Hello all,

My name is Joe Escobar and I am your instructor for HST203 United States History at Lane Community College. You are receiving this email because you have signed up for the course and you have wisely included your email address in your ExpressLane account information.

I've been a history instructor since 1989, and you will find that I enjoy teaching and working with students. I wanted to contact you in advance of our first class meeting on Tuesday with some information relevant to this particular course.

First, my HST203 4 credit courses offered Spring Term are taught in a hybrid format. Students and instructor meet for 3 hours each week, and 1 hour is spent completing class assignments online. We will use Lane's Moodle software extensively to accomplish our work for this course. You will be able to login to the site with your L# and first six digits/characters of your ExpressLane PIN at 12:01 am on Monday, less than eight hours from now. I hope that you do so before we meet on Tuesday. The site URL is:

http://moodle.lanecc.edu

Second, once logged in, I hope you take the time to read and/or print a copy of the course syllabus before class, so you can come prepared with questions. (If you have trouble printing the web-page version of the syllabus, I have a PDF version in the Class Handouts folder.)

Third, think about this. You are spending approximately $400 in tuition to take this course, and most all of you know nothing about this "Instructor Joe Escobar" listed on the schedule of classes (except perhaps by word-of-mouth). If you fail to drop the course before the second week of class begins, you cannot received a full refund of your tuition. To help you decided if you are spending your money wisely, I have posted all of my evaluations, completed by my former students over the last several years. All comments, good and bad, have been included. Nothing has been censored. I would strongly advise that you take a look and see if you like what you discover about your instructor. That URL is:

https://teach.lanecc.edu/escobarj/evaluations

Finally, I wanted to let you know about the course textbook, in advance. The bookstore shows my textbook as $40 new and $30 used. I've seen even better pricing (including only $17.50 with free shipping and after guaranteed buy back) at the link on my website:

https://teach.lanecc.edu/escobarj/HST201_202_203.htm

You have other options too, including buying an electronic version "eBook" for $20, or even individual chapters at a $1.99 each. See (long URL, be sure to get it on one line in your browser):

http://www.ichapters.com/tl1/en/US/storefront/ichapters?cmd=catProductDetail&ISBN=9780495411017

Well, that's all of the news I have for you now. I look forward to meeting you in person on Tuesday and working with you during the term.

Until then,

Joe Escobar
History Instructor
Lane Community College








	Hello students,

Here are some quick announcements.

First, the Moodle server was unavailable from about 5pm to 11pm this evening. It is now back online, and yes, your Chapter 22 Quizzes are still due tomorrow, Friday, by 5pm.

Second, to receive a full tuition refund, you must officially drop any or all of your courses in ExpressLane by Sunday, April 6 by midnight. I hope the first week in my class wasn't that bad, but if it was, be sure to get your money back. smile

Third, the votes are beginning to roll in from our first anonymous "opinion poll". Be sure to enter your choice. After doing so, you will be able to see the response totals representing all 82 students in the 2 class sections.

Lastly, I have put that "Defining Conservatism" article in the Class Handouts section. In the next day or two, I'll decide how I'd like you to respond to it. Remember, this is optional, NOT required, and for extra credit only.

That's all for now. Glad to have you in class.

Joe







Hello students,

With your LCC tuition refund deadline of midnight less than 3 hours away, I thought I'd send a quick note to touch base with you about some things. Remember, these long Thursday to Tuesday spans of time must be productive ones in this course. smile

Only 62 out of 80 students successfully met the first class deadline, which was to take the Chapter 22 computer quiz and earn 10/20 or better before 5pm last Friday. I was hoping every student would take advantage of this easy 10% class grade. If you click the Grades link in Moodle, you will see whether you have a 1 or 0 for that quiz.

I hope that the 18 students who missed that deadline will not miss the next deadline, the Chapter 21 computer quiz which must be taken by 5pm tomorrow, Monday evening, with a score of 10 or better. REMEMBER, you can take the quizzes AS MANY TIMES AS YOU NEED to earn this score and get credit.

