Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students Fall 2011
Course Prefix and Number: HIST 102 Online
Course Title: Modern Western Civilization
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Online Only
Classroom:
Time: Online
Introduction:
Without knowledge of the political, economic, and intellectual forces which have shaped the
modem world, students cannot fully comprehend the time in which they live. While a student
may learn much about the content and development of the Judeo-Christian traditions in Western
civilization and the impact of the Renaissance on modem thought, glimpse the importance of
industrialization and science in ordering the present and the future from other courses, history
alone provides the broad perspective through time that permits a student to integrate their
knowledge and achieve the broad world view that is the mark of an educated person.
Catalog Description:
This course covers the development of the modern West in terms of the great movements of the
past five centuries: the Reformation, the Enlightenment, Absolutism and the rise of the nation
state, the French Revolution, industrialization, the emergence of modem political ideology, the
World Wars, the Cold War’s and the roots of the present political situation. The course
emphasizes the “watershed events” in the realm of religion, politics, economics, culture, and war.
Special attention is given to the contributions of individuals in shaping the modem world.
Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, ENGL 101 or its equivalent.
Instructor Information:
Name: Gina Kieffer
Office Location: ICB 2102 (accessed through the Social and Business Science Division
office in ICB 2100)
Telephone Numbers: Home: 440-429-1646 (Please avoid calling after 10:00 PM and
before 8:00 AM)
E-Mail Address:
gina.kieffer@heartland.edu
Office Hours:
by appointment only
Textbook:
Required:
Noble, et al. Western Civilization: The Continuing Experiment: Beyond
Boundaries, Vol. 2. 6th ed. Advantage Edition. Boston: Cengage. 2011.
Gregory, Candace. Documents of Western Civilization, Volume II: Since 1500.Wadsworth 2006.
Blackboard
This class is accessed through Blackboard . You will be automatically given access to this
page. All assignments, quizzes, papers, and exams will be done entirely through the
Blackboard system.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the
A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core
Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and
universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor
for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at
www.itransfer.org for more information.
Philosophy
Academic Discipline:
History is one of the few disciplines outside of mathematics and the sciences with more
than a century or two of established academic worth. The study of history is essential to
any understanding of the complexity of human society and human aspirations. The process
of learning of the inter-relationship of politics, economics, religion, art, technology and
culture increases the learner’s ability to comprehend the subtle and not so subtle ways in
which our present has been shaped by current events.
Student Learning:
As with anything in life, you will get as much from the study of history as you are willing
to put into it. Learning is what you do. No one can do it for you. You must read and think
and write about the past and present. Appreciation of the difference between the two is part
of the discipline of history. You must always try to approach your assignments with effort
and an opened mind because only then will you be able to take pride in your endeavors and
in the knowledge that will always be yours.
Instructor’s Role:
I will be here to instruct you about the past, the present and your place in it. You will hear
lectures, told stories and be asked to respond to events. I will encourage you, offer
assistance to you and, of course, evaluate your performance. I will be available to discuss
history, to answer your questions and to point you in the direction of sources for you to use
to find answers.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Outcomes
General Education
Outcomes
Range of Assessment
Methods
Distinguish between primary and
PS1
secondary sources as the foundation of
modern historical scholarship from 1500present.
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project,
other methods
Interpret primary sources critically by
analyzing their historical contexts.
CT3
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project,
other methods
Formulate historical interpretations, both CO4
in discussion and in writing, and defend
them critically with reference to primary
and secondary sources.
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, oral
report, other methods
Incorporate into historical interpretations, CT3
both in discussion and in writing, an
understanding of historical causation
reflecting a) knowledge of important
figures and events and their
chronological relationship to each other
and b) an awareness of the contingent
relationships.
Acquire at one and the same time a
DI3
comprehension of diverse cultures and
shared humanity, as evidenced both
orally and in writing.
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, oral
report, other methods
Course/Lab Outline:
Topic Outline for the Course:
Europe in the Age of Religious Wars
Europe in the Age of Louis XIV
A Revolution in Worldview
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, oral
reports, other methods
Europe on the Threshold of Modernity
An Age of Revolution
The Industrial Transformation of Europe
Restoration, Reform, and Revolution
Nationalism and Political Reform
The Age of Optimism
Imperialism and Escalating Tensions
War and Revolution
The Illusion of Stability
The Tortured Decade
The Era of the Second World War
An Anxious Stability: The Age of the Cold War
A Continuing Experiment: The West and the World Since 1989
Methods of Instruction:
As stated above, this is an online course. All aspects of this course will be covered through
the Blackboard system. This class will consist of discussions, readings, quizzes, notes,
writing, and exams. Your role as students is to read, come to class prepared to debate the
issues of the day, to question the decisions of the past and the judgments of historians. You
will be expected to take notes, to ask and answer questions, and to develop ideas about the
course material. I will assume that you can read the text and that you will ask questions if
you find wither readings or lectures confusing or contradictory. You will be expected to
summarize, analyze and integrate the information form readings, lectures and discussions
into written form for the exams and papers. The emphasis on academic skills will prepare
you for both further academic work and for the workplace.
