 Course Syllabus |
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Instructor Info. |
| Course Description | |
| Course Objectives | |
| Instructional Materials | |
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Students enrolled in the course are responsible for understanding all course requirements and policies stated on this document. This is an online course designed primarily to meet the needs of students who cannot attend regularly scheduled classes due to distance from campus or time conflicts. It is intended only for capable and self-motivated students in good academic standing. Students must possess computer literacy and should have Internet access. Participation in online discussion via Blackboard is required. Students also must have college-level reading and writing skills to succeed in this course. This syllabus is revised before each term. |
Instructor Contact Information
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David
C. Hanson, Professor Virginia Western Community College P.O. Box 14007, Roanoke VA 24038 telephone: (540) 857-7942 office: Duncan Hall, Room D-105 hours: by appointment e-mail address: dhanson@vw.vccs.edu More Information  |
Course Description
This course covers the events leading up to and including Southern secession,
the Civil War, and Reconstruction, with an emphasis on the war years. The purpose of the course is to help guide students through
an examination of Civil War myths, legends, and facts in an effort to gain a
better understanding of the main issues of contention between the North and
South and how the war played out. See attached page for Course
Objectives.
Students in this course must be able to read, think, and write at the college level. They should have a basic understanding of U.S. history (History 121 or equivalent is recommended prior to taking this course). Also, as this an online course, students must know how to use e-mail and the Internet. There are no required class meetings, although there are optional Saturday morning "coffees" before each test.
Instructional Materials
Course Requirements and Grading
Overview: The course has four units: secession, the war (part 1), the war (part 2), and reconstruction. Students can earn points in each unit by [a] participating in online discussion, [b] completing a homework assignment, and [c] taking a paper/pencil test (details are provided below). An additional 100 points can be earned from the two quizzes, a book report, and the final exam. See: Requirements Matrix.
Online Discussion in Blackboard: 4 x 20 = 80 points
Unit Tests: 4 x 60 = 240 points
Homework Essays: 4 x 20 points each = 80 points
Book Quiz (Confederates in the Attic): 20 points
Video Quiz (War So Terrible): 20 points
Book Report: 20 points
Final Exam: 60 points
Course Total = 520 points1. Discussion Board (4 x 20 = 80 points) - All students must participate in the online Discussion Board. Each of the four course units will have a discussion forum with three or more threads (subjects). Students should check it often and comment at least once per week. Students will we awarded up to 20 points for each forum (80 points for the course) for thoughtful and timely comments. This is a valuable opportunity to interact with the instructor and other students.
2. Unit Tests (4 x 60 = 240 points) - All tests must be taken in the Learning Technology Center located on the ground floor of Brown Library (or an approved, proctored off-campus site for distance learners). Tests 1-4 include both multiple-choice and short essay questions. Refer to the Study Guides. Students who score below 30 out of 60 on a unit test should take a re-test (see re-test policy below).
3. Homework Essays (4 x 20 = 80 points) - Write four essays 3-5 pages in length (approx. 800-1000 words) selected from the Homework Topics, including one (A or B) from each part (units 1-4). Refer to the course schedule for due dates. Homework essays may be submitted via e-mail or dropped off in the Learning Technology Center.
4. Book Quiz (20 points) - Read Confederates in the Attic and complete a short online quiz [pending].
5. Video Quiz (20 points) - View the video, War So Terrible [on DVD available for check-out from the college library], and complete homework quiz.
6. Book Report (20 points) - Select any book from the approved list and write a 3-5 page summary (approx. 800-1000 words). Refer to the recommended book report format/guidelines. The book report is due at the end of the term.
7. Final Exam (60 points) - The final exam is all multiple-choice and covers units 1-4. Questions will be similar but easier than those on the unit tests. It is designed to help students' grade, not hurt it.
Additional Course Requirements:
Course Orientation - (1 pt.) This is a college requirement. Students who have not completed the Online Course Orientation by the no-show deadline will be reported to the Admissions Office for deletion from the roll. Once a student has been dropped as a no-show there is no tuition return and no refund.
Course Evaluation (0 points) - All students who finish the course must complete the college's online evaluation of distance learning courses. A reminder and link will be provided near the end of the term.
Optional Honors Credit (0 points) - Students may elect to take this course for Honors Option Credit if they are members of the Virginia Western Honors Institute. Additional course requirements will be negotiated between the instructor and student for Honors credit. (Honors credit is noted on the official transcript.)
Grading - The goal of this course is to provide an enlightening and successful learning experience for students with an interest in the Civil War. Tests questions are essentially right or wrong; homework assignments and Blackboard discussion welcome reflective thinking and personal opinion (all well-informed and reasonable points of view are respected). Grades are based on a point system as listed below. Grading is on a 10% scale (90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D). Scores will be posted in the Bb Gradebook. For information about feedback, please see the note below under Course Policies. Also see Course Policies below for information about "extra credit."
