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Information |
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Course Description: |
This course
will cover developments in European history from the Renaissance until
the Industrial Revolution, roughly from 1300 until 1700, a period
sometimes referred to as the "Early Modern Period." This was a period of incredible social, political, and
religious change.
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Course Objectives: |
In addition
to providing background about this time and place in history, this
course will help you develop these basic skills for studying history
(based on "Tennessee Teacher Licensure Standards" and "Curriculum
Standards for Teachers of Social Studies" developed by the National
Council for Social Studies (www.socialstudies.org/standards/exec.html):
Understanding the effect of geography on history
Understanding the historical context of current events
Using
texts, maps, and other social science tools for understanding history
Using
techniques of historical interpretation
Understanding change over time
Investigating the major events and movements in history (including
Western history)
Applying
techniques of historical interpretation.
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Prerequisites
and Corequisites: |
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There are
not prerequisites for this course. Because the course requires
extensive reading and writing, students are encouraged to complete the
general education requirements in composition and history before
attempting this course.
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Course Topics:
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Lesson 1.
The Medieval Background and the Renaissances of Italy and the
North
Lesson 2.
Village and City Life
Lesson 3.
The Early Reformers:
Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and the Anabaptists
Lesson 4.
The English Reformation and the Catholic Reformation
Lesson 5.
Religious Wars and Settlements:
France, England, and the German Lands
Lesson 6.
Rebellion and Social Change in the Wake of the Reformation
Lesson 7.
Exploration, Colonialism, and Slavery
Lesson 8.
Science, Philosophy, and Superstition in the Sixteenth Century
Lesson 9.
Europe in the World
Lesson 10.
Central and Eastern Europe, 1686-1740
Lesson 11.
Class, Family, and Urban Life
Lesson 12.
Tradition and Change in the Sixteenth Century
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Specific Course Requirements:
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Grades will
be based on a combination of timed tests, formal written assignments,
and class participation (including online quizzes).
Students
will take two essay tests, consisting of a long essay,
definitions of terms, and a map. Grading on essay tests will be
based on inclusion of specific historical facts, knowledge of historical
concepts and theories discussed in the course, and overall quality of
writing (including organization, paragraphing, and grammar to the extent
possible within). Students who do not have experience with essay
tests in History should consult with the instructor early in the course
about how they should prepare for the exams.
Participation will depend on active participation in on-line
discussions and on completion of quizzes within the course.
Written
assignments include a book review, an analysis of a primary
source document for European history during this period, and a
final paper.
These assignments will be graded on quality of writing as well as
content. For purposes of this course, writing quality includes
identification of a clear thesis, good organization and paragraphing,
and mastery of technical historical terminology. In this course
students should have already mastered the basics of grammar, spelling,
and proofreading. Therefore, students should not expect to receive
points for exhibiting these skills, though they may have points deducted
for failure in these basic areas. You may rewrite any paper for a
higher grade. Paper
rewrites will be due one week from the date papers are returned with
comments (usually no more than one week after submission).
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Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements |
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Required
Textbooks:
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Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain
textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com
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Supplementary Materials:
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Students
need not purchase any special materials for class. You should be
prepared to access primary source readings from various web sites, but
mainly from the "Internet History Sourcebooks" maintained by Paul
Halsall on the Fordham University website (www.fordham.edu/halsall).
Links to specific readings will be provided inside the course.
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Hardware
Requirements:
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Software
Requirements:
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The minimum
requirements can be found at
http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Specific hardware requirements for this course include...(A list of
software the student is required to purchase or download for the course,
Real Player, Media Player, Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Office, etc).
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Instructor Information |
Please see
the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact
information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other
communication information.
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Assessment and Grading |
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Testing
Procedures:
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Two essays
will appear on the exam; you will write on one of them.
On the final exam, you will also write one essay on the entire
course (given in advance).
You will have the option of opening the exams within a 2-day period.
Once an exam has been opened, you will have no more than 120
minutes (2 hours) to complete the exam.
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Grading Procedure:
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A detailed
statement of how grades are related to or reflective of the expected
learning outcomes. A statement of what constitutes high achievement in
the course.
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Grading Scale:
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90-100---A
80-89---B
70-79---C
60-69---D
below 60---F
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Assignments and Participation |
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Assignments and Projects:
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-
Midterm Exam (20%)
- Final
Exam (20%)
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Participation in on-line discussion (5%
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Pre-writing assignments (10%)
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Reading quizzes and self-tests (5%)
- Book
review (10%)
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Document analysis (10%)
- Final
Paper (20%)
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Class
Participation:
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Students
must participate in all threaded discussions on the course bulletin
board, consult with the instructor regarding paper topics, keep in
regular contact with the instructor through e-mail, and complete on-line
quizzes and self-tests. Students should also check the course bulletin
board for announcements and e-mail for special messages from the
instructor.
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Punctuality:
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Students
should adhere to the course schedule for handing in written assignments
(book review, source analysis, final paper), responding to discussion
questions, and taking examinations. Students who submit unexcused
late papers will be penalized 5 points per day up to a maximum of 20
points (on a 100-point scale). Assignments may not be submitted more
than two weeks late. No assignments my be submitted after the final exam
date. In order for late penalties to be waived, legitimate
requests for extensions must be submitted before the due date.
Let the instructor know immediately if you must miss a deadline or an
exam.
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Course Ground Rules |
Students
should remember that this course requires continuous active
participation. Any student not familiar with WebCT should complete the
online tutorial within the first week of the course. All students
should keep current with the reading, participate in threaded
discussions on the dates indicated, complete modules and quizzes on
schedule, and participate in the timed examinations. Advanced
History courses such as this one require discussion of complex
historical issues. Check the bulletin board frequently and e-mail
the instructor with comments and questions. Remember to observe
course netiquette at all times.
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Guidelines for Communications |
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Email:
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- Always
include a subject line.
- Remember
without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be
careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in
some cases.
- Use
standard fonts.
- Do not
send large attachments without permission.
- Special
formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should
be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other
communication.
- Respect
the privacy of other class members
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Discussion
Groups:
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- Review
the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a
lurker then a discussant.
- Try to
maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new
topic.
- Do not
make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the
discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
- Be
patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before
entering your remarks.
- Be
cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
- Be
positive and constructive in group discussions.
- Respond
in a thoughtful and timely manner.
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Chat:
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Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
- Be
polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
- Be
concise in responding to others in the chat session.
- Be
constructive in your comments and suggestion
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Web
Resources:
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Library |
- The
Tennessee
Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the
Regents Degree Program.
Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases,
interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias,
maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners
to complete online assignments and as background reading must be
included in all courses.
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Students With Disabilities
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Qualified
students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary
academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate
disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting
disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive
written verification of a student's eligibility for specific
accommodations from the disability services staff at the home
institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with
their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the
established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the
instructor.
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Syllabus Changes |
The
instructor reserves the left to make changes as necessary to this
syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the
instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by
individual email communication and posting both notification and nature
of change(s) on the course bulletin board.
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Technical Support |
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Telephone Support:
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If you are
having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other
technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling
1-866-550-7637
(toll free)
or go to the AskRODP website at:
http://help.rodp.org
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