U.S. History I: ON-LINE COURSE
HIST 2211: 50/51  (4 credits)
 Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Dr. Linda Janke
Spring 2025

Office Location: H227 -- Rapids Campus.  Happy to arrange an on-campus meeting if you'd prefer that to Zoom! 

When am I available for students? 

Student availability/ Office Hours:
Virtual office hours announced via D2L; Zoom meetings and phone calls always available.

On campus office hours:
Wednesdays 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.;
Noon to 1:00 p.m.  I will also have Zoom enabled during those hours.

  763-433-1284

linda.janke@anokaramsey.edu

Janke’s homepage: http://webs.anokaramsey.edu/janke

Class schedule of readings and assignments:
 http://webs.anokaramsey.edu/janke/2211onlineschedule.htm
Paul Revere, “The Bloody Massacre in King-Street, March 5, 1770.” Boston, 1770. (Gilder Lehrman Collection)    

Dear students,

Welcome to US History I!  I am excited to spend the semester together learning about U.S. History.  HIST 2211 covers a long span of history from before European contact up through and immediately after the Civil War, and my class places an emphasis on social and cultural history.  You do not need to have taken any U.S. History before; this is a stand-alone class.  In addition to topical knowledge of U.S. history, this course is designed to help you gain skills in reading comprehension, critical-thinking, note-taking, and how to engage in thoughtful academic debates and discussions.

I love to meet on-line students in person, so if you're ever on the Rapids campus on Wednesdays, please stop by!  Otherwise we can meet over Zoom at that time and/or at other points during the week.  I will announce my availability on D2L. I also frequently talk with students using a good old-fashioned phone call.  Feel free to reach out to schedule one.  I am always eager to talk with you about class topics or consult about issues you might be having inside or outside of class. You should feel free to use your individual discussion forum in the "Contact Linda" area of D2L.      If “life happens” events prevent you from focusing on this class for any length of time, please keep in touch with me about it. 

This course is a fully asynchronous on-line class which means that there will be no scheduled events that everyone has to complete at the same exact time.  How you decide to structure your time so you can complete the coursework is totally up to you.  We will run on a weekly schedule with deadlines on Mondays and Tuesdays at NOON. Click here for a sample weekly schedule.

I am confident you can be a successful student in this class.  The best way for you to be an active participant in your learning and our class discussion is to complete the assigned reading and reach out to me and/or your classmates with questions and reactions.  Consult the on-line class schedule (URL above) for the schedule of assigned readings. 

I expect that our virtual classroom will be a place where we all value intellectual inquiry and mutual respect.  While I welcome a rigorous debate about history, I will not tolerate students who do not respect others’ race, ethnicity, skin color, religion, gender, immigration status, or sexual orientation.  I’m confident that starting from this framework of mutual respect, curiosity about history, and a willingness to focus on our time together will result in a successful semester.

Linda Janke

Materials You Will Read:

 

Many of our class readings are available for free on the internet.  If you’re confused about which internet link to read for class, ALWAYS start at the class schedule webpage.  Everything you need is there.

 I *highly* suggest you print out these readings if you can.  Printing out readings helps you become an “active reader,” which means you can take notes, highlight, etc. as you read.  Plus this will help you to locate page numbers when taking the quizzes.  You have free printing on campus!

Cover Image for Discovering the American Past: A Look at the Evidence, Volume I: To 1877

Discovering the American Past: A Look at the Evidence, Volume I: to 1877.  8th Edition, by William Wheeler and Lorri Glover.  This book is our “course reader,” which means each chapter contains primary source documents about a particular topic in U.S. History.  We will not read the entire book, but selected chapters will be assigned.  In class we will discuss some strategies for being an “active reader” of an electronic book (printing selections, using their note-taking interface, etc.)

Your course fee has already paid for this book!  It can be located in D2L > Materials > Content under “VitalSource ebooks.”  If you would prefer to purchase a hard copy instead, you may opt out of purchasing the ebook, but you must act fast!  See Prof. Janke if you wish to opt out because you’ll need to make sure you’re buying the correct edition. 

Paperback These Truths: A History of the United States Book

These Truths: A History of the United States Volume I, by Jill Lepore. This book will give you the "basics" of U.S. history during this time period, but I believe it reads more like a good story than a traditional textbook.  I hope you will agree!  We will read each chapter in this book and you will complete Inquisitive units on D2L.

