HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO 1877

WEB COURSE FOR FALL 2009

Course title: History of the American People to 1877

Course number: 2003

CRN:

Course discipline: American History

Course description: This is an introductory history class exploring American life beginning with European backgrounds; discovery and settlement; concluding with the Civil War and Reconstruction. The survey encompasses the constitutional, political, social, and economic development of the United States prior to 1877.

Course date:

 August 24, 2009 through December 9, 2009

Location: ONLINE

Name: Greg Kiser

Email: gkiser@nwacc.edu

Office: BH 2004

Office hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm

Phone: 479-619-4227

Biography: I began teaching here at NWACC in 1990. I received my undergraduate degree from Missouri Southern State University and my graduate work from the University of Arkansas.

TEXTBOOK:

Title: Give Me Liberty! An American History              
Author : Eric Foner
Publisher : W. W. Norton and Company
Edition/Year : Second Edition
Type : Required resource

COURSE GOALS: As America continues its unparalleled growth, our multicultural society appears ever more diverse. There is, however, a common thread uniting each of us - our collective past. United States history is the link to our uniqueness as a society. The United States History course is an overview of that commonality.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 1.     Through an examination of the American colonial experience, the student will identify reasons for the establishment of colonies in America, especially as regards England.

 2.     By investigating the development of the American government and politics, the student will identify differences between the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution and analyze the Constitution’s impact on the new American government.

 3.     By observing the growth and division of early America, the student will trace American expansion resulting in our becoming a coast-to-coast nation.

 4.     By examining causes of sectional differences, the student will identify reasons for the American Civil War and its outcome.

 5.     Through an examination of post Civil War Reconstruction, the student will identify the successes and failures of the Reconstruction period.

REQUIREMENTS: The semester will consist of three exams, end of chapter questions due each week, one book review,  a discussions element, possible readings from the Internet &/or films ( and bonus point possibilities).

THE EXAMS: You will have from 12:00pm (noon) on a Thursday to 11:55pm on the following Sunday night to finish and submit the exam, therefore, make-up tests are not allowed. This is very important - no make-up exams are allowed. You should rethink taking this class if you have a scheduling conflict. For each of the major exams there will be essay questions – two or three - worth 20 to 30 points each. They are chosen at random but will come from the "Review Sheet" for that exam. You will also have a section of multiple-choice questions, and possibly several identification terms. Each exam is worth 200 points. There is also a helpful "Review Sheet Notes" for each exam.  I urge you to have a look (just click on the "REVIEW SHEET NOTES" link). Please keep in mind they are helpful hints/pointers and are not definitive answers. Use them as a guide.  Read the “ESSAY EXAMS, MY THOUGHTS” link on the main page to see exactly what I look for in your answers.

Now, the good news is you have lots of time (several days) to take the exams and can use not only your textbook but other sources as well. That is fine by me.  In fact, I encourage it.  Remember, however, anytime you are not using your own original thoughts or ideas, and anytime you are quoting directly from a source, you must cite the source.  Failure to cite the source will result in a “0” for the entire test, and possibly a “F” for the entire course.  The problem is, of course, my not knowing absolutely that you are doing your own work, or that you have downloaded things from the internet to use as your own, or you have borrowed a former students work.  Don’t do that.  It will guarantee a “F” for the course.

These tests are the equivalent to “take home” exams for lecture classes.  Each essay answer should be approximately 500 words in length (not each test, each essay question).

I urge you to read and re-read the statement on plagiarism, here. Also, read the section on plagiarism in the Student Handbook and the material on plagiarism found on the NWACC Library web page.

Again, keep track of the due date for each exam.  There are no make-up exams offered.  If you miss the exam date, for any reason, you will receive a “0” for that exam.

THE END OF CHAPTER QUIZZES: After reading each chapter, answer the questions posed for that chapter listed in the "QUIZZES" link by the date posted. Each one is worth up to twenty (20) points (you will do fifteen total for 300 points). Do not forget these chapter quizzes. They are a crucial part of the total points for the class and are time sensitive.  You have an entire week to do each one.  Again, keep track of the due date for each quiz.  If you miss the quiz deadline, for any reason, you will receive a “0” for that quiz.

The quizzes have multiple-choice questions and an essay question.  The essay question has the same rules as the essay questions on the major exams, except a paragraph or two would be enough to answer them.  In addition, you have the entire week to work on the chapter quizzes.  It is set up so that you can come and go throughout the week.  Just don’t hit the “submit” button until you are ready for me to receive it.  Also, hit the “save” button often and certainly at the end of each time you work on the quiz.  I only see it when you submit it to me.

BOOK REVIEW: This semester I am requiring a book review.  It will be worth 200 points so failing to turn one in could be the difference between passing the class and failing the class.  Choose the book you are to read from any of the Vol. I textbook chapter listings of books (at the end of the textbook in “Suggested Readings”). Just one book from any of the many books listed. Remember the time period of the class when choosing a book; also, books less than one hundred pages will not be acceptable. The thing is, good writing skills will count on this review and it must be at least three full pages in content length, and when quoting, use the MLA style (you can find an explanation of MLA on the NWACC Library web page).  I have included a guide on the main page to show you how I want the format.  Just click on the “BOOK REVIEW FORMAT” link.

