Syllabus and Information

TEXT: The text for this course Text for History 122, Northern Virginia Community College, consists of the required readings and documents. All are linked from the Assignments Page, which also has due dates for all work.

The text is available in three formats:

• Free on this web site
• Available in Print copy or as PDF download file at Lulu Publishing. See Sage storefront.

Lulu is print-on-demand, which keeps cost low. Your print copy will take about one week to arrive. You can pay through PayPal, a very secure online payment system owned by EBay, or use a credit card. NOTE: you do not have to purchase anything. The printed version is offered for your convenience, but everything you need is available free on this web site.

Course Procedures

• Students are not required to attend any on-campus meetings but must complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Two Exams (Midterm and Final) and Two Quizzes based on Topic summaries and documents are required.
• Each quiz will consist of about 20-25 multiple choice and true-false questions. Take on your own at home. No password, one attempt only.
• The midterm and final exams will consist of about 20-25 multiple choice questions and 3-5 short answer/essay questions. Take at a testing center. You will need an exam pass for each exam.
• The midterm will cover all material in the first half of the course, the final all material in the second half.
• Quizzes and Exams are conducted on line through Blackboard and should be taken in sequence. Students will report to a testing center on any NVCC campus to take the midterm and final exams. Arrangements can be made for testing elsewhere. Proctor Request form for alternate proctoring location.
• ELI Testing Information Page
• Print exam pass before going to the testing center. You will need a College Photo ID to use testing, library services, printers, etc., on campus.
• Exam links will be on the Exams and Quizzes tab in Blackboard.
• Practice quizzes do not count toward your grade. You may take them as often as you like or print them for study purposes. Questions will be similar to those on the regular quiz or exam and will cover the same general material.
• Writing requirements include 4 short, 1-page exercises and three essays. See Writing Instructions
• Online discussion forums in Blackboard: Responses to topical questions and comments by colleagues. Worth up to 50 extra credit points for regular participation.
• In order to pass the course, you must get a satisfactory grade in all both parts of the course, quizzes and exams and writing. In order to get an A grade, you must complete the course on time.

SKILLS:  This course requires intensive reading and good writing skills.  You should be able to read and write at a level sufficient to complete English 111 successfully.  If your reading and writing skills are not yet ready to do college work, your grade will no doubt reflect that fact.  If you have questions in this area, email the instructor. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is encouraged to contact a Counselor for Disability Services. For additional information, please contact an ELI counselor at elicounselors@nvcc.edu or (703) 323-2425. All information is kept confidential and may increase your chances of success in the academic setting.

Technical Requirements

1. You will not have to come to campus for this course. Consequently, you need to have regular computer access in order to complete the requirements.
2. Your computer should be equipped with at least 128 megabytes of RAM and an Internet connection via 56K modem or higher. High speed access is preferable. (You will be able to access most course materials with a somewhat less than up-to-date machine.)
3. You should have Shockwave Player installed and audio capability with headset or speakers. Free download from Adobe.com.
4. Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher is highly recommended. Even if your ISP, such as AOL, has its own browser, you will probably be better off if you open IE once you are on line. You can download IE free from Microsoft. The Firefox Browser is available at www.mozilla.com.
5. You will need a printer connection unless you are prepared to read lengthy documents on line.

Computer skills are now an assumed part of the education process. Students should be able to:

• Participate in the course through the Internet;
• Send and receive email, including attaching files or opening attached files;
• Participate in an online forum (specific instructions will be provided);
• Access resources on the World Wide Web and know how to document those sources.

Please note that the pages on this web site are copyrighted, (except for documents.) You may print or copy them for your own personal use but may not redistribute, post or use them for any commercial purpose without express permission of the author. In accordance with common practice on the Internet, feel free to link to these pages.