You can bump up your grade (and even better, learn more!) by doing extra credit work. Due to the switch to Synergy, I have to figure a new way to calculate extra credit, but it helps your grade up to about three points (i.e. an 87 could go up to a maximum of 90). . I won't grade it until the end of each grading period. You need to do it on a topic that is relevant to the historical period that we are studying at the time. When you have completed your extra credit (it is due the last day of the grading period) submit it via Classroom by finding the extra credit assignment.
Read articles: write up here This link is to the original, so you can only view it. Make your own copy, then you can edit it.
I have articles relevant to what we are studying on the class website and will regularly add others. Three regular length articles or one very long article are worth one point of extra credit. If there are articles you want to read that aren't on my website, check with me by sending me an email with a link to the article.
Read books: write up here This link is to the original, so you can only view it. Make your own copy, then you can edit it.
I know you don't have much time, but perhaps you can listen to an audio book during your commute or during exercise or you are superhuman. There are lots of possible books, but check with me before you start.
Watch films: write up here. This link is to the original, so you can only view it. Make your own copy, then you can edit it.
One way to earn extra credit for this course is to watch and write about films relevant to the topics that we are studying. I feel that films help students to visualize the past and different cultures and thereby help students to contextualize and make a personal connection with history. Below is a list of recommended films. Those in bold are part of my personal collection, which can be borrowed from the Lowell library. They must be returned two days after they are taken out. Other films can be found at video stores; I particularly recommend Le Video at 9th & Irving. In order to get extra credit for a film, you must complete a write up (on the back) explaining the film and its relevance to topics discussed in our class. If you have ideas for other films that are relevant, please let me know and if appropriate, they can be added to this list. While watching the film, take some notes. Then afterwards complete the write up (link above).
There aren't a lot of films here yet. If you have ideas, please let me know and I will add to it. I have internet movie database links here, which you can use to see a preview. To get the films themselves check out Netflix, Amazon prime, Hulu, Youtube and other online sites.
First Six Weeks: up to 1840
Hamilton the Broadway musical is fabulous, but very expensive. You can watch a film version of it instead and listen to the soundtrack.
1776 this is a little dated, but it's a film version of a Broadway musical about the period leading up to the US declaring independence with John Adams as the focus.
John Adams (2008 HBO series) imdb link This is a very good series about the full life of founder and second president John Adams. You could just watch a few episodes from of the period of the revolution.
Amistad (1997) imdb link Good film with strong actors about slaves who revolted in a slave ship landed in the US.
Roots (2016) imdb link On Hulu. This follows the family of a slave through US History. This you could watch later in the semester as it covers a lot of history. There are four episodes.
Second Six Weeks: 1870–1910?
Lincoln (2012) imdb link President Lincoln tries to pass the 13th Amendment. This is a fantastic film which won tons of oscars.
Twelve Years a Slave (2013) imdb link A free African-American is kidnapped into slavery. Great film, but hard to watch.
Glory (1989) imdb link The formation of the first African-American regiment in the Union Army.
3rd Six Weeks: 1900-1932
Reds (1981) imdb link The life of an American communist who reports on the Russian Revolution.
Matewan (1987) imdb link A bitter miners strike in West Virginia coal country.
Grapes of Wrath (1940) imdb link A migrant family moves from Dust Bowl Oklahoma to California.