|
Spring 2008--MHRA1204; Dr. M. B. Floyd Office Hours: 7:15-7:50; 11:30-12:10 p.m. and by appointment (HHRA 2127)
Course Description: An investigation of the political structure and economies of the Central American republics from independence in 1821 to the beginning of the twenty-first century and the possibilities of a Central American Free Trade Association. Emphasis on political competition of "a nation divided" under the strain of social and economic inequality, United States scrutiny, and the dynamics of agrarian cultures. This course is research and writing intensive. It fulfills the following requirements: GN, RI, and WI. Course Requirements: Students will write summaries of chapters, paragraphs in response to questions (posted on Blackboard), practice essays, and two essay exams, prepare a 10-item annotated bibiliography of primary and secondary sources on Cafta, and prepare a research project (5-7 pages). See Course Requirements for a complete explanation of these requirements. Academic Honor Code: Each student is required to sign the Academic Integrity Policy on all major work submitted for the course. Adverse Weather Policy: Between 6 and 6:30 a.m., students, faculty and staff can receive details by dialing the: Adverse Weather Line (336-334-4400); Campus Switchboard (336-334-5000); or University Police (336-334-5963). Information also will be on the UNCG home page (www.uncg.edu) and on the major TV stations. Attendance Policy: Please read the section on Class Attendance in the Undergraduate Bulletin. It speaks to the University's policy on attendance, the student's responsibility, and the instructor's responsibility. Students have three unexcused absences. Any additional absences will be penalized with the loss of one (1) point from the final grade. Electronic Communication: We will use the Blackboard course management system to communicate with each other. Individuals who have not activated their UNCG accounts will not appear in Blackboard since they have not been assigned a UNCG user name. You are required to check your e-mail if not daily, then at least on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. I check my e-mail several times a day and will respond promptly to your questions. Evaluation: At the end of the course, each student will be asked to complete several evaluations. A more elaborate explanation is on the Evaluation web page. Evaluation Methods and Guidelines for Assignments: All students will be evaluated on the annotated bibliography, case studies, chapter summaries, discussion, exams, and map exericise. Guidelines for assignments are located either on the Course Requirements web page or through hard copy handouts. Grammar, punctualtion, and syntax matter as much as content on all written assignments. Students should consult The Writing Guide, a web site with information on writing basics, developed for students in my classes. Grading: Exams (50 pts); In-class discussion/writing, Chapter Summaries, Cafta AB, Map Quizzes, and Posting to
Blackboard (20 points each); Research Project (30 points). Plegiarism: Using the work of anyone, including other students, without proper recognition is plagiarism and will result in an automatic F for the assignment and for the course. Required Course Materials and Required Texts: Two (2) 8 x 11 Blue Books; some kind of soft cover 3-ring notebook ( in which to keep writing handouts and writing samples)
Research Goals: Faculty in the Department of History have determined that 200- and 300-level courses should provide students with practice in acquiring skills associated with the study of history--1. distinguishing primary from secondary sources; 2. identifying a controversy or research problem; 3. locating primary and secondary source materials; 4. assembling a bibliography; 5. interpreting primary sources; 6. developing a logical and persuasive argument based on primary sources; 7. providing relevant historical and historigraphical context; 8 communicating the above in writing; 9. using a generally recognized system of citations (e.g., The Chicago Manual of Style). Courses at the 200 level will focus on skills 1, 5, and 6, 300 level on the rest. Student Learning Goals: The faculty have developed a new curriculum with new Student Learning Goals . These goals represent ideals toward which each faculty will work. Although I will provide students with the opportunity to learn and to achieve those goals, I cannot guarantee that students will achieve them. A student's achievement is his or her decision. In other words, I cannot ensure that a student will demonstrate a general knowledge of anything if that student has decided that he or she does not wish to learn. Keep in mind your commitment to learning as you proceed through the course. Student Learning Outcomes: On completion of this course, students will be able to identify major areas of discussion concerning Central America, to identify primary sources, to compile an annotated bibliography of primary and secondary sources in the proper format, to write summaries, to understand the geographic characteristics of Central America, and to recognize proper English usage. For a complete discussion of outcomes, see Student Learning Outcomes . Teaching Strategies: As indicated above, this class will include in-class writing, posting to Blackboard, discussion, videos, and individual projects. |