Course Syllabus

“A class is a process, an independent organism with its own goals and dynamics. It is always something more than even the most imaginative lesson plan can predict.” —Ohio State professor, Dr. Thomas Kasulis.

Course Description

The historical approach to American Studies seeks to identify and assess specific themes, patterns, behaviors and traditions that have shaped the American past. Inherently interdisciplinary, it draws extensively on narrative and print culture, as well as a vast array of other areas of study, in order to seek an understanding of America. Students of American Studies-History will gain a vast, deep knowledge of American History, and in doing so glean a greater understanding of the role of America in the world, and the role of the world in America. 

 Course work

While we will use a wide array of source material in this course our central text will be The American Yawp (shortened to AY in the syllabus and on assignments---we will also use their Primary Source Reader), a free online collaboratively built American History textbook. This experience will likely be a departure for you due to the purely online delivery of content. The decision to adopt The American Yawp reflects both the turn towards digital pedagogy in the Humanities, as well as the desire to circumvent the rising cost of textbooks for students. Most importantly, The American Yawp provides students with academic rigor through outstanding readability, via a multi-layered, interdisciplinary approach to the past.  

To this end, we will also utilize an online annotation software, Hypothes.is. This will allow students to annotate and to take notes on top of their text, as well as blogs, websites, journal articles, and other web-based content. Your work with hypothes.is will represent a significant portion of your grade this year--more importantly however, it will aid in your learning as a student of history--so please take this experience seriously. To access the #SGAmStuds group membership page, please go here: Hypothesis AmStuds Page.

Given the nature of the 2020-2021 school year we will need to be flexible in a variety of ways. Students will participate entirely remotely at points of the year (both synchronously and asynchronously), face-to-face with some participating remotely, and, hopefully entirely face-to-face at some point of the year. The bulk of our work will take place utilizing what is known as the "HyFlex" format. This will allow those on campus and beyond to engage live and on-demand, to support their learning across modalities.

Daily Preparation

This class will largely be in seminar format which depends on active and thoughtful participation by all involved.  As such, students are expected to be prepared and be ready to add to the discussion both in class and via Hypothesis. In short—be prepared for class. Notebook organization and detail, preparation on a daily basis, enthusiasm for class discussion, and general excitement about history (or lack thereof) are all factors that count in your effort grade.  

Technology

Students should bring their laptop to class each day, as this is where your textbook and many primary texts exist. We will integrate technology into the learning experience daily and will rely upon various formats to support our classroom community on campus and beyond. 

Honor Code

You will be expected to read and follow St. George's honor code. You may collaborate in your preparation for tests but all written work must be your own unless explicitly stated otherwise.  Also, all sources used in the preparation of assignments must be properly cited. We will spend ample time determining what constitutes proper citation techniques. All cases of academic dishonesty, including cheating, lying, and plagiarism, will be immediately reported to the Chair of the Humanities Department and Dean of Teaching & Learning. Please read The Shield and ask questions if in doubt; ignorance is not an excuse.   

Course Grade

Your grade in this class will be based approximately upon the components listed in the right hand column.  If you have any questions regarding these sections, please ask. Remember a grade is merely a reflection of where your learning is currently, and where you are is always temporary. It is not a reflection of you as a person. 

Benno Cerenzia's Favorite Ice Cream...

...is Peach. Great, now that you've read the syllabus, remember this for next class.