The Civil War: American History
HST 209 - 3 credits

Lane Logo

Lane Community College
4000 East 30th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97405

PLEASE NOTE
The course syllabus is a contract between instructor and student.  It is the student's responsibility to read, understand, and comply with every academic requirement listed herein. Contact the instructor directly if you have any questions regarding the information in this syllabus or the course in general.
Term Winter 2004
Registration Numbers #1123 Main Campus
#3029 Florence
#2350 Cottage Grove
Special Code "H" NOTE "H" in the LCC Class Schedule - Students must be willing to use (not necessarily own) a computer to participate in this course.  If you did not see this code in the schedule of classes and are unwilling to use a computer, please drop the class before the end of the first week of classes to receive a full refund of your tuition money for this course.
Students will use an internet-capable computer to:
  • Send email to the instructor
  • Post messages to the class bulletin board
  • Turn in extra credit assignment using a computer via the internet
  • Complete exams in an LCC Computer Testing Lab
Instructional Department Social Science Department
Department Office Phone Numbers Office (541) 463-5427
Fax (541) 463-4160
Distance Learning Dept
Phone Numbers
Office (541) 463-5893
Fax (541) 463-3974
Instructor Joe Escobar
Class Web Site http://teach.lanecc.edu/escobarj
Office Phone (541) 463-5581
Email escobarj@lanecc.edu
Office CEN419J (Center Building, 4th floor)
Office Hours By appointment
Class Orientation Monday, January 5, 2004 from 5:00-6:00 pm in Forum Bldg.#308, 17/Rm 308
Required Texts
  • Student Study Guide - copied packet
  • The Civil War : An Illustrated History
    by Geoffrey C. Ward, Ric Burns (Contributor), Ken Burns (Contributor)
    Paperback Reprint edition (October 1992)
    Knopf; ISBN: 0679742778
  • Battle Cry of Freedom : The Civil War Era
    by James M. McPherson
    Paperback Reissue edition (February 1989)
    Ballantine Books (Trd Pap); ISBN: 0345359429
Course Description First broadcast in 1990, and watched by 40 million people, Ken Burns's TV documentary The Civil War is, for a generation of Americans, the Civil War. Painstakingly researched, the series vividly embraces the entire sweep of the war; the complex causes and lasting effects of the American calamity, the battles and the home fronts, the generals and the ordinary soldiers. (From the Student Study Guide) This Telecourse is an integrated instructional program consisting of an eleven hour, nine-episode video series and three examinations. In addition to the videos, students are required to read a study guide and two textbooks. (628 and 418 pages)
Course Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should:

  • Grasp the political, social, and economic realities of the Civil War, in both the North and the South
  • Know the chronology of the key events in the Civil War
  • Understand the Civil War in the context of the history of warfare; it was the bloodiest of all wars, the first of the modern wars, and the last of the old fashioned wars
  • Comprehend that the causes of the Civil War are a matter of debate
  • Appreciate that the Civil War was a turning point in American history that has shaped the American character and helped to mold political, economic, and social institutions
  • Realize that the Civil War left numerous issues unresolved, many which will continue to challenge the nation into the 21st century
  • Compare and contrast the political systems of the 19th and 20th centuries with regard to centralization, size, complexity, etc.
VERY
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
Deadlines are sacred in this course.  

No late work is accepted. You have an optional extra credit assignment which you may choose to complete during the term. It is due, for all students, whether on Main Campus or in Cottage Grove or Florence, by the due date and time.  Since all assignments are turned in via the internet, students will have to plan accordingly.

No make up exams are given. Students will have a 4 or 5 day period of time during which they must complete the midterm and final exams.  These dates and times are listed on the class calendar below.
Instructor Contact

I am accessible via phone, fax, email, voicemail, or in person at scheduled appointments. Although not required for the course, you will find that using email will be extremely helpful, since I check my email multiple times each day, weekends included. Since this is a distance course, I encourage you to utilize this technology. My job is to help make this a successful experience for you. You will find that I enjoy helping my students.

All students MUST join the class listserv during the first week of the term.  Instructions are below.   I will use the listserv to send email to remind you of paper deadlines, pending exams, and the posting of your grades.  You must have an email address to participate. If you don't have one, contact me to learn how to get your own email address for free.

