American History 1301 4300 4780 Fall 2011 Self Paced August 29 December 15 Mr Tim Sullivan Office G237 Phone 972 860 7156 Leave a message e mail TimothySullivan dcccd edu Office Hours By Appointment Fax 972 860 8319 Course information is available online at ecampus dcccd edu WHAT IS A SELF PACED COURSE This self paced history course is based on textbook readings A textbook based course means that you will be required to read the textbook carefully and thoroughly It also means assimilating and understanding the information presented in the textbook is your responsibility As the instructor I am here to help you with any problems or questions that you may have about the course or information presented in the textbook Very important I do not provide a review or study guide for the tests The questions come from the book Please do not ask for a curve on your grades TEXTBOOK The American Story To1877 Vol 2 4th Edition by Devine Robert A et al ISBN 13 0 205 72895 4 There is a combined edition available ISBN 13 0 205 72894 7 Be aware There is another history book entitled The American Story Be sure to look for the author Devine Robert A COURSE ORGANIZATION The course is divided into 3 major units Part One 1 Read Chapters 1 5 Divine 2 Test One Part Two 1 Read Chapters 6 11 Divine 2 Test Two Part Three 1 Read Chapters 12 16 Divine 2 Test Three Final 1 Final is cumulative and is optional TESTING There are three examinations Each is non cumulative and will multiple choice questions and two essays questions You may answer one of the essay questions on each test The essay question will be treated as extra credit Exams are graded on a 100 point scale If you are satisfied with you test scores on your first three tests you do not have to take the final If you wish to drop one of your first three scores you may replace your low score with the Final The Final is cumulative and will be 100 multiple choice questions with no essay Taking the Final cannot hurt your score Your grade will be determined by your three highest test scores The tests must be taken in the Eastfield Testing Center Please contact the Testing center to find out the hours and policies THE FIRST THREE TESTS MUST BE TAKEN BY DECEMBER 8 2011 THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS THE FINAL MUST BE TAKEN BY December 13th THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS THE INSTRUCTOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DROPPING THE STUDENT THE STUDENT MUST DROP THEMSELVES COURSE GRADE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE TOTAL POINTS ACCUMULATED ON THE THREE EXAMS 270 300 A 240 269 B 210 239 C 180 209 D BELOW 180 F All exams are taken in the Appraisal Center room C 114 phone 972 860 7011 You are responsible for can contacting the Appraisal Center to find hours and testing information Test grades will be posted on eCampus 3 IMPORTANT NOTE You will receive the grade you earn There will be no extra credit Period I will not curve the grades at the end of the semester regardless of the reason ATTENDANCE Withdrawal from the course is the student s responsibility Withdrawing is a formal procedure and must be done by Through Counseling or Admissions Failure to withdrawal may result in an F on your transcript OBJECTIVES AND COMPETENCIES History 1302 is part of the Core Curriculum and addresses the following Exemplary Educational Objectives and Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies as set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES IN UNITED STATES HISTORY 1 2 3 4 5 6 To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods social structure and cultures To develop and communicate alternate explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues To understand the evolution and current role of the U S in the world To differentiate and analyze historical evidence documentary and statistical and differing points of view To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research To identify and understand differences and commonalties within diverse cultures CORE CURRICULUM INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES 1 2 3 4 Reading the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials books documents and articles above the 12th grade level Writing the ability to produce clear correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose occasion and audience above 12th grade level Listening analyzes and interprets various forms of spoken communication possess sufficient literacy skills of writing reading above 12th grade level Critical Thinking thinks and analyze at a critical level COMPONENT AREA OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES The objective of a social and behavioral science component of a core curriculum is to increase student s knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover describe and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals groups institutions events and ideas Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity Therefore the exemplary educational objectives for this class are To employ the appropriate methods technologies and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods social structures and cultures To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues To analyze the effects of historical social political economic cultural and global forces on the areas under study To comprehend the origins and evolution of U S and Texas political systems with a focus on the growth of political institutions the constitutions of the U S and Texas federalism civil liberties and civil and human rights To understand the evolution and current role of the U S in the world To differentiate and analyze historical evidence documentary and statistical and differing points of view To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research To analyze critically assess and develop creative solutions to public policy problems To recognize and assume one s responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself by engaging in public discourse and by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy To identify and understand differences and commonalties within