United States History to 1865

Course Details

Course Number: 1133 Section Number: X10

Fall 2012

Location: Online

Days & Times:

internet course; not applicable

Course Attachments

Textbooks

America: A Narrative History ISBN: 978-0-393-93406-9

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. Sharon L. Arnoult
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Course Objectives

This is a survey course in American history. Its goal is to make the student aware of the major events and issues in American history from the decisive encounter of Europeans with America in 1492 through the American Civil War.

Course Expectations

In addition to the textbook, you will find, on the Blackboard/WebCT home page for this class, under "Course Content," Essays, which correspond, more or less, to the textbook's chapters. (Each Essay will tell you exactly what textbook chapter(s) it relates to.) These Essays should be treated like the lecture portion of a traditional classroom course. Therefore, they are of equal importance with the textbook, and you should take notes from all of them. The Essays will often have information not in the textbook, and vice-versa. Exam questions will be taken from both the textbook and the Essays.

There are three exams required in this course. Having three exams in a course is standard for college-level history courses, including the traditional classroom sections taught at Midwestern State. A college graduate will be expected (by future employers) to handle large amounts of information, and so this course begins to develop that skill by having students learn and synthesize several chapters for each exam.

Each exam will consist of 50 multiple choice questions worth two points each. Each exam will cover the material assigned for that exam period, including the textbook and the Essays on the web site. Each test is self contained. The "final" will not be comprehensive. The course grade will be the average of the three exams. Grading is done on a standard 100-point scale (i.e., 100-90=A, 89-80=B, etc.)

Grading Standards

Submission Format Policy

This course will be conducted entirely over the internet. It is the student's responsibility to make certain that he or she has reliable and adequate computer access and capability for the course. This includes the computer itself, the browser being used, and the internet service provider (ISP). If you have not already, please go through the "Browser Check" tutorial on the WebCT log-in page, in order to avoid problems later. Also, if your computer or ISP has a tendency to freeze up or lose connection, DO NOT USE THEM TO TAKE AN EXAM, but find a more reliable system. Students will not get consideration for technical problems during exams if those problems are on the student’s end. However, if you feel the problem occurred at MSU’s end, with WebCT itself, you can report it to Tech Support and IF Tech Support verifies there was a problem at MSU’s end, then consideration may be given. However, this consideration will ONLY be given for technical problems at MSU’s end verified by Tech Support, NOT for any problems arising from the student’s own system.

All exams will be taken through WebCT. You can find the exams under "Exams" on the home page or under "Assessments" on the left. Each exam will be available for a period of time during which you may log on and take the exam. (See the course schedule below for the dates.) You may not log on before or after the specified time. Once you log on you have 50 minutes (1 minute per question) to take the exam. If you go over the allotted time, two points will be deducted from the exam grade for each minute that you go over the allotted time.

The exams are set up so that you can go through and answer the questions you know right away, then return to those that require more thought. Therefore, you must remember to save each answer as you complete it!

Once you have submitted the exam and logged off, you cannot log back on.

Therefore, please note: You should not log on to the exam until you are ready to take it!

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Exams must be completed by the established deadlines. Make-ups will only be given to students who can present documentation of a major emergency or technical problem which prevented them from taking the exam during the scheduled window. Incompletes will only be given to students who can present documentation of a major emergency, occurring after the last date to drop, which prevented them from completing the course within the specified time.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Students must maintain adequate progress in this course in order to continue to be enrolled in it. If a student misses one or more exams, and does not contact the instructor regarding these exams, the student may, at the instructor’s discretion, be dropped from the course.

Other Policies

There is no provision for extra credit assignments!!!

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.