History 1301 Fall 2008 Syllabus Distance Education
Joella Robinson
Houston Community College
Distance Education
Fall 2008
Course Syllabus
History 1301
CRN# 60467
Office Hours: Anytime by appointment.
Phone: 281-580-6182 (Home office phone.)
E-Mail: joella.robinson@hccs.edu (HCCS e-mail)
Books
Text: American Destiny: Narrative of a Nation (Chapters 1-16), Volume I: To 1877 (Penguin Academics Series)
Mark C. Carnes, Barnard College, Columbia University, John A. Garraty, (Emeritus) Columbia University, Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2003, ISBN-10: 0-321-31635 (2nd edition) ISBN- 10: 0321510879 or 13: 9780321510877 (3rd edition.)
Books – HCC books can be purchased at all HCC bookstores, a list of stores can be found in the Fall Course Schedule.
Schedule booklet.
Bookstore Links
Course Content
The American nation from the English colonization to the close of the Civil War through Reconstruction. Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Core Curriculum Course.
Course Goals
To employ the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition. To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and cultures. To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories. To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues. To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural and global forces on the subject of study. To comprehend the origins and evolution of U.S. political systems, with a focus on the growth of political institutions, the constitutions of the U.S. federalism, civil liberties and civil and human rights. To understand the evolution and current role of the U.S. in the world. To differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and statistical) and differing points of view. To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research. To analyze, critically assess, and develop creative solutions to public policy problems. To recognize and assume responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think independently, by engaging in public discourse, and gathering information through the news media and other appropriate sources about politics and public policy. To identify and understand differences and commonalities of diverse cultures
Course Structure
Student Withdrawal: Attendance will be taken through the Web CT student tracking feature, be sure to use your ID when accessing the class material. It is a student's responsibility to log in to class, and obtain any missed material due to absence. A student wishing to receive a W for the semester must withdraw from the course by 11/06/2008 (4:30PM). Failing to do so will result in a failing grade in the course.
NEW POLICY - TAKE NOTICE
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively. For example, if you repeat the same course more than twice, you have to pay extra tuition. Beginning in Fall 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting students to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
If you plan on withdrawing from your DE class, you MUST contact a DE counselor or your DE professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class and this must be done PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a "W" on your transcript. **Final withdrawal deadlines vary each semester and/or depending on class length, please visit the online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC Registration Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines. Remember to allow a 24-hour response time when communicating via email and/or telephone with a DE professor and/or counselor. Do not submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline. If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are making in the class as your final grade.
Textbook: You have an excellent textbook. Use it! Please understand this book is important to you, it contains the hard information you will need for this course. However, remember, you are responsible for the text material. No attempt will be made to cover every detail of the text in class.
Evaluation: There will be three tests and a final this semester. We will utilize online and on campus testing. Exam 1-3 will be online and the final exam will be on-campus. The tests will include multiple choice, and short answer. Each test will cover assigned readings, lectures, discussions, and other activities covered in that particular unit of the course. Your lowest exam grade, (excluding the final), will be dropped at the end of the semester. If you miss one of the first three exams, you will receive a zero, and that will be the lowest grade dropped during grade tabulation. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. These exams will count for 75% of your grade. In the event that all exams are taken and your lowest exam grade is the final, all exams are averaged together for 75% of your grade. The final exam is mandatory. This policy will be enforced, as Distance Education no longer provides make – up testing. If you are a VCT student or will use remote testing, please contact me ASAP to arrange testing at your home college. Proctors must be approved prior to use.
Discussion: 5% of your grade will be based on class discussion be sure to log in and participate in your classroom discussion section. Be aware that we will be dealing with sometimes-controversial topics, and it is unlikely that we will all agree in discussion. Despite controversial topics, be sure to protect the learning environment by respecting others. I as the instructor of the class reserve the right to protect the class from disruption or intimidation. No cutting and pasting on discussion topics, all discussion topics are subject to plagiarism penalties, (see below). They are to be in your own words.
Grading: The standard college policy is followed for all grades:
A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (below 60).
