HISTORY 192-170--ONLINE         TRITON COLLEGE

"History of Asia & the Pacific 2,"  with special emphasis on the cultures of the South Seas

 

Office: R- 215D

Dr. Allen Salzman

Off. hours: TBA

 

Phone: 456-0300

Ext. 3449

email: salzmana@triton.edu

 

This is a "BlackBoard C E 8" (formerly known as "WebCt") “Special Topics” course in the History of Asia & the Pacific, with special emphasis placed on the South Sea Island People.

(Note: for your convenience this syllabus will also be printed in hard copy. If you cannot drop by R-215 and pick one up, please run off a copy on your own printer. I suggest sticking it up on your refrigerator. )

It makes use of a text book and extensive use of a computer. As for the latter, you will need the following:
1. Intel-based computer running Win95 or higher with internet connection. Prefer  IE4 or higher. In case you have written work that must be uploaded, use Microsoft Word. You also must be able to open Microsoft PowerPoint displays, and possibly even  Microsof Excel spreadsheets. There are computers in many locations on campus which meet these criteria. However, you do not have to come to campus. (Possible exception, see "Can I take the tests from home?" in Part V, Section 3 below.)
2. On the first day of class you may not be able to log in. It may take a few days for I.T. Services to put you on the system. You can certainly try to log in on your own using the information below. But if you cannot get on right away, use the time to do your first reading assignment.
3. First assignment: As soon as you can after you read this syllabus, go back to the Main Page and click on “Assignments” .  Do the first assignment.

4. This information is for the printed copy of this syllabus. Here is how to sign in to your course. Even if you are already logged in and reading this from inside the WebCt course already, it would not hurt to read it again  anyway.

  • Start your browser. Make sure Java is enabled. Close all other programs.
  • Perform each "click" only after your previous command has been executed. Don't "stack-up" a long series of commands.
  • Use the navigation inside the BlackBoard program whenever possible. For example, do not use your browser's "Back" button if a BlackBoard "Back" button has been provided.
  • If you are going to "Maximize" or "Minimize" a window, do it when you first open the window, not later. This is especially important on exams.
  • The College will provide information on how to Log In on the Main Triton Web Page.
  • A listing will appear of the courses you are registered for. Click on "History 296."
  • Begin to familiarize yourself with the online course by clicking on the various icons.
  • This is enough to get you started. You will see in many places that you can email me for any help you might need.

PART I: COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. To introduce students to some very basic tools with which we can look at the histories of non-Western peoples.  We will learn about the above by examining some real life historical examples and narratives which reveal problems faced by their societies and their times.

2. To give us an insight into our own time and society by looking at evolution of cultures that are “other” than our own.

 PART II: METHODS OF PRESENTATION

      1. Learning Modules:  your online lessons and lectures are contained in 4 Learning Units which you will find by clicking the icon takes you to  the learning modules by clicking on the  "Learning Modules" icon on the left-hand toolbar.
       2. Online Class discussions found in    "Discussions" area .

    3. "Assignments" found in the "Assignments" area.

PART III: MULTIMEDIA AND COMPUTER INFORMATION

1. Dr. Salzman's email address: salzmana@triton.edu

(Note:    You can also use BlackBoard’s  internal email system to contact me.)

2. A DVD which explores the history of the Enlightenment view of nature, which informs Cook's era (18th century), but it undergoes a transformation in Darwin's (19th century). [The DVD is given to you without charge.]

3. Bounty starring Mel Gibson and Sir Anthony Hopkins. (Acquire it yourself through Public Library or Blockbuster, or we can arrange a time to see it in R 215)

4. Master and Commander starring Russel Crowe. (Acquire it yourself through Public Library or Blockbuster, or we can arrange a time to see it in R 215)

PART IV: Suggested TEXTS AND MATERIALS : 

Marshall Sahlins,     How “Natives” Think:  About Captain Cook, for Example

Ditto,                Islands of History

Robert Hughes, The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia’s Founding

Bill Bryson, In a Sunburned Country

PART V: GRADING  =   "Assessments"  (Exams)     +   "Bulletins & Discussions"   +    "Assignments"

1. What is it based on? Your grade will be based on satisfactory performance (a grade of 60% or better is passing) on 4 multiple-choice, fill-in and/or essay timed tests to be taken online (consult "Assessments" area        and / or "Announcements" area  for dates and times). I expect you to participate and will grade your participation in the     "Discussion" area, and in the     "Assignments” area.

2.   Your participation in each of the last two will form my subjective judgement of your performance in the course (see PART VII: "Bulletins & Discussions" and "Subjective Judgement" below.)

a) VALUES: Here are the values of each exam, and the value of your participation in the "Bulletins & Discussion" forums:

Exam 1: 15 per cent

MIDTERM: 20 per cent

Exam 2: 15 per cent

FINAL EXAM: 30 per cent

BULLETINS & DISCUSSIONS: 20 per cent

b) DAYS OF EXAMS:  check in 1.      the course calendar and in the    "Assessments" area.

3.      Are there makeups? Extensions? What if I decide to Withdraw? When does the course end and what is the last day I can submit materials or post in the Discussion Forums? What if I am always going to be busy during all 24 hours of each exam day so that I cannot take the exams? You will reset the exam for me, right?

