HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SINCE 1877

SIXTEEN-WEEK WEB COURSE: SPRING 2018

COURSE NUMBER: 2013
COURSE DATES: January 16 through May 4.
LOCATION: ONLINE
INSTRUCTOR: Greg Kiser
EMAIL:
OFFICE: BH 2218
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Thursday, 10:00 to 3:00, Friday by appointment, always by email:
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.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory History class exploring American life from 1877 to the present. This survey encompasses the constitutional, political, social and economic development of the United States Since 1877.

TEXTBOOK (required):

Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty, Vol II (5th Edition)

These is a copy of the textbook on Reserve in the NWACC Library.

Be sure to check out the “Course Materials” link in the left-hand menu.

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.

COURSE SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES AND COLLEGE-WIDE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Course Specific Learning Outcomes:

  1. Through an examination of post-Civil War Reconstruction, the student will identify the successes and failures of the Reconstruction period.
  2. By observing the impact of industrialization on the American economy and society, the student will describe the impact of industrial growth on farmers, immigrant groups, urban life, and perceptions toward industrialists and unions.
  3. Through an examination of the economic, social, and military effects of United States imperialism, the student will identify America’s views toward other nations and theirs to us at the end of the nineteenth century.

College-wide Learning Objectives:

Students can readselections at the appropriate level of education and describe the main idea and supporting details. Students can evaluate written material objectively. Instructors will utilize the course textbook and possible outside readings for a better understanding of each topic.

WHAT DO THE COURSE AND COLLEGE-WIDE LEARNING OUTCOMES MEAN TO THE STUDENT?

ASSESSMENT: The Department of Social Science is committed to ensuring our students come away from our courses with a good general understanding of the material, and more specifically, achieving the college-wide objectives through our course objectives. Each semester we break the total number of course objectives into two or three we target for that semester.

This semester the Assessment Committee voted to assess History of the American People to 1877. So, this class will not be assessed this semester.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The semester will consist of the Opening Assignment worth 25 points, three major exams, each worth 200 points, fourteen end of Chapter Quizzes, each worth 30 points,fourteen weekly Discussions, each worth 20 points, with a minimum of two posts each week, possible readings from the Internet &/or films (and bonus point possibilities).

OPENING ASSIGNMENT:This should be the easiest 25 points you will ever earn Read the short“PowerPoint on Plagiarism”in the left hand navigation menu and answer the five questions in the “First Assignment”. You have the first week to do it although it should take you about 20 minutes.

THE EXAMS:

While I am often too focused on the essay portion of the major exams, remember, the exams are made up of multiple choice and true/false questions along with the essays.

You will have three Major Exams, which follow the three Parts of the book. Each exam is worth 100 points. You will have at least two full days to finish and submit each of the exams (which should only take a few hours), therefore:

Make-up tests are not allowed. This is very important - no make-up exams allowed. You should rethink taking this class if you have a scheduling conflict (that means vacation plans, no access to the internet, whatever).

This also includes those who have accommodations for ADA. I have built in much, much more time for each exam than should be necessary. There is no need for the usual “time and a half” or “two times” accommodation for each exam as it is built in.

For each of the major exams there will be an essay question worth 20 to 40 points. It is chosen at random and comes from the "Review Sheet" for that exam (found as a link on the navigation menu). You will also have a section of multiple-choice questions, possibly true/false, possibly several identification terms. Read the “My Thoughts” link on the main page menu on the left to see exactly what I look for in your answers.

Because you have quite a bit of time to take the exam, it is set up so you can come and go during the testing period. Do not hit the “submit” button until you are ready for me to receive it. Do 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.

(This really is the biggest problem I have had. Hit the save button often and especially the last thing before you submit it to me.If you worked on it for two days and hit “save” then came back the next day and wrote your best material and hit “submit” without first hitting “save” then “submit,” I will only see what you did for those prior two days and nothing from the last time you logged on.) I also urge you to write your essay answers in “Word” and then “copy/paste” to the test. I would write my answers in “Word” and save them, then “copy/paste” to the exam.

The computer will choose one essay at random from the “Review Sheet”. The resources you are to use are the textbook, obviously, and those sources listed in the “Sources for the Quizzes and Exams”. You are to cite the sources (even if only the textbook) following the modified MLA format and list them at the end of the essay (see the "PowerPoint on Plagiarism" in the left hand navigation menu).

This means, of course, if I am reading your answer and come across something that sounds familiar but is not cited you will receive a zero for that essay. You are to only use the textbook and bibliography offered. Nothing else. Don’t forget to list them at the end (even if only the textbook). Remember, this is very important, to receive any points for the essay, no matter how great an answer, you must cite the source(s) within the answer and list them at the bottom - a two part deal. If you only do one, or none, you will receive a zero.

I write too much. I don't want to be confusing when I go into detail on what to do on the exams. Here is the short version. I hope it helps:

Short version:

The major exams have two parts - one is the multiple choice/true, false/identifications, the other is the essay portion.The actual essay questions are given in the “Review Sheet” link.In fact, the exam should only take a few hours but I am giving days.Because of that extra time, I am not allowing make up exams.

Citing sources and plagiarism:Some students copy/paste from other sites and do nothing to create and think through the essay’s answer.Of course, that is lazy at the very least and more importantly, cheating.It results in a zero on the essay and if it is so over the top, can be a zero on the whole exam. The NWACC library site has some very good information about plagiarism.You should read it.

