Lamar State College - Port Arthur

House Bill 2504

Spring 2018 Course Syllabus

HIST-1301-71 - US History I

 
Printer Friendly Syllabus
 
Faculty Information
SemesterSpring 2018
InstructorWilbur, Christina Annette
Phone(409) 984-6394
E-mailwilburca@lamarpa.edu
Department
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Michelle Davis
Phone:(409) 984-6341
E-mail:davisml1@lamarpa.edu
Office
Hours:MWF 7:30-8:00 / 10:00-10:50 TTH 8:30-9:30 / 11:00-1:00
Building:Student Center (SC)
Room:409
MyLamarPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you’ve logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the “My Courses” tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Course Information
Course Number10055
Course Description A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the pre-Columbian era to the Civil War/Reconstruction period. United States History I includes the study of pre-Columbian, colonial, revolutionary, early national, slavery and sectionalism, and the Civil War/Reconstruction eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History I include: American settlement and diversity, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, and creation of the federal government.
Course Prerequisites None.
Required Textbooks Required Materials:
Brinkley, Alan. American History: Connecting with the Past, Volume I Connect Access 1 semester.
The Connect Access is required for the course. You may purchase the access code from the LSCPA bookstore or through the publisher. You do not need a hard copy of the textbook but you may purchase one if you care to.

Ellis, Joseph. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Any edition.

Students are responsible for obtaining the required course material in a timely manner. You may purchase, rent, or borrow any of the material listed below from any source you choose: LSCPA bookstore, online bookseller, public library, etc. Copies of the textbook and reader are available in the reserve section of the Gates Memorial Library.

Attendance Policy Class Attendance:
Students are required to log-on to Blackboard in order to stay current regarding class announcements, assignment due dates and exam dates. If a student fails to log in on a regular basis, I will assume you are no longer participating in the class and may administratively drop you from the class. Additionally, failure to log in will affect attendance requirements for financial aid, if applicable.

Course Grading Scale  90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade Grading:
Three (3) Major Written Exams: (45%)
One (1) Book Test:      (10%)
Six (6) Quizzes: (20%)
LearnSmart Readings: (10%)
Article/Video Responses: (15%)


Please keep up with your grades. Students should keep all copies of graded work until course grades have been submitted at the end of the semester. Your grade will be based solely on your performance on the above-listed grades. Additionally, all grades will be posted in Blackboard in a timely manner.

Your current class average is always available to view in Blackboard under the Current Class Average tab. It is your responsibility to read comments and assessment notes and to make the suggested changes on future assignments/exams/papers.


Final Exam Date April 30, 2018 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 5, 2018 - 11:00 PM
Major Assignments Class Assignment and Reading Schedule
All assignments are due by 11:59 pm on Saturday
Articles are listed under the Articles tab
Video links are clickable through the assignment sheet in Blackboard or, if noted, are posted under the Videos Folder tab.
FB: Readings from Founding Brothers (This is a suggested reading schedule)

Week 1
1/16-1/20
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 1: The Collision of Cultures
Article(s) for Discussion Board:
The American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
New World Encounters: In Video Folder
Founding Brothers Pp. xi-19.
Post ‘Getting to Know You in Blackboard’ / Take Pre-test /Complete course policy agreement.
(All assignments for Week 1 are due at the end of the Week 2 due to the many late registrations. This is the only week where you are given two weeks to get assignments completed.)

Week 2
1/22-1/27
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 2: Transplantations and Borderlands
Article(s) for Discussion Board
New Ways: Indian and European
Sugar
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
We Shall Remain: After the Mayflower https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYAdf-oGc8
Founding Brothers Pp. 20-47
Quiz 1:
Chapters 1 & 2 - due Saturday
Pre-test Due: Saturday, 1/27 by 11:59 pm.
Getting to know you post Due: Saturday, 1/27 by 11:59 pm
Course Policy Agreement Due: Saturday, 1/27 by 11:59 pm.