Your course fee has already paid for this book!  It can be located in D2L > Materials > Content under “VitalSource ebooks.”  If you would prefer to purchase a hard copy instead, you may opt out of purchasing the ebook, but you must act fast!  See Prof. Janke if you wish to opt out because you’ll need to opt into the Inquisitive units by making a separate purchase.
Classic Slave Narratives, edited by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Optional purchase.   We will be reading two narratives written by enslaved people.  This book is a mass-market paperbook and it is very inexpensive.  You might be able to find a cheaper copy via on-line retailers and/or find a copy at your local public library.  Any edition is fine.  Please note:  these narratives are available freely on-line (see links from the class schedule page) so you might decide to acquire the book that way.  I personally recommend having a hard copy of the book you can flag and highlight, but it is totally up to you.

Assignments You'll Complete:

 

 


A= 90-100%, B= 80-89%, C= 70-79%, D=60-69%, and F=59% and below


 Discussion Posts 30% of your grade:
 Discussion occurs on a weekly basis from Tuesday at NOON to the following Tuesday at NOON.  You should aim to be a regular weekly participant in discussion since you're not able to go back and make up missed posts. 

In order to earn a passing grade (C) in discussion please meet all of the following requirements:
1.  Read all posts made by your classmates -- yes, this will be a lot of reading, but that is factored into the overall course reading load.  *Note you will need to make sure your settings in D2L are configured correctly to reflect this.  Look for an announcement on D2L about it.
2.  Post at least four times per week
3.  Make at least two of those posts before Saturday evening

If you wish to earn a grade greater than C in discussion, you must meet and exceed those requirements. I don't have an exact equivalent of the number of posts you must make for each grade.  Evaluating discussion grades includes comparing each student to his/her peers.  It also includes evaluating the strength of a student's work each week.  You should aim to make several longer and more substantive posts per week, closer to a paragraph in length, and including specific examples or quotations from the reading.  A rough estimate would be that 6-7 posts per week would fall in the B range, and 8+ posts per week would be in the A range -- but those have to be legitimate posts that are a few sentences long.  Making numerous one-line posts that say something like "I agree with Sarah" will not advance your discussion grade. Click here for a chart that describes which components contribute towards a strong discussion grade. 

How will you receive a grade and feedback?  I will not be providing weekly feedback or scores on discussion but am more than happy to provide some individual feedback more frequently.  Just use your "Contact Linda" forum to request it.  I will provide a midterm score after the first eight weeks of the semester.  You will receive a final score for discussion at the end of the semester, and your discussion grade will be an average of the two halves of the semester. 

What if you miss a week of Discussion? I will automatically drop your "lowest" week in Discussion twice during the semester, once in the first half (Weeks 1-8) and once in the second half (Weeks 9-16/Finals week).   You cannot go back and make up missed work in Discussion since the goal of requiring weekly posts is to produce a back-and-forth dynamic that helps you learn the course materials and feel connected to your classmates.  We cannot work together to grow a classroom community if students are posting at different times throughout the semester, so please make sure to stay involved in the current week! Late work in Discussion is not counted, so make sure to get your posts in before the Tuesday noon deadline.
How you make and distribute your posts is up to you.  You can reply to one or more of my questions, reply to a classmate, or make up your own new post. << Important!  All posts are counted,  no matter how you make them.  Students usually have a different mixture of replies and new posts each week.

As much as possible, I hope to generate discussions that are student-centered and student-led.  I will comment occasionally, especially to clarify questions of fact, but my hope is that your voices are the most prominent throughout the semester, not mine.   Also, since I evaluate your discussion posts more thoroughly after the discussion has ended, I may miss something during the time that the discussion is actually occurring. Please alert me about any concerns or questions that arise during each week of discussion.

EXTRA CREDIT FOR YOUR DISCUSSION SCORE: There is an ungraded Discussion Forum in D2L called "Class Cafe."  I would like to encourage you to stop by the Cafe and "chat" with your classmates.  In order to encourage folks to post in the Cafe, you can earn up to TEN extra credit percentage points to be added to your discussion score at the end of the semester, five available in the first half and five in the second.  How can you earn the extra credit points?  It's pretty easy!  I will award points for the posts you make, and will strongly encourage you to have at least one post be a question for others to answer.  The rest of your posts can be replies to your classmates.  If you make 10 posts and are involved in the overall conversation, you will earn 10%.  If you make 10 posts but don't "stick around" to participate in the conversation, your extra credit points will be reduced.