Course Policies:
Grading Scale:
500-450 A
449-400 B
399-350 C
349-300 D
299-0
F
A (4.0) This grade represents consistently outstanding performance that demonstrates superior
understanding and skillful use of important course concepts. Performance at this level signifies
that the student is extremely well prepared to continue with more advanced study of the subject.
B (3.0) This grade represents performance significantly beyond the level necessary to achieve the
course objectives. Work is of high quality but not consistently at an outstanding level.
Performance at this level signifies that the student is well prepared to continue with more
advanced study of the subject.
C (2.0) This grade represents an acceptable achievement of the course objectives. Performance at
this level signifies that the student is reasonably well prepared to continue with more advanced
study of the subject.
D (1.0) This grade represents less than adequate performance. It signifies questionable readiness
to proceed with more advanced study of the subject.
F (0.0) This grade reflects unacceptable performance. The student is not yet ready to proceed
with more advanced study of the subject, and must repeat the course successfully to receive
credit.
Philosophy of Grades: The Heartland Community College grading philosophy grows out of our
vision of educational excellence. This common philosophy provides a framework for each
academic division and instructor as they establish their own individual course grading system,
evaluation methods, and course policies using the shared general rubrics for letter grades given
below. Letter grades serve as a vehicle to promote meaningful evaluation of student
achievement, to inform students of academic progress, and, as necessary, to improve student
performance, habits, and practices. Using a letter grade as a prerequisite for subsequent courses
means we believe that the grade was assigned through a conscious judgment about a student's
readiness to proceed to more advanced study. At Heartland, students' academic achievement is
measured by their mastery of course objectives and content. We challenge students to meet these
recognized standards of achievement and we assign grades based on their success in doing so.
Simply stated, we believe that the responsibility for academic achievement rests with the student
and that holding students responsible for their learning promotes their academic growth.
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given over every chapter in the textbook. The quizzes will consist of
multiple choice, essay, T/F, and fill-in-the-blank. Materials to be quizzed will be taken
from the textbook, as well as any notes I provide for you. You will only have one chance
to take each quiz& they will be worth 15 points each.
Papers:
Because the academic disciplines of writing and history are closely related, you are
required to write a specific amount for this course. Your writing assignments in this class
will consist of a research project. Guidelines on your research project will be given
during the semester.
Attendance and Participation:
Attending class is the key to successfully completing the course. This is an online course
and you are required to log into the class at least once per week. In addition,
participation plays an important role in this class. You are expected to ask and respond to
questions at least once per week. You will be given questions to answer on the class
discussion board each week. Failure to do so will result in the loss of points.
Incompletes:
Under extra-ordinary circumstances an incomplete may be given at the instructor’s
discretion, if the student has completed more than 50% of the graded assignments and if
the instructor believes that the student is likely to finish the course. No one has an
automatic right to receive an incomplete. Students should strive being placed in a
position where they are forced to ask for an incomplete. It is all too easy to put off
completing the class until it is too late.
Extra-Credit:
No extra-credit is scheduled for this class.
Make-up of Tests and Assignments:
A clear policy for make-ups is necessary for the fair conduct of a class. Any requests to
make up a quiz, test or assignment will be evaluated on the individual merits of the case.
Funerals and hospitalization are generally acceptable; sniffles and car trouble are
generally not. Since make-ups are usually alternate all-essay versions, they may not
always appear to be of the same degree of difficulty as the original assignments. As a
student you are urged not to put yourself in the position of repeatedly asking for
extensions or make-ups.
Deadlines:
Deadlines are to be observed with a strictness designed to stiffen your spines. All
assignments are to be turned in on time. If you find that you will be unable to complete
an assignment on time, it is your responsibility, and yours alone, to contact me.
Required Writing and Reading:
The reality is that this class is difficult. This course requires the reading of 1chapter per
week or 500 pages per semester! A minimum of 15 pages of college level writing is also
required in this course. Writing assignments include papers of various lengths, essay
exams and various projects as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Student Conduct:
At all times endeavor to conduct yourself in such a manner that others will look upon you
as an example of maturity and honesty. You are a college student, a seeker of knowledge
not a seeker of amusement. Respect for yourself, others and the task you have set for
yourself by enrolling in a history course. Humor, within bounds, is fine, but remember
why you are in this class.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College
and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may
be competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of their fellow students.
The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary
measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act
of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning
cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification of
academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative
records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a
paper, create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the
work, except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is
considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
1
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
4
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
5
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
6
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as
if it were your own.
*Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work,
failure in the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Instructor’s note on plagiarism: Students should note that the same advances that have made
it easy for students to cheat have made it easy for instructors to catch cheaters.
Services in Academic Support Center
Library
The Library provides fast and free access to credible information from a full range of resources
including books, online journals, videos, newspapers, online music, class reserves, and interlibrary
loan. Individualize research by appointment or come in anytime. See the Library tab in myHeartland,
email library@heartland.edu or call (309) 268-8292 for details.
