History 111 - U.S. History to 1877 - John Varga
| Course: | U.S. History to 1877 |
|---|---|
| Professor: | John Varga |
| Email: | john.varga@canyons.edu |
| Format: |
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| Course Length: | 5 week |
| Textbook Title: | Of the People: A History of the United States, Volume I: To 1877 Fourth Edition McGerr, M., Lewis, J.E., Oakes, J., Cullather, N., Mark Summers, M., Townsend, C., Dunak, K.M., & Boydston, J. Publication Date - September 2018 ISBN: 9780190910204 There is an eBook version available for purchase or rental. Please check with Red Shelf and/or Vital Source. |
| Types of Assessments: | Chapter based discussions Unit based discussions Primary Source Analysis Chapter based quizzes |
Introduction
Dear Prospective Winter 2021 Online History Students:
This is John Varga and I look forward to being your instructor for one or more of the online History courses I will be teaching during the upcoming Winter 2021 inter-session. The courses I am teaching fulfill several different requirements and are transferable to the CSU and UC systems.
Course Description
History 111 is a general survey course that covers American history from the pre-Columbian era to Reconstruction.
What to Expect in this Course
The online courses I teach differ from traditional on campus courses in a number of ways. First, there are no face-to-face meetings. Second, there are no formal instructor delivered lectures. Third, classroom discussions among and between students are conducted in a largely asynchronous environment. Fourth, exams and quizzes are conducted solely online.
While these are salient differences, the academic rigor expected is no more and no less than a traditionally formatted course. The expectations that students will keep pace with the readings, provide thoughtful analysis about the readings and their related discussion topics, and devote significant time each week to their academic endeavors are no different than what is expected of students who take History courses in the traditional classroom setting at the Valencia or Canyon Country campuses. In the online summer inter-session setting, students will be logging in frequently and participating on a consistent basis at least three to four days per week.
The online courses I teach require students to meet all established deadlines. This is imperative. While online classes do offer more flexibility with respect to the hours that students devote to their studies, there is one particular aspect of online learning where flexibility is virtually non-existent: meeting deadlines. My online classes will have established and consistent deadlines so that students may develop a structured pattern and predictable schedule from which to organize their efforts and manage their time. Accordingly, students must answer the following question: “Am I willing to make the effort to manage my time effectively so that I may succeed in this course and the other courses I am taking?”
Online learning requires self-discipline, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, consistency in effort, and a strong sense of commitment to the self-edification process. Online classes offer tremendous freedom, but necessitate significant personal responsibility. If you are not a self-starter, have trouble developing your own structured learning environment beyond the virtual classroom, and prefer the habit and custom of going to class in a “brick and mortar” setting, then online education may not be suited to your learning style.
Online education is clearly an important academic avenue. That being said, online education is not an entertaining alternative to the traditional “boring” on campus class. Online education is not “edutainment” and does not and should not connote more relaxed or casual intellectual demands and standards. Accordingly, students should not view online courses as being “easy,” a short-cut to a degree, a license to cheat, or lacking intellectual merit. Ostensibly, online classes seem more convenient. Please do not allow this perception to distract you from the truth about what online education entails: effort and commitment. Hence, it is important that students not allow themselves to turn online education’s advantage into a disadvantage by failing to be mindful as to the effort and commitment required to achieve success in the online education environment.
I anticipate an excellent class and I hope you decide to join our learning community. If you have any questions email me at john.varga@canyons.edu
Regards,
John Varga
Additional Textbook Information / Link to OER Textbook
Of the People: A History of the United States, Volume I: To 1877 Fourth Edition
McGerr, M., Lewis, J.E., Oakes, J., Cullather, N., Mark Summers, M., Townsend, C., Dunak, K.M., & Boydston, J.
Publication Date - September 2018
ISBN: 9780190910204
There is an eBook version available for purchase or rental. Please check with Red Shelf and/or Vital Source.
Other Relevant Course Information
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accomodation Center (AAC)
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Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
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Last updated: 10/23/2020 Sub # Orig: 1840