United States History
Course Outline
Instructor: Carol Jean Cox
Office : S107 @NCC
Office Hours: 2-4 pm M,T, Th or call or email for an appointment
Web Page http://faculty.sierracollege.edu/ccox
COURSE EVALUATION & GRADING
Your knowledge of the course material will be evaluated through exams,
extra credit options and the completion of a local history research poster.
·Exams There will be three exams (50 pts. each). No make up exams will be given without documented medical emergencies. No exceptions to this policy will be made. Exam dates will be announced two weeks in advance and a study guide of questions and concepts given.
Testing Format -Exams are comprehensive and will consist of short answer, multiple choice, video reviews, definitions, and essay questions. You will not only need to be able to understand the content, but be able to evaluate and comment on the material. No notes, aids, text are allowed when taking the exams. Please bring mini-essay/scantron form #886e to all exam periods.
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Exam Preparation – Students are responsible for all lecture content and reading material assigned. In addition, students will be given a study guide for each test, one week prior to the exam. These guides contain practice questions which may be asked on the exam. Students are encouraged to find the answers to the study guides, to compare ideas with fellow students and to ask the instructor when there is a question.
Test Return/Review- Tests will be returned to the students with evaluation and review within two weeks of the test administration. Upon return, the tests will be reviewed in class for student learning. Often the return time is much shorter depending upon class size. The instructor personally examines each student’s work individually. This takes a great deal of time, but results in greater accuracy of evaluation. Students are encouraged to discuss their exam questions individually with the instructor.
· Local History Research Students will choose an area of local history to research, and present in a standard paper format. Details of this assignment will be given on a separate handout. All research topics require the approval of the instructor.
·Extra Credit Points will be offered for student participation in approved outside cultural events, projects, field class etc. These options/activities will be announced in class.
Extra Credit may not substitute for quality of work on tests, quizzes and maps. The student must earn their appropriate grade, however, if a student is borderline between grades, the instructor will use these extra credit points to the advantage of the student. These outside of class activities greatly enrich the student learning process.
COURSE EVALUATION & GRADING (continued)
·Grades are calculated on a percent scale: 90% =A, 78% =B, 65% = C, 50% = D
Points Breakdown - Please keep track of your points and retain all returned papers and essay/scantron forms. You may also wish to come by my office during an office hour for a computer print-out of your current grade.
Exams 3@ 50pts each 150
Local History Research Paper 50
Attendance 50
Total 250 pts.
Evaluation of the student in the issuance of final grades is at the discretion of the instructor.
OTHER INFORMATION
· Attendance is expected at all class sessions. Come to class prepared and on time. Students with inconsistent attendance may be dropped.
Your attendance is a critical component of the learning process. You cannot expect to succeed if you do not attend regularly. Even missing one class can be detrimental to your success. You are responsible for all material when absent.
There are 50 points given for participation, and your attendance will be a factor in determining your success and final grade. Validation of an absence is not necessary except for long-term medical absences. Students must obtain any missed information from a fellow student in attendance. Please note that many lectures cannot be duplicated in note form due to the sophisticated imagery used in class.
If you are ill and contagious, please do not attend in consideration of others.
·Tardiness/Leaving Early late arrivals and early departures distract both the instructor and your fellow learners. If you repeatedly disrupt the class through this inconsiderate behavior, you will be asked to leave the class. If you cannot attend on time for the entire class period, do not come to class, and do not expect attendance credit.
·Work Submissions - Late work, if accepted, will be severely penalized . All assignments are due at the beginning of class. All out of class assignments must be typed, proofread and stapled.
· Cheating/Plagiarism - Students are responsible for reading and understanding the Sierra College student handbook that outlines college policy regarding plagiarism and other forms of cheating. All answers on exercises, tests, or outside assignments must be your own original work. Copying of the text, another student’s work, the internet or any other outside source will result in a failed grade.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Attend class each session on time.
Come prepared to participate, learn and have fun.
Take extensive notes.
Read the assigned pages in your text and review your notes prior to each class.
Budget five to six hours per week for study/reading/mapping etc. for this course.
Prepare the study guide questions for each test.
Find a “study buddy” in the class and discuss course content.
Talk with friends/family about what you are learning in class.
Watch deadlines, budget your time and plan to complete assignments early.
Talk with the instructor about your progress, successes and your desired areas of improvement.
The Sierra College Learning Center at NCC website offers advice on topics including General Classroom Strategies, Reading from Textbooks Efficiently and Effectively, Test taking, Remembering, and Listening and Note taking. You might wish to visit the center located in the northeast corner of the Learning Resource Center.
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