Week 3
1/29-2/3
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 3: Society and Culture in Provincial America
Founding Brothers Pp. 48-80
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Indentured Servitude
Courtship, Sex and the Single Colonist
The Creation of a Slave Society in the Chesapeake
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Black Atlantic - In Video Folder
Being a British Colonist - http://oyc.yale.edu/history/hist-116/lecture-2

Week 4
2/5-2/10
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 4 The Empire in Transition
Founding Brothers Pp. 81-119
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Benjamin Franklin: Representing the 18th Century World
Mad King George
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
Being a British American - http://oyc.yale.edu/history/hist-116/lecture-3
French and Indian War Changes the Fate of America. No discussion post for this but you need to watch it. It’s quite short. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktkw7iSITkc
Liberty: The Reluctant Revolutionaries: In Video Folder
Quiz 2:
Chapters 3 & 4 - due Saturday

Week 5
2/12-2/17
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 5: The American Revolution
Founding Brothers Pp. 120-161
Article(s) for Discussion Board
The Magnificent Fraud
Revolutionary Food
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
Liberty: These are Times that Try Men’s Souls: In Video Folder
(If you are interested, you can scroll down on the video link that pops up and at the bottom of the page you will see the other episodes in this series. You could watch them if you care to, but it is not required)
Exam I: Posted at 8:00 am Wednesday, Feb 14th. Due by 11:59 pm, Saturday, February 17th

Week 6
2/19-2/24
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 6: The Constitution and the New Republic
Founding Brothers Pp. 162-205
Article(s) for Discussion Board
George Washington’s Farewell Address
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
Alexander Hamilton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrGi48Kx-As&t=5308s
And for fun: Hamilton at the Tony’s! You do not need to comment on this one - it’s just for fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5VqyCQV1Tg&list=RDb5VqyCQV1Tg
Quiz 3:
Chapters 5 & 6 - due Saturday

Week 7
2/26-3/3
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 7: The Jeffersonian Era
Founding Brothers Pp. 205-248
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Slavery and Jefferson Re-assesed
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
Thomas Jefferson: Part 1: In Video Folder
Thomas Jefferson: Part 2: In Video Folder
Wednesday, February 28th: Last day to drop without academic penalty

Week 8
3/5-3/10
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 8: Varieties of American Nationalism
Article(s) for Discussion Board
TBA
Video(s) for Discussion Board
The War of 1812: In Video Folder
(You do not need to comment in the Discussion Board for this but I do think it is informative)
Quiz 4:
Chapters 7 & 8 - due Saturday
Founding Brothers: Writing Assignment and Book Test:
Posted at 8:00 am Thursday, March 8th. Due by 11:59 pm Saturday, March 10th.
You are allowed 3 hours to complete the assignment in Blackboard

Week 9
3/12-3/17
Spring Break

Week 10
3/19-3/24
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 9: Jacksonian America
Article(s) for Discussion Board
The Eaton Affair
The Trail of Tears
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Trail of Tears https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8o0heHXQF8
Andrew Jackson: Legacy of an Autocratic Ruler: In Video Folder
Exam II: Posted at 8:00 am Wednesday, March 21st. Due by 11:59 pm Saturday, March 24th.

Week 11
3/26-3/31
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 10: America’s Economic Revolution
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Getting Rid of Demon Alcohol
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Telegraph
Quiz 5:
Chapters 9 & 10 - due Saturday

Week 12
4/2-4/7
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 11: Cotton, Slavery, and the Old South
Article(s) for Discussion Board
The Everyday Life of Enslaved People
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Age of Slavery: In Video Folder

Week 13
4/9-4/14
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 12: Antebellum Culture and Reform
Article(s) for Discussion Board
I Will Be Heard: William Lloyd Garrison and the Struggle Against Slavery
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
To Be Announced
Quiz 6:
Chapters 11 & 12 - due Saturday

Week 14
4/16-4/21
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 13: The Impending Crisis
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Slavery and the Coming of the Civil War, as seen in The Beaumont Banner
The Way West
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Civil War: The Cause’: In Video Folder
Wednesday, April 18th: Last day to drop with academic penalty.

