UNITED STATES HISTORY II (U.S. History Since 1865)
SYLLABUS
Dr. Brad Reynolds
INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME
Welcome to your online U.S. history class called United States History Since 1865 (History 112) with Dr. Brad Reynolds. (Please note that if you are viewing this prior to the first day of class then this website is subject to change! It does not become official until the first official day of your class so please reread everything here at that time if you are viewing this prior to that date.) Now, if you have not as yet read the "Online Classes Welcome and Orientation Letter Plus Online FAQs" then please scroll to the top of the page you are reading and click on that. After you have read it then return to the read the rest of this Syllabus.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a 100 percent online course. There are no face to face meetings. You will be sending work to the instructor by email to [email protected] and you will be taking some exams at Blackboard. So, make sure you register at Blackboard and that you can access your account. You can reach Blackboard at https://bb9.canyons.edu. (Note that the beginning of the URL is NOT www.)
THE DISCUSSION AREA OF THIS WEBSITE AND THE DISCUSSION BOARD AT BLACKBOARD
If you would like to communicate online with any of the other students in your class about the class material, or perhaps form a study group online, or if you have a general class question for Dr. Reynolds that you wouldn't mind sharing with the other students so they could benefit from the answer too, then you can do a posting at one of two places. One is to the Discussion Area of this Syllabus which you can reach by scrolling to the top of this page, clicking on 'more" and then clicking on "Discussion Area for History 112." Follow the directions to do your posting. The other way you can communicate with the students in your class, or ask the instructor a general question, is to go into your Blackboard account and click on the Discussion Board. Whichever way you decide to go, you should check the Discussion Area of this Syllabus or the Discussion Board at Blackboard several times each week for any class changes or updates to your class. But remember that if you have a question of a personal nature, like something about your grade, you should send an email directly to Professor Reynolds at [email protected]. If that email does not work, you can use [email protected] but please do NOT send the same email to both addresses at the same time. Thanks.
Now, since it is important that you can access Blackboard for this class so you can take your multiple choice exams, please do a posting to the Discussion Board at Blackboard before the first Saturday of the class or you might be dropped from the class! (Or you can do a posting to the Discussion Area here if you are sure you can access Blackboard.) Just say "hello" to everyone by doing a posting which includes your full name, your class section number, your major, and maybe an interesting fact about yourself or anything else that you would like to share with the other members of your class. That way I will also know if you are actively enrolled in the class and, who knows, you might connect with an old friend or make a new one!
CLASS TOPICS
For a list of the major topics covered in this class, please consult the Table of Contents in your assigned texts which are listed below).
This online course aims to acquaint you with the broad historical trends and the continuing controversies in American history since the end of the Civil War in 1865. It should help you realize that there are many ways to look at and respond to events. In so doing, the hope is that you will better understand the present so you can better shape the future. In order for you to understand and appreciate the course information more, you should stay current with the news of the day by regularly reading a daily newspaper, weekly news magazine, or news website, and by keeping current with the reading assignments listed below. By the end of this course it is expected that you will know why the United States failed to reconstruct the Union as a truly democratic republic following the Civil War and what the struggle has been for civil rights, why and how the West was settled during the four decades following the Civil War and what impact that had on the U.S. economy and on the people of the West (especially the Native Americans), you will learn why and how the U.S. expanded into various parts of the world in the latter half of the nineteenth century and fought a war with Spain in 1898, why and how the United States became an industrial giant at the turn of the twentieth century and the impact that has had on the American people and government, why and how the U.S. became the world’s leading military power in the early twentieth century and has retained that title, how the U.S. has dealt with rapid economic take-off and then economic depression, why the United States fought two world wars in less than twenty-five years during the first half of the twentieth century, how a hatred for communism dominated American foreign policy for over four decades, how important social changes over the last one hundred years and especially the last fifty years have (and are) creating forces that will either make America still stronger in the new century or will tear it asunder, and how the war on terrorism has affected American policy at home and abroad.
