HISTORY 1302 Online Distance Learning
                             SUMMER 2013

       Syn 31016 (Lec 069) and Syn 31012 (Lec 056)

 

COURSE OBJECTIVE: This course surveys the major developments in the history of the United States and its people since 1877. It also includes examples of the literature of that history and a program of historical research.

COURSE ORIENTATION: You have reached the online orientation. To complete the on-line orientation, please read the Syllabus and Study Guide, complete the Information Sheet at the end of the Study Guide and e-mail me the Information Sheet. For questions, please e-mail me at:  jlw@austincc.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This section is a distance learning version of the standard United States History survey course. The student will be required to do the same amount of work and the same quality of work as students enrolling in the classroom equivalent of the course. This self-paced course is designed for mature and capable students endowed with a great degree of self-discipline and responsibility.  If this description does not sound like you, then you should consider dropping this section and adding a classroom section of the course. You WILL need maturity, ability, and self-discipline to successfully complete the requirements of any distance learning course!

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  The student's final course grade is determined by the quality and quantity of the student's work. The following requirements are non-negotiable:

 For the grades of "C", "B", and "A": The student must contact the instructor, either in person, by telephone, or by e-mail twice during the semester: once after the completion of Test #3 and once after the completion of Test #5 Anyone failing to make these contacts may not receive credit for the course.

For the grade of "C": In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests and make an overall course average of 70% (21 correct out of 30 questions.) Failure to meet these requirements will result in the grade of "F". There are no further requirements.

For the grade of "B": the student may earn this grade under either Option #1 OR Option #2.

For the grade of "B" (Option #1):  In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests and make an overall course average of 80% (24 correct out of 30 questions) AND complete one B-Level Objective (the analytical book review) described in the HISTORY 1302 (PCM) "Study Guide" handout.   The paper will be e-mailed to the instructor.

OR

For the grade of "B" (Option #2): In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests and score 80% (24 correct out of 30) or better ON EACH TEST. There are no further requirements for the grade of "B" under this option.

For the grade of "A": In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests and make an overall course average of 80% (24 correct out of 30 questions) AND produce one A-Level Objective (the research paper), which will be e-mailed to the instructor. The A-Level Objective is described in the HISTORY 1302 (PCM) "Study Guide" handout.

TEXTBOOK: Robert A. Divine et al. America Past and Present, Volume 2, (9th edition) or (10th edition)

DEADLINES: All tests must be taken in the ACC Testing Centers at the RGC, NRG, RVS, CYP, EVC, SAC, RRH, SMC, FBG or PIN campuses. The student MAY take the tests as early as he/she is ready, however the student MUST take the tests by the following deadlines:


Test #1: July 11

Test #2: July 18

Test #3: July 25

Test #4: August 1

Test #5: August 8

 

(A or B Papers due August 9)

 

REMEMBER: You can take the test on or before the deadline!

 

 

You MUST have the topic for your A-Level Objective (the term paper) approved by the instructor by July 24.

You MUST turn in your B-Level Objective (the analytical book review) or your A-Level Objective (the term paper) by the deadline of August 9.  All of these deadlines will be strictly enforced! There will be no extensions for these deadlines and you will NOT receive credit for any work (either tests, retests, or A-Level or B-Level Papers) submitted after the designated deadlines.

TESTING POLICY: Each unit has a 30 question test that focuses on the learning objectives found in the HISTORY 1302 (PCM) "Study Guide" handout. You MUST score 21 correct answers out of 30 (70%) to pass the test. If you do not pass the test the first time you take it, then you may retest once. There are two restrictions on the retest: 1. The highest grade possible on the retest is 70. Therefore if you have passed the test the first time, there is no point to retaking it. You CANNOT make a score higher than 70 on the retest. 2. You must retest no longer than one week after the test deadline has passed.  Also, please contact me if you are taking a retest.

After you test or retest, the Testing Center will give you a "feedback" form with your score. KEEP THIS FORM !!!  If, as very occasionally happens, your test is delayed in the intercampus mail; the "feedback" form is your proof that you completed the test at the appropriate time. DO NOT THROW AWAY ANY "FEEDBACK" FORM UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR FINAL GRADE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER !!!!!

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you fail to meet the test deadlines, you ARE SUBJECT to being withdrawn from the course by the instructor. This is at the discretion of the instructor. If you determine during the course of the semester that you will not be able to successfully fulfill the requirements of this course, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOURSELF! The deadline for withdrawing is July 31.   No withdrawals or reinstatements may be made after this deadline.  IMPORTANT!!  It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw.  Do not assume I will withdraw you if you get behind or cannot complete the course. 

COURSE COMPLETION VERIFICATION: Each student is REQUIRED to CONTACT the instructor, either in person, by telephone, or by re-mail after they have completed Test #3 and Test #5. The contact after Test #5 will serve as a course completion verification and must be done before August 14.  During this conference we will verify your test scores, review any projects submitted for an "A" or "B", and determine your course grade. FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS CONFERENCE REQUIREMENT MAY IMPERIL THE PROMPT REPORTING OF YOUR GRADE !!!! This is as much a requirement of the course as any other grading requirement.  Call me if you have questions – it is easier to have clear communication by phone than e-mail.

OFFICE HOURS:   

  Tues – Wed    11:00-2:00

 

 

 

 

 

OR BY APPOINTMENT TO FIT YOUR SCHEDULE

 

 

                                  

                                  

TELEPHONE: 223-6686

ROOM: 2283 Building A  Riverside Campus

 

INCOMPLETES: The grade of "I" (Incomplete) will only be awarded for medical reasons verified by a satisfactory letter from a physician.
All "Incompletes" must be completed within the first four weeks of the following semester. There are no exceptions to this policy.

 

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: Any form of scholastic dishonesty by the student will automatically earn the grade of "F" for this course.

 

THE LAST WORDS OF CAUTION:

1. When you go to a Testing Center for this self-paced course, please be sure to mark the "Student Test Request Form" for "Distance Learning." Otherwise you may receive a classroom test that is slightly different from the test you are prepared to take. (A quick way to tell the difference is the distance learning tests all have 30 questions.  Please make sure that you take the Distance Learning (30 question) test.

2. Be aware that the Testing Centers becomes exceptionally busy in the last few weeks of the semester. Therefore you may have to wait an hour or MORE from the time you arrive before you can be seated and take the test. So please plan ahead.

3. Please use your official name on the test scantron and do not use "nicknames" or variations of your proper name.

GO TO STUDY GUIDE