Pedagogical Goals & Practices
This course aligns with the ASU Dept. of History’s goals and practices for 3000-level courses.
Course Policies & Class Etiquette
Creating a Positive Classroom Environment
- Class Start: Arrive before class begins at 12:30. Late arrivals are not professional. If you have a time constraint, always communicate with the instructor in advance. The same applies if you have to leave early.
- Late-work: Life happens. To succeed in this course, working ahead and being organized is not only vital to your success, it’s also the habit of an effective teacher. If you know you will miss a deadline for any journaling or first-draft curriculum assignment, use the History Education Program’s late-work ticket.
- Late work tickets: No more than four LWTs can be used to submit late work without penalty. Use this Google Form.
- They cannot be used for: final curriculum drafts, presentation, and the Final Exam.
- Mutual Respect: Please value each other’s ideas and questions. As a future high school (or middle school) teacher, you will come to realize the importance of fostering a welcoming environment, one where students are free to share their thoughts.
Attendance. HIS 3626 is not just a history course, it is a part of your professional preparation. As such, attendance to all classes is expected, and students should be ready to participate on a weekly basis.
Professionalism. Both the History Education Program and the Reich College of Education use a professional disposition instrument designed to measure a student’s aptitude for becoming a professional educator. If absences become excessive, an individual meeting will be required to devise an action plan for success, with discussions based on the professional disposition instrument. If a student fails to meet or adhere to the steps outlined in the action plan for success, conversations will involve a withdrawal from the course and a change of major.
Medical and Other Issues. If an illness or a family emergency forces you to miss a class or assignment, speak to the instructor as soon as possible in person, by phone, or by email. Be open and honest; the instructor will work with you while being fair to all students.
(Generative) Artificial Intelligence
Since writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills are part of the learning outcomes for this course, all assignments should be prepared by the student first and foremost. Even though AI technologies can offer useful tools to assist you with the writing process, curriculum planning, and even in thinking about some of the assigned readings, they also bring a danger of substituting for your own ideas. Above all, AI tools stifle the critical thinking that happens throughout the research and writing process.
My recommendation for AI technology usage is to not use these tools, period. However, if you do use AI tools, make sure that …
- they are not used to substitute for your own ideas or the drafting process;
- you provide acknowledgment and proper citation (see Chicago Manual of Style); and,
- you only use AI tools after you’ve had the opportunity to formulate and mature your thoughts on the topic you are writing about.
Technology Policy. Portable technology is now an indispensable tool for teaching and learning history/social studies. Participants in this course are encouraged to bring a laptop and/or tablet to class when possible. We will work in various settings (individual, pairs, small groups) throughout the semester but with a focus on individual projects and assignments. Therefore, it will be more effective if each student brings his/her own computing device during each class session.
University & Departmental Policies
University Statement On Student Engagement With Courses
In its mission statement, Appalachian State University aims at “providing undergraduate students a rigorous liberal education that emphasizes transferable skills and preparation for professional careers” as well as “maintaining a faculty whose members serve as excellent teachers and scholarly mentors for their students.” Such rigor means that the foremost activity of Appalachian students is an intense engagement with their courses. In practical terms, students should expect to spend two (2) to three (3) hours of studying for every hour of class time. Hence, a fifteen-hour academic load might reasonably require between thirty (30) and fourty-five (45) hours per week of out-of-class work.
Academic Integrity Code & Conduct
As a community of learners at Appalachian State University, we must create an atmosphere of honesty, fairness, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of each other. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of an Appalachian degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form and will oppose any instance of academic dishonesty. This course will follow the provisions of the Academic Integrity Code, which can be found on the Office of Student Conduct Web Site: www.studentconduct.appstate.edu.
A summary of Appalachian State University’s Academic Integrity Code is reproduced below. For a PDF of the complete code, please see the following website: academicintegrity.appstate.edu.
Specific App State Policies
Appalachian State University policies and statements cover the following:
- Academic Integrity Code
- Access and Opportunity (accommodations for students with disabilities and mandatory reporting)
- Attendance Policy (including religious observances)
- Statement on Student Engagement with Courses
Also
- Indication of whether the course is delivered via an AsULearn or Canvas page
- Contact information for the instructor and available meeting times
- University policies and course-based information
In addition, visit the Accessibility and Accommodations page on the Academic Affairs website to learn more about digital accessibility, disability-related adjustments and accommodations, and pregnancy or religious academic adjustments and accommodations.
University Support
Academic Success. Appalachian provides opportunities for students to develop, enhance and implement strategies that promote academic success. The Student Learning Center provides free tutoring for a range of academic subjects and academic skill building through Academic Success Courses, College Success Seminar, and Academic Success Coaching. Academic skill building areas include time management, organization, study strategies, and note-taking. University Writing Center is a free resource available to all App State students to assist with any stage of writing assignments.
Disability Services. Appalachian State University is committed to providing an inclusive experience, accessible learning environments and equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Resources (828.262.3056 or odr.appstate.edu).
Food Insecurity. Any student who has difficulty accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, is urged to contact the Dean of Students, for a list of resources and support. The Mountaineer Food Hub and Free Store is a free resource with pantry and personal care items, located in the Office of Sustainability on the bottom floor of East Hall. There are also other campus pantries in the following locations: Belk Library, College of Education, Garwood Hall, Leon Levine, and College Access and Success in DD Dougherty. Furthermore, please notify an instructor if you are comfortable in doing so.
Dean of Students Resources. Trouble sometimes arises unexpectedly in our lives. If you have a serious medical or mental health issue that’s interfering with your responsibilities as a student, the Office of the Dean of Students can often help communicate with instructors for alternative assignment plans if needed. Find them here: http://deanofstudents.appstate.edu or at 828-262-8284.
Counseling and Psychological Services. Many students at Appalachian State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, emergency services, consultations, workshops, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Counseling Center
1st Floor, Miles Annas Building
614 Howard Street
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-3182
Emergency Services/After Hours: 828-262-3180
If you are experiencing an emergency during Counseling Center hours of operation, let the receptionist know that this is an emergency and they will have you meet with a counselor as soon as possible. You may also walk into the counseling center without an appointment. Examples of emergencies are recent suicidal thoughts, recent sexual assault, homicidal thoughts, the death of a friend or loved one, having unusual experiences such as hearing voices or seeing things other people do not, and other similar events. The Counseling Center offers after-hours emergency coverage should you have an urgent mental health issue. Call the Counseling Center at (828) 262-3180 and select the option to speak with the counselor on call.
Other Emergency Options:
- Daymark Recovery Services: 828-264-HELP(4357)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK(8255)
- OASIS (sexual assault helpline): 828-264-1532