STUDENT LEANING OUTCOMES or SLOs
The specific Student Learning Outcomes or SLOs for this class, as listed in the course curriculum outline on file with the college, are that by the end of the semester you should be able to:
Assess the causes and ramifications of social, cultural, political, and legal change in the United States; and
Evaluate America's foreign affairs from the late 19th Century to the present.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The specific Student Leaning Objectives that students should know by the end of the semester in this class, according to the class outline on file with the Curriculum Committee, are the ability to:
1. Appraise the social and political issues involved in Reconstruction, while comparing and contrasting various Reconstruction formats and evaluating the impact of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments;
2. Analyze the catalysts for western settlement, and the troubles between "the establishment" and Native Americans, while assessing the validity of assimilation venues such as the Dawes Severalty Act and education;
3. Evaluate the ordeals and progress of laborers in America over time, and assess the impact of ethnocentrism on labor legislation;
4. Articulate the agenda of the populist movement and discern the impact of race on farmers' alliances;
5. Assess the political and social reforms of Progressives, including the diminished role of machine politicians;
6. Appraise the reasons for, and results of, American involvement in international affairs, from the Spanish-American War through the two world wars, and discern the cultural prejudices that have had an impact on international affairs;
7. Explain the causes of the Great Depression, while comparing and contrasting Hoover's and Roosevelt's governments;
8. Analyze the causes and results of the Cold War;
9. Assess and evaluate the causes and results of the Vietnam conflict;
10. Explain the causes and on-going results of America's African-American civil rights movement;
11. Appraise the cultural and political contributions of underrepresented populations;
12. Discern examples of national policies and practices at the local and state level, and explain the mutual impact of the nation and state upon each other; and
13. Demonstrate a familiarity with selected local and state political leaders and legislative or judicial issues.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The contact information below is good 24/7. When you send an email you will get a response as soon as possible and always within 48 hours. If you do not hear back from Professor Reynolds within 48 hours, then please resend your original email and do not assume the first email was received. Also, please remember to ALWAYS include your name, the number of your class, and your class section number in the subject area of your emails. Please also include a detailed message so we can be resolve you question(s) quickly. Thanks!
Professor Reynolds is available to you 24/7 at [email protected] (or ar [email protected] if the fist address does not work). You are also welcome to drop by his office anytime on the Valencia campus of COC in BONH-329. However, since Professor Reynolds is frequently out of his office due to classroom assignments, committee work, or other college responsibilities, and since you are taking a 100 percent online class, it is best that you try to contact Professor Reynolds via email [email protected] (or at [email protected] if the first address does not work). If you do drop by his office, feel free to leave a message under his office door if he is not in, but email will likely be the fastest way to get a response.
(OR [email protected], but please do NOT send the same email to more than one address at a time! Thanks.)
Professor Bradley Reynolds
Professor Reynolds holds a B.A. degree in history from UCLA and a M.A. and Ph.D. in history from USC. He has taught American history for over forty years at three universities (California State University - Northridge, the University of Southern California, and the University of Vienna) and two community colleges (El Camino College and College of the Canyons). He enjoys teaching and looks forward to discussing history withyou!
THE TEXTS AND WHERE TO PURCHASE THEM
The two texts for this course are: Bradley Reynolds, American History, An Overview Since 1865, Eighth Edition (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012), ISBN is 0078119499, and Both books are available at the COC Book Store and various online sites. You can also order the books from the COC Book Store by calling 1-661-362-3355or by emailing [email protected].
The American History book was written specifically for your class. It includes outlines of material you should learn and a chronology of major events. A Patriot's History will give you more insight to the material so it is expected that you will read both books. They are the only books you should read and reference for this class.
COURSE TOPICS
For a list of course topics, please look at the Table of Contents in your course texts.
COURSE READING ASSIGNMENTS
Your class reading assignments are to complete in the American History book Chapters 1-9 for your first exam, Chapters 10-17 for your second test, and the remainder of the book to answer your final exam. In A Patriot's History you should read Chapters 10-14 for test one, Chapters 14-18 for test two, and Chapters 18-22 for test three. Test one covers the years 1865 to 1914, test two covers 1914 to 1953, and test three covers 1953 to the present.
Besides reading your texts, you should read a current daily news source or weekly news magazine on a regular basis. You may be surprised at how much material in this class has a direct relationship to events today. So stay current with the news to enjoy the class material more and to help fulfill one of your class assignments which is to turn in ten current news articles that specifically mention the primary material of your class which is U.S. history between 1865 and 2000 (as described in more detail below in the "History Articles" section). The purpose of this assignment is to show you that there are articles in the news all the time that specifically mention the primary material covered in this class.
COURSE GOALS
The primary goals of this class are that your will complete the class readings, the news articles assignment, the history projects, and the exams, and that by doing so you will gain an understanding of how important it is to know United States history to better comprehend the present and help you shape the future.
GRADING
The grades in this class break down as follows:
3 Multiple Choice Tests worth 20 percent each or 60 percent of your class grade
10 History Projects worth 10 percent of your class grade
10 History Articles worth 10 percent of your class grade
1 SLO Exam worth 10 percent of your class grade
1 Website Review on California history and government worth 10 percent of your class grade
THE MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS: You will take 3 multiple choice exams worth 20 percent each or 60 percent of your class grade. The dates of each exam are listed in the Calendar section below. More information on the exams is listed below under “More on the Multiple Choice Exams.”
THE HISTORY PROJECTS: Another 10 percent of your class grade will come from your 10 History Projects. Their due dates are listed below in the Calendar section and what the projects entail is discussed in more detail below under "History Projects."
THE HISTORY NEWS ARTICLES: Another 10 percent of your class grade will come from your 10 History News Articles. Their due dates are listed below in the Calendar section and how to do the articles is discussed in more detail below under "History Articles."
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME (SLO) EXAM: You will also take in this class 1 Student Learning Outcome (SLO) Exam worth 10 percent of your class grade. This 10 question comprehensive multiple choice exam, for which you will have ten minutes to complete, will review the most important information you should have learned from reading your texts. It will be available at Blackboard on the date listed below in the Calendar section. The test will be graded on a 90-80-7 percentile scale. For more details about it, please see below under "SLO Exam"
REVIEW OF A WEBSITE ON CALIFORNIA HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT: Last, you are expected to complete 1 Review of a webssite on California History and Government. It is due on the day and time listed below in the Calendar section or you will get an F for the assignment plus one lower class grade, so make sure you do this assignment since it's worth 10 percent of your class grade! See below under "The California History and Government Website Review" for more on how to complete this assignment.
CALENDAR OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASS DATES
February 9: On this first official day of your class, you should read the course syllabus carefully and, if you have not yet done so, read the "Online Classes Welcome and Orientation Letter Plus Online FAQs" located at www.bradleyreynolds.weebly.com. You should also start reading your assigned texts and start working on your first two projects which are due next week! (Note that your projects, and articles, can cover any primary topic covered in your texts and do not have relate directly to what you are reading at the moment.) If you have any questions about the class material you should email Professor Reynolds this week at [email protected]. And don't forget to sign into the Discussion Board or the Discussion Area before Saturday!
February 13: Before the end of today, the first Friday of class, you should have posted to the Discussion Board or Discussion Area to avoid possibly being dropped from the class. And don't forget to start working on your first two projects (and articles). Remember to please cut and paste your projects (and your articles and all your other work) directly into the emails you send to [email protected] and please send all your work in separate emails (yes, it's a bit more work but it will make record keeping a lot easier for both of us). Remember too that you can turn in your projects (and articles) early and that you are encouraged to do so at least 72 hours prior to when they are due so that you have time to redo something if necessary. And please don't forget to put your full name, your class number, and you class section number in the subject area of the emails you send. By this date you should have also started to read the first assigned chapters in your course texts. You might want to also reread the "Online Students Welcome and Orientation Letter Plus Online FAQs" since the Q and A section might have more meaning now.
