World Civilizations II Syllabus for 2013-2014
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

HIST-2322-001 World Civilizations II

Prerequisites

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

Course Description

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, religious and intellectual history of the world from the 15th century to the present. The course examines major cultural regions of the world in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania and their global interactions over time. Themes include maritime exploration and transoceanic empires, nation/state formation and industrialization, imperialism, global conflicts and resolutions, and global economic integration. The course emphasizes the development, interaction and impact of global exchange.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Required Books:

\

\ The World:  A History Since 1300 (2nd edition) & My HistoryLab by Fernandez-Armesto
\ Volume 2
\ Publishers: Pearson
\ ISBN-13: 978-0-205-74532-6 (This packaged ISBN is for the textbook and access code.)

\

\ Understanding Radical Islam by Brian R. Farmer
\ Publisher: Peter Lang
\ ISBN 978-0-8204-8843-1

\

\  

\

\ Where to purchase textbooks:  Amarillo College Bookstore (http://www.actx.edu/bookstore/) 
\ *NOTE:  The textbook package was specifically created for this class by Pearson for Amarillo College to provide a discount to students.  Students should purchase the book at the AC Bookstore to ensure they purchase the correct textbooks and editions which comes packaged with the MyHistoryLab Access code for use on the Pearson web site used in this course.  Please remember that each student is responsible for purchasing the CORRECT Textbook/Readers for this course.  It is very easy in the hectic early days of a new term to glance at a card in the bookstore and select the wrong books.  It is also possible for a student to get conflicting advice from others, including bookstore personnel who mean well, but may be misinformed about the correct books for the proper Professor.  So be sure to go online, print-out-a-copy of the Syllabus and bring it with you when buying your books.  If in doubt, buy what is listed on the Syllabus, then sort out any issues later.  The Syllabus is the final word on which book is correct, so read it carefully and buy accordingly.

\

\  

Supplies

Regular access to a computer with Internet is necessary.  See AC Distance Education web site for computer hardware and software guidelines.

Computer Requirements: 

Regular log-on is necessary for satisfactory

Student Performance

\ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

\

\ 1. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
\ 2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
\ 3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of world history.

\

\  

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

Disability Statement:   Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Accessibility Services (Student Services Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.  The student must also visit with the professor to discuss any special demands.

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:  Student records are confidential under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.  Therefore, the student’s progress within this class cannot be discussed with parents, friends, or guardians without written permission from the student.  The student (not a parent, friends, or the professor) is responsible for contacting the professor if the student is concerned about their progress in the class, absent for an extended period due to illness, surgery, or other circumstances, or any other extenuating situations which may arise during the course of the semester. The student is responsible for following and understanding their rights and responsibilities as listed in the student handbook at on the AC Webpage.

 

STUDY GROUPS:  Student-led study groups are encouraged.  The professor will provide, if requested, a secure-web forum for each individual study group.  But, never forget that I am also available to you and will gladly help during my Office Hours or Appointments.

 

CHEATING:  Occasionally a few students will attempt to cheat on one of the examinations.  Students caught cheating in any way or using materials other than those allowed will have their examinations rejected and, at minimum, receive a grade of F (0 points) for that examination.  Additionally such students may receive a grade of F for the course and may be suspended from the College (penalties which become a permanent part of a penalized student’s record and cannot be eliminated by the repeat-option).

 

WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE:  It is the responsibility of the student to officially drop or withdraw from a course. Failure to withdraw may result in a grade of “F” for the course. A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated withdrawals that are submitted on or before APRIL 24, 2014.

 

Etiquette:  The study of history is important and deserves respect from both the professor and from students. Everyone has an obligation to cultivate an environment for learning that enhances the ability to pursue the shared interest in history. Respect for one another and for the ideas and values of others are essential for a strong environment for learning history. Respectful students bring a strong work ethic to the course. They are expected to log-on to the class regularly, be prepared for class, and be attentive to discussions and online chats. A shared respect for one another is essential to the academic integrity and a comfortable learning environment. Everyone must do their part to maintain an environment of openness and civility that encourages and honors the intellectual achievement. If you need to review the standard Net Etiquette rules, see the Net Etiquette for more information.

 

Instructor's policy on Academic Dishonesty:  Occasionally a few students will attempt to cheat or plagiarize.  Students caught will receive a grade of F (0 points) for that examination and/or essay.  Additionally such students may receive a grade of F for the course and may be suspended from the College (penalties which become a permanent part of a penalized student's record and cannot be eliminated by the repeat-option).  If you are unsure about the definition of plagiarism, see the links available to students or visit with your instructor.

 

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

• downloading a free or purchased paper

• copying an article from the web or electronic database

• translating a foreign web article into English

• copy a paper from a local source

• cobbling -- cutting and pasting to create a paper from several sources (including web sites) even if properly cited

• excessive quoting (more than 20% even if properly cited)

• quoting less than all the words copied

• changing some words but copying whole phrases

• paraphrasing without attribution

• summarizing without attribution

• faking a citation

Review the plagiarism link located on the "Getting Started" tab located in this course.

 

Choosing Good Sources for Historical Research:  Students often search for additional information about historical events to supplement their understanding of the material in preparation for essays, discussions, and even quizzes.  To correctly interpret historical issues, students must have accurate knowledge of the facts. Students can also consult secondary sources such as the work of other historians  Students are, however, STRONGLY cautioned to choose these extra sources, particularly internet sites, with care.  Websites, such as Wikipedia or Yahoo, DO NOT necessarily contain reliable facts, documentation, or interpretations, and therefore, should not be used in a college course.  Websites like Wikipedia even post disclaimers informing users that their material may or may not be valid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Disclaimers).  Students should, instead, choose sources from the WBU Virtual Library such a History Cooperative, JSTOR, or other refereed journals. For websites, learners should select sites where the author can be identified as a scholar, historian, or other knowledgeable person.  Such examples would include websites ending in .edu or .org.  Websites helpful to students in this course already examined by the professor are available via the "Web Resources" link through the course. See "Using Wikipedia -- "Danger Will Robinson" handout located on the "Syllabus" page or this recent CNN article, "Use with caution:  The perils of Wikipedia." 
 

Review behavior guidelines in the AC student handbook.

Review Net Etiquette rules before taking an online course.

Grading Criteria

Students will be expected to work through 16 chapters units chronologically before the end of the semester. Within each unit, the student is required to read the corresponding textbook pages as well as view the Internet resources.

Computer Requirements: 

Regular log-on is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to keep track of their assignments. Students must have regular access to a computer and a reliable Internet connection to enroll in this course.  I repeat, these are minimum requirements for all students in every online course.  Technical problems are not an excuse to miss a posted quiz or other due date.  Students should plan ahead to have all work submitted earlier than the last Due Date in the event of a computer malfunction. Students should then have access to a back-up computer at a family member's home, friend's location, local school, or local city library so they may still meet all assignment dates.  This is one of the trade-offs for the convenience of a Virtual class.  When technical problems occur, students need to send an e-mail to the Help Desk explaining the difficulty, and copy your instructor as well.  If you cannot use e-mail, call the Help Line and not your instructor to explain the difficulty.  You may also leave a summary of your trouble and response on your instructor's voice-mail.
 

Make-up Policy:

Since you are given the chance to drop several grades (see below), then I DO NOT allow any Make-Up assignments -- for any reason so do not ask.  The second reason for not granting Make-Ups is that they tend to be more work for an already over-stressed student, and by allowing the Drop option instead, I feel that everyone benefits while still protecting your opportunity to succeed in this class. So, the rule is -- there are NO make-up exams or assignments under any circumstances.  A missed quiz or discussion will simply become a dropped score -- no exceptions and there is NO extra credit offered.  Therefore, it is imperative that students keep track of due dates for assignments.

Again, there is NO extra credit offered--so Please Do Not Ask.  This Syllabus is much like a Contract between the student and professor and alterations are not allowed.  Experience has demonstrated that Make-Up work is often just more to do for an already swamped student, so I have chosen to use the Drop score option to relieve the pressure and prevent students from trying to do extra work while still keeping up with up-coming work that is still due on time.  Remember, each student is being allowed several drop scores to assist those who must miss a Quiz or a Discussion because of outside obligations.  So there is no Extra Credit allowed.

 

Assignments:

1. Students must take each of the 16 quizzes at the end of each unit.  Each quiz will be composed of fifteen (15) questions in various formats. Question formats include (but are not limited to) multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, maps, and more.  Exams are scheduled on the calendar and begin on Fridays at 12:00 p.m. Noon and close on Mondays at 11:55 p.m. (just before midnight).  This gives students 84 hours over a four (4) day window in which to take each quiz after it is posted and the quiz will be timed.   You will only be able to access the quiz once and you will have thirty (30) minutes to take and complete the quiz.   You cannot view the exam and then return later to complete. There are NO make-ups.  Each quiz is worth 15 points and the student will be able to drop six (the lowest 6 scores) of the 16 quizzes.  (Total of 150 points or 75% of total course grade).
    
2. The second component of your grade will be the Capstone Reflective Essay worth 50 points.  The Capstone Reflective Essay is a written response to one of the Ethical Dilemma questions you will find on the Course Homepage.  These are being required by the State Legislature in several so-called Gate-Keeper classes like History already, and will become College-wide within a short time.  They must be between 350-500 words in length, and you may select the question that interests you the most.  You absolutely MUST submit your Essay via the Online SafeAssign Tool no later than 2355 (11:55pm) on Thursday night 8 May 2014.  You may turn it in anytime after 25 April 2014, but no later than 8 May 2014.  Remember, this Project needs to be submitted via the SafeAssign link ONLY and will not be accepted in any other form as mandated by College rules.  Only citations from material taken from books or Online sources not assigned for this class need to be listed using any standard format.  If you need help with that simply contact the Writer's Corner in the English Department and ask for help. They have created a very useful resource for all of Amarillo College students to gain advice for any written assignment for any class and should be commended and used by all.  Most of your Project will not require any formal citations since this is your view of an ethical dilemma that was faced by a real person from the period of History you studied during the Semester, but you may find that it is helpful to use a quote or paraphrase from an outside source so be sure to use the appropriate citation for those parts of your Essay.  The goal is to have each student explore and apply what they have learned during the term to an actual event, and then express their personal response to it.    (Total 50 points or 25% of course grade.) 
     

Method of determining course grade: Course grade will be determined by the student's total accumulated points divided by the total possible points available.  For example, if the student has accumulated a total of 150 points from all assignments (after drops), then the student's course grade would be 150/200 for a grade of 75 or a C for the course. Approximate percentages are given to assist students who prefer to determine their grade through that method.

Final Grade based on Total Available Points (200 points):

• A    200-180 points
• B    179-160 points
• C    159-140 points
• D    139-120 points
• F     119 or less points  

 

Remember, there are NO make-up exams or assignments so if you miss a posted assignment, that grade will become your dropped score or a zero. There is NO extra credit offered.

Answers to any short answer questions, essays, or discussions should be thoughtful and critical with supporting facts. Opinions without documentary evidence will not receive a passing grade. YOU MUST SUPPORT YOUR STANCE WITH FACTS FROM YOUR READINGS.  

NOTE:  Online students play by a slightly different set of rules than classroom based students.  Because your Professors have no opportunity to meet you face-to-face, nor to conduct any real discussions with the class as a group, you pay a penalty when it comes to the final class averages.  Unlike those who are in a regular course, day-in and day-out for 15 weeks and who can participate in the give-and-take of the academic process, there is no room for leeway when it comes to averaging a student's grade.  The nearest thing to classroom participation/discussion is found in the Discussion postings that are done by each student posted on the Calendar of Assignments.  These are student led learning tools, but they also give your Professor a glimpse into how well you are learning the material, and substitute for the in-class debates found in the normal lecture format.  So the Trade-Off for flexibility and not driving to class each week is that you must participate in these Discussions in order to give your Professor the best opportunity to assess your overall performance in the class.  Failure to do these has often made the difference between a student earning an "A" instead of the "B" they got, and did not want.  So please remember to take full advantage of both the learning process and the assessment tool provided by these Discussion posts. 

 

 

Attendance

NO on-campus meeting required.  This course is conducted entirely online.

 Attendance Policy: Regular log-on is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Students must log into the course daily, or at minimum of every 48 hours. This requirement is based upon the student's need to be informed on many issues that can arise, including changes in their course, any AC Connect Announcements posted for the entire class, and in order to stay in contact with their Professor, who may feel that important information is not being understood by the students enrolled in the course, with AC Connect, or AC.  Experience has demonstrated the important role played by the announcements in assisting students in successfully completing the class.  So, remember to check the Homepage on a regular basis.
  
It is the responsibility of each student to keep track of their assignments. Students must have daily access to a computer and a reliable Internet connection to enroll in, and to succeed in this course.  Technical problems with a Student’s computer or Internet provider are not valid excuses to miss Assignments, Exams, or other Due Dates.  Students should plan ahead to have access to a back-up computer at a family member's home, friend's location, local school, or local city library. If a technical problem does occur, students should immediately send an e-mail to the AC Help Desk (AskAC), where specialists in this technology can provide assistance.  You must also send a note to your Professor via the Course E-mail explaining the difficulty and the Date, Time and Steps taken to solve the issue.  Should the problem not be addressed by the Help Desk, they will provide the Professor with a detailed report of ALL actions taken and the Professor will then decide if the Student can be allowed to complete the work in another fashion. If you cannot use e-mail, telephone your Professor as a last resort to explain the problem.  Remember, however, that this is an Online course, and traditional telephone messages may take longer to be returned since they are outside of the normal communication chain.  If you reach your Professor's voice-mail, leave a message explaining the trouble and contact information where you can be reached.  Expect an e-mail response via the Course E-mail as the primary means of return contact, not a telephone call, since students are enrolled from around the world, and may, in fact, be on Active Duty in a military combat zone, or live in Alaska or Hawaii and so on.  This makes telephone communication problematic to say the least.  If necessary, a Chat Room can be created as a temporary method to discuss material that is too complex for a standard e-mail.