Our first online discussion, called Historical Topic Discussion Forum will begin immediately. You have been randomly divided into 4 Groups (A,B,C,D), and only Groups A and B will participate in this first assignment, a 2-week online discussion. Groups C and D are highly encouraged to watch/read and learn. All details are online.

Those of you who have been assigned PSD#1 should already be started with your work, including download and printing the instructions, spectrum, and reading the three documents you will need for your work.

Finally, please come to class prepared with notes you've taken from both chapters 22 and 21. We will finish 22 and begin 21 on Progressivism on Tuesday.

See you then,
Joe







Hello all,

I received PSD#1 papers and will be grading them over the next several days. I plan to get them back to you next week sometime. Just before the due date, some students began using the optional PSD Student Discussion forum to share ideas. Good for them. I suggest PSD#2 students start using that online tool earlier rather than later. (hint hint)

Historical Topic Discussion Forum #1 is due this upcoming Wednesday. Both discussions (A & B) got off to a slow start, but are looking much better now. Be sure to address the new information I added (the audio on the Mann Act and the video on Rock Lyric Censorship in the 1980's).

HTDF #2 has officially begun. (Groups C and D, this means you. You got to watch the first discussion on censorship. Now you get to participate on another topic.) BE SURE to read guidelines for scoring so you can see how you will be graded on this work. Making a single post at the deadline does not constitute what is required for a good grade on this assignment. Shorter, more frequent posts which foster a discussion are what I am after. Of course, all posts should still be analytical in nature and not superficial. You are starting with 2 readings and one audio file. More will be added later.

I have posted another Opinion Poll, which is due by Tuesday of Week 4 at 10am. Read the definitions and determine where you stand. After choosing, you'll see where your fellow students stand. Students in Groups C & D, this survey will provide you with some relevant information for your HTDF #2 discussion.

Remember, these online polls and HTDF discussions constitute 10% of your grade in this course, the same as all of your computer quizzes combined. 10% should not be taken likely.

The Chapter 24 Quiz is due on Monday. Just a reminder.

Finally, most students are using Moodle messaging to contact me when they have to or want to. Great. I hope you've noticed that you get quick replies this way. All students are strongly encouraged to contact me this way, instead of email.

That's all for now. Have a productive weekend.

Joe







End of Week 4 Update

Hello all,

This is an important email, filled with pretty important stuff. Please be sure to carefully read it all. I'll be as brief as possible.

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT

I saw my first student of the term on Thursday during office hours. On his advice I make this announcement. Even though I'm in my office during official office hours, I often have my office door closed. I don't mean to seem unavailable, but the hallway often gets noisy and people to tend to chat when any door is open. I'm always trying to get work done. My sign says "PLEASE KNOCK", so please do. My students are my #1 priority throughout the term.

Also, to reiterate, I'm on campus five (5) days a week and willing to meet with students at any time. Please use Moodle messaging (instead of email or voicemail) to contact me to set up an appointment. Those students who have already Moodle messaged me can attest to the fact that I respond to you VERY quickly.

PRIMARY SOURCE DOCUMENT ASSIGNMENT

I handed back PSD#1 during Thursday's class. It is very important for you to get this feedback in time for it to help with your next paper, especially if it is PSD#2.

Reminder... Those of you assigned PSD#2, it is due, submitted in Moodle, by Thursday at 5pm.

ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS

This is a hybrid course. You are required to complete 1 credit's worth of work online. This is accomplished mainly by the historical discussion topic forums and opinion polls. Tomorrow will be one week since I announced the opening of HTDF #2 and only 6 students out of 40 have participated. This is not acceptable. The guidelines and scoring page clearly states that frequent participation throughout the open forum period is required for a decent grade.

Also, some students have admitted that they have not watched the assigned video clips. They are required, not optional. If you can't get them to work with your computer, use a friend's computer or an LCC computer. Firefox is the officially supported web browser at LCC. Only 3 or 4 students have contacted me about having problems, so I assume everyone else is watching them just fine.

Remember, Moodle logs clearly show me the frequency at which you login and which class items you click and look at.

