be available with proof you utilized a Writing
Resource Center session in preparation of your analysis paper.
2) Tests on Content – No makeups absent extreme circumstances – 30% total of the
course grade
Test 1 15% - 9/17
Test 2 15% - 11/24 – online

3) Group Presentations on Cultural Impacts of 9/11 in the 2000s –13% total of course
grade
• Completed Group Contract (1%) Due 10/19
• Outline and List of Sources (1%) Due 10/25
• Completion of Group Member Evaluation and Reflection on Group Participation
(1%) Due 11/9
• Presentation (TBD if in person or by video) (10%) – Due 11/4

4) Homework (HW)–Discussion Board Posts, and other assigned submissions - total of

11% of the course grade
Many course readings will be tied to either a short, required learning journal entry,
HW assignment, or discussion board post related to a student’s takeaways from the
reading. The lowest HW score will be dropped.

5) Class Participation – 16% of the course grade - Students are expected to attend class
and remain engaged with class discussions and activities (like group work).
Evidence of engagement during class will be utilized as part of this grade, as well
as attendance and being on time as required by the policies below. I will drop up to
two missed in-class activities. Your profile of featured person in the 2000s will be
¼ of this grade. More details on this assignment will be provided on Canvas

6) Reading Quizzes -5% of the course grade (if not needed – 5% added to Homework
category)
At times reading quizzes will be given to confirm students are reading and test their
familiarity with the reading information. Both announced and unannounced reading
quizzes will be given. I will drop the lowest reading quiz score.

7) Final Exam– 10% of the course grade

Exam given during a timed period in person on campus.
Course Policies
Late Work Policy
Late submissions for homework, group presentation, or profile of featured person will not be
accepted absent extreme circumstances beyond the student’s control that instructor is
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notified of prior to the deadline. Any late submission of the analysis essay is penalized by 7
points per day (including weekends and holidays) and will not be accepted after 4 days unless
arrangements were made with the instructor prior to the deadline for an extension or
submission due to extreme circumstances the instructor deems unavoidable. Any exceptions
for late submissions due to unique circumstances may be penalized 5-7 points per day at
instructor’s discretion if the delay was avoidable by the student (including violation of
policies in this syllabus). No late work will be accepted after 12/1 at 11:59 pm.

Academic Integrity Policy

All students are required to read and abide by the Code of Student Academic Integrity.
Violations of the Code of Student Academic Integrity, including plagiarism, will result in
disciplinary action as provided in the Code. Definitions and examples of plagiarism are set
forth in the Code and on the Student Accountability & Conflict Resolution website. Faculty
may ask students to demonstrate that graded assignments completed outside of class are
their own work. Students that reuse other students’ responses from online discussion forums
or other written submissions, treating them as their own original work, (either individually or
as contributors to a group assignment) or purchase work from online suppliers such as Course
hero and Chegg will be evaluated for appropriate disciplinary action, and are presumed to be
deserving to receive an F on the assignment and possibly for the course. Resubmission of your
own work prepared for other classes without the Instructor’s permission violates the
academic integrity policy. Use of ChatGPT or other generative AI tools to compose (i.e.
WRITE YOUR CONTENT FOR YOU) as to any assigned written work (including homework,
the analysis paper, or presentations) is considered plagiarism and will result in receipt of
a 0. Students are expected to maintain copies of writing drafts and proof of review of
sources and writing process should you want to respond to the instructor’s determination
of AI-generated content in your submissions. Submitting AI generated writing is treated by
this instructor as cheating, being dishonest, and disrespectful of the learning mission. It is
the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor upon receipt of a 0 and arrange for
review of the assignment in question. The instructor may refer the matter for academic
disciplinary considerations. AI tools CAN BE used for generating ideas and initiating
research, but students who fail to actually dig deeper as to information provided by AI
that is fraudulent, nonexistent or not reflective of what it is cited for will be treated as
having improperly relied upon AI and also receive a 0 and the possibility of referral for
academic disciplinary considerations.
Attendance Policy and Arriving Late
Students are expected to miss no more than three (3) classes and engaged fully in class
discussions and activities. Certain limited excused absences discussed below are not
subject to these limitations and penalties. Attendance will be randomly monitored and
completion of any exit ticket or other in class activity when a student is not in person
during the class period is considered a lack of academic integrity that may be referred by
the Instructor for student disciplinary consideration. After the third absence, students
will have 10% of their participation grade deducted for each missed class until 6 total.
Upon 7 unexcused absences you will receive a 50/100 for class participation (12% of the
overall grade for the course). Anyone with more than 7 unexcused absences will receive a
0 for the class participation portion (12%) of your final course grade. The only excused
absences are those who have written medical excuses or documentation from the Dean of
Students’ Office, are attending UNCC-related required events conflicting with class time,
religious or disability accommodations properly documented or students notify the

