Course Syllabus

Summer 2024 | HIS-2070-VO01 - Vermont History

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Cyndy Bittinger
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

General Education Requirements

VSCS Humanistic Perspectives

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course surveys the history of Vermont from early days to the present. Students explore political, social, cultural, and economic aspects of the history of the state.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe Vermont's earliest inhabitants and the impact that European exploration and settlement in the region had on indigenous communities.
2. Explain the historical events and circumstances that led to Vermont's settlement, independence, and admission into the Union.
3. Describe how Vermont's geology, topography, and climate affected the pattern of settlement and economic, social, and political development.
4. Compare and contrast Vermont's development with patterns of development in the region and the nation.
5. Discuss the contributions and experiences of Vermont women in different historical periods.
6. Discuss the contributions and experiences of African Americans, Native Americans, and ethnic groups in Vermont, including the history of racism and eugenics in the state.
7. Analyze the significant factors that have created and influenced Vermont's present political, social and economic institutions.
8. Analyze Vermont history utilizing local historical resources.
9. Engage in and evaluate historical research using information literacy skills.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a low cost ($50 or less) textbook or resource class. ***

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Summer 2024 textbook details will be available on 2023-11-06. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

HIS-2070-VO01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

For the discussions, please work with other students and Vermont material. AI may be used for overall planning purposes, but not for sources or to replace a student's writing ability.

Methods

Two papers are assigned which are based on research and show independent thought and reflection. They are to be written at the college level with sources and correct English.

A midterm quiz and final exam are based on the essential objectives. The essays follow the required format with an introductory paragraph, thesis statement, supporting evidence and conclusions. Writing at the college level is important.

Discussions based on reading the required sources including primary sources, real artifacts, visits to museums, historic houses, and town historical societies. There are two assigned books: Hands on the Land by Jan Albers and my book, Vermont Women, Native Americans and African Americans: Out of the Shadows of History. Each week the assigned reading is described in the syllabus and in the weekly assignments.

Evaluation Criteria

48 % class discussion
10% topic paper
10% mid term quiz
15% town or state issue paper
17% final exam

extra credit: visits to historic sites and museums, meet ups with the instructor

Grading system: Participation in the discussion forum will account for 48% of your grade. Each week four points can be earned for your participation. Four points for excellent work; three points for good to very good responses, two points for adequate participation, one point for minimal responses. The more you post to encourage a positive discussion, the more credit you receive. After the deadline of Monday night, the week is closed. Time management is key to online study. Excellent work should include well thought out work with correct grammar and English. A well written response is important. Criteria for an excellent post: covers the material we are discussing, well-mannered, posted early so others can respond, builds on what other students write, and encourages others. Significant knowledge of what was read that week should be displayed by the student. Most posts should be 100 or more words. There may be questions to answer that need to be labeled. A student should read the other posts so he or she does not repeat what another student has written. Also, the student can learn from other students and build on what they write. You may reserve a question and go back to it later in the week. For some weeks, credit will be divided in two discussions. You should list your sources if they are not the textbooks. Vermont sources are required.

Writing papers and essays is important. You learn to present a focus with a clear, central thesis and purpose. You show that you have insight into a topic based on research. You have a clear, logical progression of ideas and build an argument. You practice college-level vocabulary with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You learn to use a research format. You display your sources and even find a person to interview in some cases.

There is a quiz and a final exam. Both are essay format. They are based on the essential objectives.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in the course description will normally result in a non-satisfactory grades. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as credit. Participation in discussions, writing papers, and taking exams is expected for a college level class. Attending class does not mean the student has done the required work. Each week has work assignments for passing that week. Reserving a question and then not answering it does not receive any credit.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Regular attendance at an online class is the secret of success. Staying with the course by reading and discussing the material is important. Remember to think about adequate time for the course. A face to face class lasts 3 hours and preparation may be an additional 3 hours or more. Missing three classes or three weeks means a non-satisfactory grade. Not turning in papers or not taking the two exams means a non-satisfactory grade. Each paper and quiz have deadlines. Not adhering to deadlines shows a lack of concern for the course and less credit will be given for that work. Of course if an emergency happens, considerable latitude is given.

Each week, a student is expected to read the sections of the textbook assigned and any other reading material before proceeding to the discussion modules so they know the work to be done. Considerable reading may be required before a student can contribute a comment. Our class runs from 9 a.m. Tuesday to 11:59 p.m. the next Monday and final attendance is posted the next Tuesday morning. Failure to participate during the week means the student was absent. CCV has this as a requirement.

If a student knows of a problem in attendance due to an extraordinary circumstance or an emergency, he or she should contact the instructor by email or phone. Letting the instructor know about this in advance is a good practice. Making up the class is a good plan and helpful for grading. Making up work in prior classes can be done up to two weeks afterward in email to the instructor.

Students should write with their own thoughts in this course. AI can help them with a problem, but they need to analyze and assess material on their own.

If a student does not participate for two weeks, their advisor will be notified. That means that the student will get assistance on continuing the course or they will drop the course. Questions and help with assignments can always be emailed to the instructor.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity