American Indian History
TEXT: Colin G. Calloway, First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History.
COURSE OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: This course is a survey of American Indian history from the first migrations of peoples to the continent to the present and partially fulfills the legislative requirement. The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the diversity and complexity of Native American cultures and how they have changed over time. Our approach will be both chronological and thematic as we focus on the interaction between Native Americans and people of European descent. As we assess the impact of federal Indian policy we will examine Native assimilation, resistance, revivalism, and activism. Through out our studies we will see that Native Americans were, and are, not simply passive victims but positive actors in their own affairs who adjusted to their changing world. While it is primarily intended to be a lecture course, we will devote a substantial amount of class time to discussion and questions. this class offers students opportunities to pursue historical topics of individual interest and enhance their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS: . Your grade will be determined
by in the following manner:
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The Unit Exams will be roughly 60% multiple-choice and 40% short answer or identification The Unit Exams may include several map questions. At the beginning of each unit, I will distribute a list of Identification items and Lecture Objectives for that unit. These lists will be your study guides for that unit. You might also want to look at the Common Course Objectives. Recognize that grades are NOT automatically rounded up at the end of the semester.
RE-TESTING AND MAKE-UP EXAMS: Students who have scored less than 60% on a Unit Exam may wish to re-test. The highest grade that a student can earn on a re-test, however, is a 75. Students who have a valid reason for missing the regularly scheduled exam at the assigned time may take a make-up exam. Students taking a make-up exam are not limited in how high a grade they can earn, but they may not re-test. Both make-ups and re-tests will have an essay format and MUST be taken in the Testing Center WITHIN TWO WEEKS after the regularly scheduled exam was returned to the class. You should familiarize your self with Testing Center rules and hours. If you need to take a make-up or re-test you should contact me as soon as possible because this is an inflexible deadline and there will be and for this requirement. No re-test will be offered for the 3rd exam.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: Regular attendance and participation in class discussions will not only help you to perform your best on class assignments they are requirements for this course. Attendance will be taken at the BEGINNING of each class and in each class I will present material that is NOT in your text and WILL appear on the Unit Exams. This website has links to several online newspapers and journals that will acquaint you with current issues of concern to Native America and I encourage you to look through these resources.
WITHDRAWAL: A student may be withdrawn from the course at the instructor's discretion, but in all other cases withdrawal is the STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY. I WILL NOT retroactively withdraw students. The last day to withdraw without academic penalty is APRIL 19.
INCOMPLETES: Incompletes will be given ONLY in VERY RARE instances and ONLY to students who have a DOCUMENTED excuse for missing the 4th Unit Exam, AND have gained approval from me by MAY 6. All other work must be turned in by the last day of class.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! The college policy states: "Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty. including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework." Any student found guilty of academic dishonesty (cheating or plagiarism) will automatically be assigned a failing grade for the course. Additionally, you should recognize that students may be required to "defend" their Critical Book Review if the authorship is questionable.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.
STUDENT PRIVACY: The federal government requires that student privacy be preserved. Thus the posting of grades, even by the last four digits of the social security number, is forbidden. All communication will remain between the instructor and the student, and the instructor will not be able to share details of the student's performance with parents, spouses, etc. I can not give out grades over the phone or by email, but you may check your final grades online.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Learning is a skill. The more you practice, the easier and more enjoyable learning becomes. Learn all you can. Ask questions. Challenge yourself. Stay informed. To give ourselves a better perspective on the historical events we study and to help us make some sense out of the world around us, we will, when time allows, spend a few minutes discussing the day's most important current events. Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics students may sometimes disagree not only with each other, but also with the instructor. It is to be expected that faculty and students will respect the views of each other when expressed in classroom discussions. We will, therefore, vigorously defend the principles of free speech so every student should feel comfortable in expressing his or her opinions.