Indigenous Peoples of the Americas (HIST*2090)

Code and section: HIST*2090*01

Term: Fall 2020

Instructor: Brittany Luby

Details

AD-S Virtual:

This course will be taught online in a Synchronous format on the following scheduled day(s) and time(s):

MW    1:00 pm - 2:20 pm

Details provided by instructor: A blend of asynchronous learning, meaning you schedule the place and time during which you will complete guided activities, and synchronous learning during which Dr. Luby engage class participants online in real time.

Sample Work Week:
40 minutes of video
60 minutes of reading
20 minutes of forum discussion
60 minutes of online Q&A with Luby

Course Synopsis:

HIST*2090 will cover selected events and issues in Indigenous history in the Americas, including such topics as origin narratives, self-governance, intertribal contact, transatlantic trade, treaty-making, stages of colonization, Indigenous rights and Indigenous protest movements. Themes may be examined through notable Indigenous figures, law and policy, technology, food, material culture, or moments of conflict.

Methods of Evaluation and Weights:

1. Online Quizzes @ 30%: Instead of having a mid-term exam, you will be asked to complete 6 online quizzes over the course of the semester. Each quiz is worth 5% of your final grade. These quizzes are designed to gauge your understanding of key concepts covered by assigned videos and readings.
2. Forum Moderation @ 25%: You will be asked to moderate a forum for one week of study. Depending on class size, you may be co-moderating with a small team. As moderator, you will play a vital role in maintaining a positive online learning environment by encouraging content discussion, responding to student questions, and ensuring that interactions remain within the identified theme. This activity will test several skills including (but not limited to) content comprehension, written communication, and leadership skills.
3. Weekly Q&A @ 20%: You will be invited to join Dr. Luby and your peers during a weekly Q&A. During this time, you will discuss course content (and quizzes) online and in real time. We will also use this time to review citation guidelines. You will be asked to participate in 10 online meetings. Each meeting is worth 2% of your final grade. Participation in weekly Q&As will develop your group skills (like listening to and supporting others) and your oral communication skills.
   If you have not yet participated in or experienced a seminar-like environment, Luby encourages you to review these engagement tips.
4. Final Exam @ 25%: The final exam will be a cumulative, take-home exam. It will take the form of a long research essay (approximately 2,500 words plus footnotes). To succeed, you will be required to cite 8 assigned sources (e.g., videos, podcasts, readings, discussions). You will be required to supplement these materials with one primary source and one secondary source gathered online through McLaughlin Library. This assignment will text your ability to prioritize information, form convincing arguments, substantiate those arguments using scholarly works, and communicate effectively through writing.

Advice for Incoming Students:

1. Bring a copy of the assigned reading and your notes to the weekly Q&A to help you ground the discussion.
2. Listen actively and support the contributions of other students to create a positive, collaborative learning environment.
3. Expand on your course notes by incorporating key material introduced by your classmates through the online forum or during the Weekly Q&A. Dr. Luby recommends scheduling a moment of reflection at the end of each week. Use this moment to:
4. Correct any errors or misinterpreations that appear in your notes;
5. Create a bullet-point list that includes new, essential information that adds to your notes;
6. Identify any oustanding questions to raise in the next Q&A.

Texts and/or Resources Required Include All or Parts of:

To be determined.

*Please note this is a preliminary web description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.