H105, American History I, Fall 2021

CONDITIONS OF LEARNING.  In the face of the ongoing pandemic/caregiving/economic crisis still facing our country and world this semester, this course is required to be conducted in-person this semester ... at least initially, pending any necessary pivots to virtual instruction.

In keeping with national public health recommendations, current university policy requires masks covering mouth and nose when inside any campus building (corridors and classrooms), among other safety precautions and protocols.

The seating capacity for Biology Building A100 is 152; its social distancing capacity is 25.  The seats are fixed in auditorium-style.  Given the enrollment of this class (120), we will not be able to social distance, and thus masking is that much more necessary.

CLASS CONTRIBUTION.  The success of this course depends on your regular attendance to lecture, as well as your active participation in small-group discussion.  Attending every class is thus absolutely mandatory.  Prior to attending each lecture class, you should complete the corresponding response sheet indicated on the course syllabus and found under Assignments in Canvas.  This response sheet will help you prepare for each class, and will also facilitate in-class writing exercises to occur in each class.  These response sheets should be submitted electronically via Assignments in Canvas when you exit a given class session.  They will be assessed as the “contribution” dimension to the class, collectively counting approximately 40% toward your final grade.

If you must be absent at some point, you should have the courtesy to alert the course assistant and/or professor beforehand, and you should have the responsibility to complete and submit the before-class portion of the response sheet.

READING ASSIGNMENTS.  Weekly reading will involve a blend of mostly “primary” documents produced by people in the past, and some “secondary” readings written by historians.  Direction to these documents and readings can be found in the course syllabus, which will direct you to Files in Canvas.  These readings serve as the basis for the before-class portion of the response sheets.

For general tips on interpreting primary documents and evaluating secondary readings, see the following two guidelines:  Strategies for Interpreting Primary Documents and Strategies for Evaluating Secondary Readings.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS. There will be four written papers, each posted ahead of time on the course syllabus.  There will not be any memorization examinations.  The papers will be four pages each, the last functioning as a take-home final examination, with each counting approximately 15% toward your final grade.  Improvement over the course of the semester will be rewarded, with respect to both writing assignments as well as response sheets.

Papers are due at the beginning of the class session; the fourth paper shall be due by the end of the final exam period assigned to the class by the Registrar.  These papers should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins in a readable (10, 11, or 12 point) font, with your name (but never your student identification number), course number and title, date, and paper title at the top of the first page.  Like response sheets, papers should be submitted via Assignments in Canvas.

Plagiarism will result in failure of and ejection from the class, and will become a permanent part of the student’s transcript and academic record.  Writing must be original, and all quotations, derivative ideas and uncommon facts must be duly footnoted.  See “Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It” from Writing Tutorial Services.  For student responsibilities and university procedures related to academic misconduct, see the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

For general assistance with writing papers or other study skills, you are encouraged to consult with Writing Tutorial Services (Wells Library Learning Commons), one of the Academic Support Centers (in Briscoe, Forest, and Teter), or the Student Academic Center (408 N. Union Street, Suite 300).

For specific guidelines on how to write thesis statements, how to write topic sentences and organize paragraphs, and how to use evidence, see the various “Writing Guides” produced by Writing Tutorial Services.

ASSISTANCE.  If at any time during the semester you have questions about the course website, lecture material, reading material, writing assignments, or your performance in this class, please email, or make an appointment to speak to, the course assistants or professor.

If you have a disability or learning disability, please provide the professor with official written notification from Office of Disability Services for Students (Wells Library Suite W302) as soon as possible so that any necessary accommodations can be made.

International students may find resources at the Office of International Services (Poplars 221, 400 E. Seventh Street).

If any difficult situation related to the ongoing pandemic/caregiving/economic crisis — or otherwise — confronts you, please avail yourself of a range of university services found at:  Dean of Students Office.

Among the available university services are:  Counseling and Psychological Services and the Student Advocates Office.

If you experience any bias-based incident — i.e., any any act of discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability — you can report it as follows:  i) email biasincident@indiana.edu or incident@indiana.edu; ii) call the Dean of Students Office at (812) 855-8188 or iii) use the IU mobile App (m.iu.edu).  Reports can be made anonymously.