Course Syllabus

Image: Scene from the Bayeux Tapestry

History 4.1, History of Western Civilization to 1648 CE

Fall 2016

Section 0943

 

Online Class

Instructor: Sal Diaz

Office Hours: Thursday and Sunday from 7-8 pm through Chat on Canvas

Santa Rosa Campus Office: Emeritus Hall 1558

Office Phone: 527-4463

Email: sdiaz@santarosa.edu

Course Description

This course is the chronological first of two Western Civilization courses.  We shall begin with a focus on the development of the first civilizations during the Bronze and Iron Ages.  Our main concern will be the spread of culture and civilization from Mesopotamia to Europe.  We shall look closely at the relationship between people and their natural environment and the way this interaction shaped their various civilizations.  We shall also attempt to understand the cultural views of these ancient peoples; their social, political, and religious structures will allow us insight into what it was like to live “then” and “there”.

Regardless of your grade, this course will be a success if you are ultimately able to grapple with historical texts and encounter them with a critical eye. We shall look at various kinds of specific evidence relating to the cultures we study and consider how to use that evidence to develop the meaningful assessments of the cultures in question.  You should be able to appreciate the way other cultures have seen the world and articulated their particular vision.  I hope this class will give you an opportunity to improve your ability to express ideas both verbally and on paper, and that you will become more confident in thinking about history and engaging in historical discourse.

Student Learning Outcomes

Course Outline

Online Class Requirements

This is an intensive course that involves extensive reading and completion of assignments. Every week you will be responsible for reading approximately 50-60 pages, writing 2-3 pages, watching 1-2 hours of videos, and completing quizzes of 20-30 questions.This class requires the use of Canvas through the SRJC website. This online delivery differs from a traditional face-to-face setting in several ways. First, your success in this class depends entirely on your ability to keep up with the required readings and complete all assignments on time. Second, this class requires that some of your work be submitted trough the Canvas system--you must have a basic understanding on how to upload or paste your work onto Canvas. Here is a link to a complete set of Canvas Guides (Link to an external site.) that you can use as a starting place; it is imperative that you watch those videos and contact me if you have any questions or issues.

**In order to encourage consistency and avoid confusion all discussions, quizzes, and map assignments will be due on Thursdays by the end of the day (11:59 pm), and all critical thinking question assignments and exams will be due on Sundays by the end of the day (11:59 pm). Be sure that you prepare for this schedule because no late work will be accepted for any reason.**

By the first day of class, you should log on to the Canvas class site and explore the Getting Started Module. You should also read the syllabus and check the material that is due by the end of the first week of class. Make sure you look at the checklist that I have posted under the syllabus to prepare for the first day of class. If you have any issues, concerns, or if you have any suggestions on how your experience can be improved, please contact me through email or a post on one of the forums. My primary goal is to help you succeed in this class.

I will do my best to help you stay on track. If I notice that you are missing assignments or your grades are low, I may contact you to check if you are participating or if there might be an issue with your ability to complete the work.

Here is a link to the SRJC Distance Education page where you might find helpful information and links.

Textbook

Dennis Sherman and Joyce Salisbury, The West in the World, Vol. 1, 5th ed. (4^th edition is acceptable)

ISBN: 9780077367596

There is a 4th edition copy for short-term use currently on reserve at Doyle Library: CB245 .S465 2011

Bookstore Link

This book is available in the campus bookstore.  Please be sure you acquire it in time to prepare your readings for the relevant classes

Recomended Software

• Adobe Reader
• Flash Player
• Open Office

Dropping the Class

Since this is a college course, you are responsible for dropping yourself from this class; I will not drop you, you will simply fail the course if you stop showing up. However, for face-to-face courses, students who fail to attend the first class meeting may be dropped by the instructor. For classes that meet online, students who fail to log on and initiate participation by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time of the first day of the class may be dropped by the instructor. 

Important Dates

Date Class Begins:	8/22/2016		Date Class Ends:	12/14/2016
Last Day Add w/o add code:	8/28/2016		Last Day Add with add code:	9/11/2016
Last Day Drop for Refund:	9/4/2016		Last Day for P/NP option:	10/2/2016
Last Day Drop w/o W:	9/11/2016		Last Day Drop with W:	11/20/2016
			Date Final Exam:	12/21/2016

 

Grading Policy

Click the “Grades” link in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade your submitted assignments once a week and post grades and comments in the Canvas gradebook.

