Navigating the College History Class: A Comprehensive Syllabus Guide

Understanding the syllabus is the first step to succeeding in any college course, especially a history class. This guide synthesizes key elements commonly found in history course syllabi, drawing from a variety of sources and perspectives to provide a comprehensive overview. It aims to help students navigate the expectations, requirements, and resources available in their college history courses.

The Importance of History

It is impossible to understand today's world without understanding the past. Historical forces have shaped every aspect of our world, from political divisions to patterns of migration, technological innovation, and climate change. History shows us that there is nothing "natural" or "inevitable" about our lives; the modern world is the product of past generations' choices, contingencies, and challenges. Since the past fundamentally shapes our present, we can use this knowledge to effect change; only by understanding the past can we create new possibilities for the future. The study of history also develops core critical thinking skills: reading, writing, analytical thinking, argumentation, and presentation. In particular, history teaches how to carefully read and assess different sources of information. With these skills, history majors build diverse and exciting careers: our majors work in every field from law, entertainment, and finance to education and social justice.

Course Overview and Objectives

The primary purpose of a college history course is to teach students how to use primary and secondary sources to analyze historical evidence. This involves developing critical thinking skills, enhancing communication abilities, and fostering an understanding of civic responsibility. Students must demonstrate their ability to think critically about history by writing a research paper on a historical figure within the time period. Students will write a paper analyzing and contributions of one historical figure who contributed to the early success of the United States. Students will be given a list of historical figures that impacted the United States from the Federalist Era until the American Civil War Era and will be asked to pick a character that impacted the United States the most. Students must develop, interpret, and express ideas through written or verbal communication. Students will develop a Speech highlighting his/her strengths to run for public office. Students will develop a Power Point Presentation that accurately depicts one of the following (1) Colonial America (2) Revolutionary America. Topics are subject to change each semester. Students will: Identify civic responsibility. Students will take on the character of an early American Historical character. As this character students will write a short essay, analyzing how this character contributed to the reformation or moral failure in the United States between 1783 till 1860.

Course Content Delivery

This class will convey the course material through lectures, discussions, primary/secondary documents, guest speakers, instructional videos and PowerPoint presentations.

Required Materials and Resources

A syllabus typically outlines the required textbooks, readings, and other resources necessary for the course. Readings are accessed through (1) assigned textbook (2) via the hyperlinks in the online version of the syllabus on Blackboard and (3) files available through the “Course Documents” section of Blackboard. You should ensure that all primary source documents, including readings, are accessible to you during class. It is also important to familiarize yourself with online platforms like Blackboard, where additional materials, announcements, and assignments may be posted.

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Attendance and Participation

Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. Attendance is required. Remember that the classroom is your best textbook. Please note also that you are expected to complete the reading and video assignments for discussion before you come to class. Participation in discussion is encouraged, enhances your grade, and (most certainly!) your experience in the course. Attendance and class participation constitute 20% of your grade. This might seem like a large percentage for a large class. Participation, however, is measured by your appearance in class (an easy way to assure a boosted grade), as well as your comments in lectures and class discussions. Your presence is recorded on the roster (as is your sudden absence should you leave the discussion), as is your time of disappearance. If you appear for only a portion of the class, you will not receive credit for being present for the entire class. Additionally, I take careful note of individuals, who actively participate in the class. Please note that any behaviors that distract other students (including talking, texting, disrespectful behavior etc.) will negatively impact your class participation grade. In online courses, attendance is often determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations.

If students become sick and are unable to come to class for health reasons, it is student responsibility to reach out immediately to me so that we can arrange for you to maintain your work level in the class whenever possible. Please remember that, in the event of your absence, you are held responsible for all course materials that you may have missed; quizzes and exams heavily weigh information discussed in lectures and class discussions. Please don’t ask me IF you missed something in a class meeting; you necessarily did. Instead, please consider something you missed that you particularly don’t understand and I am happy to clarify it with and for you. Bring a notebook, pen, or pencil, along with your readings. It remains useful to take notes on paper on class discussion. While lectures will be posted in advance online, it is the content of the discussion that will be most useful for your quiz and exam preparation-so write things down! Turn off the sound on all extra electronics, including computers, tablets, and smart phones.

When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance.

Assignments and Grading

Syllabi detail the types of assignments, their weight in the final grade, and the criteria for evaluation. Common assignments in history courses include:

Unit Exams: Unit exams will be administered over Open educational resources (OER), assigned readings, and lecture material. The number and style of the exams may vary based upon the instructor and the length of the course.
Research Paper: A research paper will constitute a portion of the class grade. The paper will require students to research and write of a historical figure within the time period. The paper requirements, such as length and style, may vary depending upon the length of the course and the individual instructor.
Reading Assignments: Reading Assignments will be administered during the semester. You need to complete the reading assignments for each class BEFORE we meet for that class so you can engage in class lecture and participate in class discussions.
Attendance Grade: All students will be assigned with an attendance grade. The means by which the grade is calculated shall be determined by the individual instructor and vary based upon the method of course delivery (i.e. face-to-face or internet class).
Quizzes: Several quizzes are given during the semester, nearly every week. Most of these will be on blackboard; usually opening on Thursday evenings unless otherwise noted. Quiz averages will count 15% toward the final course grade, but your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Quizzes will be brief, multiple choice, short answer, and given through the “assignments” section on blackboard, and will include questions about the readings assigned for that week and (primarily) material discussed in the preceding class session. Quizzes will be timed and completed before the following class period; no make-up quizzes will be given!
Primary Source Response Paper: Primary Source Response Paper 10% Guidelines to be posted on blackboard and papers will be submitted via blackboard. You will choose only 1 of 3 possible topics to submit during the semester. Look ahead in the syllabus to identify which topic will be most interesting to you.
Midterm Exams: Midterm Exams 30% (15% each). These exams combine multiple choice and short essay formats; they will be timed and similar to the quizzes (more information through the “Assignments” section of blackboard). You will have two midterms during the semester.

