History 112 Syllabus

Fall 2013 – Room A316

Office: L358                                                                                                  Prof. Verigan, J.D., M.A.

Office Hours:              W: 8:20-9:20 and 12:30-3:30                            Email: cverigan@ccc.edu

Phone: (773)481-8338

Required Texts – 

Alan Brinkley,  The Unfinished Nation, A Concise History of the American People, Volume 2, 7th Ed

Course Descriptions – History of the American People from 1865- American History from the close of the Civil War to the present; political and economic developments, and social, intellectual and cultural changes. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.   IAI-S2 901.

Prerequisites – Students need to be eligible, currently enrolled, or have already completed English 101.

Course Objectives –

1.      Explain critical thinking skills so that students can solve problems using appropriate information resources and reasoning processes.

2.      Demonstrate the necessary skills for reading, writing, speaking, and listening effectively so that the expectations of appropriate audiences in the academic, public, and private sectors can be met.

3.      Express and appreciate diversity in gender, race, age, class, and culture as well as differences in physical abilities in a global society.

4.      Foster ethical values, life goals, and interpersonal skills that will prepare the student for life-long learning, employability, and effective citizenship.

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

1.      Recognize aspects of historiography and methodology.

2.      Identify historically relevant geographical data and map reading skills.

3.      Explain broad historical developments of the period under study and the continuity of historical experience.

4.      Discuss and appraise the emergence of an urban industrial society with the attendant strains and impacts.

5.      Examine and discuss the development of the U.S. as a world power and the nation’s role in the modern world.

Classroom Activities – These will consist mostly of lecture and discussions.  In addition, films and videotapes will be shown on occasion.  Lectures will add depth to the readings, and will help link ideas and events into a more coherent whole.

In addition to examining the content of history, this course also aims to improve abilities relevant to students’ general education.  Discussion of required readings is an essential part of the class.  Students are expected to read the assigned material on time and be prepared to participate in discussion. 

COMPOSITION OF COURSE GRADE:

*Possible Extra Credit of 10 pts.

** May be adjusted as necessary.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING COURSE

1.      No makeups are allowed for missed exams, quizzes, in class work or extra credit without doctor’s note, death certificate, military orders or equivalent.  Makeup exams and quizzes will not necessarily be the same as in class exams and quizzes.  Makeup exams and quizzes will only be given during office hours and must be scheduled in advance and will receive a deduction in points at the discretion of Professor Verigan.

2.      Arriving late to a test or quiz will result in a 5% grade reduction taken from total points possible.  Assignments are due at the beginning of class on their respective due dates.  Submitting assignments after class has started will result in a 5% grade reduction taken from total points possible. 

3.      Writing Assignments – Two writing assignments will be given for the course.  Full and proper MLA Chicago Style citations are required of all sources. Late papers or emailed papers are not accepted under any circumstances. 

Examples of Most Common Citations in MLA Chicago Style –

Book:

Author Name, Book Title (Location of Publication: Publisher, Year), Page.

Website: Author Name, Title of Article, Website Address

4.      Homework assignments (including handouts) that are handed in late will receive deductions of approximately 20% for each day late (and no more than half credit once the assignments have been discussed or graded). An assignment is considered "late" if not handed in with the rest of class (please be organized and have your assignments with you when they are due). It is highly suggested that students form a " study partner " system--the absent student would be expected to contact the study partner for assignments/handouts and the absent student is expected to hand in the assignments when due (no exceptions other than a hospital emergency with proof of discharge).  Students are also expected to check the Blackboard website for course announcements and due dates. Please be aware of due dates, check Blackboard and stay in contact with your study partner. 

5.      Students may email assignments to cverigan@ccc.edu if they are going to miss class to avoid deductions in points for late work, however students must turn in a printed, stapled copy of the assignment in the next class for grading or no credit will be given for the assignment.

6.      Students may receive points for work performed in class.  Missing class, arriving late, leaving early or disrupting class may lower your grade.  In class assignments may not be made up for credit without a medical discharge, military leave or the equivalent.

7.      All assignments must include your name.  Any assignments that are longer than one page must be stapled. An assignment handed in without your name or that has more than one page and is not stapled will be considered late as to grading.  Spelling, grammar, punctuation and presentation will be factored into grades on major assignments.

8.      Overheads, videos, examples and other materials presented during classes are for discussion purposes to help students better understand the chapter readings.  Students are not required to take notes from these materials as they follow the chapters.  If students are absent or late, please see classmates for any notes that were missed.

9.      Relevant chapters are to be read BEFORE class meetings to allow the student to better understand the material as it is discussed and to provide opportunities for questions.

10.  Everyone should have a pencil during exams/quizzes— cell phones are not allowed.  If students are seen talking or using a cell phone during a quiz/exam they will receive an “F” for that quiz/exam.

11.  If students arrive and the teacher is not present, students are instructed to wait 15 minutes, create a sign-in sheet with all attending students’ signatures and bring the sign-in sheet to Professor Verigan’s office (L358).

12.  Reasonable accommodations: Any student with a disability who is eligible for reasonable accommodations should contact the Disability Access Center located in room L 135, Learning Resource Center of the Wright North Campus or call 773-481-8016 as soon as possible.

13. Academic integrity: The City Colleges of Chicago is committed to the ideals of truth and honesty.  In view of this, students are expected to adhere to high standards of honesty in their academic endeavor.  Plagiarism and cheating of any kind are serious violations of these standards and will result, minimally, in the grade of “F” by the instructor. Academic dishonesty is a serious offense, which includes but it not limited to the following: cheating, complicity, fabrication and falsification, forgery, and plagiarism.  The severity of the penalty is left to the discretion of the instructor. 

14. Student conduct: City Colleges of Chicago students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which is considerate of the rights of others and which will not impair the educational mission of the College.  Misconduct for which students are subject to College Discipline (e.g. expulsion) may include the following: (1) all forms of dishonesty such as stealing, forgery, (2) obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceeding, (3) physical or verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, and/or other conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person, and (4) carrying or possession of weapons, ammunition or other explosives.

15.  Active Pursuit: Active Pursuit Requirements – Success in this course depends heavily on the student’s active participation and pursuit of course requirements.  Students who are considered actively pursuing the course objectives will be reading the assigned material, coming to class regularly and on-time, taking notes, asking questions, contributing to class discussions and in-class projects, and completing assignments on-time and successfully. Students who do not meet these basic requirements will be ADW by the Mid-term. 

16.  Blackboard:  The instructor maintains a Blackboard website for the course.  The Blackboard website will have announcements, the course gradebook and posted assignments which may include Blackboard Discussion Board assignments.  Please alert the instructor if you are not familiar with Blackboard.   DO NOT EMAIL THE INSTRUCTOR THROUGH BLACKBOARD.

17.  Communication Statement: Student emails are generally returned within 48 hours on weekdays and 72 hours on weekends.  If no response is received within these time limits, please re-send the email to the instructor.

18.  Assessment Techniques: Assessment exercises will occur throughout the semester.  The purpose of these exercises is to gage student engagement and progress towards meeting the Active Pursuit Requirements and the Student Learning Outcomes.  This is also a vehicle by which the course can be adjusted to meet students needs.

19.  Campus Resources:

Tutoring Office – A245, x8976

              Writing Center – 2nd Floor LRC

20. Assignments and schedule subject to change at professor’s discretion.

DAILY PM PLANS AND HOMEWORK[1]