HIST 300: attendance
By its nature, this is a small class and offers the participants a singular opportunity to learn new skills and new ways of thinking about history. As such, the class asks that you prepare for class and participate energetically. And you cannot participate without attending class, having read the material and, most important, worked on your paper. Let me emphasize: It will be very difficult to pass the course without attending regularly. Unlike other history classes, the assignments in this course build one on another. In fact, failure to attend class will have grave consequences. If you miss three classes, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to pass the course. A word to the wise, in short, should be sufficient. Similarly, the class begins at promptly at 4:30—not at some other time around 4:30. Please plan to arrive for class in a timely manner.
students with disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at (703) 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through that office.
Please check your GMU mailbox periodically or arrange for your GMU mailbox material to be forwarded to your preferred email address. In addition, be sure that your mailbox has not exceeded its capacity so that your mail bounces back to me. If I send out announcements, I use the GMU mailing class mailing lists per university regulations. If you need to email me, please put HIST 300 in the subject line and sign your full name. This will help my spam detector route you to the proper folder, guarantee that I read your email, and ensure that I know who you are.
a note on computer use
Computers are a great boon to the graduate student. But, as with any technology, you must take steps to minimize the problems that computers inevitably cause. Do not expect to get through the semester without having at least one computer crisis. Prepare for this well in advance. Back up your work constantly and have alternative plans for obtaining computer use, if your primary options fail you. I will never accept computer problems as excuses for missed assignments. You must also keep backup copies of submitted assignments—either in electronic form or hard copy.
Similarly, computers and email permit around-the-clock communication. If you have questions or need to apprise me of an emergency situation, contact me via email.
ppetrik[at]gmu[dot]edu
Should you need to discuss an issue with the instructor, contact me via email or by phone to make an appointment. Do not, however, expect an immediate response. Many of your questions can be answered by consulting the web site at:
Your best chance of reaching me immediately by email is during my office hours. Even then I cannot make a guarantee because I may well be with another student.
late assignments
In a collaborative venture, punctuality is a virtue. Assignments that are not ready for presentation do not benefit from class members suggestions; late blog posts result in fewer comments and less exchange among participants. Generally speaking, therefore, assignments are due on the date indicated on the syllabus; blog posts are due at noon the day before the due date in order to give class members a chance to comment. Finally, it is critical that you complete all your assignments on time; this is especially true of your first draft. Late assignments and blog posts will be accepted up to a week after the due date; 10 points will, however, be deducted. After the grace period, late submissions will receive a zero except in cases of documented and university sanctioned reasons.
grades
Grades, including +s and -s, will be assigned in the following manner. REMEMBER THEY REPRESENT AN EVALUATION, NOT A REWARD. To rephrase Smith-Barney (now Salomon Smith Barney), the investment folk, we do grades the old-fashioned way—earn them.
A—Outstanding work, complete mastery of the material presented, combined with some originality.
B—A solid command of the material with some gaps or mistakes in a basically sound essay or discussion.
C—Some knowledge of the material; mistakes and confusion are acceptable if mixed with some understanding. Not a reward for attendance or effort.
D—An incomplete and minimal knowledge of the material, major confusions and errors.
F—A failure to present the material in a reasonably accurate and comprehensible manner.
I—There are no “incompletes” given in this course except in cases of bona fide and documented instances in accordance with the regulations of the university.
P—For a “pass” a “C” average is required.
If you receive a grade or criticism that seems unfair or if you desire further explanation, please feel free to discuss the matter with me by making an appointment. My policy is not to discuss grades via email.