History 107 On-line Course Syllabus
Summer 2008
Dates: June 23 to July 31
Instructor: Brian Waddington
Phone: 626-857-4039
E-mail: bwaddington@citruscollege.edu
Course Texts: Edward Ayers, American Passages, Vol 1, 3rd ed., (Thomson, 2007) & John Garraty, ed., Historical Viewpoints, Vol 1, 9th ed., (Longman, 2001)
Office Hours: Online and by appointment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is structured to cover the early history of the North American lands that eventually become the United States of America. It will begin with the pre-Columbian era and conclude at 1876 with the end of Reconstruction. A synthesis of multiple academic disciplines will be utilized to understand the dynamics of economic, political and social change in this period. Among the topics the course will cover are: the various cultures of early American people; colonial America and the nature of the American Revolution, the early republic and the spread of two distinct economic and cultural systems, the United States Civil War and Reconstruction.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To develop a better understanding of important developments, events and individuals in American history before 1877.
To develop a better understanding of the nature of the relationship between people and the historical process.
To acquire a better understanding of the techniques and tools of the historian.
To continue to develop and improve study and research skills which reading comprehension, critical thinking and effective verbal and written communication.
To utilize and understand how current technology works as a study and research tool.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Basic Course work: Basic course work consists of nine mini-lecture assignments and a final examination. The information students are responsible for is based on course readings, lectures, videos and discussions. Students should not go outside of the course information to respond to essay or mini-lecture topics. The essays will be assessed on the quality of content, analysis and organization. Completion of English 100 or equivalent is recommended. Students should notify the instructor if any extra accommodations are needed to enable success.
Participation: Students will also receive an assessment on their participation. The on-line course should not be approached as a correspondence course, but rather should be engaged in as an interactive experience much like a classroom setting. Most participation will be conducted through discussion board postings. Participation points will be primarily assessed on the quality of the student's work. Any anticipated prolonged absence from course work or participation should be reported to the instructor as soon as possible.
GRADE POLICY AND SCALE
Basic Assignments/Maximum Possible Points
Essays 8 @ 10 =80
Final Exam Essay 20
Participation 30
Grade Scale
A= 130-117 B= 116-104 C= 103-91 D= 90-78 F= Below 78
HISTORY 107 SUMMER SCHEDULE
Week 1 June 23-27: Look over course web site, send check-in assignment on Monday, June 23rd. Before sending the email, look over the class web site as the information within it should answer most questions. The first discussion board posting is due on June 24th and the first essay is due on the 25th. Second assignment is a major discussion board posting due on the 26th. Note that I will need to turn in census sheets by the end of the week. Students who have not completed the essay or who have not demonstrated progress may be dropped from the course.
Week 2 June 30- July 3: The third essay assignment and three discussion board postings are due this week.
Week 3 July 7-11: The third essay is due on Tuesday, July 8th and the fourth essay on July 10th. There is also a major discussion board posting due on the 9th. Check Announcement link.
Week 4 July 14-18: Your fifth essay is due on the 15th followed by two major discussion board postings.
Week 5 July 21-25: The sixth and seventh essays are due this week.
Week 6 July 28-July 31: The eighth essay is due on the 29th and the final exam is due by the 31st.