THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORY 231/2

HIST 231 and 232 comprise part of the core curriculum, and are required for graduation. Moreover, they must be passed with a “C” or better in order for them to count towards graduation.

Aside from that, these classes are designed to introduce you both to the history of the United States and to the discipline of history itself. The study of the past enriches our understanding of the human experience by challenging us to imagine the world of the past through the eyes of those who lived it. While history is not predictive, understanding the past can help us to understand the present. Also, to study history is to practice the skills of reading, writing, analysis, and discussion, all of which are necessary to your success in college and the professional world beyond.

HIST 231 and 232 are the perquisites for upper-division courses focusing on the history of the United States, Latin America, Africa, and Europe, and the first step in earning a history minor or major. You are encouraged to pursue history, and to discover its rewards. Anyone interested in a minor or major should speak with his or her instructor.

HISTORY 231/2: CLASS POLICY SUPPLEMENT

NOTE: the following are policies currently in force. Some policies differ from those in the past, and may change in the future. Students should therefore consult the Bulletin of their year of entry for a complete statement of the exact policies in force for them.

Class attendance regulations

Freshman and Sophomore Rule: Freshman and sophomore students are required to be present for all class meetings of any course for which they are enrolled. Students are responsible for learning about, becoming knowledgeable of and complying with the attendance policy stated in the catalog and/or faculty syllabus. Instructors will provide details on the rules for attendance in their classes in their course syllabi. Instructors will keep students’ attendance records.

Record keeping: A record of excused and unexcused absences will be maintained by the instructor. When requested by the student, instructors will inform the student who has been absent whether make-up work is allowed and whether absences jeopardize the student’s standing in a class.

Makeup Work: Students missing work due to an excused absence bear the responsibility of informing the instructor about their excused absence within one week following the period of the excused absence and of making up the missed work. The instructor shall give the student an opportunity to make up the work and/or the exams missed due to an excused absence, and shall do so during the semester in which the absence occurred. The method of making up this work shall be determined by the instructor. If a student has an excused absence on a day when a quiz is given, the instructor may deny permission for a makeup exam and simply calculate the student’s grade on the basis of the remaining requirements. The instructor should discuss the decision with the student.

Excused absences (mandatory): Student must be granted absences whenever they are representing the University in an official capacity and has been granted permission by the Office the University’s top Academic Office (Provost). Students are responsible for all work missed while representing the University. Students are responsible for requesting makeup work when they return. Instructors shall work with students that miss course work while representing the University.

Excused absences (discretionary): Students are responsible for providing the Instructor reason(s) for his or her absence. The faculty member then determines the validity of the reason(s) for the absence and whether the student is to be excused for the absence. Instructors will consider the following reasons for absence as excusable: verified illness; death in a student’s immediate family; obligation of a student at legal proceedings in fulfilling responsibility as a citizen; major religious holidays, and others determined by individual instructor to be excusable (e.g., elective University activities, etc). Appeals can be made through normal administrative channels.

Drop Procedure: Administrative drops are at the discretion of the instructor. Failure to withdraw officially may result in a grade of F in the course. Students who wish to drop a course or withdraw from the university are responsible for initiating this action. It is the prerogative of the instructor to drop students from courses in which they have accrued excessive absences. In such cases, the instructor recommends through the department head to the appropriate college dean that a student be dropped from a class. The faculty instructor will document absences and will make a reasonable effort to communicate with the student prior to initiating the drop. If approved, the college dean will forward the recommendation to the Registrar’s Office.

Withdrawal due to excessive absences: If attendance is required or serves as a criterion for a grade in a course, and if a student has excused absences in excess of one-fifth of the class contact hours for that course, a student shall have the right to petition for a “W”, and instructor may require the student to petition for a “W” or take an “I” in the course.

Grading

The instructor will set forth in the class syllabus the exact method by which grades will be calculated.

University Grade Scale (as it applies to this course)

Grade / Meaning / Grade or Quality
Points Per Credit Hour
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
I
W / Excellent
Intermediate Grade
Intermediate Grade
Good
Intermediate Grade
Intermediate Grade
Satisfactory
Intermediate Grade
Intermediate Grade
Marginal
Intermediate Grade
Failure
Incomplete
Withdrawal / 4.00
3.67
3.33
3.00
2.67
2.33
2.0
1.67
1.33
1.00
0.67
0
0
0

The grade of "I" is given only when a student's work is satisfactory in quality, but due to reasons beyond his/her control, the work has not been completed. The missing work may be a major quiz, a final examination, a term paper, or other work. It is not given in lieu of an F. The instructor will stipulate, in writing, at the time the grade is given the conditions under which the "I" may be removed. This temporary grade of "I" is non-punitive and semester hours for the course are not considered in the computation of the quality-point average. Removal must be within one calendar year after the "I" is assigned, or it remains permanently on the student's record. The grade "I" is not assigned if the student must retake the course. In the event a student who earns a grade of "I" decides to retake the course, the student is required to pay for that course a second time.

The grade of "W" is given for a course officially dropped by the student after the twelfth class day of a regular semester or the fourth class day of a summer term and before mid-semester or midterm.

In cases where students repeat courses, the last grade earned must be used in the determination of the student's official grade point average at all stages and in the determination of eligibility for graduation.

Changes in Class Schedule (Adds, Drops, and Withdrawals)

Changes in class schedules may be made by a student when approved by his faculty advisor and by the department in which the course is offered. A service fee is charged for each change in program.

Course changes must be made in person under the following conditions:

1.Adding courses. In adding courses, the student must obtain the approval of his/her faculty advisor and the department in which the course is offered.

2.Dropping courses. A student may, for a good cause, drop a course with the approval of his/her faculty advisor and the department in which the course is offered under the following provisions:

  1. During the first 12 days of any semester or the first 4 days of a summer term, a student may drop a course without having a grade recorded for the course.
  2. After the twelfth- or fourth class day, a student may drop a course without penalty at any time prior to mid-semester or mid-summer term. A grade of W will be recorded.
  3. After mid-semester or mid-summer term, a student will be permitted to drop a course only upon approval of the student's dean and only for urgent and substantiated, nonacademic reasons acceptable to the Dean.

3.The last date to completely withdraw from the University is two (2) weeks prior to the last class day. The reason for the withdrawal must be other than academic.

Scholastic dishonesty

Students must avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, especially the following:

  1. Plagiarism. The appropriation of passages, either word for word (or in substance) from the writing of another and the incorporation of these as one's own written work offered for credit.
  2. Collusion. Working with another person in the preparation of written work offered for credit unless such collaboration is specially approved in advance by the instructor.
  3. Cheating on an Examination or Quiz. Giving or receiving, offering or soliciting information, or using prepared material in an examination or testing situation. On examinations and quizzes students are expected (a) to remain in the examination room until the examination is finished, (b) to refrain from talking, and (c) to refrain from bringing notes and books into the examination room.
  4. Impersonation. Allowing another person to attend classes, take examinations or to do graded assignments for an enrolled student under his or her name is strictly forbidden.

Committing any the above offenses will result in severe disciplinary action ranging from suspension to expulsion from the university.

Students with disabilities

So as to ensure a proper response to their needs, any student requiring special accommodation should notify the Office of Disability Services, FairchildBuilding, Room 147 (tel. 313-4210) immediately. The instructor will enact all reasonable accommodation to facilitate the student’s full participation in class activities. However, the instructor can do so only uponwritten notification from the Office of Disability Services.

For a complete copy of the student handbook see