Most important rule to the class: do not plagiarize--this is your final warning:

DO NOT PLAGIARIZE: Plagiarism is when you use/copy someone else’s work or words as your own without proper citation. Please view these two videos on plagiarism, for it will give you a better idea on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
- YOU MUST WATCH this video to understand what plagiarism is ---10 Types of Plagiarism (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
- YOU MUST WATCH this video to learn how to avoid plagiarism:Plagiarism: How to Avoid It (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
This is not baseball. You do not get three strikes. If you are caught plagiarizing, I will have to fail you from the course and possibly further disciplinarian action with the dean.

Time commitment

This class will consume at least 6-8 hours per week to complete reading and writing assignments. A normal 4 unit course that runs 12 weeks requires a student to dedicate at least 6-8 hours per week to class time and homework as stated by California law. Your time commitment will vary based upon your own level of reading and writing so just a warning, this class is not designed to be completed last minute. All assignment must show planning, effort, and be written at a college level.

Write at a college level

English 1A is highly advised for the course: This is a college course and I will evaluate and grade your writing on a college standard. Fragments, run-ons, incomplete sentences, incorrect spelling, comma splices, unusual vocabularies, incoherent thoughts, vague statements, itemized list of information, disorganized format essay that fails to meet the minimum writing standards of the class will not receive partial credit regardless of the content or the amount of hours you have put in for the assignment. This course assesses not only your ability to analyze American history but also your ability to write and express your ideas and arguments in a readable and professional manner. You cannot and should not receive a passing grade in a college humanities course if you cannot write complete simple and complex sentences with correct spelling and grammar. If your writing impedes my reading, you will not receive credit for the assignment.
- If you need help with your writing and proofreading, visit the help with writing page for more info or make an appointment with me for I would love to help.
- If you are a non-native English speaker or ESL student, I highly recommend you set aside even more time to prepare and have someone who is proficient in writing to proofread your paper. I am an immigrant to this country and was once an ESL student, so I know the language barrier is a huge struggle to overcome. However, the language barrier is not an excuse for me to overlook your inability to write in English because this is a history class, so you will need to read and write at a college level.

Watch my videos:

As part of my effort to make my presence felt in the course and to give you as much information as possible on instructions, objectives, and context to assignments, I have uploaded various videos to guide you through the modules and exams. IT IS REQUIRED and entirely YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to review all of my videos especially those for the proctored exams because failure to review them could mean you miss out on my instructions, expectations, and standards and that could have a detrimental effect on your grade.

It is your responsibility to:

log into canvas on a daily basis
read class announcements
do the readings
follow instructions for all assignments
watch all videos in the course
complete assignment and submit your work on time
communicate with me in a professional manner if there is any technical or class-related issues
know the drop dates from the Office of Admission and Records and drop yourself from the course

Required technology

This is an online course so you should have the following items to navigate the course: a computer that is capable of accessing the internet (see Canvas Computer Specifications at https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/c/74371), a fairly recent Mac or PC (not more than three years old) with a current operating system, current browser (Firefox or Chrome are preferable), high-speed internet access for viewing online videos and more.

Netiquette (conduct online)

Any student who posts a message that is deemed by the instructor to be derogatory, abusive, threatening, sarcastic, rude, inflammatory or otherwise offensive shall immediately have his or her privileges to the class suspended pending an investigation into the matter. Further postings of a like nature shall be punishable under the conditions specified in the De Anza policy page.

No outside research/material

You are restricted to assigned class materials and textbook. Unless I have instructed on the assignment, information outside of class assignment and textbook is strictly prohibited especially from Wikipedia (even if you cite it).

Cite and paraphrase/ No block quoting

I prefer you summarizing and paraphrasing the information from class materials (textbook, articles, documents, films) and citing them in your text entry/ writing. Try not to quote and block quoting (quoting an entire paragraph) is prohibited and will not count for your word count. If you need help with learning how to cite and paraphrase, visit the "How and When to Quote and Cite" page as adapted from Professor Heather McCarty.

Double check the word count/ No partial credit:

All assignments will have a minimum word requirement, so make sure you double check the word count on your word-processor program before you submit your work. For discussion assignments, I recommend you type out your response on a word-processor program (Microsoft word, open office, google docs) then copy and paste the content into the discussion entry box. Doing so will make it easier for you to double check your word count and also allow you to save your work. Any submission failing to meet the minimum word count will receive no partial credit. I do not have a maximum word count restriction, so feel free to write as much you want. However, you have to make sure you exceed the minimum word count if you wish to receive a grade.

Save your work as a document file (.doc):

All of your assignment submission (with exception of discussion assignments) should be submitted as a document format ".doc" or PDF format file ".pdf" Canvas is still somewhat glitchy when it comes to the "copy and paste" option and Google Drive.

Late policy:

All work must be submitted on time.
If there is a system error on canvas, you must email your assignment submission to me immediately along with screenshot of the message on your screen.
Only verifiable medical emergencies or a letter from Disabled Student Program will be accommodated
If you have a family emergency then you will have to schedule a video chat appointment with me to discuss accommodations.

48 hour email / 7 day grading wait period:

I reserve the right of at least 48 hours to respond to emails and 7 days to complete grading an assignment from the time of submission.