Week 15
4/23-4/28
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 14: The Civil War
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Why Soldiers Went to War
When the Yanks Came
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Civil War: The Better Angels of our Nature: In Video Folder
Quiz 7:
Chapters 13 & 14 - due Saturday

Week 16
4/30-5/5
Final Exam: Posted at 8:00 am Monday, April 30th. Due by 11:59 pm Saturday, May 5th.

Calendar of Lecture Topics and Major Assignment Due Dates Class Assignment and Reading Schedule
All assignments are due by 11:59 pm on Saturday
Articles are listed under the Articles tab
Video links are clickable through the assignment sheet in Blackboard or, if noted, are posted under the Videos Folder tab.
FB: Readings from Founding Brothers (This is a suggested reading schedule)

Week 1
1/16-1/20
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 1: The Collision of Cultures
Article(s) for Discussion Board:
The American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
New World Encounters: In Video Folder
Founding Brothers Pp. xi-19.
Post ‘Getting to Know You in Blackboard’ / Take Pre-test /Complete course policy agreement.
(All assignments for Week 1 are due at the end of the Week 2 due to the many late registrations. This is the only week where you are given two weeks to get assignments completed.)

Week 2
1/22-1/27
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 2: Transplantations and Borderlands
Article(s) for Discussion Board
New Ways: Indian and European
Sugar
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
We Shall Remain: After the Mayflower https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYAdf-oGc8
Founding Brothers Pp. 20-47
Quiz 1:
Chapters 1 & 2 - due Saturday
Pre-test Due: Saturday, 1/27 by 11:59 pm.
Getting to know you post Due: Saturday, 1/27 by 11:59 pm
Course Policy Agreement Due: Saturday, 1/27 by 11:59 pm.

Week 3
1/29-2/3
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 3: Society and Culture in Provincial America
Founding Brothers Pp. 48-80
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Indentured Servitude
Courtship, Sex and the Single Colonist
The Creation of a Slave Society in the Chesapeake
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Black Atlantic - In Video Folder
Being a British Colonist - http://oyc.yale.edu/history/hist-116/lecture-2

Week 4
2/5-2/10
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 4 The Empire in Transition
Founding Brothers Pp. 81-119
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Benjamin Franklin: Representing the 18th Century World
Mad King George
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
Being a British American - http://oyc.yale.edu/history/hist-116/lecture-3
French and Indian War Changes the Fate of America. No discussion post for this but you need to watch it. It’s quite short. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktkw7iSITkc
Liberty: The Reluctant Revolutionaries: In Video Folder
Quiz 2:
Chapters 3 & 4 - due Saturday

Week 5
2/12-2/17
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 5: The American Revolution
Founding Brothers Pp. 120-161
Article(s) for Discussion Board
The Magnificent Fraud
Revolutionary Food
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
Liberty: These are Times that Try Men’s Souls: In Video Folder
(If you are interested, you can scroll down on the video link that pops up and at the bottom of the page you will see the other episodes in this series. You could watch them if you care to, but it is not required)
Exam I: Posted at 8:00 am Wednesday, Feb 14th. Due by 11:59 pm, Saturday, February 17th

Week 6
2/19-2/24
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 6: The Constitution and the New Republic
Founding Brothers Pp. 162-205
Article(s) for Discussion Board
George Washington’s Farewell Address
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
Alexander Hamilton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrGi48Kx-As&t=5308s
And for fun: Hamilton at the Tony’s! You do not need to comment on this one - it’s just for fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5VqyCQV1Tg&list=RDb5VqyCQV1Tg
Quiz 3:
Chapters 5 & 6 - due Saturday

Week 7
2/26-3/3
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 7: The Jeffersonian Era
Founding Brothers Pp. 205-248
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Slavery and Jefferson Re-assesed
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
Thomas Jefferson: Part 1: In Video Folder
Thomas Jefferson: Part 2: In Video Folder
Wednesday, February 28th: Last day to drop without academic penalty

