Instructor: Jud Sage. Preferred E-mail: hsage@cox.net. I generally respond to email within 24 hours or less. In emergency, call the ELI hot line. If you need to talk with me, email me a phone number and good time to call.
Please put History 122 in the subject line of all email and identify yourself in the message.
Note: Course is being updated through August 24—no major changes. Some requirements have been be modified.

Things to do Before You Begin the Course

• Learn Course Requirements
• Read NVCC Attendance and Grade policy
• Read Blackboard Instructions | Forum Discussion Instructions
• Read Course Description and Objectives
• See details about Grading policy.
• See How to Succeed, Test Taking, Study Hints, Writing Tips & How to Avoid Plagiarism pages.
• Visit the ELI Orientation Page.
• About this web site
• Welcome Letter
• Course Checklist

TEXT: The text for this course Freedom and Responsibility: The United States, 1865-1980 (History 122) consists of the topic summaries and documents on this web site. All are linked from the Assignments Page. If you wish to purchase a print copy of required readings, it is available as “Print on Demand” at Lulu Publishing. (Sage storefront.) Your order will take about one week to arrive. You may pay for it through PayPal, a very secure online payment system owned by EBay, or use a credit card. NOTE: you do not have to purchase anything. The printed version is offered for your convenience, but everything is available free on this web site.

REQUIREMENTS & GRADING: Students are not required to attend any on-campus meetings but must complete assignments in a timely manner. Schedule is on the Assignments page.

Link to Detailed Course Requirements

• Two Exams (Midterm and Final) and Two Quizzes based on Text and documents.
• Each quiz will consist of about 20-25 multiple choice, true-false or matching questions. Take on your own at home. No password, one attempt only. Time limit one hour.
• The midterm and final exams will consist of about 20-25 multiple choice questions and 3-5 short answer/essay questions. Take at a testing center. The midterm will cover all material in the first half of the course, the final all material in the second half.
• Quizzes and Exams are conducted on line through Blackboard and should be taken in sequence. Students will report to a testing center on any NVCC campus to take the midterm and final exams. Arrangements can be made for testing elsewhere. Proctor Request form for alternate proctoring location.
• You will need an exam pass for each exam. Exam Passes are in Blackboard Exams & Quizzes
• ELI Testing Information Page.
• You will need a college Photo ID to use library services, printers, etc., on campus.
• Links to Exams will be placed in Exams in Blackboard.
• Three brief essays, one for each section of the course. Writing Instructions
• One modified research paper with site visit. Writing Instructions
• Participation in Online Discussion Forums in Blackboard: Responses to topical questions and comments by colleagues on each section of the course. Total 10%.
• In order to pass the course, you must get a satisfactory grade in all three parts of the course: Exams, Projects, Forum. Failure to complete any part of the course will result in a failing grade overall.

SKILLS:  This course requires intensive reading and good writing skills.  You should be able to read and write at a level sufficient to complete English 111.  If your reading and writing skills are not yet ready to do college work, your grade will no doubt reflect that fact.  If you have questions in this area, email the instructor. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is encouraged to contact a Counselor for Disability Services. Contact information for the disability services counselors and services provided can be found online at http://www.nvcc.edu/depts/disability/. For additional information, please contact an ELI counselor at elicounselors@nvcc.edu or (703) 323-2425. All information is kept confidential and may increase your chances of success in the academic setting.

Technical Requirements

1. You will not have to come to campus for this course. Consequently, you need to have computer access in order to complete the requirements.
2. You will need a computer running on Windows 98 or higher or an equivalent Mac machine.
3. Your computer should be equipped with at least 64 megabytes of RAM (preferably 128) and an Internet connection via 56K modem or higher. High speed access is preferable.
4. You should have Shockwave Player installed and audio capability with headset or speakers. Free download from Macromedia.
5. Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher is recommended. Even if your ISP, such as AOL, has its own browser, you will be better off if you open IE once you are on line. You can download IE free from Microsoft. For an excellent alternative to IE, try Mozilla Firefox.
6. You will need a printer connection unless you are prepared to read lengthy documents on line.

Computer skills are now an essential part of the education process. Students should be able to:

• Participate in the course through the Internet;
• Send and receive email, including attaching files or opening attached files;
• Participate in an online forum (specific instructions will be provided);
• Access resources on the World Wide Web and know how to document those sources.