he North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): (1) a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination; (2) the learning objectives for the course; (3) a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and (4) any required or recommended readings.  Contact information for the instructor is also provided. The Course Syllabus also provides institutional information to indicate how this course supports NCTC’s purpose and mission. Information specific to a particular section of the course will be included in the Class Syllabus and distributed to enrolled students.

 Course Title: U.S. History to 1865

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION 

Name of Instructor:                               Robin Cole-Jett

Campus/Office Location:                       COR 335

Telephone Number:                                940-498-6437

E-mail Address:                                     rjett@nctc.edu; YOU MUST CONTACT ME THROUGH CANVAS

Office Hours:                                        Mondays through Thursdays from 8 am to 3 pm or by appointment.

 REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

Brinkley, Alan. “The Unfinished Nation: a Concise History of the American People.” 8^th edition. New York: McGraw Hill. Unique ISBN: 978-1259969118

You can purchase the book online through the NCTC bookstore OR through McGraw Hill link in our class. Please make sure it's the 8th edition. You may also purchase the book (8th edition) from other sources. We will be using the book for readings.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA

3 Exams  = 30% of grade.

One exam is given per unit for a total of three (3) exams. The exams are multiple choice questions based on the objectives of each lecture. The exams will be timed. Reviews are available for you to peruse and use before the exam and may be used during the exam.

In class work = 40% of grade.

Throughout the semester, quizzes and prompts about readings and lectures will be given in class and are due in the same class period. These assignments may be unannounced. These assignments cannot be made up due to an absence.

2 Primary Source Essays = 30% of grade.

You will write two essays in which you will examine an aspect of history using a selected Primary Source. More information is available to you in the module titled "Primary Source Essays." Guidelines on writing the essays are located in the module titled "Primary Source Essays."

POLICIES

Participation policy– Participation is an important component of this course. You must show courtesy, professionalism, and preparedness at all time. Please be aware that you may encounter controversial images and topics in this course. On-line students' participation is based on Discussion boards. In-class students' participation is based on in-class discussions and in-class quizzes/assignments. None of the work done in-class can be made up.

Grading policy –Grading is done on a scale of percentages per category. I grade on grammar, language usage, clarity, cohesion of thought, and demonstration of applied thinking. Critical analysis is crucial, so I encourage well-defined ideas and intellectual leaps.  You will receive numerical grades for class work. On your transcript, this translates to the letter format of A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), and F (0-59%).

RUBRIC ON ESSAY:

Formatting (0, 5, or 10 points) / Language usage (0, 5. or 10 points) / Introductory paragraph (0 to 10 points) / Argument made (0, 5. 10, 15, 20 points) / Textbook used & cited (0 to 10 points) / Lecture used & cited (0 to 10 points) / Primary sources used and cited (0 to 10 points) / Thesis and Conclusion congruence (0, 5, or 10 points) / Concluding paragraph (0 to 10 points)

Late work policy –  Online students: This policy pertains to DISCUSSIONS and ESSAY assignments only. In-Class students: This policy pertains to ESSAY assignments only. 15 points are deducted for each day that a written assignment is turned in late (anything submitted after 12:01 am is considered a day late). I will not accept an assignment that is more than 2 days late. EXAMS must be submitted/ taken by their due dates.

Testing policy -  On-line students are afforded a three hour window in which to take the exam and are expected to adhere to this window unless other circumstances are communicated. In-class exams takers may not leave the room during an exam. If a student is absent for an exam, the student may make up the exam. There is only ONE make-up due to an absence allowed. All make-up exams are essay-based, and are not afforded any additional points above the standard 100 points.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructor’s Responsibilities: I will maintain a professional and cooperative environment; I will grade assignments in a timely manner; I will respond to e-mails within 24-48 hours of receiving them.

Student’s Responsibilities: You will maintain a professional, cooperative, and respectful demeanor at all times. You will turn in assignments on time. You will respond constructively to discussions or to any feedback. You will read the syllabus and follow the guidelines.

ATTENDANCE

[This pertains to in-class students only. Attendance in on-line classes is based on participation in Discussion boards.] Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.  

Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Attendance is taken each class period. There is NO grade for attendance and NO extra credit for perfect attendance. Attendance is also measured by the unscheduled, unannounced in-class quizzes & responses. There is NO MAKE-UP policy for missed in-class activities.

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASS THE CLASS WITH A "W" ON THE TRANSCRIPT IS November 8.

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

 CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA & REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES   

History

Critical Thinking (Essay, discussions, exams)

Communication (Essay, discussions)

Personal Responsibility (Discussions, essay, exams)

Social Responsibility (Essay, Discussions, exam)

 COURSE TYPE

Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

 STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct”. 

Any instance of plagiarism, collusion, or cheating will result in a 0 for the assignment.