Week 8
3/5-3/10
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 8: Varieties of American Nationalism
Article(s) for Discussion Board
TBA
Video(s) for Discussion Board
The War of 1812: In Video Folder
(You do not need to comment in the Discussion Board for this but I do think it is informative)
Quiz 4:
Chapters 7 & 8 - due Saturday
Founding Brothers: Writing Assignment and Book Test:
Posted at 8:00 am Thursday, March 8th. Due by 11:59 pm Saturday, March 10th.
You are allowed 3 hours to complete the assignment in Blackboard

Week 9
3/12-3/17
Spring Break

Week 10
3/19-3/24
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 9: Jacksonian America
Article(s) for Discussion Board
The Eaton Affair
The Trail of Tears
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Trail of Tears https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8o0heHXQF8
Andrew Jackson: Legacy of an Autocratic Ruler: In Video Folder
Exam II: Posted at 8:00 am Wednesday, March 21st. Due by 11:59 pm Saturday, March 24th.

Week 11
3/26-3/31
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 10: America’s Economic Revolution
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Getting Rid of Demon Alcohol
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Telegraph
Quiz 5:
Chapters 9 & 10 - due Saturday

Week 12
4/2-4/7
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 11: Cotton, Slavery, and the Old South
Article(s) for Discussion Board
The Everyday Life of Enslaved People
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Age of Slavery: In Video Folder

Week 13
4/9-4/14
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 12: Antebellum Culture and Reform
Article(s) for Discussion Board
I Will Be Heard: William Lloyd Garrison and the Struggle Against Slavery
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
To Be Announced
Quiz 6:
Chapters 11 & 12 - due Saturday

Week 14
4/16-4/21
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 13: The Impending Crisis
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Slavery and the Coming of the Civil War, as seen in The Beaumont Banner
The Way West
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Civil War: The Cause’: In Video Folder
Wednesday, April 18th: Last day to drop with academic penalty.

Week 15
4/23-4/28
LearnSmart readings: Brinkley: American History
Chapter 14: The Civil War
Article(s) for Discussion Board
Why Soldiers Went to War
When the Yanks Came
Video(s) for Discussion Board:
The Civil War: The Better Angels of our Nature: In Video Folder
Quiz 7:
Chapters 13 & 14 - due Saturday

Week 16
4/30-5/5
Final Exam: Posted at 8:00 am Monday, April 30th. Due by 11:59 pm Saturday, May 5th.
General Education/Core Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes
Communication skills:Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.

Critical Thinking Skills:Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills:Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.

Teamwork:Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Social Responsibility:Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.

Personal Responsibility:Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.

Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.
Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading.

PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills ďż˝ Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Creatively identifies problem, argument, or issue (to determine extent of information needed); differentiates the facts from opinions as relates to situation; constructs possible solutions or prediction or consequences; uses logical, sound reasoning to justify conclusion.

PSLO 2: Communication Skills ďż˝ Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.
Expresses a strong thesis; organizes information with effective transitions & sequencing of ideas; uses substantial, logical & specific development of ideas; details are relevant, original, credible and correctly documented when appropriate to show an effective development and interpretation of ideas; and presents ideas in appropriate mode of expression for the task.

PSLO 5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

Identifies cultural characteristics (including beliefs, values, perspectives and/or practices); demonstrates knowledge of civic responsibility; provides evidence of experience in civic- engagement activities; and describes what she/ he has learned as it relates to a reinforced and clarified sense of civic identity in local, regional, national, or global communities; and shows awareness of one�s own culture in relation to others.

PSLO 6: Personal Responsibility Skills ďż˝ Integrates choices, actions and consequences in ethical decision-making.
Recognizes ethical issues when presented in a complex, multilayered (gray) context; recognizes cross- relationships among the issues; discusses in detail/ analyzes core beliefs; the discussion has greater depth and clarity showing the independent application of ethical perspectives/ concepts to an ethical question accurately; and is able to consider full implications of the application.