Grading Policies

In your final grade assessment, I will take improvement over time into consideration and I sometimes (depending on grade averages) grade on a curve (I curve up, not down). I do not, however, grant incompletes.

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Academic Integrity

Academic Honesty: The central theme of education is the enlightenment of the mind. This can only be achieved by hard, honest work. Consequently, cheating and plagiarism are strictly prohibited in the course. A student must not receive from or give to any other student information, answers, or help during an exam. A student must not "steal" the answers from an unsuspecting student during an exam. A student must not use any sources for answers during an exam (including, but not limited to notes, books, or electronic devices) without prior authorization from the professor. A student must not obtain exam questions illegally, tamper with the exam questions, nor change the results of an exam after it has been graded. Moreover, students are prohibited from plagiarizing any assignments. Plagiarism consists in the taking of another person's ideas, words, or information and claiming those properties as one's own. Properly quoting and citing borrowed information is NOT plagiarism. However, since academic integrity is based on the originality of a student's work, no student may submit an assignment that contains an excessive amount of properly cited material. The standards and violations of academic honesty shall be further defined by the individual instructor (in accord with college policy). Individual instructors reserve the right to employ any ample means for proving academic dishonesty.

Read, carefully and thoroughly, the current Brooklyn College Bulletin, for a complete listing of academic regulations. Familiarize yourself with Brooklyn College’s rules and regulations on, and penalties for plagiarism. Plagiarism-using other people’s ideas and words (let alone quiz and exam answers) as your own-is an academic sin that can result in course failure and college dismissal. If you have ANY questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please see me immediately. - CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity. Adopted by the Board of Trustees 6/28/2004. Please note the language in the bulletin: “The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation can be found at www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation.

AI Usage

AI is a helpful tool for research; therefore, it may be used by students when it enhances the academic experience of the course. However, the goal of this course is for students to gain a particular set of skills and knowledge, as stated in the instructional goals, learning outcomes, and course content of this syllabi. Students who use AI for an easy grade rather than the acquisition of knowledge and skills are invalidating the academic experience. Consequently, the instructor, whose expertise is the basis for assessing student academic development, reserves the right to assign a grade to a student’s AI driven work that is consistent with the acquisition of skill and knowledge. In cases of disputed grades, an instructor may require students to repeat their performance on a course assignment under a controlled environment and without the use of AI to demonstrate their true acquisition of course skills and knowledge.

Classroom Etiquette and Academic Freedom

The history department recognizes the necessity of academic freedom. As such, each instructor maintains the right to stipulate rules in addition to this syllabus concerning assignments, make-up work, grading rubrics, classroom recordings, excused absences, extra credit, and any other matters within the individual course offerings. All of the supplemental rules must be made available to the students at the start of the semester or in advance of the completion of individual assignments.

The history department recognizes the right of the instructor and the students to address controversial subjects. This right to academic freedom is recognized as the principle by which truth may be pursued. Consequently, the department firmly upholds the right of instructors to appropriately express in writing, speaking or action their understanding, opinions, and knowledge on controversial subjects. Moreover, no student’s grade shall be diminished because of an appropriately expressed political opinion. However, the freedom of speech does not act as an excuse for inappropriate language or behavior as it is possible to freely discuss controversial issues without being obscene. Obscenity consists of language and behavior that lacks academic value, is repugnant to the standards of the community, and/or contains libel or slander. Moreover, the freedom of speech does not act as an excuse for violating standards of academic honesty or poor performance on assignments.

College Policies and Support Services

A syllabus often includes information about college-wide policies, such as those related to students with disabilities. If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located in the Charles C.

Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students.

Unexpected circumstances may arise, but Panola College offers various resources to support students.

Withdrawal Policy

Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class.

Course Schedule

A list of weekly topics, reading assignments, and exam due dates for the semester follows. You need to complete your readings before lectures/discussions, so you can participate in discussions about the themes/debates we will explore.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations.

Instructor Discretion

The syllabus may change through the semester, in order to respond to contingency and student interest; if so, changes to the syllabi will be posted and announced on blackboard. If you have any doubts or questions, clear them up sooner rather than later.

Available History Courses

HISC 110 - Hist.
HITO 119 - Human Rights I: Hist.
HIUS 139 - African Amrcn Hist/the 20th C.
HIEU 156 - Hist.
HIEU 158 - Why Hitler? How Auschwitz?
HIUS 160 - Colloq.
HIUS 183 - Topics/African American Hist.
HIGR 210 - H.
HIGR 212 - H. Schlr/Modern E. Asian Hist.
HIGR 215A - Res. Sem./Modern Chinese Hist.
HIGR 215B - Res. Sem./Modern Chinese Hist.
HIGR 220 - H.
HIGR 221 - H.
HIGR 265A - H. Scholarship/American Hist.
HIGR 265C - H. Scholarship/American Hist.
HIUS 283 - Topics/African American Hist.

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