Course Format and Requirements
The course will meet twice weekly in the lecture format, and every student must attend a weekly one-hour "recitation" section. This format combines the benefit of every student hearing the same presentations by the principal lecturer, with the benefit of highly interactive small group discussions. Attendance is expected at all classes, and attendance will be regularly recorded in the weekly recitation meetings. Chronic unexcused absences will not be viewed favorably (see "Class Participation" below).
The lectures do not repeat what is in the assigned readings: they interpret, they attempt to clarify or amplify, they draw connections among opinions and points of view, they seek to enliven what can be the "dry" study of historical material….BUT they do not repeat the readings. Students are advised to work out a "buddy system" with classmates, so that if an emergency arises forcing them to miss a scheduled lecture they can obtain notes from someone else in the class.
Textbooks
One textbook is required for purchase in order to complete the assigned readings for the course, and is available at the campus bookstore:
The World’s History to 1500
(3rd) by Howard Spodek. Pearson/Prentice Hall:
For the adventurous, intellectually curious, and more serious students, a "Course Bibliography" has been prepared by the Instructor, and is available at the course website. This bibliography cites the Instructor’s sources for the lecture materials for the course, all of which should be available within University Libraries. These sources may be helpful starting points for students’ research papers.
Statement of Student Responsibilities
All UB students should be familiar with basic university policies that govern the courses they are taking. You may find that official statement at:
http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/need.shtml
Performance Evaluation & Grading
Grades for each student will be based upon administration of four examinations, comprised of three objective tests, plus an essay-style written mid-term exam; a five-page typewritten paper (requiring library research); and the instructors’ evaluation of class participation. Consult the Detailed Course Outline for specific dates. Make-up examinations will not be given. Assuming that all course requirements are fulfilled, the weighting of each component of performance shall be as follows:
1st Test = 10% This quiz is "diagnostic"—i.e., it is intended to inform students of their academic progress. It is scheduled intentionally prior to the final date of withdrawal without academic penalty. It is also the “easiest” exam in the course. Tests in this course become progressively longer and more difficult over the course of the semester.
2nd Test = 10 % Objective Type (True-False, Multiple Choice)
Mid-Term Exam = 20% Short Essay
A Short Term Paper = 20% Five pages typewritten plus Bibliography. The final paper will be weighted 20% but students will also be graded on two preceding exercises related to the final term paper.
Final Exam = 20% Comprehensive Objective Exam
Class Participation = 20% Attendance and active contribution to discussions
In instances of documented medical emergency, the instructor will re-assign the weight of a quiz or exam, except that the Comprehensive Final Exam must be taken to earn a passing grade. Prof. Price follows a practice of curving grades on examinations only when the average grade for the entire lecture class falls below 70%.
Term papers (and each of the assignments related to them) that are submitted late will incur a penalty of one-half grade group per day after the stated deadline. Thus, if papers are due on the 11th of the month and you hand your work in on the 12th, a paper that would have earned an "A" will be awarded an "A-." Handed in on the 13th, the same paper will be graded "B+." If a paper is three days late it becomes a "B," and so on. Each weekday counts equally, but days of the weekend count twice as much. Thus, a "B" paper due on a Friday but handed in the following Monday would earn a C-: the same paper handed in one-week late would be awarded an "F."
Academic Integrity
In almost everything Universities do, they are devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, and what we seek to know and share is truth. We share our knowledge with the world in the form of publications—in books, scholarly articles, technical reports, papers describing our research, and other media. Every member of the university community stands firmly against falsehood and falsification of every kind. We impose severe penalties upon our members, including students, for violating the rules of personal honesty and integrity that bind us together as a community of scholars. Cheating in any form is not tolerated. It is a good idea for new students to review UB’s official statement on Academic Integrity. It can be found at:
http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/course/integrity.shtml
Plagiarism will not be tolerated; if discovered and proven to Prof. Price’s satisfaction, it will result in the automatic assignment of a grade of F for the entire course. Plagiarism will be defined and described both in lecture and in recitation meetings. Appropriate notational technique is fully explained on the course webpage in the section titled “About the Term Paper.” Any student having any question about what plagiarism is or how to avoid it—especially with regard to use of Internet sources—should consult his or her classroom instructor.
Students wishing to take the course on an "Audit/Credit" basis must receive the Instructor’s written approval prior to registration. Grades of "Incomplete" at the end of semester are subject to published regulations of the University; students should consult an advisor in the Office of Academic Advisement, 109 Norton Hall, 645-2450.
Students who have a diagnosed disability (physical, learning, or psychological) which will make it difficult to carry out the course work as outlined, or which requires accommodations such as note takers, readers, or extended time on exams, must present their formal letters of accommodation to both Prof. Price and their section TA before the end of the second week of classes. We will review alternative arrangements for reasonable accommodations with the Office of Disability Services, 25 Capen Hall, 645-2608. If you are unsure if your disability qualifies under UB guidelines, you are encouraged to contact ODS immediately for an appointment to discuss your situation.