his course is an intensive examination of the social, cultural, economic and political development of the United States beginning with Columbus's first contact with Native Americans in 1492 through the end of the American Civil War in 1865. Some of the important themes of this course include exploring the reasons for and methods of European colonization of North America; the growth of a distinctly American identity; the factors that led to the American Revolution and the creation of the United States of America; the economic, political and social implications of the American Revolution; the evolution and forms of slavery in America; the concept of sectionalism in the United States and how it contributed to the American Civil War, and, finally, an examination of the war itself.
he text for the class is America Past and Present; it will be the basis for most of the lectures and provide a rough outline for the course. Since a major goal of this course is to help students engage in critical thinking and understand that history is comprised of more than just dates and facts, but of the interactions and reactions of people and the events they caused, weekly readings and extensive research and analysis of primary source materials, such as diaries, journals, newspapers, pictures and letters, will be required. Some of these are outlined in the Course Calendar.
ttendance: You are expected to attend every class – attendance will be taken. If you come into class after attendance has been taken, you will be considered absent. If you miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining from other students any class notes and assignments you missed. If you choose to withdraw without a grade penalty, you need to do so by November 2, 2009. If you plan to drop the course with full tuition refund, you need to do so by September 10, 2009. I will assume that students who fail to show up after November 2, 2009, have chosen to drop the course and I will make the appropriate notes in my records. However, please be aware that it is your responsibility to withdrawal yourself from the course; do not assume I will with withdraw you if you stop coming. If you are still on the roster at the end of the semester and you have not shown up for class after November 2, you will receive a failing grade. Students missing three (25%) or more classes over the course of the semester will have their grade reduced one grade level.
lagiarism and academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. They include, but are not limited to, giving or receiving, selling or purchasing test answers/questions, term papers or other assignments required for this course. Plagiarism, or attempting to present another person's work as your own will result in a failing grade for this class. Students are warned not to attempt to purchase or in any way procure term papers from the internet. With today's technologies, such an act is easily discovered. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are both defined in section VI (page 79) of NOVA's, Student Handbook. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with these definitions and resulting penalties for infractions.
xaminations, Assignments, Blog Posts and Class Participation: There will be three examinations, required weekly postings to the class blog related to the reading material, one major project. The examinations will consist of an assortment of multiple choice, essay and short answer questions. Students are expected to attend class the days tests are given. Make-up exams will be given at my discretion and only if I am provide with sufficient reason why the test was missed and only if I am notified in advance that the test will be missed. Under NO circumstances will I give a make-up exam to students who simply do not show up for class the day of the test. For the final exam, students arriving more than 15 minutes after the test begins will NOT be permitted to take the test. All tests must be done in ink. Weekly postings to the class blog: Students are required to write their musings on the reading material for the week as well as any questions I post to the class blog. Students are also encouraged to take the initiative and post their own interpretations of class disucssions, comment on the posts of fellow students or anything else that might be of interest to the class. Posts to the blog must be done by 9:00 p.m. the night before class. NOTE that postings are a big part of a student's grade. Further information can be found on the blog page. The Major Project involves writing an 8-10 page report on a project of your choosing related to class. Further information can be found on the Major Project page. Class Participation is vital to learning history, so students are encouraged to ask questions and seek debate throughout the class. For those students who, for whatever reason, do not want to talk in class, I will accept e-mails as part of participation. In short, there is no reason why any student shouldn't achieve the full class participation grade.
lass Conduct Policy: Please be respectful of the instructor and other students by refraining from disruptive or rude conduct. Disruptive or rude conduct includes, but is not limited to, arriving late for class, leaving early during class, eating in class and talking to fellow students during class. Receiving or making cell phone calls or engaging in text messaging during class will not be tolerated. Students are expected to turn off all cell phones prior to the start of class. Video or audio taping of lectures is not allowed.
Students who have special needs must make it a point to convey this to me after the first day of class.
rading: There is 1000 possible points for this class. Each test is worth 15% for a total of 45%, or 450 points; Posts to the class discussion board are 20% or 200 points; Major Project is 25% or 250 points, and Class Participation 10%, or 100 points. Grades are assigned as follows: A = 90% - 100%; B = 80% – 89%; C = 70% – 79%; D = 60% – 69%.
Contact Information: I can be reached at Jweir@Nvcc.edu and at my work number 301-881-9260, ex. 8082. I am in the classroom 1/2 hour to 15 minutes before class and can stay after class as needed to meet with students. Other times can be arranged as well.