Course Syllabus
Street Scene Dakar, Senegal Copyright Victoria Pasley
HIST 3230
History of Sub-Saharan Africa
Fall 2011
HIST
3230
Course - Sections 01
and 02
Office: G214A
E-mail: VictoriaPasley@clayton.edu
Click HERE for Weekly Readings
Instructor: Dr.
Course Description:
The history of Africa south of the Sahara from the first
century C.E. to the present, with emphasis on the rise of empires in west
and southern Africa, the influence of Islam,the impact of European imperialism and the independence movements of the
twentieth century.
Pre-Requisites:
HIST 1112 (Survey of Modern World
History) with a minimum US grade of C
Required Texts
History of Africa by Kevin Shillington 2nd Rev edition (August 11,
2005)
ISBN-10: 0333599578
ISBN-13: 978-0333599570
African Perspectives on Colonialism by A Adu Bohan (1989)
ISBN-10 0801839319
ISBN-13 978-0801839313
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
ISBN: 0385474547
Weep Not, Child (African Writers Series)
by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
ISBN: 0435908308
You will also need access to Netflix or other online DVD services for some of the films - you can sign up for Netflix for a free trial. Some are available in Library.
Instructional
Activities and Methodology
This is an online course in GA
View. There are two required on campus meetings. The final exam will be
online timed on . Knowledge of GA View is required. The course requires regular
weekly reading.
Course
Objectives
This course meets the following objectives of the history major. After
taking this course students will be able to:
Identify and describe basic chronologies in
World history.
Identify and critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources.
Identify and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations of events and
personalities.
Perform historical research using primary and
secondary sources.
Write in a clear, analytical, and organized manner, demonstrating appropriate
professional documentation methods.
Discuss historical findings in clear and coherent oral presentations.
It
also addresses Learning Outcomes 2-5, as
adopted by the history faculty at
Graduates of the history program at
·
Identify and describe basic chronologies of
· Identify and critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources.
· Identify and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations of events and personalities.
· Perform historical research using primary and secondary sources in libraries, archives, and other repositories of historical records.
· Write in a clear, analytical, and organized manner, demonstrating appropriate professional documentation methods.
·
Discuss historical findings in clear and coherent oral presentations.
Computer Requirement:
Each CCSU student is required to have ready
access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets
faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic
program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For
further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm. Please
note students are required to bring a laptop configured to GA View to the
midterm
exam. Please make sure that the laptop you use has been configured
to GA View by the HUB. Once
the course has started please e-mail me in GA view.e-mail.
All assignments must be
uploaded to GA View -- please don't e-mail them to my csu account or they will
be deleted.
Computer Use Pre- Requisites
Ability to use GA View for discussions, quizzes, e-mail, and exams as well as
upload the research paper and other materials as an attachment.
Knowledge of MicrosoftWord and PowerPoint.
For technical assistance please contact The Hub. You may need to have your laptop configured for GA View
General Requirements
Individuals with
disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445,
disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.
Plagiarism
I take plagiarism very seriously. Please
refer to student handbook Clayton
State University Student Handbook): No
student will represent the work of others as his or her own. Themes, essays,
term papers, tests, presentations and other similar assignments must be the work
of the student submitting them. When direct quotations are used, they must be
indicated and when the ideas of another are incorporated, they must be
appropriately acknowledged.
As a general rule
if you use more than four words of someone else’s writing (including the
internet) you must use quotations marks and cite the writer/source. Do not copy
and paste from internet sites. It’s very important that you learn to
paraphrase and use quotes sparingly.
Academic
Misconduct: Any type of activity
that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic
misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and
plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero
for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to
the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.
University Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend and participate online.
Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses
and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi.
Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what
effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon
students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves
the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are
sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
In this course attendance is essential. Class participation and attendance are part of your grade. Attendance in an online course requires you to check in at least 5 days a week, read announcements, e-mails and participate in the weekly discussion. If you are absent and do not check the course (no matter if your absence is excused or unexcused) it could jeopardize your overall performance in this course.
Make-up exams will only be given in extreme circumstances. Students must provide written documentation of the reason why they cannot take the exam on time.
Grading
A: 90%
B: 80%
C: 70%
D: 60%
F: Less than 60%
Course Assignments
15%
Discussions and attendance on line
25%Midterm exam
20% Research Paper OR create and online documented PowerPoint Presentation
(details will be given) Students are required to write a 6-8 page research
paper on a topic in African history or develop a PowerPoint with proper
citations to be put online and peer reviewed.
10%
Two short reaction papers to novels. Hand out will be given. How did
the novel enhance your understanding of African history and culture? Is it a
good source for historians? Your reaction to the novel. (2-3 pages each double
spaced) This is not a book review! See online instructions
20% Final Exam
*Term Project: Each student will choose a topic in
African history and write either a Research Paper or an Online Presentation. You
may use photos, slides, power point, music or any media that you wish to enhance
your presentation. The paper
should be 6-8 pages double spaced 12 pt. font. The paper must have Chicago style or MLA style citations throughout the paper
– any paper not doing so will automatically receive an F.
You must use at least five books related to your topic. A good paper (or presentation) will have at least 8 sources cited. I expect you to read widely on your chosen topic as it constitutes part of the reading load of this class. I have kept the weekly readings to a minimum to allow for this. You may and should include scholarly journal articles. Please consult with me either by e-mail or in person. In order to achieve an A you must complete all stages of the project on time. YOU MUST NOT USE INTERNET SOURCES except for primary documents. You may use internet pictures. The only sites you may use are primary source documents online. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA or any other encyclopedia. Please e-mail me your topic and I will give you some book suggestions. Plan early as you will most likely need to use Interlibrary Loan (GIL express)
Hand in chosen topic
Hand in a list of books, articles and other sources. (This must be typed
- author, title, publisher Date either in MLA or Chicago style)
Online Etiquette
(Netiquette)
Discussion and e-mail spaces within
this course are for class purposes only, unless otherwise stated. Please
remember to conduct yourself collegially and professionally. Unlike in the
classroom setting, what you say in the online environment is documented and not
easily erased or forgotten. The following guidelines apply:
Avoid using ALL CAPS, sarcasm, and language that could come across as strong o offensive.
Use proper punctuation, grammar and be sure to edit your contribution before posting.
Read all postings before posting your responses to discussion topics so as to not unnecessarily repeat information.
Focus on one topic at a time when chatting or posting to discussions.
Remember that unlike in face-to-face learning environments what you say in discussions and chats is documented and available to be revisited. Choose your words and discussion topics carefully.
Please do not use attachments in the Discussion
Orientation will be in class UC265 at 8 PM on
August 18th. You must also introduce yourself online to show that you have
logged on by August 19th midnight.
Please take GA View
http://distancelearning.clayton.edu/CSUOnlineClassOrientation.pdf
Topic Due Sept 15th
Last Day to Withdraw October 7th
First book Review October 13th by Midnight GA View dropbox
Bibliography due October
Second book paper due
Research Paper due Nov 30th