MIDTERM EXAMS

Your midterm exam begins after class on Thursday of next week. I hope to have a midterm study list in the Class Handouts section for you by tomorrow evening. With that in mind, it is never too early to start using the Student Forum to organize your own midterm exam study groups.

Speaking of the exam, you will take it sometime between Thursday, May 1 after class and by 7pm on Monday, May 5. The exam is in Moodle, BUT it is only accessible from computers in the CEN456 Social Science Testing Lab. Unfortunately, LCC is closed on Friday, May 2, for an employee inservice. That means you have only Thursday after class until 7pm, Saturday 9a-1p, and Monday 9a-7p to take your exam. Please plan accordingly. There are no makeup exams and this counts for 25% of your grade in this class.

Reminder... Take your Chapter 25 quiz by 5pm on Monday.

Note: No opinion poll for week 5. Study for midterm exams instead.

Sorry, that's as brief as I could make it. smile

Joe







Hello all,

As promised, you will find three versions of the same midterm study list under the Class Handouts link in Moodle. (html, pdf, and Word .doc) The list is alphabetized and unsorted. I would highly recommend that you attempt to sort/organize the list according to the 5 textbook chapters/topics we covered: Imperialism, Progressivism, WWI, Twenties, and Great Depression & New Deal (in class this week). That would be a good "self check" on how well you remember and understand what we've been doing these past 4 weeks.

Also, HTDF #2 people have two new video clips to help them along with their discussions. Remember, in my last announcement, I emphasized that these materials are required viewing/listening, not optional.

A student Moodle messaged me with this helpful hint that may help some of you. If you can't view and listen to the video clips at home, she says "The Macintosh computers in the computer lab at the health building are friendliest to different types of headphones. There are only a few, but they tend to be very available before 10AM and after 5PM."

See you Tuesday.







Hello all,

As promised, here's your important weekend announcement.

See the Handouts link for information concerning an extra credit assignment.

HTDF #3 has officially begun for Groups A and B. Topic and materials are online. Please note you have a Friday, May 23rd deadline instead of the usual Wednesday deadline for this discussion.

You have an opinion poll to answer before Tuesday at 10am.

Finally, computer quiz for chapter 27 is due Monday by 5pm.

How's that for keeping it short.






HST203 - End of Week 7 Update

Hello all,

First, two reminders.
Ch 28 Computer Quiz is due Monday at 5pm.
Opinion Poll on Approval Ratings is due Tuesday at 10am.
Don't miss these deadlines and keep up with your reading.

I'm sure every student in my class can see that HTDF#3 is suffering from both depth and volume of student responses after one full week of opportunity. This is obviously not good for members of Groups A and B. Moreover, it is clear from the discussion that students are not incorporating all of the sources I've provided. In short, they are:

   1. Demonizing the enemy article (the only source students have seemed to read)
   2. Japan's Historical Amnesia article (current movement in Japan to deny history... I mentioned Iran's president and Holocaust deniers in class this past week)
   3. War Presidents - a historically accurate chart of presidential leaders during wartime
   4. WWII video - where historical memory, connection, and the morality of bombing Dresden, Germany by U.S. and Great Britain is questioned)


I have just added the last bit of information to this discussion. It is a pdf file with 8 images (file is named using_history.pdf). Each image is guilty of "using" history. While there may be some truth, all are propaganda in some way or another, from the mild WWII secretary who supports "blogging" to the evacuation of Vietnam being blamed Democrats. (Heck, the appeasement comment by President Bush about Barrack Obama, which I mentioned in Thursday's class, falls into this category.) What dangers do you see in the use and misuse of history?

Remember, even though only students in Groups A and B can post to the discussion, ALL students must read, view, or watch the information presented in the Historical Topic Discussion Forums.

Have a productive weekend.

Joe






Hello all,
Quick update here.

HTDF #4 has begun. Groups C & D, get busy.

PSD #3 grades have been entered. You'll get your papers back in class on Thursday.

You grade in Moodle IS YOUR CURRENT GRADE in this class. Check it out and notify me (via Moodle message) if you find any mistakes on my part.

FINALLY, Remember that the LCC Week 8 Deadline is THIS Friday, May 23rd at 5pm.

