Dr. Libby                                                              

American History.....H-105

SPRING SEMESTER—2004

 

Office:...............  Library 4115J

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

e-mail..................jhlibby@iupui.edu

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

History Office Phone:...274-3811

 

Please do not try and contact me through on-course...leave a message on my phone (the number is listed above) or e-mail me which is also listed above. 

 

In addition, please speak clearly and leave your number in a clear fashion for I will not keep replaying the tape because your spoke too quickly.  Thank you.

 

 

 

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 or the Dean of Students in the School of Liberal Arts 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.

 

 

 

The textbook for the course is by:

 

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

 

The Brief American Pageant:

 

Volume 1 (5TH EDITION)

 

 

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 SPRING SEMESTER

                                    CATALOG WHICH EACH STUDENT CAN READ.

 

 

Office Hours:

 

In order to make office hours more convenient for the stuent I will be having regular office hours in CA 508 (The Faculty Lounge) from TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.......9:30-10:30 A. 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.