Online History 17A Syllabus
Instructor Contact
Dr. Andrea O'Brien
Email: aobrien@ccsf.edu
CCSF Phone: (415) 239-3531
Office Hours: TBD in first week with student feedback
Office Location: CityZoom
I will respond to all course email within 24 hours Monday-Friday, exclusive of school holidays. Once the course begins, I prefer to get messages through the Canvas "Inbox".
You can visit my CCSF instructional website
Communication Plan
I will respond to your messages within 24 hours during the work week (Monday-Friday) excluding holidays or if you are notified otherwise.
I will post grades and comments on your assignments, within 1 week of assignment due dates (and usually sooner!). Please note that you will receive private, individual comments on your discussion posts, group projects, and class papers. You will be able to see your score on weekly quizzes immediately, with feedback on your answers, but will not receive personalized feedback on your quizzes (unless you have a question or ask for specific feedback on a question).
I will participate in group discussions and projects, but will not respond to each individual student. You will receive individual comments and grades for your portion of the discussion/project.
The instructor will post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement.
A “Q&A Forum” is located in the Week 1 Module. This forum is for you to ask for assistance from your classmates or instructor.
The Student Lounge discussion area is for YOU. Many students use it to share links of interest to the course that they wish to share.
Course Description
This course explores the history of colonial North America and the United States through the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. By reading and analyzing selected primary and secondary source documents, we will examine major developments and events in colonial and U.S. history through the voices and perspectives of many different actors: Europeans, American Indians, enslaved African, immigrants, women, free blacks, political leaders, and everyday Americans. This course and our discussions will center around four major chronological themes:
The Diversity of Colonial North America—Colonial North America was an exceptionally diverse place. British, French, Spanish, and Dutch colonists and traders lived side by side with a wide variety of American Indians, Africans, and African-Americans. In exploring the spectrum of interlinked societies that comprised colonial America, we will investigate both the cooperation and conflicts that emerged between competing interests, especially focusing on the beginnings and evolution of American conceptions of race, and Indian-colonial relations.
The Meaning of Freedom—We will explore the many and varied uses of the terms “freedom” and “liberty” during the colonial, Revolutionary War, and early American periods. Did they mean freedom for English colonists from British control, access to land, loosening constraints on social and religious norms, freedom from slavery for African-Americans? Who were considered citizens and why? Who was excluded from liberty?
Exploring Antebellum Slavery—Racial slavery is one of the key themes that defines early American history, shaping the U.S. economy, creating tensions between states, and ultimately leading to a Civil War. In this unit, we’ll explore the changes in slavery during the early 19th century, and read a first-hand account of life in the cotton south written by an enslaved man, Solomon Northup, in the 1850s.
Competing Views of America—Finally, we will explore growing tensions during the early republic and antebellum periods over politics, views of industrialization, the federal government, westward expansion, religion, and most powerfully, slavery. We will pay particular attention to the multiple perspectives on antebellum conflicts, the growing violence of the debate over slavery, the coming of the Civil War, and attempts to reconstruct the post-war South.
This course meets the graduation requirements for Areas D, F; and is transferable to UC and CSU. Course Outline of Record
Student Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Evaluate and synthesize historical evidence and interpretations by using methods of inquiry and expression appropriate to the study of early America from colonization to 1877.
Interpret primary and secondary sources to be integrated as support in a written argument or interpretation of United States history prior to 1877.
Analyze the impact of a wide breadth of trends and change that include the impact of class, gender, ethnicity, and religion/ideology in United States history till 1877.
Explain the major technological and scientific developments in U.S. history prior to 1877, their causes and effects, and their historical significance.
Examine artistic and cultural traditions in their historical context in the history of the United States till 1877.
Analyze the United States prior to 1877 within a global context that also includes non-western countries.
Course Technology
Canvas
Students will use the Canvas Learning Management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmates' work, sharing resources, and viewing grades. I can help with the course material and with some Canvas issues. But, if you need help uploading an assignment or with the mechanics of Canvas, Canvas help is the number to call.
For 24/7 help with Canvas call: 1-844-592-2198.
Zoom Video Conferencing
Office Hours and all student meetings will take place in CityZoom (located in the course menu to the left).
Required Equipment and Software
Reliable access to a fairly recent Mac or PC with a current operating system, and a camera and microphone
A current browser (Chrome is recommended)
Reliable internet connection
A mail.ccsf.edu email account
The following software: Adobe Reader, QuickTime Player, Flash Player
Word processessing software, such a Microsoft Word or Open Office
Composing and Submitting Assignments
You are required to compose all assignments offline (in Word, Pages, Google docs, text, etc.) and to save your work for the entire semester (on your personal computer, in the cloud, on a flash drive, etc). The internet can be unreliable and you do not want to lose your work if there is glitch or outage with your internet or Canvas.
You can compose your assignments in whatever word processing program you choose (Word, Pages, Google docs, text, etc). If you are asked to upload a file for the assignment, I highly recommend saving your document as a pdf before uploading.
