BLINN COLLEGE

FALL 2004

COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

HISTORY 1301-T1

INSTRUCTOR: DR. LARRY J. WATSON                                                                                                OFFICE: M413

BLINN TELEPHONE: 830-4229                                                                                                               E-MAIL: lwatson@blinn.edu

GENERAL OVERVIEW

   A telecourse is a convenient way to receive college credit in an unconventional manner.  Regular classroom time is not required and the student can set his or her pace when using the material.  There is no direct contact with the instructor because of the use of books and the visual medium.  The objectives and content of the course are essentially the same as offered in the traditional classroom setting.  Although it is convenient, this course will require a great deal of self-discipline and self-motivation.  A student must be able to allocate the time necessary to complete the course work, and he or she must be able to use the time they allow wisely and efficiently.

COURSE DESCRIPTION                                                                                                                                                                                                       A general survey of American history that begins with the migration of people to the Western hemisphere and continues through the Civil War and Reconstruction period. The course focuses on major events and personalities in the United States during this period of time.  Three credit hours.  No prerequisites.

OFFICE HOURS                                                                                                                                                                                                                        I can be reached at my office (Old Main #413) at Blinn College, Brenham campus (979-830-4229), by E-Mail, or be leaving a message on my answering   machine at Blinn College, Brenham campus.  Please, when calling, DO NOT try to explain your entire problem to my answering machine.  I will get back           with you ASAP.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

After successfully completing History 1301, United States History from Pre-Columbian to 1877, students should have a working knowledge of the                 periods of discovery, colonization, revolution, nation building, and the issues that led to the Civil War and the Reconstruction period after the war.

REQUIRED BOOKS

TEXTBOOK: Roark, James L., et al.  The American Promise:  A History of the United States, Volume I:  To 1877, 2nd Ed., 2002.                                STUDY GUIDE:  Alfers, Kenneth G.  Telecourse Guide for Shaping America:  U. S. History to 1877, 2002.                                                           READINGS:  Wright, Ron & Watson, Larry.  Readings in United States History, Vol. I, 4th Ed., 2004.

CORE CURRICULUM COURSE                                                                                                                                                                                        This is a Core Course in the 42-hour Core of Blinn College.  As such, students will develop proficiency in the appropriate Intellectual Competencies,         Exemplary Objectives, and Perspectives.  The URL for the Blinn College Core Curriculum web site is:  www.blinn.edu/corecurriculum.htm.

ADA STATEMENT

Information regarding procedures for documenting disabilities can be obtained from the Counseling Office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for documented disabilities. Students must present documentation as soon as possible for the instructor to make arrangements.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE                                                                                                                                                                                          Shaping America will be broadcast on                                                                                                                                                                         Wednesdays, 11 P.M.-MIDNIGHT                                                                                                                                                                                   **Bryan:  Channel 15 (KAMU) or TCA Cable Channel 4                                                                                                                                              **Brenham:  Northland Cable 9 or Wireless One, Channel 29                                                                                                                                                   Each broadcast will cover two lessons.  You can tape the lessons.

Sept  8:   Lessons 1-2                                                                           Sept 15:  Lessons 3-4                                                                                                                                                                                                Sept 22:  Lessons 5-6  (Lesson 6 completes Unit One)                          Sept 29:  Lessons 7-8                                                                                                                                                                                                        Oct    6:  Lessons 9-10                                                                         Oct  13:  Lessons 11-12 (Lesson 12 completes Unit Two)                                                                                                                                          Oct  20:  Lessons 13-14                                                                       Oct  27:  Lessons 15-16                                                                                                                                                                                                 Nov   3:  Lessons 17-18 (Lesson 18 completes Unit Three)                  Nov 10:  Lessons 19-20                                                                                                                                                                                                Nov 17:  Lessons 21-22                                                                      Nov 24:  Lessons 23-24                                                                                                                                                                                                Dec  1:  Lessons 25-26 (Lesson 26 completes Unit Four)

VIDEOTAPES                                                                                                                                                                                                                            This course’s videos can be rented be calling Coastal RMI Media at 1-800-745-5480.  When asked for course info, the following is to be used:  Shaping America, Hist 1301.  Students can also order rentals through online:  www.rmimedia.com.                                                                                                             Videos can be viewed onsite at the Blinn (Bryan) Library, the Blinn (Brenham) Library, and the Blinn (Brenham) Learning Center;  they can be    checked out at the Blinn (Brenham) Library and the Blinn (Bryan) Library.

REVIEW SESSIONS 

   Review sessions will be held before each examination in Bryan and Brenham.  They are scheduled to give the student the opportunity to meet with his or her facilitator/instructor and fellow students.  Attendance is NOT required, but they are important in that they can help the student review the material in preparation for the exam.  In most cases, students who come to the sessions make higher grades than those who don’t attend.  ONE SESSION WILL BE A VIDEOCONFERENCE (the videoconference rooms TBA; in Brenham, they are usually rooms 135 or 136, Bullock Building).                                                    

REVIEW SESSION TIMES:  6 P.M., unless informed otherwise **Room:  TBA                                                                                                          

For Unit I Exam:  Sept 20 (Brenham); Sept 21 (Bryan)                                                                                                                                                        For Unit II Exam:  Oct 11 (Brenham); Oct 12 (Bryan)                                                                                                                                                         For Unit III Exam:  prob. Nov 9 (Videoconference)                                                                                                                                                              For Unit IV Exam:  Nov 29 (Brenham) Nov 30 (Bryan)                                                                                                                           ***REMEMBER!!!These dates and times can change.  If they do, each student will be contacted

EXAMINATIONS

   Four (4) major exams will be given during the semester.  Each exam will cover the video (or televised) programs and the assigned readings.  The format             for the first three exams:  multiple-choice and essay.  For the final (#4), each student will choose between all-objective (m-choice, T-F), m-choice & essay,           or all-essay.  Each exam is worth 100 pts.  The final exam (#4) will contain comprehensive questions covering the entire semester.  Graded exams will                   be returned at the review sessions and can be picked up at the instructor’s office.  In special cases, they will be mailed to the student.