As for the actual nuts and bolts of citations, what I wrote in the Discussions link is pretty much the same with the essays:

If the textbook chapter is the only source, you really need only use the page number(s) in parenthesis before the period, like this (789). Then list it at the end of the essay as you would a “Works Cited” page.

If you are using another source or sources along with the textbook (which can only come from the "Sources for Quizzes and Exams" link on the left), then you need to list the author’s last name for the textbook, like this (Foner, 744) along with the author and page of the other book, like this (Hulen, 554). Then list both at the bottom so I know which is which.What I have laid out in the “PowerPointon Plagiarism” is what I want.The biggest problem is not doing both.You must cite within the essay AND list it (them) at the end.

Sources:Use only what I have listed along with the textbook.Nothing else.Using something else will result in a zero on the essay.Don't cut corners.Don'twrite too little. Read "My Thoughts" about the essays.

THE END OF CHAPTER QUIZZES:

There is a chapter quiz each period. They are located on the left navigation menu under "Chapter Quizzes" and are due no later than the date posted (see “Important Dates” at the end of this syllabus).

Each period’s quiz is worth up to thirty (30) points (you will do fourteen for a total of 420 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, because you have several days to work on and turn in each quiz, 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.

You are to Identify and give the significance of the ones presented. Notice it is a two-part answer. A minimum of 75 words is required and you are to use only the textbook and/or the sources listed (see "Sources for Quizzes and Exam" in the menu).

PLAGIARISM:

You will find a “PowerPoint” explanation in the left had Menu under “PowerPoint on Plagiarism.”

I urge you to read and re-read the statement on PLAGIARISM in the Student Handbook and in the PowerPoint Presentation found in the left hand navigation menu.

Let me stress the importance. If you are guilty of plagiarism, whether through carelessness or deliberate, whether from a source on the web or another students work you will not only receive a zero for your assignment but in all likelihood, receive a zero for the course.

It is always fascinating and a bit disheartening when a student lectures me about what plagiarism is and is not. If it is not your original thoughts and ideas, you must cite where you got it. Maybe your other teachers don't care, but they are not grading your exam.And it doesn't stop there. Using the modified MLA citation I want, you have to list the sources at the end. Think about it a minute: you write something and put this at the end of the sentence (Foner, p. 5). Great, I am mostly sure you mean the Foner textbook - mostly sure. Foner has written several books. Which Foner book did you mean? You have to list it at the end of the essay.

Other than submitting a bad answer, the thing that will lead to a zero - is not to cite your sources (even the textbook) AND list them at the end. You must do both.

DISCUSSIONS:

You are required to make use of the "Discussions" section by submitting at least two separate 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 from time to time as well.Each grading period is worth 20 points (no partial credit) for a total of 280 points:

each student is required to post at least two comments, inquiries, responses, statements – mix and match – your choice, for fellow students That week’s chapter is the general topic. You must posts twice each week. No partial credit is given.

Sometimes what seems clear to me isn’t to students. I don’t want confusion over what I am looking for to be a hurdle. See if this helps.

Topics: The syllabus says: “That period's chapter is the general topic.” I have found offering a specific topic sometimes causes students to just work on that topic from the chapter and they don’t go on with the reading. Certainly not most, but some. Because I am not lecturing, you really need to read the whole chapter(s).That’s why I want to offer everything that is in the chapter as the overall topic. You can make comments about something you have read. You can question the author’s point, or motive, in the chapter. You can simply reply to other students’ posts. You can mix it up. You can offer as many posts as you would like. Just make sure there is more than just a sentence. Shoot for the 75 word minimum I want for the quizzes.

Points: The syllabus says: “You must post twice each week. No partial credit is given.” I get some nasty emails demanding to know why that person got a zero when they wrote two separate posts and submitted them together as one. You can’t do that. You can have as many as you would like, just make sure you have a minimum of two “separate” submissions. It is an all or nothing thing, so be careful.

Citations for the Discussions: Because you are commenting or replying about the chapter(s) for that period, I will assume the information comes from that chapter. If the textbook chapter is the only source, you really need only use the page number(s) in parenthesis before the period, like this (789).

If you are using another source to make your point about something in the chapter, then you need to list the author’s last name for the textbook, like this (Foner, 744) along with the author and page of the other book, like this (Hulen, 554). Then list both at the bottom so I know which is which. If you are merely commenting on something someone else said, and it is your opinion or original thought, you don’t have to cite anything.

GRADING:

Opening Assignment, worth 25 points, three major exams, each worth 200 points for a total of 600 points; the fourteen quizzes are worth 30 points each, for a total of 420 points, and the fourteen discussions, worth 20 points each grading period, for a total of 280 points for a grand total of 1325 points.

1325 - 1192 = A / 1191 - 1060 = B / 1059 - 927 = C / 926 - 795 = D / BELOW 795 = F

GENERAL 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 three days 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 “Important Dates” listed below will become your friend.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Definition: Ensuring students understand the core value of academic honesty is an overarching goal of all faculty and staff at NWACC. Academic honesty means students do their own work and do not represent others’ work as their own.

(For more detail, refer to the PowerPoint slides concerning plagiarism found in the left hand navigation menu.)

TECHNICAL SUPPORT, DEVICE RECOMMENDATION, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, OFFICIAL ADA STATEMENT, GRADE OF “FP”, AND CLASS CONTINUATION PLANare now posted on the left navigation menu “Syllabus Policies”.

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, Greg Kiser, . Because I am the chair, you would contact the dean, Jerry Vervack, .