Required Books
We will be using 2 books in this class, but since I know being a student can be expensive, I have worked to ensure that you are not required to buy any materials for this class.
We will be using a free, online textbook, called American Yawp. Relevant chapters will be linked into each week's module, so there is nothing to purchase. However, if you prefer a hard copy version of the textbook, a print version is available for purchase through the CCSF bookstore or online for around $10-25 (be sure to purchase American Yawp: Volume 1, NOT volume 2).
We will also be reading Solomon Northup’s 12 Years a Slave, any edition. There is a free version of 12 Years a Slave available online, as well as a free audiobook version on YouTube. You may also buy the book (at the campus bookstore, Amazon, etc. It is widely available for around $5 or even less), borrow it from a public library, or read it as an ebook.
Course Logistics
Weekly Schedule
The weekly modules for this course officially run from Monday to Sunday. However, I will open each weekly module two days early, on Saturdays, to give you extra time and flexibility in planning your week. You will have graded assignments each week, and the due dates will be Sunday nights (deadline is officially Monday before 9 am).
Time Commitment
This course will require an average time commitment of 9 hours per week for the 16 weeks of the semester. You will need to make sure to set aside sufficient time to engage with course content on Canvas (2-4 hours per week), read the textbook (1-2 hours per week), complete assignments (2-4 hours per week), and other activities like communicating with the instructor and other (variable, up to 1-2 hours per week).
I highly recommend logging on to Canvas every day or two, and avoid trying to complete all course work in one single session right before due dates. One advantage of online classes is a more flexible schedule that allows you to fit class work around other responsibilities, but you still need to plan just as much time to dedicate to this course as you would an on campus class. Online classes are NOT self-paced, and you will need to manage your time effectively to stay on top of weekly deadlines.
Dropping the Class
Students will be dropped from the course after 2 week of non-participation on Canvas. Non-participation is defined as failure to submit required assignments, without contacting me about an extenuating circumstance and discussing a plan to catch up in the course. I will make an effort to accommodate serious illness, family emergencies, etc, but you MUST contact me ASAP in those situations to make arrangements and avoid being dropped from the class.
However, if you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%).
Incompletes
An “Incomplete” grade will only be assigned to students who are unable to complete the course in the given semester due to a serious illness, family emergency, or other unavoidable situation. Students requesting an Incomplete grade must be passing the class at the time they become unable to complete the course, and an Incomplete will only be granted to finish a few assignments at the end of the course (not the majority of the course). Students facing such circumstances should contact me ASAP to discuss options and requirements. For incomplete grades, the course must be completed according to an agreed upon schedule during the next academic semester.
Grading
Methods of Evaluation
Each week you will complete graded assignments.
There will be weekly quizzes, which cover the material presented in the weekly lesson and textbook reading. Quizzes may be taken three times and your highest score will be your grade.
The rest of the class assignments will be project-based, rather than exam-based. There will be one large, cumulative assignment for each of the units discussed above, which you will work on over several weeks, and will ask you to think critically about the material you've learned in those weeks. Some unit projects will be group projects and/or discussions, and some will be individual projects and/or essays. There will not be midterm or final exams in this class.
All of these assignments should be completed after reading the weekly lesson and weekly textbook reading assignment.
Grading Policy
Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade weekly and post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook.
Late Policy
All weekly assignments will be due on Sunday nights (deadline is officially Monday before 9 am). Online classes are NOT self-paced, and you will need to manage your time effectively to stay on top of weekly deadlines. I highly recommend you plan to complete and submit assignments before the due date. At the very least, you should give yourself some extra time in case of technical problems or other unexpected issues.
The late policy for this course will be as follows:
Assignments submitted after the posted deadline will face a late penalty of approximately 5% of the points possible on the assignment per day for each day (24 hours) late, up to 1 week (7 days) after the original due date. (The exact late penalty for each assignment is included in the assignment instructions).
To prevent students from falling behind, no late work will be accepted more than 1 week (7 days) after the original due date (except in special circumstances of extended illness, family emergency, etc, discussed individually with instructor).
Each student will receive 1 late pass during the class, which will allow you to turn in 1 assignment up to 1 week late, with no late penalty. You should include a note in the “comments” section indicating that you are using your late pass when you submit the assignment for which you wish to use it.
I will only make exceptions to this late policy in cases of special circumstances discussed with me in advance of the due date (or as soon as possible) and at my discretion.
Group Projects
This course features several group assignments, where you will collaborate with assigned group members on a cumulative class project. While these assignments will allow you to discuss your thoughts and learn from group members, ALL group assignments are graded individually. You will receive a grade based on your contribution to the assignment, NOT the final product of the whole group. As such, please follow the assignment instructions and do not complete more than your assigned part of the project.
Extra Credit
Extra credit assignments will be available occasionally for students who wish to explore topics further or make up points. However, extra credit in this course is limited, and students need to make every effort to keep up with weekly assignments throughout the semester.
Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
If you need class accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical information to share with me, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office hours are by appointment through Zoom video-conferencing.