February 20: Your fist two projects must be received today by 11:59 p.m. COC time. Remember to cut and paste your projects directly into your emails and to include a link to your source. Also remember to put your full name and your class number and section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. You should also be looking for your first two articles and reading your assigned texts so you can start preparing for your first multiple choice exam which is in a few weeks.
February 23: Today, at the start of your third week, you should be working on the first two articles that are due this Friday. Remember, the articles do not have to relate to what you are currently reading. They can reference any of the primary topics in your class between 1865 and 2000.
February 27: Today, as you end your third week of class, your first two articles must be received via email to [email protected] no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time. Remember to cut and paste your articles directly into your emails and to include a link to your source. Also remember to put your full name and your class number and section number in the subject area of your emails and to send all work in separate emails.
March 2: Today, at the start of your fourth week, you should be working on your second set of two projects which is due this Friday, and you should have started reviewing the multiple choice questions in your American History text.
March 6: Today your second set of two projects must be received via email at [email protected] no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time. Remember to cut and paste your projects directly into your emails and to include a link to your source. Also remember to put your full name and your class number and section number in the subject area of your emails and to send all work in separate emails. You should also be working on your second set of articles which is due next Friday, and you should be preparing for your first multiple choice exam which is the week after next.
March 13: Today your second two articles must be received via email to [email protected] no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time. Remember to cut and paste your articles directly into your emails and to include a link to your source. Also remember to put your full name, your class number and section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. You should also be studying for your first multiple choice exam which is next week.
March 19: Today before noon your first multiple choice exam will be posted at Blackboard. Make sure you complete it no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time. You are strongly urged to take the exam as early as you can so that if something happens of a technical nature you will be able to retake the exam. If you wait until the last hour to take the exam and something happens, you are NOT guaranteed the opportunity to complete the test! You are also encouraged to take the exam using Firefox as your browser instead of Explorer. If you do not have Firefox, you can download it for free at firefox.com. Remember that the exam is timed (you have 60 minutes to complete it) and it cannot be stopped once you start it, so make sure you study the multiple choice questions in your American History book before you take the exam, just like you would in a face to face class.
March 23: Today, as you start your seventh week of class, you should be working on your third set of projects (projects 5 and 6) which are due on Friday.
March 27: Today your third set of projects (projects 5 and 6) must be recived via email to [email protected] no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time. Remember to cut and paste your projects directly into your emails and to include a link to your source. Also remember to put your full name and your class number and section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails.
March 30: Today, as you start your eighth week of class, you should be working on your third set of articles (articles 5 and 6) which must be received before midnight Friday. You should also be reviewing the multiple choice questions for exam which is in a couple of weeks.
April 3: Today your third set of articles (articles 5 and 6) are due via email to [email protected] no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time. Remember to cut and paste your articles directly into your emails and to include a link to your source. Also remember to put your full name and your class number and section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. You should also be reviewing the multiple choice questions in the American History book in preparation for your second multiple choice exam in a few weeks. April 6-10: Spring Break! No work is due! Enjoy!
April 13: Today, as you start your tenth week of class, you should be working on your fourth set of projects (projects 7 and 8) which are due on Friday. You should also working on your next set of articles that are due next week and you should be reviewing the multiple choice questions in your American History text in preparation for your third multiple choice test in a few weeks.
April 17: Today your fourth set of projects (projects 7 and 8) which must be received via email to [email protected] no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time. Remember to cut and paste your projects directly into your emails and to include a link to your source. Also remember to put your full name, your name and your class number and section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails.
April 20: Today as you begin your eleventh week of class, you should be working on your fourth set of articles (articles 7 and 8), which must be received this Friday before midnight, and you should be reviewing the multiple choice questions for your second multiple choice exam.
April 24: Today by 11:59 p.m. COC time, your fourth set of articles is due via email to [email protected]. Be sure to cut and paste your work directly into your emails and to include your full name and class number and section number in the subject area of your emails, and please send all work in separate emails. You should also be preparing for your second multiple choice exam which will be posted next Thursday!
