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 Shaping America and the requirements for completing this course.

Two books are required for this course:

Shaping America 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.

To complete this course and be successfully, you should do the following:

Shaping America has two textbooks and 26 half-hour video programs. The telecourse study guide coordinates the reading assignments with these video programs. The best way to prepare each lesson is to read the study guide overview and introduction to the lesson and the textbook assignment BEFORE viewing the video; or view the programs both BEFORE and AFTER you've read in the textbook. Note that each video program has one major element (focus) to be studied. Upon completion of these tasks, the various focus questions sections of the telecourse guide should be answered. A Practice Test follows each lesson, allowing you to determine the level of clarity and understanding that you are achieving. When you view the video program, do so in a quiet, uninterrupted atmosphere.

Conscientious and timely completion of assignments made in the telecourese guide is essential for success in this history course. All lesson focus points should be completed in preparation for testing. See the Testing Schedule to determine when tests and papers are due.

Three papers are required with this course. They will be based on the "Enrichment Ideas" from the lessons in Unit I, "A City on a Hill," for the first paper, Unit II, "All Men are Created Equal?,"  for the second paper and from Unit III "Manifest Destiny"  for the third paper. These papers should be typed and double spaced. Grammar and spelling will be considered along with correct form for the paper will be considered when your paper is graded. The papers are due at the time you take the tests for Units I, II, and III. The papers are worth a possible twenty-five (25) points each towards your total in the course.

This course is divided into four 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 (but may not the same questions) to the practice questions in the Practice Test and are based on the Focus Points plus the key terms. The essay questions are taken from the Practice Test essay questions.

Examination point scale                                                   Course grade total points

A = 90 - 100                                                                    A = 427 - 475

B = 80 - 89                                                                      B = 380 - 426

C = 70 - 79                                                                      C = 332 - 379

D = 60 - 69                                                                      D = 285 - 331

F = 0 - 59                                                                         F = 0 - 284

Test will be taken in the campus testing center in the upstairs of the One Campus Center or the new building. You must present a student identification card and a photo I.D. in order to take the test. It is best to call the testing center to make an appointment for a test time 298-8586. No tests will be given out during last hour before closing.

Monday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tuesday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Wednesday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Saturdays* 8 a.m. - 12:00 Noon