Online students play by a slightly different set of rules than classroom based students.  Because your Professors have no opportunity to meet you face-to-face, nor to conduct any real discussions with the class as a group, you pay a penalty when it comes to the final class averages.  Unlike those who are in a regular course, day-in and day-out for 15 weeks and who can participate in the give-and-take of the academic process, there is no room for leeway when it comes to averaging a student's grade.  The nearest thing to classroom participation/discussion is found in the Discussion postings that are done by each student posted on the Calendar of Assignments.  These are student led learning tools, but they also give your Professor a glimpse into how well you are learning the material, and substitute for the in-class debates found in the normal lecture format.  So the Trade-Off for flexibility and not driving to class each week is that you must participate in these Discussions in order to give your Professor the best opportunity to assess your overall performance in the class.  Failure to do these has often made the difference between a student earning an "A" instead of the "B" they got, and did not want.  So please remember to take full advantage of both the learning process and the assessment tool provided by these Discussion posts. 
 
NOTE:  Contact the professor immediately if you have a family emergency such as an unexpected major illness or family death, are on active duty in the military serving in a war zone, or have any other justifiable reason why you are unable to meet the due dates.  However, change of military assignments or TDYs, changing work schedules, or other occurrences caused by a busy life are not acceptable excuses for missing assignment due dates.  Plan ahead.

 

Log-on and Meeting Times: Students should purchase textbooks and receive them prior to the first day of class. In addition, students need to log in on or before the first day of class through AC Connect Course Webpage:  Students can access the associated course webpage on the Internet through the AC Connect Server at https://acconnect.actx.edu or through the AC Homepage http://www.actx.edu/  to begin the course. This class is conducted completely online and does NOT require proctors for exams. All quizzes and assignments are submitted online through the course website.

 

  

 

Calendar

Additional Information

The class is designed to provide an introduction to critical thinking about the past for non-history majors and serve as a foundation for those students choosing to major or minor in history. It is designed to meet two basic needs. First, the non-history major will gain a basic knowledge-base of the history, culture, society, economics and politics of the World since 1500. Second, the history major will receive a good, general background for the study of World history thus preparing them to continue exploring the subject with a solid understanding of the major developments which shaped events from the late sixteenth century until the tragic dawn of the new Millennium.  The class will stress the development of analytical and writing skills as well as fostering independent thinking.

The course introduces the events, ideas, and developments that have shaped World History from 1500 to the present. It will focus on key issues such as political, economic, social, cultural, and religious events in World History.  Geography plays an important role in understanding the basis of this course, and will be emphasized accordingly.

History 2322 will encourage the student to develop a greater awareness of our past, an understanding of the factors which influenced civilization's development (the "why?"), and an understanding of how ideas, institutions, and societies developed as they did from the 16th century to the present. Students will be expected to put together ideas from diverse sources (assigned reading, critical thinking exercises, etc.) and analyze the way topics and themes fit together.

Additional objectives will be to strengthen critical thinking and writing skills, improve geography skills, and develop an awareness of how ideas, beliefs, and past events influence the present (and future).

 

Teaching & Learning Strategy:  The class is approached as an on-line instruction tool to learn about Comparative World history. The course is designed to be completed during either a traditional 16-week Fall/Spring term or an 8 week Summer session. A student should expect to schedule, on average, approximately 6-8 hours per week to accomplish the assignments required in this course and plan on reading 75-100 pages per week. It is recommended for the student to block out time in your day planner three times a week (4-5 times a week in the summer) for completing reading, reviewing Internet sources, and course work, just as you would do if you were on campus.  The seemingly vast reading load is the result of not attending classroom lectures where material is distilled by the Professor.  Instead, the student is given the assignments, and should read them first and ask any questions raised by the topics that each student as an individual needs guidance to follow.

The course is structured with readings that correspond to content material posted online. Additional readings from Internet sites are assigned to support your historical understanding.

Students should be sure to view and/or print off the Course Schedule to keep track of the required posting dates for exams, discussion questions, and Capstone Reflective Essay. In addition, students should regularly check the Course Announcement for notices about any changes in the course or content materials. Participation in this course is crucial to success.

Since this course is offered as an online class, individualized learning is the key. Your ability to read the textbook and additional material and learn on your own to identify major theses and link material together into a comprehensive understanding of the World is crucial. The professor is available by phone, email, or in person to discuss in-depth any material you do not understand but the burden of learning falls upon the individual student.

 

Be sure to review all course policies located on the "Course Info - Start HERE!" Tab including the Wikipedia and Plagiarism Handouts.

 

Copyright of Course:  Courses and course presentations/materials shall not be reproduced, distributed, re-used, or revised without prior knowledge and consent of the professor. Copyright of courses and course presentations are owned by the professor just as in the case of traditional course materials such as books or articles.

**Changes or adjustments in course material, course calendar, or other parts of this syllabus may be made during the semester if circumstances warrant.