Montego Bay Community College
Humanities Department
Online Course Syllabus
Course: Advanced Level History- Unit 1 – Understanding the American Revolution.
Credit: 3
Semester 1: Fall 2009.
Duration: 8 weeks
Facilitator: Alicia Palmer (M.sc)
Office: Room B 23- Staff Room
Telephone: 876-979-8150
Email: aliciapalmer@gmail.com
Office Hours: Online or by phone conference.
Pre-requisites: An A in O’level history or a level 1 in CSEC History.
Objectives: Students will be able to do the following at the end of the course:

Asses and analyze the reasons for the American revolution

Evaluate the arguments found in secondary sources about the stages of the revolution

Design a power point looking at the causes of the revolution

Use appropriate technology to share their knowledge of the American Revolution with
their classmates

Participate in group activities online via group discussion and Skype audio video chat.

Examine and explain the consequences of the American Revolution

Discuss alternate endings to the revolution.
Recommended Text Books:
Weber, M. (2000). The American Revolution. New York. Heinemann Publishers.
Divine, et al. (2007). The American Story (Penguin/Prentice Hall) .
Faragher et al. (2003). Out of Many: A History of the American People (Prentice Hall).
ISBN 0132276518 9780132276511
Foner, E. (2004). Give Me Liberty! (W. W. Norton)
Goldfield, D. & Abbot, C. et al. (1999). American Journey (Prentice Hall)
Course Policies and Communication Requirements.
Participation
Participation is important in the online learning environment. Students must set aside specific
blocks of time to engage in this class. Since this is an eight week class students are expected to
participate via Skype chat or pronto with their colleagues. This course has specific time
requirements and is not a self paced course. The chat times are listed at the end of the syllabus.
Communication
Students:

Must check their email daily

Must check the announcement board and the updates sections of blackboard regularly.

All questions related to the course may be posted to the frequently asked question section
in blackboard.

Students are required to communicate with assigned group members at least once per
week. This discussion can be carried out through pronto or Skype.

At the beginning of the course students are encouraged to send their group members their
contact information. This will allow for smooth communication throughout the course.

Students must participate in a live chat once per week. Each live chat is worth 2 points
for a total of 16 points, i.e. 8 chats for the entire class. Chat sessions are one hour long.

Check your grades in the grade book section of black board.

Evaluate your team mates- this communicates how well they worked as group members.
My communication requirements

As the facilitator I will check my email twice daily. (9am and 6pm)

All questions will be answered in 24 hours except during weekends.

All grades for assignments will be submitted via blackboard one week after the due
date. I will send each student an email with written feedback also.

I will respond respectfully and be mindful that miscommunication can occur in
online classrooms

I will always be available to answer questions during the live chat sessions. (8
sessions).

For emergencies please contact me at the number above.
Course Outline
Week 1 – August 31- September 6, 2009
Chapters 1- 5 of the American Story by divine.
Respond to discussion question by journaling.
Take Mini Quiz
Engage in live chat
Journal Entry- due by Sunday September 6
Read Module 1 Readings: General Causes of the American Revolution.
Assignment: Work on group project.
Take module quiz
Week 2: September 7- September 13, 2009
Read- Give me Liberty
Read Module 2 Readings: The Sedition Act and other intolerable acts
Use guiding questions posted under each module as guidelines
Journal entry – Due September 13
Work on power point with group.
Week 3: September 14 - September 20, 2009
Read- The American Journey
Read Module 3 - Causes of the American Revolution
Write Journal Entry – Due September 20
Work on group presentation
Engage in weekly chat
Complete Module Quiz
Week 4: September 21 – September 27, 2009
Read Module 4: Boston Massacre
Complete module quiz due by September 27
Talk with group members
Group 5: September 28 to October 4, 2009
Read Module 5: Preparing for the war
Work on Assignments
Complete Module Quiz ( Due by October 4)
Weekly chat
Week 6 : October 5 to October 11, 2009
Read Module 6- The People of the Revolution
Complete Discussion Journals
Group Project Due by 11: 50 pm midnight
Complete Module Quiz – ( Quiz and Journal due by October 11)
Week 7: October 12- October 18, 2009
Read Module 7: Consequences of the War
Work on Essay
Complete Module Quiz ( Due by October 18)
Week 8: October 19 to October 25, 2009
Review all Modules- This module provides a summation of all modules.
Essay due before 11.55 pm October 25
Complete module quiz by Sunday October 25 before 11: 50pm
Weekly chat
Complete discussion journal. ( Essay,
Peer and facilitator evaluation. Instructions and instruments found in black board shell
Read and comment on the group power point presentations posted in the discussion board.
Course ends
Assignments and Grading scheme.
1. Mini quiz on the syllabus – 4 points due before Sunday of week one.
2. 8 chat sessions- 1 per week - 16 points. ( see schedule at the end of the syllabus)
3. Group project: due week 6 this will be sent via blackboard. Do not send assignments via
email. This is a power point presentation. Group assignments are posted in your group
pages. 15 points. Submit assignment be by 11: 50 pm Sunday night of week 6
4. Journal entry: 8 journals for the entire course- Journals are based on questions posted in
the discussion board. You will post your journal entry each week and respond to one
colleague’s journal each week. 20 points (2.5 points each). Post journal entries by Sunday
of each week.
5. Essay on the long term effects of the American Revolution- 25 points. Due week 8
6. Module quiz – (Module quiz is based on the learning content provided for each topic) 5
points each total 40 point. Due every week
7. Final Exam : None - (B plus is the passing grade for this course)
8. Evaluation Forms – To be completed in week 8. (Peer evaluation and facilitator
evaluation).
Total Marks: 120 points
Grading Scale
120- 110 –A
90- 109 - A89- 80 - B+
79- 70 - B69-60 - C+
59- 50 - C
Below – 50 E
Wimba Chat Schedule
Week
Date
Time
Week 1
Tuesday Sept 3
8pm -9pm
Week 2
Monday Sept 7
7pm -8pm
Week 3
Wednesday Sept 16
8pm -9pm
Week 4
Tuesday Sept 22
8pm – 9pm
Week 5
Tuesday Sept 29
6pm- 7pm
Week 6
Wednesday Oct 7
7pm -8pm
Week 7
Friday Oct 16
6pm – 7pm
Week 8
Tuesday Oct 27
8pm – 9pm
All students must participate in all chat sessions. If you are unable to participate in all chat
sessions you may summarize the transcripts of the ones you miss. You may miss no more than
three chat sessions. A summary is due for the ones you miss.
Etiquette requirements for this course.

