Dear Online Student, WELCOME!

Welcome to History 203-A CRN 50693. My name is Ronald Clark and I am your online facilitator, instructor, coach, and cheering section for this class. Please address me a Mr. Clark or Professor Clark. 

A little bit about me. I am a native to San Luis Obispo County; I am married with two children. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I pursued a career as a museum professional. Now I teach history and I enjoy discussing all topics related to history. If you have questions regarding this course, it is best to contact me at ronald_clark@cuesta.edu. I am pretty good at returning email promptly but I am also a guide at Hearst Castle, but I will respond as soon as I possibly can which is usually within 24 hours.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

History 203-A is a survey course covering world civilizations from antiquity to the 1500s, with a particular emphasis on the dynamic interaction and comparison of peoples and cultures.  The focus is on the role played by social, political, economic, cultural and religious forces in shaping the major world civilizations and the legacy of the subsequent civilizations for our world today.  The course will analyze these forces within the context of such historical concepts as cause and effect, multiple causation, and historical interpretation.

TEXTBOOK

The textbook we will be using is Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Concise Edition, Vol. 1.  I highly recommend you purchase the digital version of the textbook.  It is cheaper, $30.00, and with it comes free access to InQuizitive, which is an electronic study guide which will help you to prepare for the weekly exam.

HOW LONG IS THIS CLASS?

This class begins on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 and it will end on Friday, July 27, 2018. During the 6-weeks of this class, you will be required to participate in all class activities, including all forums, InQuizitive exercises and exams.  

CLASS MEETING DATES AND TIMES

Below are important dates for you to be aware of.  We will be meeting in Bearcat Hall at 9:00 am.  The first meeting will be an orientation and the rest of the class meeting will be for exams.

First Class Meeting on Wednesday, June 27

First Exam, will be on Wednesday, July 11

Second Exams, will be on Wednesday, July 18

Third Exam, will be on Wednesday, July 25

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the 6-weeks you the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and basic information appropriate to an undergraduate introductory history course. You will be able to construct basic historical hypotheses based on knowledge of the subject area. You will also understand the importance of methodology and historiography in the historical profession.

Also, as a student, you will interpret, analyze and critique both primary and secondary sources. From this analysis, you will recognize that history is not dogma but rather the continuing interaction between sources and those who interpret them. Furthermore, you will develop an understanding of the efforts of minority groups in their efforts to secure unabridged legal, political and economic rights and you will analyze different systems of labor and social inequality, such as Jim Crow, and their rationales, such as race, class, and gender.

THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT

I want to start off by giving you a short easy assignment, but it is one that will be helpful to both you and to me. Please click on this link: http://library.cuesta.edu/distance/survey.htmLinks to an external site.. The purpose of this survey is help you prepare for and know what to expect in an online course. It is very likely that you have enough understanding about computers to be successful in this class. If you can access your email, download attachments, use a word processing application such as Microsoft Word and you have access to a fairly new computer and the internet then you have all of the tools needed to be successful in this class. But that is just the technical part of an online class. Online classes also demand dedication in time to reading posted materials and writing independently and in discussion forums. In many ways it is more than an online class. You will be a part of a community and you need to participate and be a part of the community to be successful. The nice thing about online classes is that they can be accessed from anywhere at any time, but you have to put in the time. The minimum amount of time per week is around 10-hours.

COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

We will be using a new Learning Management System called Canvas.  To be honest, we will ALL be learning to use this system so please be patient, but don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.  Here is a link to videos: https://apps.3cmediasolutions.org/oei/students.htmlLinks to an external site.; https://guides.instructure.com/m/8470.  

HOW TO ACCESS THE CANVAS LEARNING COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

To log on to Canvas, simply logon to your My.Cuesta account.  A link to canvas will be located there.  Clicking on that link will take you to your online classes in Canvas.

EVERYONE LEARNS DIFFERENTLY

We all have different ways of learning. Some are visual learners while others are more auditory and still others may have additional ways they learn. Still others need a little help finding ways of learning. If you need additional assistance please contact me. I’m here to help in that regard. Additionally, you can contact the Cuesta College DSPS office at 805-546-3148 or you can go to their website at http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/dsps/0INFO.HTM Links to an external site.as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements for all needed accommodations.

REMEMBER, THIS IS A COMMUNITY!

Ok, you know a little about me and you have a little bit of information about History 203-A. Now I invite you to come to the class website on June 18 where I will have an ice-breaker forum where you can introduce yourself. When you get to the Ice-Breaker, be prepared to answer two questions. The first is how do you feel about history?  Do you like it or not like it? Second, why do you like or not like it? Also, what are your hobbies or things you like to do. Do you like to travel or are do you do projects from home?

I look forward to meeting each and every one of you online!

Sincerely,

Professor Ron Clark