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Text: Western Civilization Since 1300 by Jackson J. Spielvogel Vol. II

Course Description: This course introduces western civilization from the early modern era to the present. Topics include the religious wars, the Industrial Revolution, World Wars I and II, and the Cold War. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in modern western civilization.

Class Hours Per Week: 3            Semester Hours Credit: 3                
Prerequisites: Proficiency in reading or a grade of "C" or better in Eng 095 or Red 090

Course Objectives: Upon completing the course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of historical events and their impact on society from the early modern period
2. Analyze the relationship between people, the changing environment, and their interdependence
3. Experience history through literature, architecture, painting, and music

Grading : (92 - 100) A    (68 - 75) D      WP is not computed in the grade point average
Scale       (84 - 91)   B     (0 - 67)  F       WF computed as an F
               (76 - 83)   C     I Incomplete      Excessive absences, computed as an F

Course Requirements: Students are required to complete all assigned readings and to bring the required text to class. 

Read this carefully:

There will be no extra credit assignments. If you do not do well on the first test, you should begin studying earlier and perhaps improve your note taking.

I plan to schedule 5 tests during the semester. There will also be several quizzes. These quizzes will be added together and will be used as a sixth exam grade. The 10 highest quiz grades will be used to make an exam grade. This grade will not be dropped. Since these quizzes will influence the final grade, you should take them seriously and be prepared for class every day. Students who habitually cram for exams may not be prepared for quizzes, and their grades may reflect their lack of preparation. Students who miss a quiz will not be allowed to take a makeup, so be careful about missing class.

Cheating Policy: If a student is caught cheating on a test or plagiarizing a paper, he or she will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.

I understand that anyone can be late once in a while; don't make a habit of it. If a student is late to class it is the student's responsibility to ensure that his or her attendance is recorded. It is the student's responsibility to find out what he or she missed. Any student arriving late for an exam or quiz will not be given extra time. Being late 4 times will equal one absence. If a student leaves class early, he or she will be counted absent. If a student takes a quiz and then leaves, he or she will be counted absent. Anyone sleeping in class will be counted absent.

Classroom Expectations: As noted earlier: Students are responsible for everything in the textbook and everything covered in class. Anything covered in class or in the textbook may appear on an exam. This is an important point. There are a great many unfamiliar names and terms that will be included in the text and in tests. When students are not thoroughly familiar with these names and terms, they generally have serious problems understanding the events discussed in the class. Students who are not familiar with the names and terms in the text are often unprepared for tests. You should already know that some students do not use textbooks effectively and stubbornly hold on to the habit of cramming for exams. Those who choose to procrastinate must accept responsibility for the results. Yes, dates are important, and spelling counts.

Be prepared to discuss assigned readings. Generally, the most interesting classes I have taken or have taught have been those in which students discussed and shared ideas. Feel free to speak your mind and ask questions when you are not clear about something; I'm not going to lower someone's grade just because his or her opinion is different from mine. However, during the course of our discussions, please remember that there is no need to insult, attack, or belittle anyone in class. If someone disagrees with you, try to explain your point of view. If you need to meet with me outside of class to discuss anything, please let me know.

Accommodation of Special Needs Based on Disability
Any student who requests classroom accommodation because of a disability must present documentation to verify his or her disability. The documentation must be furnished to the Disabilities Service Coordinator. On a confidential basis, the student, disabilities services, and the instructor will determine the appropriate accommodations following documentation. These accommodations will be provided in a manner that is consistent with the objectives, outcomes, and academic standards of the course. Absences must not exceed class attendance policy.

Use of the Web Site:  This may be the first time some students have seen the Internet used as an educational tool. In the immediate future, more and more courses will utilize the Internet to provide students with access to such materials as study guides, lecture outlines, and practice exams. Instead of requiring students to purchase two or three extra texts for this class, resources have been provided on the Web to supplement the textbook. You are not required to look at everything. If your notes are incomplete, or if you need more information in order to understand a topic thoroughly, you should access the materials available from the outlines. These are tools which students may or may not choose to use. You should already know that some students do not use textbooks effectively and stubbornly hold on to the habit of cramming for exams. Those who choose to procrastinate must accept responsibility for the results. 

Role of the student: Since you are taking this course, you should be self motivated and actively engaged in the learning process. I assume that one of your primary expectations of this course is to learn more about the content of this course. Learners study course materials at a time and place they choose. Learners need to be highly motivated to be successful. Think of this course as a way to develop skills that you may need to succeed in college. If you plan to transfer during your junior year, you will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning. You will need to know how to select important information from a lecture, how to take notes, how to study, and how to take tests.

Academic Honesty:  Any behavior indicating dishonesty, unethical intent or action as specified by CFCC will result in an “F” for the course.  Please read the section on “Cheating” in the CFCC Catalog and Student Handbook.

Plagiarism is using as your own the words or ideas of another, whether written or oral.  When you use material from a source, you must quote or paraphrase accurately and properly cite the information.  Failure to do so is considered plagiarism.  Examples of plagiarism include word-for-word copying without correctly indicating that you are quoting, inaccurate quoting and paraphrasing, and incomplete or missing documentation.  Purchasing a paper or copying someone else’s work and submitting it as your own are also plagiarism.  Any misrepresentation of the source in your writing or speaking would constitute a form of plagiarism.

Whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism is not acceptable and will result in the student being assigned a grade of zero for the assignment and/or the course, at the instructor’s discretion.

Every student has an official CFCC-provided email account which is to be used for all email correspondence with your instructors and with the CFCC staff.  Some information (such as TRAC registration info) from CFCC will ONLY be emailed to this address, and not sent through postal mail as in the past, so it is very important that you check this account periodically.  To access this account, please visit the CFCC website www.cfcc.edu and click on the CampusCruiser link at the very top of the page, then follow the directions on the CampusCruiser website to log in.  You will use your log in ID as part of your email address (yourloginID@email.cfcc.edu).  This email account is provided to you as long as you are enrolled in classes (summer will not count), and may be used for personal email as well as academic email.

Contingency Plan:  If there is an emergency and the instructor or an appropriate substitute does not meet with the class, wait fifteen minutes.  Then, everyone in the class should sign a roll sheet and designate someone to take it to the Social & Behavioral Sciences Department Chair or Secretary in S-312.

Print outs      Getting Started  --  Cornell  --  Answering Questions  --  How to Study  --    
                                                Study Skills  --  Test Pitfalls  --      

Study Guides:

         Ten Things Teachers Do Not Want to Hear    

     Ch. 13 - 18           Ch. 19 - 26              Glossary                  Cramming

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Last Edited Jan. 5, 2009.