April 30: Today before noon your second multiple choice exam will be posted at Blackboard. You are strongly urged to take the exam as early as possible so that if something happens of a technical nature you will
have time to retake the exam. If you wait until the last hour to take the exam and something happens, you will not have time to complete the test! You are also encouraged to take the exam using Firefox as your browser instead of Explorer. If you do not have Firefox, you can download it for free at firefox.com. As with the first multiple choice test, you should study the multiple choice questions in the American History text before you take this exam! Remember, your exam must be completed before midnight!
May 4: Today, as we begin the thirteenth week of class, you should be working on your last set of projects (projects 9 and 10) which must be received this Friday before midnight. You should also be reviewing for your third multiple choice exam and looking for your last set of articles.
May 8: Today by 11:59 p.m. COC time, your last set of projects (projects 9 and 10) must be received via email to [email protected] . Be sure to cut and paste your work directly into your emails and to include your full name and class number and section number in the subject area of your emails, and please send all work in separate emails.
May 11: Today, as we begin the fourteenth week of class, you should be working on your last set of articles (articles 9 and 10) which must be received this Friday before midnight. You should also be reviewing for your last multiple choice exam.
May 15: Today by 11:59 p.m. COC time, your last set of articles (articles 9 and 10) must be received via email to [email protected]. Be sure to cut and paste your work directly into your emails and to include your full name and class number and section number in the subject area of your emails, and please send all work in separate emails. You should also be studying now for your third multiple choice exam which is next week.
May 21: Today before noon your third multiple choice exam will be available at Blackboard. You must complete the exam no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time. You are strongly urged to take the exam early so that if something happens of a technical nature you will have the opportunity to retake the exam. If you wait until the last hour to take the exam and something happens, you may not have time to complete the test! You are also encouraged to take the exam using Firefox as your browser instead of Explorer. If you do not have Firefox, you can download it for free at firefox.com.
May 25: As you start your last week of class, you should be reviewing you course texts to prepare for your SLO exam which will be posted on Thursday and which must be completed by 11:59 COC time. You should also be working on your review of a website on California history and government which must be received no later than Friday before midnight.
May 28: Today before noon your SLO exam will be available at Blackboard. These ten question multiple choice test is timed (you have ten minutes to complete it) and it covers material from the entire class, so make sure you have reviewed your course texts before you take the exam, especially the multiple choice questions in the American History book. Note that you must complete this exam by 11:59 p.m. COC time.
May 29: By today, no later than 11:59 p.m. COC time, you must turn in your review of a website on California history and government if you have not yet done so.
Congratulations - you have completed the course!
REVIEW OF IMPORTANT CLASS DATES
February 9: This is your first day of class. Make sure you carefully read your course syllabus and that you contact Professor Reynolds if you have any questions about the class.
February 13: By the end of today you must have signed into the Discussion Board or Discussion Area with your hello to the class and to Professor Reynolds or you could be dropped from the class.
February 20: Your first two projects must be received before midnight.
February 27: Your first two articles must be received before midnight. March 6: Your third and fourth projects must be received before midnight. March 13: Your third and fourth articles must be received before midnight.
March 19: Your first multiple choice exam is posted to Blackboard.
March 27: Your fifth and sixth projects must be received before midnight. April 3: Your fifth and sixth articles must be received before midnight. April 6-10: Spring Break!
April 17: Your seventh and eighth projects must be received before midnight. April 24: Your seventh and eighth articles must be received before midnight. April 30: Your second multiple choice exam is posted to Blackboard.
May 8: Your ninth and tenth projects must be received before midnight. May 15: Your ninth and tenth articles must be received before midnight. May 21: Your third multiple choice exam is posted to Blackboard.
May 28: Your SLO Exam is available at Blackboard.
May 29: Today before midnight you must submit your review of a website on California history and government if you have not done so already.
