Course Description

Welcome to your online class with me, Dr. Brad Reynolds! Everything you need to know about your class is in the Course Web Site which you can access here at http://bradreynolds1.pageout.net on the first day of your class if not sooner. You do NOT need any passwords or logins to enter your Course Web Site. (Please note that the info at the Course Web Site is not "official" until the first day of your class so don't make a copy of it until then. Please also note that WE WILL NOT BE USING BLACKBOARD! Everything you need for your class is located at the Course Web Site at www.bradreynolds1.pageout.net!)

If you ever have any questions about the class you can contact me directly anytime at brad.reynolds@canyons.edu. (If your email bounces back to you then try breynolds1@ymail.com OR drbradreynolds@gmail.com, but please DO NOT send the same email to all three addresses at the same time. Thanks!) If you do not get a response within two days then please send your email again on the third day since you should always hear back from me within two days whenever you send an email to me.

In your class you will take some essay exams (to test your general knowledge about your class material) and some multiple choice exams (to test your specific knowlege about the class material). You will also look for ten history articles currently in the news about topics related to your class so you can see the relationship of what you are studying to the present, and you will do ten history projects so that you see there are many ways to learn and enjoy history! If at any time you don't understand something about the class, then please contact me!

Several students have asked me questions about the class and since you may have some of the same questions I have listed them below. (You should also read the "Online FAQs" located at this website).

Are we using Blackboard? No, I am NOT using Blackboard for your class. I am using a different delivery system called Pageout which is a product of the McGraw-Hill publishing company. Like Blackboard, you will have the opportunity through Pageout to post information to a discussion area and correspond with the other students in your class. You should also use the Discussion Area to ask me questions since other students may have the same questions and this will help them as well, but if you ever have a personal question for me, like something regarding your grade, you should send an email directly to me at brad.reynolds@canyons.edu.

Do I need a password or user name to access the Course Web Site? No. All you need to do is scroll the website you are currently viewing and click on your class.

Do I need a password or user name to access the Discussion Area? Yes. You can register for the Discussion Area by going to your Course Web Site and then clicking on "Student Registration" located on the top left side of the page.

Do I need a password or user name to access GradeBook Yes. You can register to enter GradeBook by going to your Course Web Site and then clicking on "Student Registration" located on the top left side of the page. (If you registered for the Discussion Area then you are already registered for Gradebook as well.)

Where do I get the text(s) for the class? You can purchase the class text(s) from the book store at College of the Canyons. If you do not live in the area of the college you can have the book store ship the book to you by calling 1-661-362-3255, or you can send an email to them at bookstore@canyons.edu. Their address is Book Store, College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon, Valencia, CA 91355. As with everything else, you should contact me if you have a problem.

Are there any face to face meetings for this class? No, but if you want to meet face to face with me that can be arranged. I am often at College of the Canyons so send an email directly to me and I will set up a meeting.

Where do I send my classwork? You should send your classwork directly to me via email, unless you are taking a test online through your syllabus via GradeBook. When you send your work to me by email, the easiest thing for me is to have you cut and paste your work directly into the email, but if you prefer to add an attachment then that should work too.

Will I be taking the exams online in a timed period? You will be taking your multiple choice exams online through your syllabus at GradeBook and they are timed exams. But all your exams have specific due dates and times so pay close attention to those.

Are there any sample essays I can look at to get an idea about what I need to write? No, I don't have sample essays for you to look at but all your essay questions are given to you ahead of time so you should have ample time to prepare for the exams. And while there are no sample essays posted anywhere, if you go to back to the website and click on “Tips for Writing Essays” you will find a list of the common mistakes students make and you will find pointers on how to write an "A" essay. That should help. And if you want to turn in an outline of an essay at least 72 hours prior to its due date then I will be happy to tell you if you are on the right track.

How much do I need to write for the essays?

You will be graded on quality and not quantity but you want to make sure that you answer all the parts of the question you select and that you use specific information from your text in your responses. So as to the final length of your essay, that will vary according to your writing skills, but when students take exams in class they usually need to fill a small blue book to get an A, which translats as 5 to 7 pages typed.

How will I know if my work was received and accepted and how do I know my grades? When you send an email to me you will always hear back from me within two days as to whether your work was accepted or rejected or you will get a grade if one is assigned. So if you are worried about an article or project getting rejected and you want the option to possibly redo it then you need to have that work to me no later than 72 hours prior to the work’s due date to make sure you get the work back in time to resubmit it. And if you ever lose track of your grades, you are always welcome to send an email to me requesting them since I do not have grades posted somewhere on the net. Instead, I expect you to keep track of your grades just as you would in a face to face class.

Just a few final points:

Be sure to check your Course Web Site on the first official day of your class to make sure nothing has changed (if the syllabus was posted early). What is listed at the Course Web Site on the first official day of class IS what you are required to know and do for your class!

Make sure you adhere to all deadlines for homework and exams! These are strictly enforced! So try and submit all work more than 72 hours prior to its due date in case something needs to be redone or in case you have a computer problem!

Last, please consider taking one of the exciting educational trips that I have planned for 2010! From April 3-10 next year (which is Spring Break at COC and CSUN) I will lead a group aboard a cruise ship out of Los Angeles to the beautiful Mexican ports of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan! Prices start at only $399(!) and include food and entertainment aboard ship, your berth, and your transportation between LA and the Mexican ports we will be visiting. And college credit will be available for Latin American history, US history and European history. For details please check the website you are viewing now since all information will be posted here soon if it's not there already. Or, if you have any questions you can contact me anytime at brad.reynolds@canyons.edu.

Welcome to your class!

Dr. Brad Reynolds

brad.reynolds@canyons.edu

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