History of the United States II Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

HIST-1302-010 History of the United States II

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

A general survey of United States history from the European background to the present. The study includes political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life in this country and follows the development of the United States as a world power.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Visions of America: A History of the United States, Volume 2,

Loose Leaflet Book format Plus My History Lab

Jennifer D. Keene, Chapman University
Saul T Cornell, Fordham University
Edward T. O'Donnell, The College of the Holy Cross

ISBN-10:      0205742939
ISBN-13:      9780205742936
Publisher:   Pearson
Copyright:   2010                          
Format:       Multimedia Pkg: $45.00

OR

My History Lab with Pearson eText

Student Access Code Card for Visions of America

Jennifer D. Keene, Chapman University
Saul T Cornell, Fordham University
Edward T. O'Donnell, The College of the Holy Cross

ISBN-10:      0205764053
ISBN-13:      9780205764051
Publisher:    Pearson
Copyright:   2010                          
Format:       Access Code Card: $30.00

 

Supplies

Computer and Internet access for completion of assignments and exams.

Student Performance

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1. \ Trace the development of a stable, democratic political system flexible enough to address the wholesale changes that occurred since Reconstruction.
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2. \ Explain how this nation has been peopled and how these waves of newcomers contributed to the cultural mosaic of the present United States.
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3. \ Evaluate economic and technological changes as they have affected daily life, work, family organization, leisure, the division of wealth, and community relations.
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4. \ Delineate the role of our nation in the world since 1877.
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5. \ Recount how the recurring reform movements in our history dealt with economic, political, and social problems in attempting to square our ideals with reality.
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6. \ Define the changes in our beliefs and values over time and describe how they have varied among different groups: women and men; non-whites and whites; and people of different regions, religions and classes.
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7. \ Describe the role of geographical factors in the history of the U.S.
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8. \ Practice critical thinking and information retrieval skills.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

1. Cell phones, pagers, or any electronic devices must be turned off during the class hours.

 

Grading Criteria

Grading:

Digital Video or Photo Storytelling:
Each student will partner with another student to create a digital video or photo storytelling history project. The digital storytelling history project will be due on October 19, 2011. See attached guidelines for project requirements.

Exams:

Each student will be required to take three (3) online exams over the semester.
• Each online exam will consist of 50 True/False, multiple choice and/or matching questions. Each question will be worth 2 points for a maximum total of 100 points.
• Each online test will be available for 70 minutes. Students may only access the exam one time.
• Online tests will be open for a 72-hour window or three days (Friday through Sunday).

AC Online Discussions:

Each student will be required to participate in two online discussion forums. Each online discussion will be worth up to 50 points, for a total of 100 points from this activity group. Online discussions will open on Wednesdays and close the following Tuesdays as specified in the AC Online course calendar.

My History Lab Chapter Exams:

Each student will be required to take 10 chapter exams, located under specified e-Textbook chapters, in My History Lab. Each online chapter exam is 20 multiple choice questions. Students will have one hour to complete the online chapter exam. Each chapter exam will be worth up to 25 points for a total maximum of 250 points available.

Attendance:

Each student will be required to attend and actively engage in the weekly in-class discussions. A grade of up to 100 points will be assessed based on the student’s attendance and level of participation throughout the semester.

Grading Scheme:

Oral History (38%) 450 Points
Exams (25%) 300 Points
Exam 1 - 100 Points
Exam 2 - 100 Points
Exam 3 (Final) - 100 Points
Online Discussions (8%) 100 Points
Online Discussion 1 - 50 Points
Online Discussion 2 - 50 Points
My History Lab Chapter Exams (21%) 250 Points
10 Individual Exams – 25 Points each
Attendance (8%) 100 Points

Total Points Available 1,200 Points

A = Point range between 1,200 and 1,074
B = Point range between 1,073 and 954
C = Point range between 953 and 834
D = Point range between 833 and 714
F = Point range below 713

Makeup Policy:

NO ONLINE EXAMS CAN BE RE-TAKEN, if missed. Since online exams are available over a 3-day period, students have ample time to take the
online exam. Therefore, no online exams may be re-taken, if missed. Extra Credit may be given, if a student’s missed exam warrants the option, as determined by the instructor.
 