MORE ON THE MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS
The multiple choice questions will come, for the most part, from the questions at the end of each chapter of the American History text, so if you study the questions in Chapters 1-9 for your first multiple choice test you should not have too many surprises. And if you study the multiples at the end of Chapters 10-17 for test two you should not have too many surprises. And if you study the remaining chapters for your third multiple choice test then you should do well on it too! The multiple choice tests will be available at Blackboard on the dates listed above under the Calendar section. Note that the multiple choice tests are timed (you will have 60 minutes for each of your three multiple choice exams, and each exam has 100 questions) so be prepared before you go to take each exam, just as you would in a face to face class! Also, just so you are not caught by surprise and then panic, I have been told that on occasion the tests at Blackboard move slowly. DO NOT hit the backspace button or refresh button since that will exit you from the test! The reason you have 60 minutes to complete the exam is because most students in my face to face classes finish the 100 question multiple choice test in 45 minutes or less, so extra time has been built into the test in case of problems. Nevertheless, you are also STRONGLY ADVISED to take the multiple choice exams early on the day it posts so that if you have any technical problems they can be resolved before the deadline of when you test must be completed. You will likely NOT be able to resolve any technical problems that occur if you take the exam late in the day. So take note of when the exams will be available and take your exam early if you can. You should also consider using Firefox as your browser instead of Explorer since the COC techies believe that it's more reliable with Blackboard. Whatever, keep in mind that your failure to do an exam will result in zero, which means an F for that test plus one lower class grade, and the multiple choice tests cannot be taken late. So make sure you have a good computer connection, that you have adequately prepared for the test, and that you take the exam early on the day it posts. And note that once the test begins it cannot be stopped.
THE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME OR SLO TEST
The short multiple choice exam you will take at the end of the class is the Student Learning Outcome (SLO) test. It will be available at Blackboard on the date mentioned above in the Calendar section. The test has 10 questions and you will have 10 minutes to complete it. The questions cover the entire class and some of the questions come from the multiples in your American History text, so reviewing those should help. Remember, the test must be completed by the date and time mentioned Calendar section above and you cannot take it late! The test is 10 percent of your class grade. Your failure to take the test will result in a zero for the exam which is an F plus one lower class grade, so don't forget to take this test! And, once again, you are STRONGLY ADVISED to take the exam early on the day it posts so that if you have any technical problems they can be resolved before the deadline of when you test must be completed. So take note of when the exam will be available and take your exam early that day if you can. You should also consider using Firefox as your browser instead of Explorer since the COC techies think it's more reliable with Blackboard. You can download Firefox for free at firefox.com.
THE HISTORY NEWS ARTICLES
Besides your exam grades, 10 percent of your class grade will come from the ten history news articles assignment. The purpose of this assignment is to show you that there are articles in the news all the time which specifically mention the primary content of your class which is U.S. history between 1865 and 2000. So look for articles that specifically reference that primary material you are studying. Also note that the articles must come from a current news source (meaning something published within the term dates of your class) like a daily newspaper or news website or a weekly newspaper or weekly news magazine. (Do NOT use a history magazine or history website, do not get your articles from a newspaper blog or magazine blog, and do not use "This Day in History" blurbs or sites like the New York Times "Topics" since these defeat the purpose of your assignment which is to show you that there are articles all the time that specifically the primary history of your class between 1865 and 2000 in daily newspapers, weekly news magazines and news websites). When you find what is required, put it in an email with an active link to the source (or scan or photo it and send it as an attachment if you are using a hard copy of something, but make sure you also send a page number, the date of your article, and the name of the source). Then write a paragraph about what the article says and another on how it specifically mentions something from the primary content of your class and how having knowledge of that content is important for you to fully understand the article. Make sure you submit your articles in separate emails by their due dates mentioned in the Calendar section if you plan to complete this assignment, and remember that you can turn articles in early (and you should try to do so at least 72 hours before they are due so you will have time to redo an article if needed)!