Course Student Learning Outcomes 1. Relate the events that led to the exploration and colonization of early America (PSLO 1,5, Alpha) Measured by embedded test questions, essay rubric, pretest/post test.

2. Summarize reasons for colonial discontent and actions that led to revolution and independence (PSLO 1, 2, 5,6) Measured by embedded test questions & group discussions.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of our documents of democracy (PSLO 1, 2, 5,6) Measured by embedded test questions & group discussion.

4. Describe our foreign policy as it developed in the 19th century (PSLO 2) Measure by group discussion.

5. Analyze stages of economic development as the United States became an industrialized nation (PSLO 1) Measured by embedded test questions & group discussion.

6. Realize the causes of sectionalism as they moved us toward civil war (PSLO 1,2,5,6)Measured by embedded test questions, group discussion, & map project.

7. Discuss the major features of Reconstruction and their political impact (P)SLO 1, 2,5, 6) Measured by embedded test questions & group discussion.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  • No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  • Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  • Electronic devices (including but not restricted to cell phones, MP3 players, and laptop computers) shall not be used during examinations unless specifically allowed by the instructor.

  • Use of electronic devices during normal class hours distracts other students, disrupts the class, and wastes valuable time. Instructors have an obligation to reduce such disruptions.

  • Turn your cellphones to vibrate when you enter the classroom.



Additional Information Connect Access:
To register for our section just click on the first LearnSmart reading assignment. It will take you to the Connect page to log-in and register. You may purchase access then and/or you may submit your access code if you have already purchased it. It is imperative that you register for the correct section!
Students are allowed 2 weeks of free access - after that period you will be locked out until you upgrade to full required access.

Technology Responsibility:
It is assumed that students registered for an online class are proficient with the technological/computer requirements and the Blackboard system. A lack of computer proficiency is not an excuse for the failure to submit assignments, etc. It is your responsibility to understand how to navigate Blackboard, upload files, view video, etc. Additionally, students should be aware that the majority of the responsibility in mastering the material falls to the student. Should you believe that these aspects of the course will be problematic, then it is suggested that you register for an in-class section of the course.

Exams:
Exams consist of lengthy discussion/essay questions and, possibly, multiple choice/short answer questions. Students are allowed four (4) or more days to complete the exam. Exams will cover material from your textbook, Founding Brothers, articles and video presentations/lectures. I will not contact you to find out why you missed an exam and late submissions are not accepted.
If you try to take an examination having neither read the material/taken notes on the video lectures nor studied the material thoroughly – you will not be successful. Additionally, please plan accordingly when allowing time to complete your exams. Generally, exams consist of three (3) to five (5) 1 ½ - 2 page essay questions per exam. This means - you are given anywhere from three to five essay questions to complete and each one will require from 1 ½ to 2 pages for a total submission of between 8-10 pages. You cannot complete the exams in an hour or two. Students are expected to follow the directions given for the exam regarding submission, formatting, length, etc.

Quizzes:
Students will complete seven (7) quizzes. Each quiz will cover two chapters and contain 50 questions. There is a 60 minute time limit to complete the quiz. Quizzes will be completed in Blackboard using the Connect system. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. All quizzes are due by 11:59 pm on Saturdays. Late submissions are not accepted. I do not like to re-open or re-set quizzes. Make sure you have a stable internet connection before you begin. The McGrawHill Connect system is a very stable system. Should you have problems you need to contact them and they will research the matter and let me know if a reset is required. This should be a very rare occurrence. I will drop your lowest quiz grade.

LearnSmart Readings: Each week a chapter in the LearnSmart e-textbook is assigned for you to read. You will complete the reading and answer the questions as you go along. You can continue to answer the questions until you score the grade you’d like. All Learnsmart Readings are due by 11:59 pm on Saturdays.
Assignments:
All assignments are listed in the Readings and Assignment tab in Blackboard. Late assignments are not accepted. No extra credit is offered - do not ask.