MAP TEST (50 PTS.)

   A map test will be given with the Unit I exam.  A student will need to know the location of the states that comprise the United States of America                      (incl. Hawaii and Alaska).

EXAMINATION TIMES                                                                                                                                                                                                                For Unit Exams:  Each student will have several days after the appropriate review session to take the exam.  Any exam taken after the allotted time will have appropriate point deductions.                                                                                                                                                                                                              Unit I:  Sept 21-27                                     Unit II:  Oct 12-18                                                                                                                                                       Unit III:  Nov 10-15                                  Unit IV:  Nov 30-Dec 5                                                                                                                                       ***There are absolutely NO MAKEUP EXAMS after the allotted time for these exams unless there are serious extenuating circumstances,              with appropriate documentation (obituary, doctor’s note from hospital)

EXAM LOCATION

   Remember!  Testing must begin 1 ˝ hours BEFORE closing time in BRYAN; 2 hours BEFORE closing time in BRENHAM.

BRYAN CAMPUS:  Learning Center (Room L258)(979-209-7267)

   Hours of Operation:  Mon-Thur  7:45 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Saturday, CLOSED; Sunday, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

BRENHAM CAMPUS:  Learning Center (Academic Bldg., Rm. 13) (979-830-4442)

   Hours of Operation:  Mon&Thur, 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.; Tue&Wed, 8:00a.m.-9:00p.m.; Fri.8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Sat CLOSED Sun 5-9p.m.

REQUIRED REPORTS                                                                                                                                                                                                      Each student is required to submit one typed report of 750 words minimum for each of the first two units (TWO REPORTS TOTAL).  The topics for               these papers must be taken from the “Enrichment Ideas” at the end of each lesson in the telecourse guide.  The paper will be graded primarily on content, but terrible spelling and/or grammar will lower the grade.  Each paper is worth 25 pts.  DUE DATE:  THE LAST DAY A STUDENT CAN TAKE THE APPROPRIATE EXAM.  (Point deductions for late papers).

EXTRA CREDIT: The maximum amount is 35 points.

a. Oral and/or typed reports on an approved topic. Submitted reports must be 4 full pages in length, with appropriate documentation (Detailed guidelines               to be given out later). (10-25 Points)

b. Visits to "historic" restaurants (A detailed list to be given out later).   The student will take pictures at selected restaurants and then submit a notebook                    where he or she describes the restaurant and the learning experience.  A receipt of what was ordered is required.  (5 Pts. Ea.)

c. Reports on out of classroom films approved by the instructor. Students will compare and contrast at least three films (or videos) that are about the                   same topic or time period. (25 Points)

d. Field Trip (TX) The student will take pictures at historical sites and museums and then submit a notebook where he or she describes the field trip and                the learning experience (an analysis of what was learned) The sites will either be selected or approved by the instructor. (5 Points Ea.)                                        (Detailed guidelines later).

e. “Enrichment Ideas” (from Units III & IV)(10 pts. Ea.)  Identical to the required reports from the first two units.

 FINAL GRADE

Total Points        Pts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         450-500   =        A            400-449   =   B                                                                                                                                                                                     350-399   =        C            300-349   =   D       0-299   =   F

Points Possible:   500                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Exam I:  100 Pts.; Exam II:  100 Pts.; Exam III:  100 Pts.; Exam IV:  100 Pts.                                                                                                                                   Reports (2):  50 Pts.; Map Test:  50 Pts.

WITHDRAWAL

   It is the student’s responsibility to “drop” the course if for some reason he or she cannot meet the requirements of the course.  If a student does                     not complete the assigned material and does not “drop” themselves, he or she will receive an “F” as a grade.  The last day to drop a course with a “W” is November 19.

ADA STATEMENT

   Blinn College would like to help students with disabilities achieve their highest potential in college.  In order to receive accommodations on exams or               assignments, proper documentation must first be provided to the Office of Disability Services on the Bryan or Brenham campus.  Students then must present documentation to the instructor ASAP for the instructor to arrange accommodations.

CIVILITY STATEMENT

    Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff, and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of             campus life.  Blinn College holds all members accountable for their actions and words.  Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a         manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.

NEED HELP?????

   If you need any special information on Blinn’s telecourses, the web site is:  www.blinn.edu/disted.  The office is:  E-238, Bryan campus, at                             979-209-7298.

GRADUATING SENIORS

    Please inform the appropriate registration office no later than the first exam (ASAP) if you are to graduate in December.

REMEMBER!!!!! (IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, LET ME KNOW).

*Be careful NOT to procrastinate in reading the material and in the viewing of the videos.                                                                                                          *The review sessions will help each student make better grades.