BLINN COLLEGE

COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

HISTORY 1302-T1, TELECOURSE

DR. LARRY J. WATSON

E-MAIL: lwatson@acmail.blinn.edu

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW

A telecourse in 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 this course are essentially the same as those 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 coursework, and he or she must be able to use the time they allot wisely and efficiently.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A survey of American history from 1877 to the present. The course covers the industrial, social, and political problems from 1877 to the emergence of the United States as a world power in the twentieth century. Material presented covers a wide variety of topics including the Gilded Age, the Progressive Period, World War I, the Depression and the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, and contemporary events.

OFFICE HOURS

I can be reached at my office (Old Main, #413) at Blinn College, Brenham campus (979-830-4229), by E-Mail, by leaving a message on my answering machine at Blinn College, Brenham campus or on my answering machine at my home office in Montgomery (936-582-1453) if I or someone in my family is not home. Please, when calling, DO NOT try to explain your problem to my answering machine or a member of my family. If I receive your message, I will get back with you ASAP.

REQUIRED BOOKS

Textbook: Nash, Gary B., et al. The American People: Creating a Nation And A Society, Volume II: Since 1865, 5th Ed., 2001.

Reader: Alfers, Kenneth G., Pool, Larry, and Mugleston, William F., Perspectives on America: Volume II: Readings in United States History Since 1877, 1997.

Study Guide: Telecourse Guide for America In Perspective: U. S. History Since 1877, 4rd Ed., 2001. (This book coordinates the televised programs with your readings and assignments, and is the source of information for your studies, exams, and homework assignments. It is divided into units and chapters).

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of American in Perspective is to increase a student's knowledge and understanding of how and why the United States came to be what it is today. In the process, a student will develop habits of critical thinking and realize the relevancy of American history to the present-day political, social, and cultural developments. After completing this course, a student should understand the significance of:

*the "last frontier" and its effects on American Indians and farmers

*American industrialization and its effects on the American worker

*American urbanization

*American immigration patterns and the development of immigration restriction

*American politics at the turn of the twentieth century

*American involvement in foreign affairs from the 1890's to the 1920's

*the causes of the "Great Crash" and the "Great Depression"

*American involvement in World Wars I and II

*the involvement of the US in world affairs since the end of World War II

*the civil rights movement and its impact on contemporary America

*the development of the political ideology of politicians embracing "liberalism"

as compared to those embracing "conservatism"

*the major issues confronting the American people as they enter the 21st century

COURSE FORMAT

I. An Industrializing People, 1877-1900 (Lessons 1-7)

II. A Modernizing People, 1900-1945 (Lessons 8-16)

III. A Resilient People, Since 1945 (Lessons 17-26)

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

America in Perspective will be broadcast on:

Tuesdays, 11:00 P.M. – 12:00 (MIDNIGHT)

*Bryan: Channel 15 (KAMU) or TCA Cable Ch. 4

*Brenham: Northland Cable Ch. 9

Each broadcast will cover two lessons. You can tape the lessons on your VCR.

Jan   22: Lessons 1-2

Jan   29: Lessons 3-4

Feb    5: Lessons 5-6

Feb   12: Lessons 7-8 (Lesson 7 completes Unit I)

Feb   19: Lessons 9-10

Feb   26: Lessons 11-12

Mar     5: Lessons 13-14

Mar    12: Lessons 13-14 (Repeat of Mar 5)

Mar    19: Lessons 15-16

Mar    26: Lessons 17-18

Apr       2: Lessons 19-20

Apr       9: Lessons 21-22

Apr      16: Lessons 23-24

Apr      23: Lessons 25-26

VIDEOTAPES

Videos can be rented by calling Coastal RMI Media at 1-800-745-5480. When asked for the course, the following is to be used: American In Perspective, HIST 1302.

