Course Compact

· Everyone will attend all classes and will arrive on time. (One unexcused absence permitted; further unexcused absences will lower your grade.)

· Everyone will do their best to complete the assigned reading before coming to class.

· Everyone will participate in class and show respect and encouragement for the participation of others. Participation may take a variety of forms but successful contributions to class lectures and discussions include:

a) listening attentively;

b) raising a question about the topic or issues at hand [this can often clarify a murky point or a misunderstanding];

c) summarizing the ideas of others to confirm understanding;

d) providing reasoning or evidence to support an idea mentioned by you or someone else;

e) suggesting connections between several contributions or previous class or group discussions;

f) presenting concise results of a group investigation or discussion.

· Everyone agrees to collaborate in class in as a member of a Discussion Group

· Everyone will seek an improved understanding of history as a method of inquiry, analysis, and interpretation, key aspects of which include

o historical change and continuity,

o empathetic understanding of the human past,

o multiple perspectives in the past (historical actors) and on the past (historians’ interpretations)

o the past in the present.

· Robert Schwartz will do his best to assist your learning in giving lectures, facilitating class discussions, and working with groups and individuals outside of class.

· Everyone will evaluated as follows for the final course grade:

15 percent for attendance and class participation via discussions, forum postings, and collaboration with members of your discussion group. (Evaluation based on credit or no credit for these activities.)

5 percent for two map quizzes.

40 percent for two or three-in class exams, announced well in advance.

40 percent for a final exam.

Further, we agree to abide by the following ground rules:

1. Without exception, all will be treated with courtesy and respect.

2. We shall not distract others by making gestures or carrying on unrelated side conversations.

3. We shall observe the honor code governing academic and personal conduct, including the proper acknowledgement of sources to avoid plagiarism.

4. We shall do our best to be constructive; if we dislike the readings, we shall not bombard the instructor with rotten fruit but let him know calmly.

Signed________________________________________________