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instructor prior to the class time (as quickly as possible if truly cannot communicate at
that time) of extenuating circumstances that are deemed unavoidable by the instructor.
Students arriving more than 5 minutes late will also lose class participation points, if once
warned about being late, students continue to join class late without notifying the
instructor of an unavoidable issue. Regularly arriving late to class shows a lack of
attention or disrespect to the classmates or instructor that can be disruptive of the
learning process and will result in a low participation score.
Classroom Conduct Policy
All students and the instructor are held to a standard of engaging with one another
respectfully. Your responsibility is to be kind and civil as a show of respect to everyone in the
classroom, supporting a classroom climate where everyone feels comfortable participating
and can disagree in a civil manner. No willfully offensive language and disrespectful conduct
will be tolerated.

Code of Student Responsibility

The purpose of the Code of Student Responsibility (the Code) is to protect the campus
community and to maintain an environment conducive to learning. University rules for
student conduct are discussed in detail. The procedures followed for any Student, Student
Organization or Group charged with a violation of the Code, including the right to a hearing
before a Hearing Panel or Administrative Hearing Officer, are fully described in the Code of
Student Responsibility.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination and Addressing Harassment or Interpersonal Violence

UNC Charlotte is committed to maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all
students and a professional workplace for all employees. The University takes active measures
to create or restore a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment for community members
that is free from discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and interpersonal violence. If you
(or someone you know) has experienced any of these incidents, know that you are not alone.
UNC Charlotte has staff members trained to support you in navigating campus life, accessing
health and counseling services, providing academic and housing accommodations, helping
with civil protective orders, and more. To
report an incident you can file an online report at [Link]
or call (704) 687-6130 or email civilrights-titleix@[Link].

Please be aware that all UNC Charlotte employees, including faculty members, are expected
to relay any information or reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual
and interpersonal misconduct they receive to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX. This
means that if you tell me about a situation involving these matters, I am expected to report
the information. Although I am expected to report the situation, you will still have options
about how your case will be handled, including whether or not you wish to pursue a formal
complaint. Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you
and have access to the resources you need.
If you wish to speak to someone confidentially, you can contact the following on-campus
resources, who are not required to report the incident to the Office of Civil Rights and Title
IX: (1) Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) ([Link], 7-0311);
(2) Student Health ([Link], 7-7400); or (3) University Ombuds
([Link], 704-687-5518).

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Unwelcome conduct directed toward a person based on the person’s actual or perceived
race, gender, color, religion, age, national origin, ethnicity, physical or mental disability,
political affiliation, or veteran status, or based on other unlawful grounds, may constitute a
violation of University Policy 406, The Code of Student Responsibility. Students suspected of
engaging in such discriminatory conduct will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Accommodations
Disability-related - UNC Charlotte is committed to access to education. If you
have a disability and need academic accommodations, please seek a letter of
accommodation from Disability Services early in the semester and talk with
me. For information on accommodation, contact the Office of Disability
Services at 704-687-0040 (Fretwell 230).

Religious – Please make any religious accommodation requests by email clearly

identifying the dates and graded assignments involved, but feel free to speak
with me in person before emailing. Students who miss classes, examinations or
other assignments because of a religious practice or belief must be provided
with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic
responsibilities according to the University’s religious accommodation
policy. Excused absences from classes, activities, or examinations for religious
observances will not be counted against any mandatory attendance
requirements, but they do not relieve students from responsibility for any part
of the course work required during the period of absence. The instructor may
appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete any
alternative assignment or examination.

Credit Course Workload

This 3-credit course requires 9-12 hours of work a week. Course work may include but is not
limited to required reading, library research, written assignments, discussion posts, viewing
of course videos, reviewing feedback from the instructor, and completing assessments.

Emergency Procedures at UNC Charlotte

I encourage you to visit and familiarize yourself with our Emergency Services website.
This website has information regarding what to do before, during and after an
Emergency: [Link]

Incomplete
The grade of I is assigned at the discretion of the instructor when a student who is otherwise
passing has not, due to circumstances beyond his/her control, completed all the work in the
course. For more details speak with the instructor and consult the University policy
addressing Incompletes.

