NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS – HIST 1302

The 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 from 1865

Course Prefix & Number: HIST1302	Section Number:	Term Code:
Semester Credit Hours:  3	Lecture Hours:  3	Lab Hours:  0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog):  A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II examines industrialization, immigration, world wars, the Great Depression, Cold War and post-Cold War eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include: American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, urbanization and suburbanization, the expansion of the federal government, and the study of U.S. foreign policy.
Course Prerequisite(s):  None
Course Type:  - Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core) x - Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course  - WECM Course

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION 

Name of Instructor:                               Robin Cole-Jett

Campus/Office Location:                        COR 335

Telephone Number:                                940-498-6437

E-mail Address:                                     rjett@nctc.edu; please contact through CANVAS

Office Hours:                                       Mondays through Thursdays, 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.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA

3 Exams  = 30% of grade.

Exams combine multiple choice and/or short answer questions that correspond with the lectures except Exam 3, which is multiple choice only. You will receive a review of each exam. You may use notes on the exam. The exams will be timed. YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE DISCUSSIONS TO TAKE THE EXAMS.

13 Discussion Board Posts = 55% of grade.

You will respond to the question(s) posed in each discussion thread under each corresponding module, and you must respond to at least one other posts (not your own). 

DISCUSSION POST GUIDELINES

Heading on your original posts:

Title of your post            Word Count

• Use proper grammar and maintain professional courtesy at all times.
• You MUST use one of each sources contained in the lecture to back up your points: textbook, lectures, primary sources.
• You may use the additional sources if you deem them pertinent.
• Sources MUST be cited in parentheses:
  • When citing from the textbook, note title and page number in parentheses: (Unfinished Nation, p.##)
  • When citing from additional readings, note author or title of reading in parentheses: (Luther Standing Bear)
  • When citing from a video, note title in parentheses (Johnstown Flood)
  • When citing from a lecture, note lecture and page number in parentheses) (Lecture 5, p. 20)
• Post one original response to the question, and at least one reply to others' responses.
• Original post must be between 300-500 words (less is bad, more is better). Post word count in your heading.
• Replies to others' posts should be 100-250 words (less is bad, more is better). On replies, post word count at end of reply.
• DO NOT overuse quotes – use your own words.
• Any instance of plagiarism will result in a 0 for the assignment for the first offense. 2nd offense results in documentation and possible removal from class/ institution.

 

1 Primary Source Essay = 15% of grade.

You will write a 500 word essay (less is bad, more is better) in which you will examine, using sources from the class and additional sources, how one of the "isms" (see video) impacted the United States. More information is contained in the module "Primary Source Essay."

 

WRITING GUIDELINES

Heading on the top of the 1st page (no cover pages):

Date                Title                   Word count                 Your name

• Must be formatted correctly: 12 pt font, "normal" margins, Times New Roman.
• Must be submitted through the provided drop box. E-mailed assignments will not be accepted.
• Must use at least four (4) primary sources (these are listed in each lecture module).
• Must use at least four (4) lectures as sources.
• Must use at least two (2) chapters from our textbook as sources.
• May use at least two (2) videos or discussion boards as sources.
• Sources MUST be cited (quotes as well as where you got the information):
  • When citing from a lecture, note lecture and page number in parentheses) (Lecture 5, p. 20)
  • When citing from the textbook, note title and page number in parentheses: (Unfinished Nation, p.##)
  • When citing from primary sources, note author or title of reading in parentheses: (Luther Standing Bear)
  • When citing from a video, note title in parentheses (Johnstown Flood)
• DO NOT overuse quotes – use your own words.
• DO NOT star the essay with "Merriam Webster (or whatever) defines..." Create your own definition and use the "ism" video to guide you.
• DO NOT use outside sources

• Any instance of plagiarism will result in a 0 for the assignment. If this is your 2nd offense in the class, you will fail the entire class, and will be reported.

 

RUBRIC FOR DISCUSSION POSTS

Word count - 5 points

Title - 5 points

Language usage - up to 10 points

Lectures used, cited -  up to 10 points

Textbook used, cited - up to 10 points

Primary sources used, cited - up to 10 points

Arguments made - up to 35 points. Must address the overriding question using the sources as evidence.

Reply - up to 15 points. Must be constructive and critical... not just "good job"

 

RUBRIC FOR PRIMARY SOURCE ESSAY

Word count - 5 points

Title - 5 points

Language usage - up to 10 points. Proper grammar, spelling; formatting; guidelines followed.

Lectures used, cited - up to 10 points. Correct number, relevancy.

Textbook used, cited - up to 10 points. Correct number, relevancy.

Primary sources used, cited - up to 15 points. Correct number, relevancy.

Thesis and conclusion - up to 20 points. Thesis statement refinement (includes concept of "ism"), reflection of thesis in conclusion, proof.

Argument - up to 25 points. Sources relevant to topic, use of sources, use of quotes (NO OVERUSE), context, understanding.

 

POLICIES

Participation & Courtesy–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.

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 must use correct citations and reference the textbook, lectures, and other sources in your writings--> SEE GUIDELINES. 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%). PLEASE SEE WRITING GUIDELINES FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Late work policy – 15 points are deducted for each day that an assignment is turned in late (if assignment is due on October 1 but is submitted on Oct 2 at 12.00 am, it is considered a day late). I will not accept an assignment that is more than 2 days late.

 

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.

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASS THE CLASS WITH A "W" ON THE TRANSCRIPT IS November 8, 2017.

 

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, in-class, exams)

Communication (Essay)

Personal Responsibility (In-class, essay, exams, Learn Smart)

Social Responsibility (Essay, In-class, 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.