Dr. Libby

American History.....H-105

SUMMER SESSION I 2002


Office:............... CA-527

Office Phone:...........274-3981

History Office:.........CA-504M

History Office Phone:...274-3811


The trouble of the world is not that

people know so little, but that they

know so many things that ain't so.

(MARK TWAIN)


PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:


This course is designed to correct, in some small way, Twain's theory and introduce the student to the broad spectrum of American history from the 16th century until the termination of Reconstruction in 1877.

The emphasis in my class is on POLITICAL-DIPLOMATIC events that have altered and changed our early founding so if you are looking for an H-105 class that emphasizes CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, ETHNIC, SOCIAL OR OTHER DOMESTIC ISSUES, then this is not the course for you.


The textbook is a supplement to my lectures, thus if you miss class and the lectures, you are hurting your chances for a higher grade in this class.


SO BE SURE YOU HAVE THE TIME AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY THE INTEREST TO TAKE MY CLASS.


IF YOUR WORK SCHEDULE OR OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL KEEP YOU FROM LECTURE THEN BY ALL MEANS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER WITHDRAWING FROM THE CLASS BEFORE THE WORK OVERWHELMS YOU AND FRUSTRATION SETS IN FOR THE SEMESTER.


I do not allow tape recordings of my classes; this is a private conversation between you and me and since lectures were recorded years ago and then sold to students, I adopted this procedure.

If you are a hearing impaired or, in any other way cannot take notes without a tape recorder, please see me and we will make arrangements through the office of Adaptive Educational Services in CA-001C. If you need to call that office the phone number is 274-3241 or 274-3242.


I would also like to state that the grade of incomplete is rarely given.


Indiana University policy states that incompletes are given only when a student has fulfilled over 75 percent of the work required for the semester and for a reason beyond his or her control in which the final 25 percent of the course cannot be completed successfully.

THE INCOMPLETE IS NOT GIVEN BECAUSE YOU DECIDED NOT TO ATTEND CLASS AND NOW WISH AN INCOMPLETE TO FINISH THE COURSE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE. I will just advise you to see your counselor.

The grade of incomplete has become the most abused grade in the history of university education and you are put on notice at the outset of the class, that the incomplete will be given only for dire circumstances with the consultation of the Dean of Students, Professor Miriam Langsam in CA-401.

I encourage students to ask questions in class so do not be embarrassed. You have paid for this course and I have emphasized for years that students should not let confusion continue to hinder their learning of American history.

Your questions might be on the minds of your colleagues who are too timid to ask and please .....NO QUESTION IS STUPID IF ASKED HONESTLY.

If a student plans on leaving the course I would recommend that you withdraw officially by visiting the Registrar's Office on the first floor or the Recorders Office (CA-401).


Please DO NOT assume that I know you left the course because you have chosen to no longer attend the class. Many students find out much later that they are not officially withdrawn from the class and there is no way I can be of assistance.


Should you call my office I have an answering machine which records time and date of the call...please speak precisely, especially when giving your phone number.


I will not keep playing and replaying your phone number because you decided to give it too quickly.


The textbook for the course is by:


David M. Kennedy, Thomas A. Bailey (Deceased) and Mel Piehl entitled:


The Brief American Pageant:

Volume 1

THERE WILL BE TWO EXAMINATIONS:


The first examination will cover the years from Henry VIII until the election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800:

The second examination will cover the years from 1800 until the Civil War until the end of Reconstruction in 1877.


THERE IS A PAPER FOR THE CLASS

AND I WILL ANNOUNCE THE THEME

OF THE PAPER AND THE DATE WHEN

THE PAPER IS DUE IN CLASS.


THE DATE OF THE FIRST EXAMINATION

WILL OCCUR WHEN THE LECTURE REACHES

THE ELECTION OF THE THIRD PRESIDENT,

THOMAS JEFFERSON. I WILL EXPLAIN THE

TESTING POLICIES IN CLASS.


THE DATE OF THE FINAL EXAMINATION

IS DETERMINED BY THE SUMMER

SEMESTER CATALOG WHICH EACH STUDENT

CAN READ.


Office Hours:


MONDAY AND TUESDAY..................10:00 A. M.--NOON


MONDAY, TUESDAY AND THURSDAY........4:00 P. M.-5:45 P. M.

AND BY APPOINTMENT


PLEASE NOTE:


UNIVERSITY POLICY NOW REQUIRES THAT I TAKE ATTENDANCE AND IN TIME A FORM WILL COME TO ME WHERE I WILL BE REQUIRED TO NOTE THOSE STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING CLASS TO THE REGISTRARS AND ADMISSIONS OFFICES.


THE SCHOOL IS NOW MONITORING STUDENT ATTENDANCE IN CLASSES THUS YOUR CONTINUING ABSENCES COULD AFFECT YOUR FINANCIAL STANDING SO I WOULD SUGGEST ATTENDING CLASS OR WITHDRAWING IF IT IS NOT FULFILLING YOUR DESIRED OBJECTIVES.