Grading:

Exams                                                  180 pts

Quizzes                                                  70 pts                                   

Maps & Assignments                           150 pts                                                                               

Total                                                = 400 pts

 

Grading is based on total points, not percentages or averages for individual assignments/quizzes/exams.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A	90%	360 points or more
B	80%	320 to 359 points
C	70%	280 to 319 points
D	60%	240 to 279 points

 

Anything below 240 pts is an F.

**If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and complete the

midterm exam and the final exam to pass the class.

Exams

There will be two midterms and one final exam. You will usually be expected to answer critical thinking questions and some multiple choice/true/false questions. A study guide will be distributed in advance of each exam. You will be responsible for any material from the reading, lectures, discussions, web materials, and handouts distributed during the course of the class. Each exam will concentrate mainly on the material covered from the point of the previous exam; however, some comparison questions may appear. 

There are no make-up exams except for when the student schedules a make-up in advance, has a doctor’s note for a serious illness, or has a verifiable emergency. Students engaged in extracurricular activities that require their absence must arrange a make-up in advance. If you miss an exam you must provide some written documentation to verify your illness or emergency and you must contact me immediately; if you meet the requirements you have two class periods to make up an exam. See the Rubric for Grading Exams to understand how points are earned.

Quizzes

At least one quiz will be given covering each broad unit of work. It may consist of identifications, multiple choice-true/false or short-answer questions based on the main themes from the readings and lectures. The quiz will be posted online on Canvas. You must take the quiz prior to the due date, no exceptions! NO MAKE UPS will be given for quizzes for any reason or circumstance.

Maps

Maps requiring you to identify relevant locations or regions will be posted on Canvas in matching quiz format. The Map quizzes will be posted online on Canvas. You must take the quizzes prior to the due date, no exceptions! NO MAKE UPS will be given for quizzes for any reason or circumstance.

Written Assignments

There is a writing requirement for this class. This requirement will be fulfilled through several written responses to the readings or the major topics from the class (500-1200 words each)—expect to write one or two every week. Assignments will be submitted through Canvas when they are due.

I shall make every effort to post grades for quizzes, exams, and assignments as promptly as possible. Please allow at least one week for the grading of your work. Your understanding will be appreciated. Assignments are flexible and I create them for you as we move along in the class; it is best to wait for me to post assignments so that way there is no confusion on what is due and when it is due. I will keep assignments posted at least one week beyond our current topic, so if you wish to work ahead of schedule you will be able to do so.

**Make sure you watch the short video "Assignment Submission" and that you familiarize yourself with the homework guidelines and the grading rubric.

Late Assignment Policy

All assignments are due by 11:59 pm on the due date. No late assignments will be accepted under any circumstances so plan your time appropriately.

Pass‐No Pass (P/NP)

You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online with TLC or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P.

You must file for the P/NP option by the proper date. Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade. If you are taking this course as part of a certificate program, you can probably still take the class P/NP. Check with a counselor to be sure. 

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum

The instructor will post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences.  A “Q&A Forum” is also available as a pinned Discussion to ask for assistance of your classmates or of the instructor.

Standards of Conduct & Academic Honesty

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the SRJC Student Code of Conduct page.

You are encouraged to work with your fellow students to study for exams, quizzes, and review materials; however, any graded project or exam must be entirely your own work—you may work together on an assignment but you may not submit the same homework with different names if you worked together. If you turn in another person’s homework as your own, neither student will receive credit for that particular project. The same restrictions apply for material from the internet, you may use the internet as a resource but you are not allowed to copy and paste material and turn it in as your own. You will receive a zero for any submitted work that is not your own.

See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's statement on Academic Integrity

Special Needs

Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Students should contact their instructor as soon as possible if they find that they cannot access any course materials.

Student Health Services: Health issues (physical and mental) can interfere with your academic success. Student Health Services is here to support you. Details are at shs.santarosa.edu. In addition, they have a great new 3-minute video that details all of their services.

Students with Disabilities: Upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the college, students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation. Link to SRJC Disability Resources Department.

***If you have any questions or issues please contact me 

**Please refer to the MODULES section for a complete list of assignments and correct due dates. The list below is incomplete and inaccurate, but I cannot remove it from the Syllabus yet.**