AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1877

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

EXPLANATION OF GRADES

A = 900+ points =90+%

B = 800-899 points =80+%

C = 700-799 points =70+%

D = 600-699 points =60+%

F = 599 points and below =59-%

Note: There are 5 methods by which you accumulate points and thereby earn your final grade for this semester:

1. 35% 350 points

4 Take-Home Writing Assignments of

2 ½ -4 pages each.

(3 Biographies, 1 Historical Perspective)

2. 25% 250 points

Group Weekly Writing Assignments of

2-3 pages each.

(Assignment as part of your Group)

3. 30% 300 points

Short, Weekly Exams (Multiple Choice)

4. 10% 100 points

Attendance (based on a percentage of classes attended)

TOTAL=1000 POINTS/100%

Earned Grade Adjustments

5. 0-15% 0-150 Points

Earned Grade Adjustment Assignments*

(97% Attendance, Viewing and Evaluating Videos, Take-

Home special assignments, and Pop Quizzes)

· Attendance Dependent

--If you have more than 3 un-excused absences you may not earn this credit.

I. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS 35% or 350 points

[Make sure you do not commit plagiarism]

A. Summaries and Critiques of Biographies and Historical Perspectives

1. Biographies (3):

a. Located on Dr. Roberson’s Website

b. Each member of a Group will be assigned to write a critique/summary of 3 selected biographies taken from a list of biographies listed at the end of each chapter in your manual and linked to the corresponding chapter on my web site.

--- See Guidelines below

c. Selection by Groups:

--- Group A= Chapters 20,23,and 28

--- Group B= Chapters 18,26,and 29

--- Group C= Chapters 24, 27, and 30

2. Historical Perspectives (1):

a. Located on Dr. Roberson’s Website

b. Each member of a Group will be assigned to write a critique/summary of one Readings on the Historical Perspective taken from a list of historical perspective readings listed at the beginning of each Period outline.

--- See Guidelines below

b. Selection by Groups:

--- Group A= Period II

--- Group B= Period I

--- Group C= Period III

II. Weekly Debate Assignments 25% or 250 points

A. For the purposes of facilitating discussions (debates)

1. Members of the Class are Assigned to answer questions that support or refute the chapter thesis statement that appears at the lead of every chapter outline.

2. The class is divided into 4 groups.

a. group membership will fluctuate in order to maintain a near balance in numbers.

3. Two Groups will be assigned to debate in favor of the statement, and two groups will be assigned to debate in opposition to the statement.

a. Each person will be graded on their individual answer and notes.

4. Group Leaders will be chosen (at bonus credit) each period to lead and coordinate the group’s effort.

III. Weekly Examinations 30% or 300 points

A. Purpose

1. These examinations are designed to test either

a. your readiness for class participation or

b. your understanding of the issues covered during the week.

B. Method

1. So long as the class members indicate on the first day of class each week that they are prepared, I will delay the examination until the last day of the week.

2. If class members indicate their lack of preparedness, then I will begin to assign exams on the first day of the week until indications change.

a. Obviously your advantage is to take examinations after discussions.

IV. Attendance 10% or 100 points

A. You are graded on the percentage of classes you attend.

B. YOU MUST SIGN THE ROLL AT EACH CLASS MEETING

C. Further Restrictions

1 You must be present at the time in-class bonus opportunities are presented.

1. You will not be granted grade improvement opportunities if you exceed the number of 3 unexcused absences.

2. No work submitted after the due date will be accepted.

HELPFUL HINTS

A. FOLLOW THE CALENDAR:

A. Keep in Touch With your Professor or his designate for good advice.

B. Protect Your Attendance Record

C. Make Sure to Sign the Roll at each class meeting.

D. Visit with your professor via e-mail or in his office

E. Do not take drastic actions such as withdrawal without first consulting with your professor. You may misunderstand your status or how to meet the course requirements.

F. Dr. Roberson’s GPA for the Fall Semester 2005 (for students who never attended class or simply ceased to attend without withdrawing) was 3.2

G. More than 85% of the Freshman students who complete Dr. Roberson’s class with a grade of B or A are graduated on time.

H. You will be amazed at what you learn about America and about yourself come the end of the semester.

I. Honesty is Always the Best Policy when you seek help.

J. WEB PAGE ADDRESSES:

1. For on-line study assistance/ sample testing/ map assignments

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/roark/bcs-pages/footer

2. Professor Roberson=s site on the history department=s web page:

www.libarts.uco.edu/history/faculty/roberson/courseinfo.htm

VI. CLASSROOM DECORUM

B. Conduct

1. So long as they relate either to our understanding of the past, or to our understanding of how the past relates to us is part of our present and our extension to the past.

a) There are no forbidden subjects for discussion.

b) There are, however, rules for decent public discourse and keeping the discussion related to the course material.

c) There will be no attempt to Aprove@ a person Aright@ or Awrong@ when he discussion is about a belief system.

2. Un-civil discussions and conduct are forbidden.

No expressions of racism, sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance, sexual harassment, crass bigotry, or ridicule will be accepted in this class.

a) If judged excessive, such expressions and actions will be the subject for student discipline.

3. Wearing of Hats/Head coverings

a) None will be worn, unless

as part of a student=s religious practice.

required for medical purposes.

b) In such cases as these

head covering for religious purposes will always be worn.

head covering for medical purposes will be explained by a physician.

VII. OFFICE RULES

A. Because of my heavy work load---particularly my Research/Grading demands--- my office hours are limited.

1. Please check with the Department Secretary (Candace) if you wish to see me and I am not in office.

B. May I suggest that you try visiting me by e-mail? I am good at answering e-mails, quickly if you write jeresoffice@cox.net.

C. I feel that personal contact is the best way for us to assist you, however.

1. Please feel free to come discuss your academic career‑‑successes and difficulties.

D. If someone is in the office when you arrive, please announce your presence and wait for me to call you in. Although my door is always open, our conferences are in strictest confidence.

1. Please note that appointments are made by standing superiority:

a. Faculty and Administrators

b. Faculty Senate Affairs

c. Graduate students

d. Students in upper division classes

e. First year students

VIII. PROPER USE OF FOLDERS

! Purchase the correct folder (see folder section below).

! Do not put your name on the folder.

! Attach your grade sheet (extracted from the Course Manual) to the inside rear cover with tape.

BMake sure your name is printed clearly on the Grade Sheet.

! Turn in all

a) examinations, b) written assignments, and c) map assignments inside this folder.

! Failure to have the folder means you will not receive your grade except in my office.

PROPER USE OF BINDER

! Take classroom and study notes on the chapters we are discussing and file them with the appropriate chapter in your binder.

! Always bring your binder to class---Because during classroom discussions you may make references to your notes so you can maximize your grade-earning potential.