History 3420
Family History and Genealogical Resources
Fall 2017
Section 91 (CRN81111)
Wednesday 12:45-2:00 p.m.
Lecture Hall Room B13
Dr. Randall S. Gooden
Office Hours: Monday 2:00-5:00 p.m.,
Wednesday 2:00-5:00 p.m.
and in office by appointment
Office: Arts & Sciences G214-A
Phone: 678-466-4817
E-Mail:
Web Address:
This course is an introduction to the use of family history to illustrate broader historical currents and a survey of the resources and methods of genealogy. Students will research actual genealogy or family history. Non history majors interested in family history are encouraged to take this course. (3 credit hours (3-0-0)).
1. Prerequisite:HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 or HIST 1111 or HIST1112 or HIST 2750 with a minimum grade of C.
2. Readings:Collier, Melvin J. 150 Years Later: Broken Ties Mended. Write Here Publishing, 2011. ISBN: 1-4637-2568-X.
Collins, Joseph Vincent. Farmers That Helped Shape America: A Van Sickles Family History. Lanham, Md.: Hamilton Books, 2007. ISBN: 0-7618-3742-6.
Dunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne. Red Dirt: Growing Up Okie. Norman, Ok.: Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 2006. ISBN: 0-8061-3775-4.
Meyer, Carrie A. Days on the Family Farm: From the Golden Age Through the Great Depression. Minneapolis: Univ. of Minnesota Press, 2007. ISBN: 0-8166-5033-0.
Szucs, Loretto Dennis and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, eds. The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy. Provo, Ut.: Ancestry.Com, 2010. .
3. Notebook Computer Requirement:Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets the faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student’s academic program. For further information on CSU’s Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to
4. Software Requirements: Students will need Microsoft Word, and Excel.
5. Computer Skill Prerequisites:Students need a working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and Desire2Learn in order to participate in the class.
6. Online Classroom (Desire2Learn):You can gain access to Desire2Learn, by signing on to the SWAN portal and selecting:”D2L” on the top right side. If you experience any difficulties in Desire2Learn, please email or call The HUB r (678) 466-HELP. You will need to provide the date and time of the problem, your SWAN username, the name of the course that you are attempting to access, and your instructor's name.
7. Class Communications: The professor will communicate from his Clayton State Outlook account to your Clayton State Outlook account. This is accessible by accessing the SWAN and clicking on the E-mail icon and then clicking on “Mail”. Please use your official Clayton State Outlook account if you send e-mail. The professor will not respond to e-mails from other accounts or to e-mails sent through D2L. The professor will normally reply to e-mails within 24 hours on Monday through Friday. Please do not reply to all in responding to a message from the professor.
8. Four-Generation Pedigree Chart: Each student will complete a four-generation pedigree chart that lists the student, parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents with the birth dates and places, marriage dates and places, and death dates and places for each person. On an accompanying Microsoft Word document, the student will list each person from the pedigree chart and under the name cite the sources consulted in researching information for that ancestor. Citations should be made using the Chicago Style. The pedigree charts will be graded based on the research effort that went into the work and on the use of primary sources. Students will create pedigree charts using the form available at They will submit the charts through the Dropbox in D2L.
9. Family Group Records: For each couple (and yourself if single) on the pedigree chart, the student will complete a family group record (total of eight) that details the birth, marriage and death information for each parent and child in that immediate family. On an accompanying Microsoft Word document, the student will list each person from each family group record and under the name cite the sources consulted in researching information for that relative. Citations should be made using the Chicago Style. The family group records will be graded based on the research effort that went into the work and on the use of primary sources. Students will create the family group records using the forms available at They will submit the forms through the Dropbox in D2L.
10. Timeline: Building upon the pedigree chart and family group records and knowledge gained through readings and class discussions, each student will create a timeline that includes transitional points in their family history and parallel events of importance in American history, and the history of other nations where ancestors might have lived, for at least four generations. The timeline will be graded on the student’s ability to identify transitional points and correlate family history with broader occurrences in history.
11. Journal:Each student will keep a journal of their learning during the semester.Journals should include observations and conclusions about readings, lectures and class discussions. You must keep your journal in Microsoft Word and submit it in the Dropbox in Desire2Learn.
12. Grading:In this course A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=0-59. The pedigree chart will be worth 20 percent of the course grade. The family group records will be worth 30 percent. The timeline will count toward 25 percent of the grade. The journal will comprise 25 percent of the grade.