Respect everyone and think before you post your comments in the discussion boards and
chat sessions

Be considerate of others

Remember that the aim of this course is to learn to collaborate while learning history.

When in doubt leave it out. If for example you think that your comments might be
viewed negatively avoid making the comments.

Never post offense remarks in the discussion board.

Never undermine your colleagues contribution

In the wimba chat wait your turn. Instructions will be given which will explain how
communication will take place.

Treat others the way you would like to be treated

Offensive posts will be removed from the discussion boards.

If the offensive posts continue after the student has been warned they will be referred to
the disciplinary board.

Five points may be deducted for each inappropriate post.
Discussion Board Rubric
Discussion Board- discussion board posts will take the form of journal entries. A marginal post
with little or no reference to the topic will receive - .5 points
A well written journal with several references will receive 1.5 points
A well written journal entry with references and possible alternative solutions will receive 2.5
points. The maximum points that can be received is 20 points for all journals.
Chat Rubric
Students will receive one point (1pt) each time they participate in the chat discussion.
Participation means asking a question or responding to at least one question or comment.
Montego Bay Community College Disability Statement
Students with disabilities are required to contact student’s services so that appropriate
accommodations can be made.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is not tolerated and is penalized by either a zero grade or a repeat of the entire course.
Bibliography
Ayers, Edward L., et al. American Passages: A History of the United States. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth.
Ayers, Edward L., et al. American Passages: A History of the United States, Brief Edition.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Bailyn, Bernard, et al. The Great Republic: A History of the American People. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin.
Berkin, Carol, et al. Making America: A History of the United States. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Boyer, Paul S., et al. The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin.
Brinkley, Alan. American History: A Survey. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. Boston:
McGraw-Hill.
Carnes, Mark C., and John A. Garraty. The American Nation: A History of the United States.
Vols. 1 & 2. New York: Longman.
Carnes, Mark C., and John A. Garraty. A Short History of the American Nation. New York:
Longman.
Carnes, Mark C., and John A. Garraty. American Destiny: Narrative of a Nation. Vols. 1 & 2.
New
York: Longman.
Davidson, James West, et al. Nation of Nations: A Narrative History of the American Republic.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Davidson, James West, et al. Nation of Nations: Concise. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Divine, Robert A., et al. America Past and Present. Vols. 1 & 2. New York: Pearson/Longman.
Divine, Robert A., et al. America Past and Present AP Edition. New York: Pearson/Longman.
Divine, Robert A., et al. The American Story. New York: Longman.
Faragher, John Mack, et al. Out of Many: A History of the American People: AP Edition. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Faragher, John Mack, et al. Out of Many: A History of the American People. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History. Vols. 1 & 2. New York: W. W. Norton.
Gillon, Steven M., and Cathy D. Matson. The American Experiment: A History of the United
States. Vols. 1 & 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Goldfield, David, et al. The American Journey. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Henretta, James A., et al. America: A Concise History. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Henretta, James A., et al. America's History. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Jones, Jacqueline, et al. Created Equal: A Social and Political History of the United States. Vols.
1 & 2. New York: Longman.
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant: A History
of the Republic. Boston: McDougal Littell/Houghton Mifflin.
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant: Advanced
Placement. Boston: McDougal Littell/Houghton Mifflin.
Maier, Pauline, Merritt Roe Smith, Alexander Keyssar, and Daniel J. Kevles. Inventing America:
A History of the United States. Vols. 1 & 2. New York: W. W. Norton.
Murrin, John M., et al. Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People. Vols. 1 & 2.
New York: Wadsworth.
Nash, Gary B., et al., The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society. New York:
Pearson/Longman.
Norton, Mary Beth, et al. A People and a Nation: A History of the United States. Vols. 1 & 2.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Roark, James L., et al. The American Promise: A History of the United States. Vols. 1 & 2.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.
Tindall, George Brown, and David E. Shi. America: A Narrative History, Brief Edition. New
York: W. W. Norton.
Tindall, George Brown, and David E. Shi. America: A Narrative History. Vols. 1 & 2. New
York: W. W. Norton.