Discussion Quizzes -- 50% of your grade:

Discussion Quizzes are available each week from Tuesday at NOON to the following Tuesday at NOON.  These are short-answer quizzes.  The reading material that is "fair game" for the quizzes is listed under the heading "Reading for Discussion and Discussion Quizzes" on the course schedule -- the material that is in the GREEN column.  This means that textbook (These Truths -- yellow column) will NOT be included in the quizzes. You are not permitted to do outside research to answer quiz questions; rely only on course materials.  Do not expect to be able to Google your way to the correct answer.  Copying answers (see below) off the internet will result in earning a zero for the quiz, possible referral to the Dean, and/or possibly failing the quiz portion of your grade.

You can access each quiz only once, and you will have a 75-120 minute time limit (although this could be extended during weeks with heavier reading assignments) -- which means that you must do all the reading BEFORE attempting the quiz, since you won't be able to come back to the quiz, nor will you have time to flip through the readings in search of the answer.  You are required to provide a citation (page number, paragraph number, or chapter number) for EVERY quiz answer.  More details will be provided on D2L.  You cannot earn points for a quiz question unless you also provide a citation.  I believe the time limit will give students enough time to write strong answers and include the required citations.  If you are stressed about running out of time, it's okay to take an extra minute or two to finish your thought or citation.  Late quizzes are accepted without penalty as long as it isn't more than 5-7 minutes late.

There will be a total of 15 quizzes.  I will count only 14 quiz grades, which means your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.  You can decide to take only 14 quizzes, or you can take all 15 quizzes and I will drop the lowest grade.  This means that each quiz will be worth 3.5% of your grade.

Copying your responses (from class assignments or a classmate) will result in failing the ENTIRE QUIZ PORTION of your grade.  It's simple: do the quizzes by yourself, don't copy, and write your responses in your own words.

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Inquisitive 20% of your course grade: 

Inquisitive is a "gamified" version of multiple choice testing.  I think it is a fun way for students to test their knowledge of the These Truths textbook reading, and the bonus is you can keep working until you achieve a perfect score! You can find each Inquisitive unit in the Materials > Content area.  There are 13 Inquisitive units assigned throughout the semester and your lowest score will automatically drop out.  Sometimes you will have two weeks to work on a unit, some weeks will have zero units assigned, and one week has two units assigned.  You can keep track of the Inquisitive assignments and due dates using the class schedule webpage: https://webs.anokaramsey.edu/janke/2211onlineschedule.htm -- look at the yellow column.

You can work on the Inquisitive unit throughout the week. You can open the unit multiple times if needed.  [The other quizzes in this class -- Discussion Quizzes -- can only be opened once and must be completed within the time limit.] 

You can work on the Inquisitive unit until you've achieved your desired score, which means you could work until you earn 100%! At the end of the availability period (Mondays at NOON), your Inquisitive score will be automatically transferred into the Grades area on D2L.  If you work on an Inquisitive unit after the deadline has passed, your grade will NOT transfer.  If you would like to transfer a late grade, you must inform me using Contact Linda that you would like to use a "free ticket" and I will transfer the grade for you.  If you would like to go back and work on a previous Inquisitive to increase your score, the same process applies: inform me using Contact Linda and I will transfer the grade for you. I am not notified by Inquisitive or D2L that you have updated your score -- it is YOUR responsibility to let me know.

To repeat: you must follow the Inquisitive due dates.  Any late work will not be counted unless you use a free ticket.  You are automatically given two free tickets, total, to use for either type of quiz, and you can earn additional tickets by completing the Week 1/2 Introduction activity AND by completing the How to Inquisitive unit on D2L. 


Confused about these different types of quizzes?  Click here for a chart that explains the difference. 

 

When you are taking the Syllabus Quiz on D2L, the secret phrase to remember is "Lucky Charms."

ticket – Helms PTAGuess what?  If you miss an Inquisitive or Discussion quiz deadline, you have TWO free tickets, total, to use for an extension.  Just ask Linda in your individual discussion forum and I'd be happy to re-open the quiz, no questions asked.  You cannot use the free tickets to re-take a quiz; only for quizzes you missed or need an extension for or want to have re-opened later.  You can earn an additional ticket by participating in the "Introduce Yourself" activity during Weeks 1/2 and by completing the How to Inquisitive unit -- for a grand total of four tickets.

 

Extra Credit Options: There are two extra credit options in this course, in addition to the extra credit for discussion as explained above.  Be sure to familiarize yourself with the assignments and plan ahead to complete the readings on time.

 

WHAT IF I NEED A HELPING HAND?

 

A Helping Hand Stock Pictures, Royalty-free Photos & Images ...

