Explore online education in Tennessee

HIST 2050 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

HIST 2050 - Appalachian History

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course examines the theme of continuity and change in the Southern and Central Appalachian region from the 14th century to the present. The states included in this study are western Virginia, eastern Kentucky, western North Carolina, East Tennessee, northern Georgia, northern Alabama, and southern West Virginia.

Course Outcomes:

a. Expand awareness of the history of the Appalachian region and its culture.

b. Understand the impact of national economic, political, and social forces on the internal history of the Appalachian region.

c. Relate interdisciplinary analyses in describing and explaining individuals, groups and their behavior.

d. Develop an understanding of comparative analysis of cultures and subcultures.

e. Identify and critically evaluate historical writings. 

Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

College-level reading and writing skills, basic computer skills, and the ability to think critically about concepts presented in an academic context. 

Course Topics:

Module 1: Appalachian Historical Events through the American Revolution.
Module 2: Appalachian Historical Events from the American Revolution through the Civil War.
Module 3: Appalachian Historical Events from the 20th Century to the present. 

Specific Course Requirements:

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:
Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

To successfully complete this class, the student must participate in online discussions, complete and pass the Module Exams, complete the critical article reviews, and complete and pass the Final Exam. 

Grading Procedures:
Online Discussions300 points (6 topics/50 points each)
3 Module Exams300 points (3 exams/100 points each)
3 Critical Article Reviews150 points (3 reviews/50 points each)
1 Final Exam250 points
Total Points1000 points
Grading Scale:
A1000-900
B899-800
C799-700
D688-650
F649 & below

 

Assignments and Projects:

Online Discussions

We will engage in class discussions regarding the topics presented in the websites supplied by the instructor. Discussion participation by all students is a requirement of the class. Over the course of the semester I will post six online discussion topics—each topic will be active for approximately two weeks. Each discussion topic counts 50 points toward your final grade (300 total points). The student can access the discussions by clicking on the Discussion Button on the Navigation Bar. Please make sure to post under the correct heading. This segment of the course is designed to recreate a classroom discussion. For each topic you will offer an initial statement wherein you speak to who, what, where, when, and why the topic is significant. Also, I will look for AT LEAST TWO responses on a WEEKLY basis to your classmates' postings. In order to be considered adequate, your responses will need to illustrate that you have read and are prepared to respond to your classmates' thoughts. For example, "Nice post, Nancy," is not a legitimate response! For each topic consult and cite at least TWO sources to support your contentions. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA FOR YOUR SOURCES! For additional sites see the Appalachian References section of the course. Please note the time period on the Course Calendar for which the discussions will be active and open in order to meet the deadline.

Critical Article Reviews

Each module contains a link to a journal article. In order to complete the critical article review, you will need to read, summarize, evaluate, and offer comment on the ideas and/or information that the author presents in the article. Please note the time period on the Course Calendar for which the dropbox will be active and open in order to meet the deadlines. The reviews will be submitted in either Word or Rich Text format and be composed in MLA citation style. See Critical Article Review module for more information. 

Class Participation:

Students MUST participate in all interactive aspects of the course if interaction is part of the course design. For example, students must communicate with the instructor and other students via message post if a discussion is slated for that day's topic. Students must check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements. The instructor will send weekly updates as it warrants. The student is expected to check e-mail often and communicate any problems with the instructor. The student is expected e-mail queries to the instructor, and if the instructor deems those queries pertinent to the class as a whole, will carbon copy the class in the reply. 

Late Policy:

Late work will not be accepted. Complete all assignments, discussion postings, and exams according to the calendar. Computer problems are not acceptable reasons for late work. 

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021