  1. Go the class homepage at http://teach.lanecc.edu/escobarj
  2. Click the Join Class Email Listserv link (near the bottom)
  3. Add appropriate information in required fields
  4. Click the Add Me button (at the bottom)
There is also a class bulletinboard which students may use to post questions and/or comments about the material.  See the Post to or Read Class Bulletin Board link on the class homepage.
Grading Criteria Grades

Your grade in this course will be based on the following

Exam #1 - 33%
Exam #2 - 33%
  Exam #3 - 34%

TOTAL 100%

  Letter Grades will be as follows:
A+= 100% A=93%-99% A-=90%-92%
B+=87%-89% B=83%-86% B-=80%-82%
C+=77%-79% C=73%-76% C-=70%-72%
D+=67%-69% D=63%-66% D-=60%-62%
F=<60%
Pass/No Pass

Some students will be able to take the class for a Pass/No Pass grade.  This option will not positively or negatively affect your GPA.  Check with your counselor to see of this option will work for your own academic situation. Students have until the end of the 8th week of the term to change from a grade to a Pass/No Pass option, or to drop the course altogether, without it ever appearing on your transcripts.  Of course, full tuition refunds only apply to those students who drop classes before the end of the FIRST week of the term.

Getting Your Grades

Students grades will be available on the class website on the internet. If, for some reason, you want to receive your grade information in another manner, please contact you instructor.
Exams Students will take three non-comprehensive exams which will only be administered by computer. To familiarize yourself with the testing system, you are encouraged take a sample practice test, from any computer connected to the internet, by clicking the Practice Computer Quizzes link on the class homepage.

The objective exams consist of multiple choice questions, true/false, matching, maps, etc. Each objective exam will have between 50 and 100 questions. Most students will complete an exam in one hour, although you may have as much time as you need. Exams must be completed by 5:00 pm on the last testing day. You will have a 4 or 5 day window in which to take each exam. See the calendar below. There are no make-up exams. Before each exam, a study guide will be posted on the class website under the HANDOUTS link.

The actual exams can only be taken on LCC's Main Campus in CEN456, the Social Science Computer Testing Lab. Be sure to bring a photo ID with you on exam day.

IMPORTANT - Exams may also be taken in the LCC Outreach Centers (Florence or Cottage Grove) and nearly all of the Community Learning Centers (Churchill, Elmira, Junction City, McKenzie, Oakridge, Thurston, and Willamette). Students will need to contact the learning center coordinator at least one week in advance of their exam.  Hours of operation vary from location to location.  The exam deadline is absolute.
Extra Credit A failing student cannot pass the course by doing extra credit work. Extra credit may ONLY influence a borderline final grade. For example, students may use extra credit to go from a D+ to a C- or from a B+ to an A-. Students interested in extra credit may complete ONE of the following assignments, which will consist of 1-3 typewritten, double-spaced pages.

Civil War movies have been made in Hollywood and range in quality and historical accuracy.
Rent either Glory or Gettysburg or Andersonville and write a review of the movie. How accurately do you believe this movie depicts a soldier's experience? How has the movie increased your understanding of this tragic historical experience?

The Extra Credit Assignment is due Monday, February 23, 2003 by 5:00 pm.  It may be emailed, faxed, or turned in in person to my office or mailbox in the Social Science Department Office.
Optional Review and Discussion Sessions Before each exam, a study guide will be posted on the class website under the HANDOUTS link. Since all students are required to sign up their email addresses on the class listserv, you will receive an email notification of when this review list has been posted.  I also expect that we will have online discussions about the material throughout the term. I encourage students to ask questions or make appropriate comments publically on the class bulletinboard. See the Post to or Read Class Bulletin Board link on the class homepage.  Students may also use the bulletinboard as a tool for exam reviews.
Environment for View Video Tapes
  • Videos are available for term-long loan from the LCC Library.
  • You may also view the videos while at the library in their media section.

All videos must be viewed thoughtfully and critically, and only after you have completed the appropriate preparation outlined in the student study guide, especially the Think About, Key Concepts and Names, Historical Voices, and Questions for Review sections. You may find yourself pausing the videos and rewinding in certain places to hear and see something again. You may consider watching them a number of times. Do not expect that a casual viewing of the tapes will prepare you for the expectations of this course.

Withdrawal Procedure The last day to make schedule changes is Friday, February 27, 2004. This includes changing from a grade to a pass/no pass option or dropping the class without it appearing on your transcript. You will have your first two exam grades back by this date in order for you to make a more informed decision in this regard.