DISCUSSIONS: You are required to make use of the "Discussions" section by submitting at least two discussion postings each week.  The Discussions are by chapters and follow the “Chapter Quizzes” time-line. Get input from your fellow students. I will be monitoring this section and will offer my opinions as well.  Again, each student is required to post at least two comments or inquiries for fellow students, or statements concerning the chapter content.  Keep in mind that to receive the points, your posting must be relevant to the course material. A simple “hello,” or “hope you all do well on the test,” or “I agree,” will not count. Use the “Main” area for those type of postings. Also, you will receive partial credit for one posting. It is two at a minimum. You will receive twenty (20) points for doing so and those 300 points (fifteen) are included in your total grade.  Failure to post at least two during that particular week will be a zero for the week and will hurt, if not ruin, your final grade. 

Again, keep track of the discussions timetable.  If you miss posting during any discussion time-period, you will receive a “0” for that topic.

GRADING: So, the point structure is as follows:

Three major exams, each worth 200 points; the fifteen quizzes are worth a total of 300 points, the Book Review portion is worth 200 points, and the discussions section is worth 300 points for a grand total of 1400 points.

The breakdown is:

1400 - 1260 A

1259 - 1120   B

1119 - 980  C

979 - 840  D

BELOW 840  F

COURSE POLICIES:

ASSIGNMENTS/CHAPTER QUIZZES: Any assignment (such as a chapter quiz) given will be due, without exception within the time allotted. Failure to meet the deadline of each assignment will result in a zero "0" for that assignment.  Make-up work is not allowed for assignments missed. Take it from me, these assignments, if not overlooked, can do nothing but help. Each is intended to keep you on pace in the course, to allow you to open up a dialogue with other students in class, and to generate some much needed points for your total grade. Not submitting them, however, could be the difference between passing and failing this course. Again, because you have an entire week to do each one, I will not accept late work.

MAKE-UP EXAMS: Make-up exams are not allowed for those missing the regularly scheduled exam. You have from noon on Friday through to 11:55pm Sunday night to do the tests and get them to me. However, you must be very careful to make sure you turn in your exam within the given window. Otherwise, you will receive a zero "0" on that exam. No exceptions. As you can see, the "CALENDAR/IMPORTANT DATES" will become your friend. Check it regularly.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: This is a tuff one because I will not be with you, personally, monitoring you work. However, application of the NWACC Honesty policy, as stated in the student handbook, will be fully adhered to in this course. Students caught cheating will be dealt with accordingly.  This includes plagiarism, which is cheating.  I urge you to read and re-read the plagiarism statement on the NWACC Library page.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: The Social Science Department follows our NWACC Student Handbook regarding proper steps to take should a grievance occur between fellow students, or the student and instructor. The first step in any grievance is to bring the complaint to the attention of the instructor. If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved, the student (and/or instructor) then contacts the instructor's Chairman. As I am the Chairman, however, I will not have you come to me if you and I are in disagreement. Please come to me first, as your instructor, then, if we cannot come to a resolution, you are to contact the Dean, Jerry Vervack, at jvervack@nwacc.edu.

ADA STATEMENT: If any member of the class has a documented disability and needs special accommodations, I will work with the student and Administration to ensure the student a fair opportunity to perform in this class.

BONUS OPPORTUNITIES: Check the "Bonus Opportunities" link frequently. There may be occasional readings assigned from the web that I will place in the “BONUS” link. I might even suggest a movie or two and provide questions for you to turn in after viewing the film. These would be optional and the questions will have a specific “bonus” point number assigned to them. Believe me, any time a teacher offers the possibility of bonus points, grab them! They can’t do anything but help.

 IMPORTANT DATES

WEEK ONE               August 24 – 30       Chapter One Quiz

WEEK TWO              August 31 – Sept 6 Chapter Two Quiz

                                    Sept 7                                    Labor Day

WEEK THREE            Sept 7 – 13               Chapter Three Quiz

WEEK FOUR             Sept 14 – 20                        Chapter Four Quiz

WEEK FIVE               Sept 21 – 27                        Chapter Five Quiz

WEEK SIX                  Sept 28 – Oct 4*    Chapter Six Quiz

                                    *Oct 1, 12:00pm - Oct 4, 11:59pm             First Exam (covers Chapters 1 through 5)

WEEK SEVEN           Oct 5 – Oct 11         Chapter Seven Quiz

WEEK EIGHT                        Oct 12 – 18              Chapter Eight Quiz

WEEK NINE              Oct 19 – 25              Chapter Nine Quiz

WEEK TEN                Oct 26 – Nov 1        Chapter Ten Quiz

WEEK ELEVEN         Nov 2 – Nov 8*       Chapter Eleven Quiz

                                    *Nov 5, 12:00pm – Nov 8, 11:59pm            Second Exam (covers Chapters 6 – 10)

WEEK TWELVE        Nov 9 – Nov 15       Chapter Twelve Quiz

WEEK THIRTEEN     Nov 16 – 22            Chapter Thirteen

WEEK FOURTEEN   Nov 23 – Nov 29*   Chapter Fourteen

*Nov 25 - 28           THANKSGIVING BREAK.

WEEK FIFTEEN        Nov 30 – Dec 6     Chapter Fifteen

WEEK SIXTEEN        Dec 7 – Dec 9*

                                    *Dec 9                Book Review Due

DECEMBER 10, 12:00PM – December 13, 11:59pm                                  Final Exam (covers chapters 11 – 15)