Everyone needs help from time to time!  Here’s a partial list of some amazing (and FREE!) resources available to you on campus.  You can find out much more on the ARCC website, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to search for. 

http://www.anokaramsey.edu/resources/student-services/

 

ADVISING SERVICES.  Help with selecting courses, preparing to transfer, degree requirements, and academic planning.  Many students have reported over the years that meeting with an advisor prior to registration each semester was super helpful and some felt it enabled them finish their degree more efficiently.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER.  Check out the wide variety of options available (again, for free!) to students such as tutoring, the Writing Center, and the Math Skills Center.  Don’t feel like you need to go it alone!

ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENT NEEDS RELATED TO DISABILITIES: You may be eligible to receive accommodations such as extended time on testing, testing in a quiet room, etc.  The Office for Students with Disabilities can work with you and Prof. Janke to make sure you have the needed accommodations to help you succeed in this class and in your other classes.

COUNSELING SERVICES – PERSONAL COUNSELING.  You can arrange a free and confidential appointment to talk with a counselor about personal issues.  Counselors can help with lack of confidence, stress management, depression, and anxiety.  What an amazing resource to have on campus!  Students report the counselors are helpful, friendly, and kind.

COUNSELING SERVICES – CAREER COUNSELING.  The Career Counseling office not only has information about jobs and internships available to ARCC students, but you can also meet individually with counselors to work through the career development planning process.  Which careers might be a good fit for you?

SERVICES FOR ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS AND VETERANS:  ARCC has advisors who are specially trained to work with military-connected students on admissions, registration, benefits, schedule questions, or any other problems.  Stop by the Veteran’s Office on campus!  Also, Military members who are currently serving should advise Prof. Janke about all regularly scheduled military training and duties that conflict with scheduled course requirements.  I will work with you to address any issues that arise and you will be eligible to make up missed work.  For more information refer to Minnesota State Procedure 5.12.1.

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE: Please let Linda know if you will be observing a religious holiday or other activity.  All absences will be excused and you will be able to make up missed work.  It’s better if you can let me know ahead of time – just post in your "Contact Linda" forum. 

The Fine Print (ARCC's Catalog Description and Learner Outcomes) Plus class policies:

A.     Catalog Description:

Survey of U.S. History to about 1876 including such topics as indigenous peoples, exploration, colonial times, the American Revolution and Constitution, the young republic, growth of democracy, territorial expansion, slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction.

 

C.                 Learner Outcomes

1.            Understand the cultures of North America at the time of European arrival.

2.            Have gained the basic information about European expansion into the western hemisphere.

3.            Understand the interrelationships of the major cultures in North America.

4.            Have an understanding of the British Imperial system.

5.            Have acquired the basic facts and an understanding of the theory and practice of the U.S. Revolution and of the developing political and constitutional system.

6.            Know about the westward expansion of the new nation.

7.            Appreciate the development of an “American culture.”

8.            Discern the basic patterns of the developing economic system.

9.            Understand the nature of the conflicts over national union, slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction.

10.        Acquire, analyze and synthesize information.

11.    Make independent judgments/conclusions in a scientific, objective and bias-free manner.

           


Inactivity in the course:

 Very important:  My policy regarding class attendance and inactivity: if students are inactive for longer than two weeks with no prior explanation, I will drop you from the course and you will have to petition the college registrar for readmittance to the class. "Activity" in this class means participating in an academic assignment -- NOT just logging in and reading posts.  In order to be "active" in the course you must complete a quiz and/or post at least one discussion post.

Academic Integrity Statement:

Academic integrity is very important to any place of learning, so we all need to participate in a process that protects it. If a student submission includes material taken from a book, AI (ChatGPT, Grammarly, etc.), another person or the Internet without reasonable citation, then I will regard this as violating academic integrity in this course because it is not the student’s writing. What will be considered academic dishonesty (and may result in a student failing the assignment or the course) is "cheating:" turning in someone else's work as your own, or "plagiarism:" turning in work without proper acknowledgment of the sources of the content contained within the work. In other words, all writing must be in your own words and reflect your own thoughts -- not copied from another person's work, or a published source.  Since writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills are part of the learning outcomes of this course, ALL writing assignments should be prepared by you, the student. Therefore, AI-generated submissions are not permitted and will be treated as plagiarism, with the penalties described above.

To clarify: What’s “AI”? AI is artificial intelligence. It includes any resource that will compose or edit your work for you. Examples include ChatGPT, Grammarly, QuillBot, Squibler, Wordtune and Co-Pilot among others. Never copy text from AI into a submission for this course. Do not use any form of it to compose or edit your writing in this course. Do not use Grammarly, do not use ChatGPT, do not use any of these to write or edit your work.

   
   

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