AMERICA IN PERSPECTIVE

Instructor: Mickey White

Office Phone: 298 8368

800 460 4636 ext. 8368

Home Phone: 771 2133

Internet Address: www.templejc.edu/dept/History/MPWhite/MWhite.htm

Fax: 254 298 8347

Technical Help Line: Alan McClure 298 8420 for problems with video tapes

Office: #161 ISC Temple College

Office Hours:

    Monday - Wednesday 8:15- 9:20 a.m.

   Monday - Wednesday 1:15 - 2:30 p.m.

   Tuesday - Thursday    8:15-9:20 a.m.

                                     10:50-11:30 a.m.

   Tuesday                       1:50- 2:30 p.m.

      Welcome to an exciting approach to the study of early United States history, AMERICA IN PERSPECTIVE. This course surveys the history of the United States since 1877. The social, economic, political, and diplomatic aspects of the American experience are studied.

ORIENTATION

      You must attend an orientation session in order to verify your enrollment in the course. At that time, you also will be given a general overview of AMERICA IN PERSPECTIVE and the requirements for completing this course.

REQUIRED BOOKS: Three books are required for this course:

Study Guide: Study Guide for America in Perspective, 6th ed., Kenneth G. Alfers. Longman Publishers, 2004.

Textbook: The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society, 6th ed., Nash, Jeffrey, et. al. Longman Publishers, 2004.

Reader: Perspectives on America, Volume 2: Readings in United States History From 1877, 3rd ed., Alfers, Pool, and Mugleston. American Heritage Custom Publishing Co., 1998.

COURSE FORMAT

America in Perspective is divided into three units:

Unit I:   An Industrializing People, 1877-1900

             (lessons 1-7)

             Paper I due at Test I

Unit II:    A Modernizing People, 1900-1945

              (lessons 8-16)

              Paper II due at Test II

Unit III: A Resilient People, Since 1945

             (lessons 17-26) Test III

STUDY TIPS

     The Study Guide is essential for successful completion of this course. It provides important information about each lesson, correlates the reading assignments and the video programs, supplies invaluable "Study Guidelines," and includes a truly representative "Practice Test" at the end of each lesson. Use it!!

     The textbook and the reader describe significant developments in American history. To do well in this course, you must read the appropriate assignments indicated in the Study Guide.

     The video programs provide visual and narrative information as well as analysis of significant developments by some of the nation's leading historians. To accomplish the goals on this course, you must thoughtfully view the video programs.

     Your instructor will help you! However, since you do not meet with your instructor in regular class sessions, you may have to initiate contact via the telephone. Please do not hesitate to call when you have questions.

PAPERS

    Two papers are required with this course. They will be based on the "Enrichment Ideas" from the lessons in Unit I, "An Industrializing People, 1877-1900," for the first paper, and from Unit II, "A Modernizing People, 1900-1945,"  for the second paper. They are to be turned in at the scheduled time for testing Unit I and Unit II. The papers are to be typed, double spaced and are worth a possible twenty-five (25) points each towards your total in the course.

VIDEO PROGRAMS

      AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE video tapes may be checked out from the Temple College Library for viewing at home. You must return the last-viewed tape you have checked out or pay $10.00 before you will be allowed to check out the next video tape.

TESTING

     This course is divided into three units. Each unit has a 100 point examination. Tests will be administered according to the test schedule below. Each examination is composed of 50 objective questions (60% of the grade) and two essay questions (40% of the grade). The objective questions are similar (not the same questions) to the practice questions in the Practice Test and are based on Text Focus Questions. The essay questions are taken from the Practice Test essay questions at the end of each lesson.

Examination point scale                                 Course grade total points

A = 90 - 100                                                    A = 315 - 350

B = 80 - 89                                                       B = 280 - 314

C = 70 - 79                                                       C = 245 - 279

D = 60 - 69                                                       D = 210 - 244

F = 0 - 59                                                          F = 0 - 209

    Test will be taken in the campus testing center in the upstairs of the One Campus Center.  You must present a student identification card and a photo I.D. in order to take the test. You need to bring a answer sheet (NCS Test Answer Sheet B purchase at the book store), pen for essays and #2 pencil for the answer sheet. No test will be given out during the last hour before closing.

Testing Center Hours

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:00 am-5:00 p.m.

Tuesday 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 am- 2:00 p.m.

Saturday  8:00-noon, Feb. 11 and 25, Mar. 11 and 25,  Apr. 8 and 29, May 6

DROP POLICY

Dropping your course or withdrawing from the college is your responsibility. Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually an "F." The last day to drop/withdraw is April 13.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Notify the campus admissions office and your teacher, in person or in writing, to change your address. You will receive grade cards, newsletters, and other important information through the mail. It is essential that a correct address is maintained.