Modern Euro Course Description
Modern European History
Course Description. This is a survey course on the development of Modern Europe from the 1300s to the present. Students in this course will sharpen skills in reading, comprehension, analysis, synthesis, critical thinking, writing, and discussion.
Course Format. This class meets four days a week. The teaching method employed in this course is primarily discussion and lecture. Test questions will be drawn from discussion, lectures, video, and homework. Students are required to take notes. No tape recording devices are allowed; their use will be regarded as an honor code violation.
Assignments. Students will be given assignment sheets for the year. The assignment sheet will be posted to my web site. When a student completes one assignment, he should move on to the next unless otherwise advised. Weekly assignments are posted on the net. There is an assignment every day unless the teacher specifically states that exception. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period assigned. All work that is one day late will be deducted one letter grade per day late. All work that is more than three days late will revert to an automatic zero.
Tardies, Absences, and Make-ups. Student should be present each day AND on time. This means that a student should be in his seat at the beginning of the class period. If he is not, he will be marked tardy. Punishments will escalate in severity with the number of tardies. Regarding absences: if a student knows that he will have an excused absence, it is his responsibility to speak with me prior to the absence and arrange a time to complete missed work. If a student fails to turn in an assignment or take a test because of an unexcused absence, he will receive an automatic “zero.” Regarding make-up work: it is the student’s responsibility to make all arrangements for make-up work. I will not remind students of missed material but will assign a “zero” to all work not completed. The “Three Test Rule”: if a student has three tests on a given day and my test is the most recently assigned, the student may arrange to take my test within one week of the original test date. If a student does not complete the make-up test within one week, he will receive a “zero.” It is never permissible for the student to attempt to make arrangements for the “Three Test Rule” on the day of the test: should a student attempt this, he will be required to take the exam on the scheduled day.
Conduct. Probity is never antiquated in my classroom. Be polite and considerate. Refrain from using foul language. Raise your hand to speak and do not talk out of turn. “Handles” are expected with answers: it is one of those Southern legacies that reflect this region’s polite company. Watch alarms, beepers, and cell phones will not sound in this class, nor will the latter be used at any time during this class period.
Plagiarism. All work, unless otherwise noted, is considered to be pledged. The MUS pledge states, “I have neither given nor received any aid on this test/assignment.” NOTE: plagiarism is a very serious honor council offense. If you have a question regarding any connotation of plagiarism, see me immediately.
Materials.
1. Donald Kagan, et al. The Western Heritage: Since 1300. 9th ed.
2. Merry Wiesner, et al, editors. Discovering the Western past: A Look at the Evidence. 5th ed. Vol. 2, Since 1500.
Tests, Quizzes, and Written Assignments.
1. Simple quizzes will be given almost daily on the daily reading assignment.
2. Every two or three chapters, students will be given a fifty to sixty question multiple choice “test.”
3. Every four chapters—about once a quarter—students will take an all-essay test.
4. Finally, every quarter students will write an in-class essay on a subject to be
announced later.
5. All of these will be factored on a “test” basis.
College Recommendations. I am usually happy to write letters of recommendation provided that the following guidelines are followed. If you want me to write a letter, set up a meeting at least one month in advance of the deadline. You will not be considered if this is criteria is not met. Also, please note that I am entitled to say no to a student. Letters of recommendation are written as a service to help only those students for whom the teacher can provide positive anecdotal insight and elucidation.