Online Assignment Conduct

This course will be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect. I encourage your active
participation in discussions forums and other online assignments due throughout the course.
Each of us may have strongly differing opinions on the various topic prompts. The conflict of
ideas is encouraged and welcomed. The orderly questioning of the ideas of others, including
mine, is similarly welcomed. Given the nature of an online dialogue, it is easy to find yourself
writing ideas you may not have expressed during an in-person course discussion. I will
exercise my responsibility to manage the discussions by monitoring the discussion forums so
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that ideas and arguments can proceed in an orderly fashion. You should expect that if your
conduct during these online discussions seriously disrupts the atmosphere of mutual respect I
expect in this class, you will not be permitted to participate further, and you could be
subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Responsibility.

Paper Revision Policy

You may choose to submit revisions for a revised grade for the analysis paper if the
assignment was not submitted late. Your revision grade will be an average of the original
grade and the final grade on the essay. I will not accept any revisions after November 17– the
revision due date.

Preferred Name
This course seeks to recognize the nicknames, middle names or other names or pronouns a
student prefers to use. If you prefer to be called by a different name than what is indicated
on the class roster, please let me know. Feel free to correct me should I forget. If you have
any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

SimCheck Usage to Detect Plagiarism and AI Detector Usage

As a condition of taking this course, all required written work students submit may be subject
to screen for textual similarity review to SimCheck or other plagiarism and AI detection
software for the detection of both plagiarism and AI generated content. All submitted written
work may be included as source documents in the SimCheck or another plagiarism or AI
detection service reference databases. Students will be asked for their consent for their
written work to be submitted to SimCheck and AI Detection services. If a student does not
provide such written consent and permission, the instructor may:
(i) require a short reflection paper on research methodology; (ii) require a draft bibliography
prior to submission of any written assignment with citations; or (iii) require submission of a
Google Doc or Word Document used in the drafting process that has metadata showing version
history with date and times of composing. Should any source cited be unidentifiable by the
instructor, the instructor can require a weblink or the cover page and first cited page of each
reference source to be photocopied and submitted within 5 days.

Student Grievances
Students enrolled in courses at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who would like to
file a complaint regarding their experience may do the following: 1. Refer to the UNC
Charlotte Student Grievance Procedure. Students may also contact UNC Charlotte’s regional
accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
2. Students residing outside of North Carolina while attending UNC Charlotte may file a
complaint in their state of residence. As required by federal regulations, students are
directed to the list of resources here, compiled and updated by the State Higher Education
Executive Officers.

Syllabus and Assignment Schedule Revision Policy

The standards and requirements set forth in this syllabus and on the Course Assignment
Schedule on Canvas may be modified at any time by the course instructor. Notice of such
changes will be made by announcements in class or by email notices sent through Canvas
announcements. The details for assignments and weekly readings will be provided on Canvas
and can also be modified by the course instructor throughout the semester.

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Use of Phones, Earphones, and Computers
Students are expected to discontinue all non-class related use of telephones, computers,
tablets, and other digital devices during class. Unless a student has discussed an approved
reason to wear earphones, air pods, or similar ear devices during class, those should be
removed at the start of class, or you will be deemed to have lost class participation credit for
the day and/or asked to leave class. If unauthorize use of a phone or computer results in
audio or sounds playing that disrupt the class, the student will be asked to leave class and
lose credit for attendance and participation on that day. If the instructor sees students
texting or using messaging on their computer during class time you can be asked to leave class
and lose credit for attending and participating. If any device is used to alert other classmates
absent that day of in-class assignments, such as exit tickets or group activities done during
class, to allow them to submit these activities while being absent, such notification will be
considered a lack of academic integrity and can result in referral for academic disciplinary
considerations.

Withdrawals
Students are expected to complete all courses for which they are registered at the close of
the add/drop period. If you are concerned about your ability to succeed in this course, it is
important to make an appointment to speak with me as soon as possible. The University
policy on withdrawal allows students only a limited number of opportunities available to
withdraw from courses. It is important for you to understand the financial and academic
consequences that may result from course withdrawal. The Deadline for Withdrawals from
this course is October 16.

SEE OUR ONLINE COURSE ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE FOR CLASS TOPICS, ASSIGNED READINGS,
HOMEWORK, OTHER DETAILS AND DEADLINES– Linked here and on Canvas. You must be
using a browser signed in with your [Link] credentials to access the schedule.