Mid-term grades will be assigned based on the grade on the pedigree chart and will reflect 20 percent of the course grade. A zero will be reflected in the mid-term grade for any missed work for which the student has not been excused. Students should be aware that mid-term grades are merely advisory. Mid-term grades will be posted by October 4.
13. Attendance:Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
14. No Show Policy:It is imperative that students have a successful start of each semester by attending class during the first week and no later than the second week of the semester. A registered student who does not attend at least one class session (in person or by electronic equivalent) by the posted deadline on the academic calendar is a “no show.” For students enrolled in an online course, the instructor will provide details on how online attendance will be verified. Registration will be cancelled for any student who is submitted to the Registrar’s Office as a “no show”. The “no show” student will not be charged tuition for the cancelled course. However, there may be serious financial aid consequences for students who are receiving financial aid, since this will reduce the number of enrolled credit hours.
In this course, students must attend class no later than August 21, or they will be deleted from the class.
If students believe their instructor reported them as a “no show” in error, they must contact the instructor immediately to resolve the issue.
Although a student will have the right to appeal the course cancellation, consideration will only be given if the student meets all of the following criteria.
- The student is in good academic standing (has at least a 2.0 institutional grade point average)
- The instructor of the course concurs with reinstatement
Students are eligible to attend class until the appeal outcome is determined. Appeals must be submitted by email to the dean or designee of the college/school no later than the last day of the third week of classes. The email must include reason for not attending during the first two weeks of class, recommendation from the instructor, and Laker ID. The Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Academic Success has final authority for all appeal decisions.
15.Make-Up Work:A student may make up or turn in one assignment late without question if he or she contacts the professor by e-mail within three calendar days after the due date. Otherwise, a student may make up an assignment by submitting to the professor a written excuse or official documentation that verifies that the absence or late work was *unavoidable or due to participation in an official Clayton State University activity. Late or missed work will not be accepted except as provided above. A zero will be given for any missing or unaccepted work. All work must be made up no later than December 11, unless an Incomplete is arranged.
*Absences that the professor has considered unavoidable include health issues (including pregnancy or mental health issues) or injuries involving the student or a dependent, death in the student’s immediate family or of a grandparent, disaster, participation in disaster or emergency services or the armed forces, religious observances, participation in a wedding party that was scheduled before the start of the semester, power failure or Internet disruption at home at the time of an exam, and unexpected work assignments. The following are among the excuses that the professor has NOT considered unavoidable: Weather (unless the university is closed), arrest or incarceration unless the student is judged not guilty, commitments to other classes, regularly scheduled work assignments, extracurricular activities other than University events, and travel/vacations
16.Disabilities:Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Center, Room 255 Student Center, 678-466-5445,
17. Academic Dishonesty:Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Community Standards. Judicial procedures are described in the Procedures for Adjudicating Alleged Academic Conduct Infractions.
18.Disruption of the Learning Environment:Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.
More detailed descriptions of examples of disruptive behavior are provided in the Clayton State University Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
19. Weapons on Campus: Clayton State University is committed to providing a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Information on laws and policies regulating weapons on campus is available at .
20. General Policy:Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.The student handbook is part of the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
*Calendar:
August 14—Class Begins
August 21—Last Day to Attend Class before Being Reported As a No Show
September 4—Labor Day—No Class or Office Hours
September 11—Complete Collins
September 18—Pedigree Chart Due
September 25--Complete Collier
October 6—Last Day to Withdraw and Receive a ‘W’
October 9—Fall Break—No Class or Office Hours
October 16—Complete Meyer
October 30—Family Group Records Due
November 13—Complete Dunbar-Ortiz
December 4—Timeline Due/Journal Due
December 11—Make-Up Work Due
Learning Outcomes: History 3420 will assist students in achieving the following learning outcomes for history majors at Clayton State University as noted below:
- Identify and describe basic chronologies of U.S. and world history through the completion of timelines.
- Identify and critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources through the completion of pedigree charts, family group records, timelines, and the final exam.
- Identify and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations of events and personalities through the readings’ study guides and the final exam.
- Perform historical research using primary and secondary sources in libraries, archives, and other repositories of historical records through completion of pedigree charts, family group records, and timelines.
- Write in a clear, analytical, and organized manner, demonstrating appropriate professional documentation methods through completion of pedigree charts, family group records, and the final exam.