Classroom Participation: (20%)

In each class we will spend a significant portion of the period discussing the readings assigned for that week. Students are expected to actively participate in these discussions in an informed manner. This requires students to be present for each lecture and discussion section, to read the weekly assignments, and to be attentive to the materials presented through lectures. Students are expected to come prepared for each discussion session with questions they may have about the material . Informed participation includes raising these questions, fleshing out the arguments presented in the readings, analyzing and evaluating the conclusions of the assigned texts, discussing the implications that the arguments have on our larger understanding of history and summarizing the state of the conversation at hand. Informed participation not only demands you speak, but that you actively listen to the issues that your classmates raise. Unexcused absences count as a -1, attendance coupled with active listening counts as a 0, and informed participation in discussion counts as +1.  At the end of the semester, a total score of 0 will earn a C (75), and a score of 24 (or however many discussion days we end up having) will earn an A+ (100) on the participation portion of the grade.

Analytical Reviews: (25%)

You will be expected to write four analytical reviews over the course of the semester. The reviews should be between two and three double spaced pages with 12 pt. Times New Roman font and standard margins. You can choose the weeks that you write your reviews, but you must have two completed by October 5th, and you must submit two essays in the weeks after that date. The papers must be uploaded to the course drop box on Blackboard by 3:30 pm on the Monday prior to your discussion section. Additionally the papers must be submitted in hard copy and in person at the start of your discussion section. Papers turned in late will be penalized 1/2 letter grade if they are uploaded after the 3:30 pm deadline on Monday and an additional letter grade for every 24 hours following the deadline.

The papers must focus on the secondary readings assigned for the week they are turned in. For example, reviews turned in on January 19th will focus on the Linebaugh/Redicker chapter. Your essays need to address the major arguments or thesis developed in these chapters, but the reviews need to go beyond a simple summary of the material. They should draw conclusions and make an argument/reaction clearly expressed in your own thesis statement. Your original arguments/reactions can draw from material presented in the lectures, the textbook, and the primary source readings assigned. You need to back up your argument with properly cited evidence – including direct quotations.

Quizzes: (15%)

Multiple choice quizzes will be administered periodically to gauge your familiarity with the readings and lecture material. You will need to bring a #2 pencil to every class period. If you miss class on the day they are given, you will not be allowed to make up the quizzes. If you have a medically excused absence, the quiz will not count in your overall average.

Midterm Exam: (15%)

The midterm exam will be held on Thursday, October 15th. It will include synthetic essays that ask you to examine major themes developed in the first half of the course. The questions will be provided to you prior to the exam. You will need one 8 ½” by 11” bluebook for the exam.

Final Exam: (25%)

Your final exam will be held Saturday, December 5th from 8:00-10:00 am in Burruss 31 and 32. It will be a comprehensive exam – meaning it will include material from the first half of the semester. The exam will be comprised of several essay questions. The exam will attempt to evaluate your understanding of the major themes of the course and the specific arguments of the historians we read. A list of essay questions will be provided to you prior to the exam. You will need two 8 ½” by 11” blue books for the exam.

Grading Policy

(A) means genuinely outstanding, mastery of the subject, near flawless exposition, and incisive interpretation. (B) means well above average achievements in mastery of the subject, exposition, and interpretation throughout the course. (C) means comprehension of the basic concepts, competent exposition, and interpretation. The grade of C indicates that the student has learned the subject at an appropriate university level. (D) means unsatisfactory but still barely passing. (F) means failure. These grades are earned by the student and reflect student performance.