If you don't like your current class grade, aren't doing the class work (online discussions, PSD's, attendance, quizzes, etc.), or won't be able to put the time in to score a high final exam grade, then please take this opportunity to change your course schedule this HST203 U.S. History course (and/or any LCC course you are enrolled in) before Friday at 5pm.

Change the grade option to either an AUDIT or a Pass/No Pass. Neither will negatively affect your GPA. You can also drop a course so that your college transcript won't have any record of your attendance or performance in the class. (As always, check with your counselor or advisor first, to see what options you can pursue given your academic program or educational goals.)

To make changes, login to ExpressLane at http://www.lanecc.edu





Hello all,

As promised, you will find three versions of the same final exam study list under the Class Handouts link in Moodle. (html, pdf, and Word .doc) The list is alphabetized and unsorted. I would highly recommend that you attempt to sort/organize the list according to the 5 textbook chapters/topics we covered: WWII, 1940's Cold War, 1950's Affluence and Discontents, 1960's During America's Longest War, 1970's Power and Politics (in class this week). That would be a good "self check" on how well you remember and understand what we've been doing these past 4 weeks.


Be sure to take your last computer quiz for Chapter 30 by 5pm Monday.

Also, remember that you will only be responsible for the information in the FIRST HALF of Chapter 30, up to page 1180.

If you haven't done so already, please consider completing the instructor evaluation, online in ExpressLane at:
https://exp.lanecc.edu/
Login with your L# and PIN and choose to complete the class evaluations for HST203. I'd greatly appreciate it. So will future students considering taking this course from this instructor.
Edit | Delete | Reply







Hello Students,

Welcome to finals week.

I have just completed posting all of the grades, including attendance, online, quizzes, PSD's, etc for the entire term. What you see is your current course grade going into the final exam this week. If you believe that something is not accurate, you must contact me immediately via Moodle messaging. The time to rectify any concerns is now, not after your final exams have been completed and final grades have been submitted to the registrar.

Final Exam Week is Monday, June 9th to THURSDAY, June 12th. You will take your exam in the testing lab (where you took your midterm) on any of these days and times, whichever is more convenient for you.
Mon - Wed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
CLOSED Friday (June 13)

Please note that your final exam is due, completed by 5pm on Thursday, June 12th. Don't wait until the last minute as the lab serves students in all Social Science classes and all Distance Learning classes at Lane.

Also, I WILL HIDE ALL MOODLE GRADES AT 5PM ON THURSDAY, when final exams have been completed. I will then do as I did for the midterm exam. I'll run an item analysis, check for poor questions, consider exam difficulty, make any upward grade adjustments, etc.
ONCE I HAVE FINISHED WITH THIS PROCESS, SOMETIME ON FRIDAY, I will unhide all Moodle grades, send you a final announcement, and you will see your final grade in the course. Please, no emails or Moodle messages saying "I can't see my grade" between 5pm Thursday and whenever you get my email announcement on Friday.

All students, in both the 10am and 1pm classes are invited to attend an optional final exam study session on Tuesday, June 10 at 10am in room CEN453. A second study session is on Thursday, June 12 at 12pm in room CEN401. Unfortunately, this time is only a few hours before the final exam deadline, but it may be the only option for some people.

I want to thank those of you who have completed the Hybrid Course Evaluation survey (in Moodle) and the Instructor Feedback survey (in ExpressLane). If you haven't done those yet, please do. Whatever extra credit I give to those students who complete these is NOT currently reflected in your Moodle grade. It will appear after the final exam closes and final course grades are revealed to students sometime on Friday.

That's all for now. Good luck with your studies.

Joe






Hello students,

Well, the term has come to a conclusion.  Final exams are over.  The class final exam score average was much higher than the midterm, as I expected it would be.  All scores were increased by only 2%. 

Final course grades have been calculated and are now available on the class Moodle site.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you check your official LCC transcript grades, available next week, by June 20, I believe.  The Moodle and ExpressLane systems are not "connected" for grading, so it is possible that data entry mistakes could occur, although I believe I've been very careful.

Enjoy your Summer Break.

Sincerely,
Joe Escobar