Email:
Students must put LSCPA 1301.71 in the subject line of any email. This is not optional. If the class and section number are not listed it makes it difficult for me to give you a prompt response. I will not stop what I am doing to log in and sort through multiple class rolls to determine what class you are in. An email that says only, “This is Sarah from your history class. I have a question about the paper” is problematic. Which Sarah? What history class - 1301 or 1302? Online student or in-class student? What paper? Including the required LSCPA 1301.71 makes it much easier for me to provide you with a prompt and accurate response. Moreover, please make sure to include your full name in the email. I do not use Blackboard email. Please note that most questions can be answered by reading the class syllabus, assignment sheet or other directions available to you in Blackboard.

Time Requirements for this Course:
An online class is not an ‘easier’ class. The time requirements for an online class are similar to a face-to-face class. The standard expectation for a college level class is approximately 10-12 hours a week. A class that is a 3-hour credit class will require 3 hours outside study time for each hour in class. Our class is considered a 3 hour credit class and therefore the additional study/working on assignments time is applicable. Please make sure to adjust your schedule accordingly.

Suggestions for the course:
This class moves very quickly and there is very little time to catch up if you get behind. Deadlines are firm. Make it a priority to read daily and to stay on schedule with the readings, videos, quizzes and discussion posts. These take time. Additionally, remember that you not only have to read the material but you also have to make time to study the material. I recommend that students print out the assignment schedule and refer to it daily and plan their schedules accordingly.

Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is essential to online learning and I take it very seriously. Academic dishonesty will not be accepted in this class. Students are to submit their own work – not the work of others. If you submit other’s work as your own or use resources not allowed during examinations, not only are you jeopardizing your academic future but you are paying for an education you are not receiving and, moreover, you are wasting your own time and energy in an effort not to learn. During examinations (not quizzes) students may use the textbook, notes from video lecture material, assigned articles and material from Founding Brothers only and may not go on the internet to look up answers. Additionally, all student submissions are checked for plagiarism and use of any materials not authorized for use during the exam is prohibited. It is also expected that student are not accessing other material during the quizzes. Should it come to light that you are, you will receive a 0 on the quiz and an F in the class. You are better off not doing an assignment - as missing a few individual low-value assignments will not cause you to fail - than submitting a questionable assignment and failing the class.
My class policy is that if any academic dishonesty is discovered, the student will receive an F in the class. You will not just receive a 0 on the individual assignment - whether it be a quiz, discussion board post, and exam or book review - you will receive an F for the course.
Important Information
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights 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 Special Populations Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
Copyright Violations Some material in this course may be copyrighted. They may be used only for instructional purposes this semester, by students enrolled in this course. These materials are being used fairly and legally. No one may distribute or share these copyrighted materials in any medium or format with anyone outside this class, including publishing essays with copyrighted material, uploading copyrighted material to Facebook or YouTube, or painting or performing copyrighted material for public display.

Copyright violation is not the same thing as plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty. Offenses of plagiarism result in lower grades or failing scores, and professors and the college strictly enforce plagiarism rules. There is never any acceptable use of plagiarism. Copyright violation is a legal offense, punishable by large fines and penalties.

Copyrighted material can be used if permission from the material’s creator is obtained, or if its use meets the standards of fair use in an educational setting. For example, a student can quote a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a report without violating copyright but still be guilty of plagiarism if the quotation is not properly documented.

If you are in doubt about what material can be freely used, ask your professor or contact the Dean of Library Services, at (409) 984-6216.
Assessment Statement Assessment is a process by which LSCPA can help you learn better and gauge the level of progress you have made to attain knowledge, skills, beliefs, and values. It also helps your professors understand how to improve teaching and testing methods in your classes, and it helps each department understand and improve degree and certificate programs.

Periodically LSC-PA will collect assessment data for research and reporting purposes, including statistical data and sometimes copies of your work. Be assured that all material the college uses for assessment purposes will be kept confidential. To ensure anonymity, your name will be removed from any material we use for assessment purposes, including video-recorded performances, speeches, and projects.