Students seeking disability related accommodations are encouraged to also register with Disabled Students Programs and Services located in Room 323 of the Rosenberg Library (415) 452-5481. Please see the DSPS website for more information and alternate locations.
Standards of Conduct
Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct. Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Office of Student Affairs.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Collaborating with other students on quizzes or assignments, copying information from an online source, or using someone else's work without citation are ALL considered acts of academic dishonesty and will result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. Repeated instances of plagiarism or cheating will result in an F in the course.
Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism and Cheating:
Submitting someone else's work as your own—Submitting work you did not complete on your own is cheating. Submitting an assignment written, in whole or in part, by someone other than yourself, is considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment.
Inappropriate collaboration—Collaborating on quizzes or assignments (aside from group assignments, following assignment instructions), in whole or in part, is considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work.
Do NOT use outside resources to complete assignments—Everything you need for this class is included in Canvas. You may NOT use any outside websites to complete assignments.
Copying ideas from another source (without attribution) is plagiarism. Any copying of ideas or information from an internet source will be considered plagiarism and will result in an 0 on the assignment. Repeated instances of plagiarism or cheating will result in an F in the course, and students may also be referred to the Dean of Student Advocacy.
If you choose to do additional research online for personal interests, be sure to judge the sites you read carefully. Look at who made the website, what qualifications they have, and whose ideas you are reading.
Cite the sources you use—You MUST provide citations for all direct quotes you use from the readings. At the end of the quote, provide the following information: (Author’s last name, page #). For example: (Northup, 234). In depth information about required citations will be included in the instructions for each assignment instructions. Assignments that fail to cite sources will docked points, and may be considered plagiarism, resulting in a 0 on the assignment.
All assignments will be checked with anti-plagiarism software—You will have access to the software's "similarity report" on your assignment as soon as you submit it. A small to moderate percent "similarity report" from the software is to be expected for most assignments, since students are asked to discuss the same set of topics using the same sources. However, higher percent "similarity reports" often indicate information copied from an internet source or found to be similar to another (past or present) student's assignment. Assignments verified to contain information copied from an internet source or presenting the work of other as your own will be considered plagiarism and will result in an 0 on the assignment.
See these links on Plagiarism:
Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism
Preventing Sexual Violence on Campus
The CCSF District policy on sexual assault applies to all members of the campus community, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, visitors, and invitees of the College. Any sexual assault or physical abuse, including, but not limited to, rape, as defined by California Penal Code, whether committed by an employee, student, or member of the public, occurring on District property, or on an off-campus site or facility maintained by the District, or on grounds or facilities maintained by a student organization, is a violation of the District policy and state regulations, and is subject to all applicable punishment, including criminal procedures and employee or student discipline procedures. (See also AP 5500, Standards of Student Conduct.) It is also District policy to actively prevent rape and sexual assault. The District maintains a zero-tolerance standard concerning sexual violence. For further information, please contact CCSF Student Health Services at 415-239-3110 or CCSF Campus Police Department at 415-239-3200.
Expectations
Student Expectations
You will succeed in this course if you meet the following expectations:
Be open to new ideas. Some of what we discuss in this class may be new to you. It may be different from what you've learned in other history classes. We will talk about many challenging and polarizing topics—like slavery, racism, colonialism, religion, political divides, and the historical inequality of many groups. Take time to reflect on your own views, challenge your own assumptions, and learn from your classmates.
Think critically about the course material. This class does not emphasize memorizing dates and names, but rather developing critical thinking skills and understanding the “big picture” of key historical moments. This deeper practice of history is more challenging, but also more rewarding and enlightening.
Show respect for yourself, your classmates and me. Value each other’s opinions, unique experiences, and values.
Engage in respectful, historically-based discussions. In this class, we will explore and discuss some challenging topics, many of which relate to current debates and may be topics on which you and your classmates have strong opinions. Since this is a history class, I will be asking you to keep our discussions historically grounded. Group discussions are a great forum for learning from each other's diverse experiences and perspectives, and for expressing your ideas, but you are all expected to do so in a mature, respectful way.
Complete the course assignments on time. Please let me know as soon as you can if you are having trouble completing an assignment by the due date.
Do your own and your best work. Strive to submit work that you are proud of, and which reflects your knowledge.
Ask questions! Email me, ask a question on the Q&A Forum, ask your group members.
Reach out for help if you need it. It is my job to help you succeed in this class, but I’m not a mind reader, so I need you to reach out if you have questions or could use some help.
Instructor Expectations
Here is what you can expect of me:
I will treat you and your ideas with respect.
I will strive to teach you something new each week.
I will be accessible to you—by email, video office appointments, and the Q&A Forum—and answer all questions in a timely manner.
I will respond to your email or message within 24 hours during the week, unless I inform you otherwise.
I will grade your class projects within one week, and provide constructive comments about your work. (If you have submitted late work, it may take longer.) You will see all your grades in the Canvas Gradebook.
I care about each of you. Your education matters to me, and I am here to help you.
I will strive to create a supportive learning community.
I will work hard to make this a great class!
*Assignments and Class Schedule will be provided in Canvas during the semester