Introduction to Vermont: The Myth & the Reality
VS-52: (94731) Course Syllabus: Fall 2015
Meeting Time: Tuesday and Thursday
Instructor:
Dr. Richard Watts, 802-373-1131 rwatts@uvm.edu
Office Hours: 1-3 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Morrill 208 (or after class)
Book
Hands on the Land: A History of the Vermont Landscape. Jan Albers. The MIT Press; Reprint edition
(March 7, 2002). ISBN-10: 0262511282
Communication Note: Email & BB will be used for communications. Check your UVM email.
Blackboard: Instructors will post the syllabus, class schedules and selected readings to BB. PPT lectures
prepared for class will also be posted. BB is used extensively.
Course Description: In this course we seek to better understand Vermont through an examination of the
culture, people and physical and social environments. Vermont is a physical place but also a state of
mind. How did Vermont get to be what it is today? What does Vermont represent? What are some of the
stories told about Vermont? What is the Vermont brand? What is Vermont? We will critically examine
the myths and reality of Vermont today through readings, class discussion, field trips and guest lectures.
Learning Objectives
 Learn about Vermont
 Learn and engage in research from different disciplinary approaches
 Improve student writing skills and critical thinking skills
Course Components:
A : Seminars
Lectures by the instructor and limited speakers will include presentation of background information,
descriptions and stories of Vermont. Attendance and participation in discussions is mandatory and will
be considered in assigning the final grade. Lectures will generally be posted to BB. Students should
incorporate lecture material into their papers and class discussion.
B : Readings
Additional required readings are posted to Blackboard. Students are required to complete these readings
and use them as a source for questions of speakers, for class discussion and in written materials.
C: Short Papers- Writing Responses
There will be 12 writing prompts posted. Students must respond to 10 over the course of the semester.
Responses will be posted to BB and be between 350-400 words. The responses should draw from the
readings, class discussions, the academic literature and the student’s own research. Re-writes are not
allowed. Late papers are not allowed.
E. Town Center Class-project:
There will be one semester long project in which students work in groups to conduct research and applied
work related to the class. You will work in small teams for this project. You and your teammates will
1
conduct a field study of a Vermont town in which you will compare the contemporary landscape and built
environment to the historic landscape. You will hand in group field-notes, make a class presentation, and
conduct an assessment of some aspect of the town. (See Assignments for more details).
F. Final Paper: The Vermont Report
Each student will write an original, fully-referenced paper on a topic of their choosing (2500-3500 words,
not including references). Guidelines are posted in Assignments. This paper can draw from previous
class work.
Alternatively, students can submit a Vermont Movie section (see guidelines). Note, this will be as much
work as writing a paper.
G. Class participation
I’d like to see you actively participate in class discussions, in your group work and through your
assignments. In addition to class and group work, you engage with your fellow students through BB. I’ve
created a place where you can post videos, news clips, other info about Vermont. You can also read and
comment on response papers and these clips etc.
In addition, you must attend two events outside of class related to Vermont as part of your class
participation grade & write short summaries of the event (see Assignments).
H: Grading
Prompt responses
Participation (inc outs evnts & in-class wrtg)
Class-project
Final Class paper
10 x 3%=
1 x 20%=
1 x 20% =
1 x 30% =
30%
20%
20%
30%
Guidelines for Written Work
All written work should be submitted to BB. Use your own words. Avoid lengthy quotes. And do not cut
and paste from websites! Any consistent referencing style is acceptable.
Late Work
You are expected to turn in all work on-time i.e. the day it is due in class. If you need an extension due to
illness or family emergency, please speak with me personally and well in advance of the due date or class
time. Late work is generally not allowed.
Attendance Policy
You are expected to attend every class session. If unable to attend please contact Richard either by phone
or email in advance of the class and ask permission. I expect everyone to attend every class, both for
your own personal learning, and to contribute to the community of learners in the group. More than two
unexcused absences can result in grade reductions of one-third (i.e. from an A to an A-).
Class Protocol
Use of cell phones and text messaging is not allowed. Laptops should be used sparingly and only for
class-related work during class. Students are welcome to get up and move around during class. Using cell
phones during class will result in grade point reductions.
Plagiarism
Please be careful with attributions and copying, especially when using web pages. Plagiarism at UVM is
grounds for academic suspension.
2