If you object to allowing LSC-PA to use your material for assessment purposes, submit a letter stating so to your professor by the 12th class day. You will still be required to participate in whatever assessments are being done; we just won’t use your data.

What’s the difference between assessment and grades? The grades you get on papers, projects, speeches, and assignments are specific types of focused assessment. LSC-PA’s assessment efforts include class grades, surveys, standardized tests, and other tools.
Privacy Notice Federal privacy laws apply to college students. This means that college employees, including instructors, cannot divulge information to third parties, including parents and legal guardians of students. Even if the students are minors, information about their college work cannot be shared with anyone except in very limited circumstances.

Anyone requesting information about a student should be referred to the Registrar. Instructors will be notified in writing by that Office about what information may be released and to whom.

Please remember that releasing private information about a student, however innocuous it may seem, can be a violation of federal law, with very serious consequences.

Circumstances under which information may be released:

An adult student may submit, to the Registrar, a handwritten, signed note granting permission for release of information. The note must specify what information may be divulged, and it must specify the name of the person to whom the information may be given.

A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student by providing a copy of a filed tax return that shows that the student was listed as a dependent of that parent or guardian. The tax return must be for last complete tax year. Again, this documentation must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student if the student logs on to My.LamarPA.edu and sends an email to the Registrar granting permission. The email must specify what information may be given and the name of the person to whom it may be given.

Co-enrollment students are protected by the same privacy laws as adult students.

The Registrar’s office is located in the Student Center room 303B, and can be reached at (409) 984-6165.

College-Level Perspectives This course helps add to the students’ overall collegiate experience in the following ways:

  • Establishing broad and multiple perspectives on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world in which s/he lives, and to understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world.

  • Stimulating a capacity to discuss and reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in order to understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.

  • Developing a capacity to use knowledge of how technology and science affect their lives.

  • Developing personal values for ethical behavior.

  • Developing the ability to make aesthetic judgments.

  • Using logical reasoning in problem solving.

  • Integrating knowledge and understand the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.

Degree Plan Evaluation A Degree Plan Evaluation will help you determine which classes you need to complete your program.

  1. Sign in to your my.lamarpa.edu account.

  2. Click on the “My Services” tab.

  3. Click on the “Student” tab.

  4. Click on Student Records.

  5. Click on Degree Evaluation.

  6. Select the term you are planning on registering for (i.e. Summer I, Summer II, Fall, or Spring)

  7. Verify that the Curriculum Information (your MAJOR) is correct

  8. Click on “Generate New Evaluation” at the bottom of the screen.

  9. Click the radio button next to Program

  10. Click on the Generate Request button.

All of the classes that you have taken that apply to your declared major will be listed on the right. If you have a class that still needs to be completed, a “NO” will be listed on the right next to the required class.

HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA’s efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Mission

Lamar State College - Port Arthur, a member of The Texas State University System, is an open-access, comprehensive public two-year college offering quality and affordable instruction leading to associate degrees and a variety of certificates. The College embraces the premise that education is an ongoing process that enhances career potential, broadens intellectual horizons, and enriches life.

Core Values

  • Shared commitment by faculty, staff and administration to a mission characterized by student learning, diversity, and community involvement

  • General education/core curriculum that develops the values and concepts that allow the student to make a meaningful contribution in the workplace or community

  • Academic and technical programs designed to fulfill our commitment to accommodate students with diverse goals and backgrounds, using a variety of delivery methods, on and off campus

  • Technical education programs that provide for the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and behavior necessary for initial and continued employment

  • Student achievement characterized by attainment of individual goals and measured by successful accomplishments and completion of curriculum

  • Co-curricular opportunities that develop social, financial and civic acuity

Principles

Lamar State College - Port Arthur operates in the belief that all individuals should be:

  • treated with dignity and respect;

  • afforded equal opportunity to acquire a complete educational experience;

  • given an opportunity to discover and develop their special aptitudes and insights; and,

  • provided an opportunity to equip themselves for a fulfilling life and responsible citizenship in a world characterized by change.

 
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