Midterm Revisions

Monday, April 6, 2015

Midterm Revisions

Here are the requirements and due date for submitting a revised midterm essay for those of you who wish to do so:

Due May 15, before the start of class. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED.
Submit to the Midterm Revision assignment on www.turnitin.com
Meet with me at least once prior to submitting your revision. Bring a hard copy of your original essay with my comments from turnitin.com. I will not grade your revision if you do not meet with me. My office hours are Tuesdays and Fridays, 12:30-1:30 in 1545W. If you cannot make it during that time email me for an alternative appointment time.
Revised essay must follow the original requirements:

A clear thesis that presents the argument and outlines the essay
Reference to a MINIMUM of three sources; every reference must include an MLA or Chicago style citation
Detailed explanation of examples: who, what, where, when.
Analysis for each example: how this example prove the main argument?
Organized structure: present evidence in chronological order, organize evidence to follow outline of thesis, include strong topic sentences

Revised essay must ALSO

Show substantive improvement
Address ALL issues raised in comments on original essay
Be written in clear, understandable language with MINIMAL typos, mistakes or grammatical errors

Check this post for updates to these requirements. I will answer questions about the revision in class on Tuesday, April 14.

Course Objectives

This is a broad survey course designed to introduce students to basic themes and events in American History, as well as college-level research and study skills. As this is a writing intensive course, students will develop critical writing skills through online discussion, essay writing and document analysis. We will cover material beginning with the Civil War and Reconstruction and extending through the Presidential election of 2000.

By the end of this course students will have experience evaluating historical materials, constructing and supporting an argument, and performing basic research. Students will also work collaboratively in-class and online to discuss material, analyze primary documents and develop note-taking and study skills.

Accessibility

Hunter College complies with the standards set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to include all policies, procedures, and practices that impact the treatment of students with disabilities. The Office of AccessABILITY helps to ensure a comprehensively accessible college experience for all students with disabilities and helps to promote access and awareness as a resource to all members of the Hunter College community.

“In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance please call (212-772-4857)/TTY (212-650-3230).” You can also locate them at:

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/access/welcome

Course Learning Outcomes

During this course, students will:

• identify and apply the key historical concepts of change-over-time, cause-and-effect, agency, historical empathy, and continuity and discontinuity, and recognize how these concepts are employed in the historical method

• analyze and interpret primary sources with attention to audience, authorship and context

• recognize some of the ways in which historians have conflicting interpretations of the past

• produce a paper with a clear thesis and appropriate citations based on strong evidence drawn from historical sources

• identify and discuss the importance of contact and conquest, colonial foundations, revolution and Constitution, immigration, geographic expansion, experiences of native peoples, role of women, slavery and African American experiences and the sectional crisis leading to the Civil War