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Instructor Information
Name: Professor Ferguson
Email: craig.w.ferguson@okstate.edu
Office location: LRC bldg. 3rd floor, Room 344
Office hours: by appt.
Phone: 787-2588
Biography: Professor Ferguson's Website: www.occc.edu/cferguson
Course Information:
Course title: US History to 1865
Course number: HIST 1483, section NO6
Course discipline: US History
Course description:
From European background through the Civil War. Satisfies, with POLS 1013, state regents requirement of six credit hours of history and government before graduation. No credit for students with credit in HIST.
Course date
Monday, August 22nd , 2011
through Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Location: Internet
Meeting day(s): M - Su
Meeting time(s): N/A
Prerequisite(s): none
Course Goals: The student who successfully completes
the course should be able to:
1. Explain the fundamental European and British roots which have influenced
America’s development.
2. Identify and assess the basic political, economic, social, and religious
institutions that shaped American society through the Civil War.
3. Describe and assess the influence of the main ethnic, racial, and religious
groups in early American history.
4. Evaluate the complex roots of the Civil War and explain how those conflicting
roots could not be reconciled peacefully.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of major early American foreign policies
on the world scene and at home.
Textbooks
Required reading:
Baker, Doug and Susan Hutchins. The American Journey, Vol. 1, 4th edition. Madison: Rainmaker Education, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-935801-00-9.
Course Requirements
Introduction INSTRUCTION METHOD:
This course will be taught entirely within Desire2Learn. I will post all
assignments within Desire2Learn, you will submit all your assignments
within Desire2Learn, and I will post your grades within Desire2Learn.
Additionally, we will communicate entirely within Desire2Learn via e-mail.
However, if for whatever reason, you are ever unable to logon to Desire2Learn
you may contact me via my home e-mail account listed on the syllabus.
In order to achieve the goals and objectives of this course in an online
setting, you will rely upon reading your text and watching the online
video lectures provided weekly. Additionally, I will assign discussion
topics on a weekly basis in order to add an interactive component to the
course. We will have contact almost exclusively through Desire2Learn,
but I hope you remember that you may contact me with any problems or questions.
I check my e-mail compulsively, so you should receive a very quick response.
Because of the instruction method, basic required materials for this course
are: access to a computer and the internet; basic computer knowledge;
Microsoft Word or WordPerfect software; an e-mail address and the knowledge
to use it as well as attach documents and send them to me via e-mail;
and the textbook. SAVE ALL OF YOUR WORK ON A DISC!! Computers and distance
communication are uncertain and protecting your work can save you a lot
of time and stress. I lost my work because my computer crashed is not
acceptable. You are responsible for insuring that your work gets to me.
Computers are available on campus as well as assistance if you should
need them.
Requirements:
1. Exams: There are three unit exams and one final exam. The exams will
be made available under the Dropbox tab in the course navigation bar.
Each of the first three exams will be worth 100 points, while the final
will be worth 200 points. Information to study for the exams is provided
via the online video lectures presented by and the textbook itself.
The exams in this course are all essay tests. The questions will be a
series of broad essay questions as well as shorter essays over selected
terms from the chapters. There will be from one to three broad essay questions
and around ten of the shorter essays over specific terms. These exams
are entirely open book exams, but the answers should be ENTIRELY IN YOUR
OWN WORDS. Do NOT copy from the textbook or any other source, doing so
will result in a zero for the exam. Each exam will be open for a seventy-two
hour period of time. Once you have accessed the exam, you should write
your essay answers in WordPerfect or Word, save your answers and then
upload the file containing your essays into the dropbox and submit the
exam. It is imperative that you know the exam schedule and organize yourself
accordingly. The exam schedule is listed in the course calendar which
is found under the heading entitled "My Calendar". Each student
is required to do your her/his own work. Collaboration or copying from
each other on exams or discussion questions is considered cheating and
will be dealt with according to University policy.
See calendar for due dates for exams. Know ahead of time when each exam
is due. Arrange your personal schedule this semester accordingly. THIS
COURSE IS NOT SELF-PACED. Do not expect me to tailor the course to your
schedule, rather you must tailor your schedule according to this course.