If you turn in all the articles by their due dates you will receive an "A" for this part of your class grade. Eight articles will earn you a "B," seven a "C" and six a "D." If you turn in less than six articles then you will get an F for this assignment, but that's better than a zero which is what you will get if you turn in nothing. (A zero is an F for the assignment plus one lower class grade!) So turn in something! And make sure you keep a copy of what you submit until you are told by Professor Reynolds that your article was graded and recorded! Then keep the accepted email until you get your final class grade!
THE HISTORY PROJECTS
Another class assignment is to complete your ten history projects relating to the primary content of your class (U.S. history) between the years 1865 and 2000. The purpose of this assignment is to show you that there are many ways to learn about the primary history you are studying. To find some of the history project worksheets, go to bradleyreynolds.weebly.com and click on "Projects." Things you can do include attending a lecture on something related to the primary content of this class before 2000, writing a book review on a book related to the primary content of this class before 2000, visiting a museum or library to see an exhibit related to the primary content of this class before 2000 (if you do this make sure you keep the receipt so you can send a copy of it with your review), critiquing a historical cartoon or poster or photograph of something related to the primary content of this class prior to 2000, interviewing someone who knows about information related to the primary content of this class prior to 2000, or even analyzing a song or video game about topics related to the primary content of this class prior to 2000. Whatever you decide to do (and you are welcome to suggest something that is not listed), remember that you are expected to do ten projects (at least five different ones, meaning you can do any type of project two times), you must follow the directions for each project as stated on each worksheet (although your reviews can be 1 to 3 pages and do not have to be 2 pages as stated on each worksheet), you may not do more than two of the same projects (so, for example, you cannot do three movie reviews), and you need to send each project in a separate email. Also, please make sure that the work you reference for your project is from within the term dates of your class. So, for example, if you do a museum review or a film review or a lecture review, make sure it comes from something you did within the dates of your class term. Once you have completed your project you should cut and paste your work into an email to Professor Reynolds. If any of this is unclear, be sure to contact Professor Reynolds via email for a further explanation.
If you complete all ten history projects by their due dates, which are mentioned in the Calendar section above, then you will get an "A" for this part of your class grade. Eight completed projects by the proper due dates will earn you a "B," seven projects will earn you a "C," and six projects a "D." If you turn in less than six projects then you will get an F for this assignment, but that's better than a zero which is what you will get if you turn in nothing. (A zero is an F for the assignment plus one lower class grade!) So turn in something! As with the news articles, you can turn in your ten history projects either individually or in total anytime prior to their due dates to receive full credit, but you should try to turn them in sooner than later and preferably at least 72 hours before they are due so if something is rejected or lost you will have time to redo it. And make sure you keep a copy of each project until you know it has been approved by Professor Reynolds! Then keep the accepted email until you get your final class grade!
THE CALIFORNIA HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITE REVIEW
Last, but not least, don't forget to do your review of a website on California history and government! This can be on any website that mentions something about the history and government of CALIFORNIA from 1865 to 2000. You can use the website worksheet under "Projects" at www.bradleyreynolds.weebly.com as your template if you like, or make up your own review questions, but make sure you clearly label your California website review as such so it does not get confused with a website project (and, yes, you can still do two website projects in addition to this review). This assignment will be 10 percent of your class grade and will be graded as done or not done. If you complete the assignment correctly you will get an A for it. If you only complete the assignment partially correct then you will get a C for it. If you do the assignment wrong then you will get an F for it. And if you do not do the assignment you will get a zero for it, which means an F for the assignment plus one lower class grade, so make sure you do this assignment. While it is not due until the last day of class, you are strongly urged to get it done much sooner (you can turn it in anytime).
CHEATING, COPYING AND PLAGIARISM
Unfortunately, a note needs to be made here about cheating, copying, and plagiarism. If you are caught cheating, or if you copy the work of someone else, or if you plagiarize, you will receive a fail for the class and you may be subject to further disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion. So make sure you obey the rules! If you have any questions about any of this make sure you ask Professor Reynolds.
IF YOU DECIDE TO DROP THIS CLASS
If you decide to drop this class it is your responsibility to do so before the drop date. If you remain in the class you should plan to complete all the class assignments by their due dates.