Students can also order video rentals through online: www.rmimedia.com

Videos can be viewed (on-site) 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. SOME SESSIONS MAY BE A VIDEOCONFERENCE (In Bryan, the videoconference room is Room E-205-A ; in Brenham, it is Room 135, Bullock Building).

REVIEW SESSION TIMES: Brenham, 6 p.m.; Bryan, 7 p.m.  (except for videoconf)

*Room: TBA

For Unit I Exam: Bryan, Feb 11; Brenham, Feb 12

For Unit II Exam: Videoconference, Tue. March 19, 6 p.m.

For Unit III Exam: Bryan, April 18; Brenham, April 22 (Notice!!)

***Remember! These times can change. If they do, each student will be contacted.

EXAMINATIONS

Three (3) 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 two exams: multiple-choice and essay. For the final (#3), each student will choose between all-objective (m-choice, T-F) or multiple-choice & essay. Each exam is worth 100 points. The third exam will contain comprehensive questions covering the entire semester. Graded examinations 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

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 (including Hawaii and Alaska). It will be worth 50 pts.

 

EXAMINATION TIMES

For Unit Exams: Each student will have approximately one week after the appropriate review session to take the exam. Any exam taken after the allotted time will have appropriate point deductions.

Unit I: Feb 12-18

Unit II: Mar 20-26

Unit III: Apr 19-25

The are absolutely NO MAKE-UP EXAMS after the time period allotted for these exams unless there are serious extenuating circumstances, with appropriate documentation (obituary, doctor's note concerning hospital stay, etc.)

EXAM LOCATION

Remember! Exams will be given out at the end of a day ONLY if you have arrived:

TWO HOURSE BEFORE CLOSING TIME!!!!

BRYAN Campus: Learning Center (Room L258) (821-0267)

Hours: Mon-Thur 7:45 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday 7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday CLOSED

Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

BRENHAM Campus: Learning Center (Academic #13) (830-4442)

Hours: Mon-Thur 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday CLOSED

Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

SCHULENBURG Campus:  Library (acts as testing center)

Hours:  Mon-Thur  8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Friday  8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday  CLOSED

Sunday  5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.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 Study Guide. The paper will be graded primarily on content, but a lack of proper length and terrible spelling and grammar will lower the grade. Each paper is worth 25 pts. DUE DATE:  THE LAST DAY YOU CAN TAKE THE APPROPRIATE EXAM.  Appropriate points (2 per day) will be deducted for any reports submitted after the due date.

 

EXTRA CREDIT (35 PTS. MAXIMUM)

A student's extra credit points will be added to his or her total points (exams and reports).

  1. Historical Restaurants (5 pts. Ea.) A student may visit and "dine" at certain selected restaurants of a historical bent and then submit a receipt and photographic evidence of his or her visit. (List to be provided by the instructor).
  2. "Enrichment Idea" (from Unit III) Report (10 pts. Ea.) Identical to the required reports from the first two units.
  3. Custom-Made Field Trip (25 Pts. Ea.) A student can develop his or her own field trip by taking pictures at several historical sites, touring at least two museums within the United States, and then submitting a 7-page minimum report/notebook describing the field trip and the learning experience.
  4. Texas Field Trip (25 Pts. Ea.) A student will visit four historical sites (from a list that includes Anderson, Navasota, Washington-on-the-Brazos, Independence, and Chappell Hill) and then submit a 7-page minimum report/notebook (List to be provided by the instructor).
  5. Research Paper (25 Pts. Ea.) A 7-page minimum paper on a topic to be approved by the instructor.

FINAL GRADES

Total Points Grade

360-400 = A

320-359 = B

280-319 = C

240-279 = D

0-239 = F

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.

ADA STATEMENT

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

GRADUATING SENIORS

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

 

REMEMBER!!!

**If you have any questions, please let me know.

**Be careful not to procrastinate in the reading of the material and the viewing of the various videos. Budget your time wisely.

**The review sessions will really help each student. The essay question topics will be discussed in detail, and each student will leave prepared to study efficiently.