Tutoring Services
Tutoring Services provides tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students in Normal,
Pontiac, and Lincoln. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups are
also available by request. For more information about services available at each location, please call
(309) 268-8231 (Normal), (815) 842-6777 (Pontiac), or (217) 735-1731 (Lincoln).
Disability Support Services
Disability Support Services (DSS) ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to the
college’s programs, services and activities through the provision of reasonable accommodations as
mandated in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. DSS
offers a wide range of services to support students with disabilities, including: assistive technology,
document conversion services, personnel, classroom and testing accommodations. Students with a
documented disability who wish to discuss academic accommodations should call (309) 268-8259
for details.
Open Computing Lab
The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient times throughout
the week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and offers the use of approximately
70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric typewriter.
Writing Services
Writing Services provides guidance for writers on assignment comprehension, critical thinking and
the stages of the writing process. Writing Services is staffed by English faculty with years of
experience in the teaching of writing. In every session, faculty work with writers to explore and
develop their own ideas as appropriate to the needs of their readers and to learn the rhetorical
strategies necessary for effective communication. For more information, please call (309) 268-8231.
Services in Community Commons Building, first floor (Raab Road
campus)
Academic Advising
Academic advisors provide information to students about degree/program requirements,
transferability of courses, GPA, and enrollment. Academic Advising may also provide
workshops on time management, IRIS navigation, or specific career fields. For more
information, please call (309) 268-8033.
Career Services
Career Services offers guidance and resources to assist students determine their career goals,
develop employability and job search skills, and connect with potential employers. In addition,
two experiential learning programs, job shadowing and internships, provide students with
relevant work-based learning opportunities. Job shadowing assists students in clarifying their
career goals. Internships help students “bridge the gap” between the academic environment and
employment in their chosen career fields. For more information, please call Career Services at
(309) 268-8034.
Counseling Services
The personal development counselor provides confidential and professional counseling for both
emergency and personal issues. Services also include referrals to local community resources. For
more information, please call (309) 268-8033.
Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office provides information on programs and types of financial aid available
to students. For more information, please call (309) 268-8020.
Transcripts
Official and unofficial transcripts may be obtained at the Student Records desk. Transcripts may
also be obtained at Heartland’s Lincoln and Pontiac sites. Transcripts must be requested in
writing. The form is available online (http://www.heartland.edu/transcripts/index.jsp) or at the
Student Records desk.
Philosophy of Grades
The Heartland Community College grading philosophy grows out of our vision of educational
excellence. This common philosophy provides a framework for each academic division and
instructor as they establish their own individual course grading system, evaluation methods, and
course policies using the shared general rubrics for letter grades given below.
Letter grades serve as a vehicle to promote meaningful evaluation of student achievement, to inform
students of academic progress, and, as necessary, to improve student performance, habits, and
practices. Using a letter grade as a prerequisite for subsequent courses means we believe that the
grade was assigned through a conscious judgment about a student’s readiness to proceed to more
advanced study.
At Heartland, students’ academic achievement is measured by their mastery of course objectives and
content. We challenge students to meet these recognized standards of achievement and we assign
grades based on their success in doing so. Simply stated, we believe that the responsibility for
academic achievement rests with the student and that holding students responsible for their learning
promotes their academic growth.
Letter Grade Rubrics
“A” This grade represents consistently outstanding performance that demonstrates superior
understanding and skillful use of important course concepts. Performance at this level signifies that
the student is extremely well prepared to continue with more advanced study of the subject.
“B” This grade represents performance significantly beyond the level necessary to achieve the course
objectives. Work is of high quality but not consistently at an outstanding level. Performance at this
level signifies that the student is well prepared to continue with more advanced study of the subject.
“C” This grade represents an acceptable achievement of the course objectives.
Performance at this level signifies that the student is reasonably well prepared to continue with more
advanced study of the subject.
“D” This grade represents less than adequate performance. It signifies questionable readiness to
proceed with more advanced study of the subject.
“F” This grade reflects unacceptable performance. The student is not yet ready to proceed with more
advanced study of the subject, and must repeat the course successfully to receive credit.
Standard Syllabi Disclaimer:
Changes to the Course Calendar, testing methods and major due dates may be made during the
course of the class. This is unavoidable, and every attempt will be made to notify students if this
is necessary.
Weekly Calendar:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
FINAL EXAM
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 15 Quiz
Chapter 16 Quiz
Chapter 17 Quiz
Chapter 18 Quiz
Chapter 19 Quiz
Chapter 20 Quiz
Chapter 21 Quiz
Chapter 22 Quiz
Chapter 23 Quiz
Chapter 24 Quiz
Chapter 25 Quiz
Chapter 26 Quiz
Chapter 27 Quiz
Chapter 28 & 29 Quiz
Chapter 30 & 31 Quiz
Chapter 32 Quiz
Research Project Due