Kate,
At 663 words, your first assignment was less work than the bare minimum of 700-1000 I suggested.  Do not interpret this as I am simply counting words.  I am not.  The subject is complex and a true and deep analysis of the issue cannot be done in less length by most every student I've taught over the last 22 years.

In the forum, you made only 2 posts in the first week.  Again, the bare minimum requirement was 3 "excellent" posts dealing with the AIM and PBS videos and your textbooks.  One of your two posts was a simple "I agree with you" that you made to another student.  While it is fine to do that in an online discussion, it cannot be a replacement for tackling the issues yourself.  Your other post is better, but also generic.  Read it again and tell me how I would be certain that the writer had viewed what is approximately 2.5 hours of video material.  There is no single specific mention of fact or point of view that was included about either PBS or AIM.

In the second week of the forum, a student in your group made a post, and the instructor felt compelled to correct a factual error.  Then, other students and yourself seemed to easily dismiss that information.  Just because two or more students "feel" or believe they are right, doesn't make it so.  There are times when we do have to listen more carefully to the "experts".  And in this case, I don't want students learning wrong information in a forum, only to get it all wrong again when they take their midterm exams.

You still have time to raise your forum grade by making excellent posts and replies (before tomorrow's 9pm deadline) that deal with the specific examples you find in the AIM video, PBS videos, and textbooks… where they agree and where they do not.  You're 3:28pm post today is getting much closer to what I've asked.  I'm not asking you to choose one source over another in it's entirety.  Get specific.  For example, you mention John McCain in the AIM clip.  Does that make the points or facts that the AIM video was covering at that specific time, more or less believable as the "truth" since it was John McCain speaking?  Does McCain's stature as a government official today give that more or less credibility.  I'm sure how you may have voted for or against McCain may influence your decision.  Should we believe military people who were there over politicians who weren't?  This is the specific "good stuff" that you need to address, not the acceptance or rejection of the entire PBS series or AIM program.

I will try not to take it personally that you are being short or are upset.  As an instructor, I never "give" grades.  Students earn them, or not.  (I'm sure you've heard that before.)

Your finding it "odd" that you've spent multiple hours



I am wondering if there are any suggestions you have for me to pass this class. I find it quite odd that I have spent multiple hours on the homework you have assigned this class and done all of it, yet, I have an F in the class... I am doing the best to my understanding, yes I have watched the videos and read what you have asked. I admit I still don't understand how I am supposed to know what is true or not in history from what we have learned cause there is always more than one side. But either could be right. Anyway, I am writing you because I am upset with the hours I have put into this class and I have gained no grade to prove my effort. Please give me you input because I am very fired up and upset about this cause I honestly do, do the readings and movie assignment you are assigning. I can only do my best, and that's what I am doing.

Thank you for your time and I apologize if I come off being short and upset, I just really don't understand and I am upset that the work I am putting into this class hasn't helped me at all in the way you are giving me a grade I definitely think my time and effort has deserved. Any suggestions would help. Thanks.

Kate Lonstron