Do not ask for the exam ahead of time. I do not release exams early. All
due dates are absolute, NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are unable to complete the
exam on time for whatever reason, turn it in as soon as possible thereafter.
ALL LATE EXAMS WILL BE DEDUCTED TEN POINTS. Moreover, late exams must
be turned in before the next exam is due, NO EXCEPTIONS. Late exams turned
in after the due date for the next scheduled exam will not be accepted.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS ABSOLUTELY MUST BE TURNED IN BY DECEMBER 13th - ABSOLUTELY
NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.
2. Discussion Questions: Each week, discussion questions will be posted
on Desire2Learn. These questions will correspond to the general Unit reading
assignments. You will receive a weekly grade out of a scale of ten based
on your participation in the discussion. Your grade will be determined
based on frequency of postings and more importantly, quality of postings.
Please check the discussion board daily. Read the posts and formulate
your response based on your readings and your own interpretation. Do NOT
send your discussion posts to me. I will read them on the discussion board.
If you miss a discussion assignment you may NOT post on the discussion
board late, nor may you send me your posts late. NEVER send your discussion
posts directly to me, rather post on the board. If you miss a discussion
assignment you may send me a summary of the appropriate chapter as a make-up
assignment, such summaries will be graded with a one letter grade deduction.
The discussion questions will constitute 150 points of your final grade.
The discussion board is designed to allow students to openly discuss the
topic of the week. However, I will be responsible for monitoring the board,
and I will reserve the right to determine appropriate and inappropriate
posts. I will, if necessary delete inappropriate and off-topic posts.
Please try to keep your posts respectful and on-topic. The discussion
board is not for personal rants or attacks.
3. Internet Project: For 50 points of your grade you are required to submit
an internet project. The internet project is located in the Drop Box.
The topic may be of your choosing, but it must pertain to a topic covered
in class. As sources you must use the textbook and at least four websites
on the internet. Be sure to cross check your websites. Realize that much
information on the web is completely bogus, so take into account the objectivity
of the website, avoid using Wikipedia as a source. The paper must be three
pages in length, minimum. Summarize in own words. If you copy put in quotes
and give the source you used after the quote. Be sure to include a bibliography.
Again, once you have written your internet paper, save it as a file without
the use of spaces and then upload it within Desire2Learn and submit it
as the internet assignment. Remember that a good research paper will objectively
examine a topic and fairly show all sides of an issue. The internet project
is an online research project and not a personal opinion paper.
EVALUATION:
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
A = 630 - 700
B = 560 - 629
C = 490 - 559
D = 420 - 489
F = <419
OSU-OKC DEPARTMENTAL GLOBAL MISSION STATEMENT:
It is the mission of the department of social sciences at OSU-OKC to enhance
student awareness and appreciation of the world’s political, economic,
and cultural diversity as well as the necessity of thinking globally in
all areas of scholarship as we strive to build a strong national identify,
The principles stemming from the social sciences apply to all phases and
aspects of individual and group life in an increasingly global community.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:
Upon completion of General Education Curriculum, students should be proficient
in demonstrating the following competencies:
Goal #1: Critical Thinking
Explanation:
Critical thinking skills include, but are not limited to, the ability
to comprehend complex ideas, data, and concepts; to make inferences based
on careful observation; to make judgements based on specific and appropriate
criteria; to solve problems using specific processes and techniques; to
recognize relationships among the arts, culture, and society; to develop
new ideas by synthesizing related and/or fragmented information; to apply
knowledge and understanding to different contexts, situations, and/or
specific endeavors; and to recognize the need to acquire new information.
*All courses will contain assignments that demonstrate critical thinking,
but not all courses will include all listed critical thinking elements.
Goal #2: Effective Communications
Explanation:
Effective communications in the ability to develop organized, coherent,
unified written or oral presentations for various audiences and situations.
Goal #3: Computer Proficiency
Explanation:
Computer proficiency includes a basic knowledge of operating systems,
word processing, and Internet research capabilities.