There are absolutely no makeups nor extensions of exams or of other "deadlined" materials for any reason. All tests will be based exclusively on the text and what is covered in the lectures, discussions, exercises and other materials in this website and pages it links out to.

Withdrawal date? I will sign legitimate withdrawal forms up to the withdrawal date published in the official course schedule found in the Dean's office. After that no form will be signed for any reason. Withdrawal is the student's responsibility, not the teacher's. Do not expect me to withdraw you if you just drift away and cease participating in the class.

WHEN DOES THE COURSE END? I will accept assignments, Bulletin Postings, or whatever you have, until 11:59:59 P.M. on the last regular class day of the course, or the same time (11:59:59 P.M) on the Friday night before the beginning of EXAM WEEK, whichever comes first.

      (Please NOTE the following EXCEPTION to the above: Exams are different. They always shut off at 11:55:00 p.m. instead of 11:59:59. )

This means you will have all exams, postings, everything completed and turned in BEFORE exam week. At the stroke of Midnight, 12:00:00 A.M. on the morning after the last regular class day (usually 12:00:00 A.M. Saturday), I will not accept or look at anything you post or submit.

4. What is on the tests? How do I prepare? When are exams taken? Can I take the exam from home?

What is on the tests? Much of what we discuss in the "Online Discussions" Forum and learn in the various "Assignments" and "Learning Modules" and their associated sub-lessons will reappear on the tests. Therefore, you need to create thorough study notes and outlines.   This is what is known in the academic world as a reading class.  You are responsible for any assigned readings.

How do I prepare? The bottom line is: when in doubt . . .

   KNOW THE READINGS. You should clearly understand all of the other online materials, because you will be tested on those too, but the assigned reading is your foundation. The assigned reading is your beginning and your end.

When are exams taken? Your exams will be offered to you during a 24-hour period (check the "Assessments" area for exact dates.). You may take it at any point during that 24 hours. I highly recommend you don't wait until 1/2 hour before the test shuts down to start taking the test. 

Can I take the exams from home? You may take the test from outside the AT Building if you wish. HOWEVER, I strongly urge you to take tests in the AT Building on the Triton College campus. If anything happens to crash your computer, you can get a note from the tech person and show it to me, and I may consider your problem after discussing it with the tech person. OR I may not. It is my discretion and my call. But if you take the exam from outside the AT Building, I will not consider technical breakdowns.

5.   HOW WILL I BE GRADED?

a) "Assessments"= 80 per cent: There will be 4 multiple choice and/or fill in and/or essay exams (taken online on a designated day and time during a 24 hour period) of varying size. The value of each question is always 1.0 per cent of your course grade. Exception:    an essay question may have a variable per cent value.

b) "Bulletins & Discussions" and other exercises and contributions which demonstrate so-called "Participation", and which are evaluated using the professor's discretion and "Subjective Judgement : = 20 per cent (See Part VII below.)

6.    GRADING SCALE

60%--69% = D

70%--79% = C

80%--89% = B

90%--100% = A

PART VI: WEEKLY SYLLABUS of REQUIRED READINGS AND ACTIVITIES:

My Plan right now is to have one lesson for each class day, for a total of around 15 max.   You will also be taking exams on some of the class days you are also reading and participating in discussions.

 

PART VII: "Discussions" grade = 20 per cent

What is it comprised of? It is mostly comprised of my SUBJECTIVE JUDGEMENT.

This is simply my personal impression of you as a student in this class who interacts with your fellow students and with me. Teachers need to know that the individuals who will be performing in their classes are serious and oriented to success. Forexample, I ask myself, does he or she measure up to my idea of what a college student and a mature person should be based on my experience? I consider such factors as :

· Online courtesy. Don't go overboard with this. I mean just normal good taste and good manners. Of course you can disagree. But I expect calm maturity out of you, because you are in a serious adult setting. For example, profanity is never appropriate nor permited in a professional environment. Neither are insults, or other personal comments.

· Completing work in a timely manner, if applicable

· Making an honest effort, giving it the "old college try"

· There is never any justification for any kind of academic dishonesty. Such infractions are severely punished at this College. Please read the College's policy on academic honesty, available in the College Catalog, which you can access on the Main Page.

Special needs: I assume that anyone who has special needs has already been accomodated by the college or university where you are taking this course. If that is not true, then please contact your appropriate dean or counselor in your institution so that you may be directed to the appropriate office.

[NOTE:     Here is another possible situation that has caused some students confusion and anxiety: they see that a posting in the "Discussions" area, or an exam date, or something else in the course, is from a previous semester or year. Is this not an error? Probably not. Sometimes I carry over student postings that are particularly good from semester to semester. Often I do not update the testing date on an exam until a week or so before the target date, so an old date will still appear. You should not concern yourself with this. If it is in the "Discussions" area, go ahead and respond to it as if it was just posted 5 minutes ago. But if you want to email me that you noticed an older date, please go ahead and do so.]


That's about it !! Please contact me if you believe I have overlooked something. Let's get down to business and have a great, FUN semester !! See you online !! --Dr. Salzman

Rev. 12/09