Please note that cheating, plagiarism, and collusion will result in a failing grade for the course. This policy will be enforced for all examinations and assignments. (See the student handbook for further details on H.C.C. policy.)
What is plagiarism? (From Turniitin.com)
Special Needs
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
"Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC Disability Support Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. Students who are requesting special testing accommodations must first contact the appropriate DSS Counselor for assistance. Please contact the Distance Education Counselors at 713.718.5275, option #4 or at de.counseling@hccs.edu in order to be referred to the appropriate HCC DSS Counselor. Students who require testing accommodations need to schedule an appointment for testing to ensure that staff will be available for proctoring and to arrange for any adaptive equipment that may be required. Students should contact the distance education instructor's "Instructional Support Specialist" (ISS) the week prior to each exam throughout the semester to confirm that the requested testing accommodations will be met. If you need assistance in determining your instructor's ISS, please contact your instructor or the Distance Education Department (713.718.5275, option #1 or decounseling@hccs.edu) for assistance."
Outside Assignments
Readings Quizzes: To improve your historical knowledge base, you will be expected to read assigned articles and take quizzes based on the provided readings. You will be provided with instructions and a breakdown of articles to be read. The articles can be found in the online and correspond with the topics you will cover in class. All quizzes will be taken through the Blackboard Vista quiz feature. Due dates can be found on the course calendar. The quizzes will constitute 20% of your final grade. Acceptance of late work and penalization for late work is subject to the instructor's discretion.
Important Notes:
International Students: Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for the course, it will not be changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
Special Notice: Students who repeat a course for a third or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your instructor / counselor about opportunities for tutoring / other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.
Final Grade Breakdown
Tests 75%
Quizzes 20%
Discussion 5%
Class Guidelines/Helpful Hints
Web Browsers/E-Mail
your class files are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer. Make sure you perform a browser tune-up prior to beginning class. You can find the browser tune up link on the Blackboard Vista Log In page. Be sure to allow for pop ups to view Blackboard Vista. If you are experiencing problems let me know, I will fix it or will find a technical assistant that will help.
Syllabus
You viewed a copy of the above class syllabus, yet the class will always have it posted for you. You can access it by clicking on the course content link on the homepage, or the link that appears on the blue sidebar to your left. You will see the title "Syllabus" click on this and you will see the class syllabus. The syllabus tells you how your class grade will be derived and general class policies.
Class Units/Lectures
If you click on the course content page, you will see the title "Class Lectures", these units are your lectures for the course. You will see notes, graphs, pictures, and links to articles. If you simply print out the class unit sections be sure to see all links, graphics, and articles contained within the class unit. The units should be done in the order they are assigned over the course of the semester. Do not attempt to print out the entire course in one sitting! I reserve the right to make needed changes up until two weeks prior to assignment.
Current Event Quizzes
You will find complete instructions on the quizzes by clicking on the title "Quizzes" on the course content page or the blue sidebar to the left. Due dates will appear on your course calendar. Quizzes are to be taken through the Blackboard Vista quiz feature.
Course Calendar
The course calendar feature maps out your assignments as we go through the semester. First, click on the title "Calendar". You will see the title of the class unit assigned and the textbook assignment for the week. You will see reviews for exams post one week prior to the exam dates.
Testing
As you hopefully have seen on your syllabus, you will have three tests and a final this semester. I am utilizing online testing for exams 1-3 and on campus testing for the final exam. The exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer... I will present a review one week prior to the exam. You are eligible to drop one of your first three exams, excluding the final. Let this act as a curve rather than an exam you decide not to take. The available test times, (for the final exam), for distance education can be found on the distance education http://distance.hccs.edu/ page at by clicking on test schedule or the page found at http://distance.hccs.edu/TestingSchedule.html
I hope these notes help you with the class, e-mail or call me if you have additional questions!
Joella Robinson
281-580-6182
joella.robinson@hccs.edu
Content ©2008. All rights reserved.
Date last modified: August 17, 2008.
Created with SoftChalk LessonBuilder