See page titled WINTER TERM TELECOURSE AND TELEWEB COURSE DETAILS
Students With Disabilities If you are having difficulty and are in need of academic support because of a documented disability, whether it be psychiatric, learning, physical, hard of hearing, or sensory, you may be eligible for academic accommodations through Disability Services. Contact the Disability Services' office Building #1, Room 218 or at (541) 463-5150 voice, (541) 463-3079 TTY.
Outreach Center Information Students enrolling in telecourses offered through LCC Outreach Centers will be registered under separate registration numbers.

#3029 Florence
#2350 Cottage Grove

Video materials are available at the outreach centers for registered students.

IMPORTANT - The calendar of assignments and exams is the same for Main Campus and Outreach Center students. Exams must be COMPLETED by 5pm on the deadline day.  See VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION section above.

For Outreach Center hours of operation, see page titled WINTER TERM TELECOURSE AND TELEWEB COURSE DETAILS
Student Assignment Calendar Remember, there are no make-up exams and late papers are not accepted.
See the calendar below for deadlines.
Other Details

You are STRONGLY encouraged to complete readings, viewing, and assignments in the following order:

  1. Read the study guide BEFORE viewing the corresponding video.
  2. Take notes in a journal. Write questions and reactions.
  3. Watch the video.
  4. Take notes in a journal. Write questions and reactions.
  5. Read all of the associated chapter readings for the particular unit.
  6. Take notes in a journal. Write questions and reactions.

Exams will be based primarily on the following sources:

  1. Study Guide Sections - Think About, Key Concepts & Names, Historical Voices, & Questions for Review
  2. Videos
  3. Readings from textbooks

Calendar of Events

Week 1
Jan 5
Class Orientation - Main Campus - Monday, January 5, 2004 at 5:00 pm in Forum Bldg. Students should sign up on the class listserv at http://teach.lanecc.edu/escobarj

Video Episode One: 1861 - THE CAUSE

LAST DAY FOR FULL REFUND - Sunday, January 11, 2004
Calendar of Readings

McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: Chapters 8, 9, 10, & 11
Ward, The Civil War: An Illustrated History: Introduction
Week 2
Jan 12
Video Episode Two: 1862 - A VERY BLOODY AFFAIR
McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: Chapters 12, 13, 14, & 15
Ward, Tile Civil War: An Illustrated History: Chapter 1
Week 3
Jan 19
MLK Day - LCC closed on Monday

Video Episode Three: 1862 - FOREVER FREE
McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: Chapters 16, 17 & 18
Ward, The Civil War: An Illustrated History: Chapter 2
Week 4
Jan 26
*** Exam #1 - Take between Monday, Jan 26 - Friday, Jan 30
Social Science Computer Testing Center - CEN456
Monday - Thursday 9am-7pm; Friday 9am-5pm

After taking exam, complete the following:
Video Episode Four: 1863 - SIMPLY MURDER




McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: Chapters 19 & 20
Week 5
Feb 2
Video Episode Five: 1863 - THE UNIVERSE OF BATTLEMcPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom.- Chapters 21 & 22
Ward, The Civil War: An Illustrated History: Chapter 3
Week 6
Feb 9
Video Episode Six: 1864 - VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: Chapters 23 & 24
Ward, The Civil War: An Illustrated History: Chapter 4
Week 7
Feb 16
President's Day - LCC closed on Monday

*** Exam #2 - Take between Tuesday, Feb 17 - Friday, Feb 20
Social Science Computer Testing Center - CEN456
Tuesday - Thursday 9am-7pm; Friday 9am-5pm

Week 8
Feb 23
***Extra Credit Assignment Due - Monday, Feb 23 by 5:00 pm

Video Episode Seven: 1864 - MOST HALLOWED GROUND

LAST DAY FOR ALL SCHEDULE CHANGES - Friday, February 27, 2004
McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: Chapters 25 & 26
Ward, The Civil War: An Illustrated History: Chapter 5
Week 9
Mar 1
Video Episode Eight: 1865 - WAR IS ALL HELL
McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: Chapters 27 & 28
Ward, The Civil War.- An Illustrated History: Pages 398-417
Week 10
Mar 8
Video Episode Nine: 1865 - THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE
McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: Epilogue
Finals Week
Mar 15
***Final Exam - Take between Monday, Mar 15 - Thursday, Mar 18
Social Science Computer Testing Center - CEN456
Monday - Wednesday 9am-7pm; Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday CLOSED

Please direct comments regarding this page to Joe Escobar.
©Lane Community College