Attendance

Attendance is required during the semester. Each student will be required to sign in at the beginning of each class. Attendance and active engagement in class discussion is required to receive the full attendance points.

Each student will be required to attend and actively engage in the weekly in-class discussions.  A grade of up to 100 points will be assessed based on the student’s attendance and level of participation throughout the semester.

 

 

Calendar

Additional Information

Digital Video or Photo Storytelling Guidelines & Resources

 

Purpose –

Storytelling has always been a significant part of history, but the means through which the stories have been told has evolved with each civilization. From the oral histories presented by bards in ancient courts, to the works of scribes during the Renaissance, to newspapers, CNN, and now the Internet, personal narrative has been used to communicate the events of the past. Digital media now combines tradition with technology and allows students to tell stories through voice, text, images, audio, and video.

Digital stories allow students to take a linear series of events and turn them into a multidimensional experience. It encourages them to communicate, collaborate, and research as well as to infuse media into the process. A plethora of tools exists to create these projects - both in terms of software as well as hardware - and all of them enable students to gain a deeper understanding of history as they explore the most effective way to retell it.

There are also a variety of web-based tools that enable students to create unique user experiences as they tell their stories. PhotoStory is a free download for Windows computers and provides an easy way to edit videos. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=11132.

Guidelines & Requirements –

 

1. Find a Partner by September 1^st.  Each student will partner with a fellow student to create a digital video or photo storytelling project.  The names of the partnership must be sent to the professor no later than September 5^th.

 

1. Decide on a topic.  Each group will need to select a topic for their digital storytelling.  The topic can be any historical event that occurred in the 20^th or 21^st century (any event after 1900). Examples include assassination of John F. Kennedy, Korean War, and attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.

 

1. Create a 3 to 7 minute digital storytelling history project.  The digital format can be either a video, iMOVIE, Microsoft PhotoStory or any other format that is agreed upon by the group.

 

1. Here is an overview on how to create a digital story:

a)      Script development: write the story using the storyboard outline provided below.

b)      Record the author reading the story – if using a video format OR Develop the words used to convey the story – if using a photo format.

c)      Capture the story using images (photos) to illustrate the story you are trying to tell.

d)      Combine audio and images (and any additional video) onto a timeline, add music track.

e)      Add Background Music, Titles, Transitions, and Effects (Optional).

1. The digital storytelling project is due on Wednesday, October 19^th.

Digital Storytelling Resources –

 

• Digital Storytelling – Educational Guidelines             http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/digital_storytelling.aspx

 

• Center for Digital Storytelling http://www.storycenter.org/index1.html

 

• Examples of Digital Storytelling – Social Studies http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/social_studies.html

 

• How to Create a Digital Storytelling by University of Massachusetts http://www.umass.edu/wmwp/DigitalStorytelling/How%20to%20Create%20a%20digital%20story.htm

 

• The Center for Digital Storytellingin Berkeley, California is known for developing and disseminating the Seven Elements of Digital Storytelling, which are often cited as a useful starting point as you begin working with digital stories.

 

1. Point of View What is the main point of the story and what is the perspective of the author? 2. A Dramatic Question A key question that keeps the viewer's attention and will be answered by the end of the story. 3. Emotional Content Serious issues that come alive in a personal and powerful way and connects the story to the audience. 4. The Gift of Your Voice A way to personalize the story to help the audience understand the context. 5. The Power of the Soundtrack Music or other sounds that support and embellish the storyline. 6. Economy Using just enough content to tell the story without overloading the viewer. 7. Pacing The rhythm of the story and how slowly or quickly it progresses.

 

To assist you with developing your digital storytelling.  Use the following Digital Storytelling Storyboard.

 

Each box represents one slide in your digital story. Describe in as much detail as possible what will be included for each slide. The more you plan ahead of time, the easier it is to create your digital story. Copy as many storyboard boxes as you need to plan your digital story.