Palo Alto College Catalog Description of History 1301

A general survey of United States History from Indigenous Peoples to the middle of the nineteenth century. Satisfies one-half of the Texas legislative requirement of six semester hours in American history.

Course Objectives:
My goal as your history instructor is that you as an undergraduate student will utilize this on-line class the same way as you would any other college course. This is a unique opportunity to discover American history through a variety of printed primary and secondary sources as well as the possibilities available on the World Wide Web. You will read many articles from Flyover History: Remembering Our Ignored Past- Volume I- 7th edition, and research websites. I attempt to tailor the thematic assignments and exams in conjunction with the readings, relevant web sites, and films.

This course allows you the opportunity to develop a more sophisticated understanding of the links between the past, the present, and the future. In order to better understand our world, we must first recognize the trends, forces, and people who contributed in the shaping of contemporary American life. I encourage you to analyze those forces of the past that have had an effect on us as a people, who possess the skills necessary to examine and analyze our present environment and culture.

Another objective of this course is to become more technologically savvy. Colleges and universities around the country have an immense responsibility to help bridge the gap between the highly skilled creators of technology and the rest of us. This course will hopefully serve students' interests in this pertinent endeavor.

Lastly I want you to view history through the lens of inquiry. Not to memorize "important" dates, names, and facts (unless you are competing on Jeopardy) BUT to reconsider why understanding the past is integral to who we are and how fascinating history truly can be.

Note: All work should be sent to me as an email, or Microsoft Word attachment. I require your full name and section number (.090, .091, .092, etc.) on all attachments and emails, to insure proper credit for work completed.

I don't give partial credit for themes. That means, whatever is required for the theme must be submitted. If you send a theme to me that is only partially finished, you will receive no credit. Most of the work required is in ESSAY form. All essay work should be free of all obvious spelling and grammatical errors. Work submitted with many errors will not be accepted.

Which themes should I pick?

A= 162-180 points
B= 144-161 points
C= 126-143 points
D= 108-125 points
F=   0 - 107 points

How Can I Get An "A" In This Class? First, the "Do's": DO turn in everything required for a theme. DO make sure essays are written in your own words, not paraphrased from a website. DO clean up spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. And finally, DO submit quizzes with answers listed like this:    1. A    2. B    3. C etc. Easier for me to grade!

Now for the "Don'ts": DON'T make excuses for late work. Bad form. DON'T plagiarize! It doesn't matter if you are not a great writer. I prefer your words to someone else's. DON'T send me poorly organized work. Label all essays carefully. DON'T tell me you can't get the book.

The Alamo Colleges do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs, or services. Inquiries or complaints concerning these matters should be brought to the attention of: Director of Employee Services, Title IX Coordinator, 210/485-0200. Address: Human Resources Department, 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. A, San Antonio, Texas 78204. For special accommodations or an alternate format, contact Palo Alto Disability Support Services at 486-3020.