Course Syllabus
Video Instructions:
Required Textbook:
- U.S. History textbook from OpenStax: This course will use the U.S. History textbook from Openstax. You can view the class textbook for free on Canvas Module Page or online at https://openstax.org/details/books/us-history (Links to an external site.) (Need more info on textbook?)
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A book of your choice selected from the following "Further Reading" appendices found in the back of the class textbook:
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Appendix G1 section "The Pre-Columbian World and Early Colonization"
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Appendix G2 section "The Colonial Americas"
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Appendix G3 section "Reform, Protest, and Revolution"
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Appendix G4 section "The Early Republic"
Unfortunately, books from these Further Reading appendices are not free nor sold at the campus bookstore, so you will have to acquire them from an outside/online retailer. You may also want to check with public libraries to see if they have your book selection to check out and save cost. You will need to make a choice soon for the book citation for your book review assignment must be submitted on Canvas by Sunday, April 21 and your book review essay is due Sunday, June 23.
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How to prioritize your reading: It is important that you set aside as much time as possible for this class because you will be doing a lot of reading. You can expect to read on average a minimum of 2-3 chapters per week (typically 35-50 pages) and since this is an online course, it is important for you to keep up with the reading on a weekly basis.
Class Assignments:
All assignments in this class include 8 content modules (400 points), 1 book review (100 points), and 3 Document-Based Question exams (300 points) combined all together will equal a total of 800 points.
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(8) Content Modules (total of 400 points): This class will cover American history from pre-Columbian societies to the year 1800 in 8 content modules. Each content module # is linked with the chapter reading in the textbook (example, module #1 will cover chapter 1, module #2 will cover chapter 2, and so on). Each content module will consist of two assignments for you to complete on a weekly basis.
- Module Assignments (35 points/each x 8 = 280 points): Each module assignment is worth 35 points and designed to teach you the skills historians specialize in --- reading and assessing primary documents (first hand accounts of history- letters, pamphlets, speeches, pictures, songs, maps, or any other written/media content published in the time period you are examining) and secondary resources (an interpretation of the primary resources---articles, books, reviews, debates, films, video discussions). In addition, you will use the knowledge from the content modules to participate and engage with your peers in online class discussions (writing a topic reply and 2 peer replies) on various contemporary issues---Columbus Day, American Exceptionalism, Religious Freedom Laws, and Electoral College System.
- Module Quizzes (15 points each x 8 = 120 points): The module quiz is a 20 minute time-limited/15 question multiple-choice quiz designed to test your reading comprehension of the class textbook. Each quiz is worth 15 points.
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(1) Book Review (total of 100 points): You will write a book review essay (minimum of 1000 words) on a book of your choice selected from the G.1 "The Pre-columbian World and Early Globalization" to G.4 "The Early Republic" section of the "Further Reading" appendix. For more instructions on the book review assignment, visit the Book Review Assignment page to view recommended essay format and read a sample book review. This assignment is worth 100 points and is due Sunday, June 23.
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- Book Citation is due Sunday, April 21: Your book citation submission is due Sunday, April 21. To submit your book citation, visit the Book Citation assignment page on Canvas. Failure to submit a citation will disqualify you from the assignment.
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(3) Document-Based Question Exams (2 hour time limit/ 100 points each exam/ total of 300 points): You will complete three document-based question exams for a total of 300 points. Each document-based question exam will include an essay prompt, at least eight primary source documents, and anywhere between 20-30 key terms for you to assess and utilize. Your task is to use most of the primary resource documents and key terms to write an essay response to the essay prompt.
- [1 week to complete] You will have a week to prepare and review the study guide which includes a list of 20-30 key terms and at least eight primary-resource documents that will be on the test.
- [2 hour time-limit] This is a time-limited test which you will have two hours (120 minutes) to write an organized, coherent, and detailed essay that answers the essay prompt by using key terms and documents to validate your thesis.
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[Review and complete Sample DBQ Essays Assignment] To give you a general idea and feel of what a document-based question exam is, you will complete the Sample DQB assignment in which you will read and grade sample essays from previous submissions. Failure to complete the assignment by April 28 will disqualify you from receiving a grade on the first exam.
- First DBQ exam will cover content from module 1-3 and is due Sunday, May 12.
- Second DBQ exam will cover content from module 4-6 and is due Sunday, June 2.
- Third/Final DBQ Exam will cover content from module 7-8 and is due Sunday, June 30.
- [need more info on the format of the DBQ?]
Assignments Due Dates:
The table below lists the dates when assignments are available for viewing and when assignments are due. Not all assignment will be available for immediately viewing because this is by design to keep you focused, work at a manageable pace, and to sign in to Canvas on a weekly basis. Due to the nature of the course, I will only accept late work under verifiable medical and family emergencies, so make sure you plan your time accordingly and get your work in on time. All work and assignment are due by 11:59pm on the date listed.
Available on | Due Date | |
Orientation Module |
Monday, April 8 | Sunday, April 14 |
Module #1 |
Monday, April 8 |
Sunday, April 21 |
Module #2 + Sample DBQ Assignment |
Monday, April 8 |
Sunday, April 28 |
Module #3 |
Monday, April 8 |
Sunday, May 5 |
First Document-Based Question Exam |
Sunday, May 5 | Sunday, May 12 |
Module #4 |
Sunday, May 5 | Sunday, May 19 |
Module #5 |
Sunday, May 5 | Sunday, May 26 |
Module #6 | Sunday, May 5 | Sunday, June 2 |
Second Document-Based Question Exam |
Sunday, June 2 | Sunday, June 9 |
Module #7 |
Sunday, June 2 | Sunday, June 16 |
Module #8 |
Sunday, June 2 | Sunday, June 23 |
Book Review |
Sunday, June 23 | |
Final Proctored Exam |
Sunday, June 23 | Sunday, June 30 |
All Orientation Module assignments need to be completed and submitted by the due date to avoid possibly being dropped from the class.
It is your responsibility to log into Canvas and review class assignments when they become available. You do not need to wait for my announcements to get started on assignments. My announcements are simply a courtesy notice rather than a prerequisite.
Grade Breakdown:
400 points from 8 content modules, 300 points from three document-based question exams, 100 points for the book review, that is a total of 800 points for you to accumulate. The point to letter grade scale is listed below.
A+ = 775+ points
A = 745+ points
A- = 720+ points
B+ = 695+ points
B = 665+ points
B- = 640+ points
C+ = 615+ points
C = 560+ points
D+ = 535+ points
D = 505+ points
D- = 480+ points
F = below 472 points
* please note that you cannot receive a pass/no pass grade for this course.
Now that you know what the class is about, let's proceed to review class rules...
Course Summary:
Date | Details | Due |
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