Textbook: We will be using a free online textbook for this class: The American Yawp, Volume I

You may access it through Blackboard or through these links: The American Yawp   (Web version)  The American Yawp  (PDF version) 

• ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
• ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing

Learning Outcomes - Students will be able to:

●      Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.

●      Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.

●      Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of United States history.

Core Objectives:

●      Critical Thinking Skills: Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.

●      Communication Skills: Demonstrates effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and/or visual communication.

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

●      Personal Responsibility Skills: Integrates choices, actions, and consequences in ethical decision-making

• 4 Video assignments: 20%
• 5 Exams: 50%
• 2 Discussions: 20%
• Writing Assignment: 10%

Additional required readings:

Additional required readings are included in Blackboard and noted on the schedule.

Time Requirements for this Course:

The time needed for this class is substantial. Deadlines are firm. Make it a priority to read daily and to stay on schedule with the readings, videos, and assignments. These take time. I recommend that students print out the assignment schedule and refer to it daily and plan their schedules accordingly. 

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 and download files, view videos, etc.

Civility in the Online Classroom

Student incivility, rudeness, or attacks of a personal nature or statements will not be tolerated, whether directed at the instructor or another student. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities on campus or online classes will be required to cease such behavior. If the behavior continues after the first warning, the student will no longer continue as a student of the course.

24-hour Online Blackboard Help:

If students need help with Blackboard: submitting assignments, navigating, etc., please contact the 24-hour online help desk at (936) 496-5379 or bbhelp@lamarpa.edu 

Grades:

Please keep up with your grades. Students should keep all copies of graded and ungraded work until course grades have been submitted at the end of the semester. You can see your current average in Blackboard under the ‘Current Class Average’ column. Your grade will be based solely on your performance. Additionally, all grades will be posted in Blackboard in a timely manner. Please allow at least two weeks for assignment grades to be posted. Please make sure to read the comments on your submitted assignments as I make comments both on the assignment itself and in the grading notes section. It is your responsibility to read comments and assessment notes and to make the suggested changes on future assignments/exams. Submitting an assignment does not guarantee that you will earn the total credit available for that assignment – you must follow, and achieve, the standards set out in the directions for each assignment to earn the necessary point values. 

Exams: 

There will be five (5) exams for this class. These exams are designed to test your knowledge and understanding of the course material. As such, it’s not just about memorizing random facts, but you should be able to demonstrate that you understand the historical context. 

Each exam will consist of 40-50 multiple-choice questions from the text and the additional readings and videos.

You will have 45-60 minutes (depending on the length of the exam) to complete the exam. You must complete it in one session.

Each exam will open at 6:00 a.m. on the date listed in the syllabus and close at 10:00 p.m. the next day. 

It is expected that you are submittingyour own work and conducting yourself with integrity while taking your exams.

Important Information About Taking Exams:

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have an adequate amount of time, the proper atmosphere, and a secure connection to the internet to take the exams. I strongly suggest using a laptop or desktop computer—not your phone—and using a wired internet connection to avoid wi-fi fluctuations that may occur. Finally, you should also give yourself enough time to take these— don’t wait until the last minute—so that if your internet is “down” you can find another place to take them. Blackboard Ultra is a stable platform, so the ONLY way I will consider “re-setting” an exam is if you submit a screenshot or picture of the error message showing that the site itself was at fault. I will not reset a quiz or an exam after the due date/time has passed under any circumstances

Assignment Due Dates:

All assignments are to be turned in on time. No late assignments are accepted. Please note that it is not my responsibility to remind you of assignment/quiz due dates. 

Uploading Assignments:

All assignments must be uploaded in the required format. All assignments – unless instructed otherwise – i.e. a video or PowerPoint submission – must be submitted as Word document. Do not submit Google docs, pages, or PDF’s. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have submitted your assignment as directed in the instructions. If I cannot open your assignment, I will not grade it.  

Additionally, if you have difficulty uploading your assignment due to Blackboard or other technical issues, you should email me a copy of the assignment immediately – not the next day. It will be considered late if I do not have an email copy of the assignment by the due date. You should then contact Blackboard technical support to address the problem and work to get the assignment uploaded into Blackboard. 

When you submit an assignment, Blackboard sends you a confirmation email with an individual submission number. Please make sure that you receive, and save, this confirmation. If there are issues regarding the submission of your assignment, I may ask to see the submission confirmation. 

Technology Responsibility:

It is assumed that students 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 and upload and download files. 

Assignments from a previous course or repeating the class:

You may not submit assignments that were created for another class. You also may not resubmit assignments from a previous attempt in the class. Assignments that are found to have been reused will receive a 0. All work must be your original work. You are not to use AI or other similar programs. If plagiarism or the use of AI is suspected, students will be asked to discuss this matter with the instructor. 

Assignments: 

Students should read the instructions included with each assignment. Any additional materials that are needed are noted on the assignment instructions.

Suggestions for the course: 

This class moves very quickly, and we have quite a lot of material to cover. There is little time to catch up if you get behind. Make it a priority to read daily and study. Refer to your syllabus so that you can stay up to date with readings and assignments.  

Email: 

You must put the class and section number in the email's subject line. It is important that I know what class you are in so that I can answer your question. I do try to respond in a timely manner within 24 to 48 hours during the week. I am available during normal business hours – Monday-Friday 9-5. Emails received in the evening will not get a response until the next day. Email received during the weekend will not get a response until Monday.  

Please use your lamarpa email to communicate with me as email from Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc. may end up in clutter folder and I will not see it, and therefore, not respond. Most questions can be answered by reading the class syllabus, assignment sheet or other directions available to you in Blackboard. Class updates are sent out through Blackboard email, so it is good practice to check your email daily. It is vital that students are aware of the tone and structure of their correspondence. Emails not written in a suitable or professional manner will be sent back and I will ask you to re-write your email.

All emails should include:

● A greeting

● A clear statement of the question or inquiry

● Your name 

● Include proper spelling and grammar. 'Texting' abbreviations, lack of punctuation and 'i' are not acceptable.  

Civility in the Classroom:

Student incivility, rudeness, or attacks of a personal nature or statements will not be tolerated, whether directed at the instructor or another student. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities on campus or in online classes will be required to cease such behavior. If the behavior continues after the first warning, the student will no longer continue as a student of the course.

Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is essential to 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 submit assignments using resources not allowed, 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. It is expected that students will submit their own original work. 

All student submissions are checked for plagiarism and use of any materials not authorized for use for an assignment is prohibited. Should this be an issue with any assignment you submit, you will receive a 0 on the assignment and, possibly an F in the class. The use of article rewriting tools, or other AI technology is unacceptable and will result in a 0 for the assignment. If there are indications of academic dishonesty, students may be asked to take a written, or verbal assessment in my presence.  

If an issue arises with your work, I reserve the right to go back and reassess/regrade previously submitted work to see if academic dishonesty has occurred with previous submissions. Assigning an F for the course for plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty is at my discretion if the offense is flagrant or repeated. Please note that I decide if an offense is flagrant or repeated – not the student.