Goal #4: Civic Responsibility
Explanation:
Preparation for civic responsibility in the democratic society of the
United States includes acquiring knowledge of the social, political, economic,
and historical structures of the nation in order to function effectively
as citizens in a country that is increasingly diverse and multi cultural
in its population and more global in its view and functions.
Goal #5: Global Awareness
Explanation:
Global awareness includes knowledge of the geography, history, cultures,
values, ecologies, languages, and present day issues of different peoples
and countries, ans well as an understanding of the global economic, political
and technological forces which define the interconnectedness and shape
the lives of the world’s citizens.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Prerequisites: None
2. Next Course in Sequence: None
3. Instruction Methods: This is primarily a lecture class, although class
discussions are also encouraged.
4. Special Information: Class participation is encouraged, but talking
among yourselves during the lecture is not acceptable. OSU-OKC policy
prohibits the presence of food and drink in the classroom. Also, please
remember that all buildings on our campus are tobacco free, students who
persistently disrupt a class or flagrantly violate OSU-OKC policy may
be asked to leave the classroom.
5. Attendance: Students are held accountable for all work covered in a
course despite valid reasons for absence from class. Students are expected
to attend each class period. Please see #5 under "Course Requirements"
for details of how class attendance will specifically affect your grade
in this class.
6. Honors Credit: A student may receive Honors credit by completing a
Request for Honors Credit by Contract-Conditions form with the professor’s
permission and submitting it to the program coordinator.
7. Academic Dishonesty or Misconduct: Academic dishonesty or misconduct
is not condoned nor tolerated at institutions within the Oklahoma State
University system. Academic dishonesty is behaviour in which a deliberately
fraudulent misrepresentation is employed in an attempt to gain undeserved
intellectual credit, either for oneself or for another. Academic misconduct
is behaviour that results in intellectual advantage obtained by violating
a specific standard, but without deliberate intent or use of fraudulent
means. Academic dishonesty or misconduct cases are governed by the OSU-Oklahoma
City Campus Student Rights and Responsibilities Code. Copies of the Student
Rights and Responsibilities can be obtained from the Student Activities
and Campus Life Office or an electronic version is also available online
at http://www.osuokc.edu/rights/ .
8. Withdrawal Policy: Any student may withdraw from this class or change
to audit on or before the published drop date, which is the Friday of
the twelfth (12th) week of the semester (the sixth week of the summer
semester or three fourths of a fast track course). Withdrawals must be
processed through the Admissions Office and require the signature of an
advisor within the division. It is the responsibility of the students
to withdraw herself/himself. All students remaining on the class roll
after the published drop date will receive a letter grade in the course.
9. Incomplete Grades: The Incomplete grade (I) may be given only to a
student who has completed at least 70% of the course work, is passing,
and has a valid excuse for being unable to complete the course. It is
the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor, who will
complete an "I" contract, stipulating the work that must be
made up and the time allowed to do so, for both student and professor
to sign.
10. Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: OSU-OKC complies with Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Students with disabilities who seek accommodations must make their request
by contacting the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities located
on the first floor of the Student Center Office 112, or call 945-3385.
All accommodations must be approved by the Office of Services to Students
with Disabilities.
11. Electronic Device Policy: Cell phones and other electronic devices
are disruptive to the class. If a student’s work or family situation
requires the student to keep the device turned on during class, the student
must turn the phone to a silent or vibrate mode. If a student must receive
a call during class, the student will leave the room. A student may not
make a call during class. Cell phones and all electronic devices may not
be used during an exam unless stipulated by the instructor. Use of a cell
phone or electronic device during an exam is considered academic misconduct,
and the student will be subject to the appropriate penalties. This policy
may be strengthened by the instructor.
12. Unattended Children Policy: "For personal safety of children
and potential problems in supervision, children should not be at any location
on campus without adult supervision. No children are permitted in classrooms,
laboratories, teaching areas, or the library." OSU-OKC 2007-2008
Catalog, pg. 12.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT:
Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained
in the OSU-OKC Catalog, Student Handbook, and semester information listed
in the Class Schedule.
SYLLABUS MODIFICATION STATEMENT:
Faculty has the right to change or modify the course syllabus materials
during the academic year. Any changes will be provided in a written, dated
addendum to the course syllabus.