History 336/536 Arkansas History

Beginning Special Notes: It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you print two copies of this syllabus NOW in order to have your assignments and the due dates regardless of the status of your internet service. This link will also be deactivated very soon. Highlighted text is particularly important.

First, given the fact that this is an on-line course, "timely" responses to all teacher originated e-mails are absolutely essential. This requirement begins NOW. Read the syllabus NOW and acknowledge by e-mail NOW that you have read its contents in full. See item #5 under assignments for other information related to e-mail responses.

Next, read the PLAGIARISM policy carefully and sign the form which is provided at the end of this syllabus. To read the policy on plagiarism click on the following LINK. FAX or mail form TODAY. NO PAPERS CAN BE GRADED UNTIL I HAVE THE FORM IN MY FILES.

Textbook for Required Readings: Lancaster, Bob, et. al., Arkansas Times: A History of Arkansas, 20th Anniversary Collection, Arkansas Writers' Project. This textbook can usually be obtained at bookstores throughout the state or at our bookstore on campus. It also is available at major Arkansas museums.

At the following LINK additional articles and reading materials can be viewed. These will also be very informative when conducting the research for the papers (#2).

Messages and Correspondence: Assignments, papers, reports, exam papers and other items will be submitted when due to my e-mail address, regular mail or by FAX. Be sure your e-mail address is active at all times.

Course Components and Requirements: For this on-line Arkansas History course each student will complete four major requirements. The specific requirement areas are: (1) Readings, (2) Museum Visits, (3) Research Paper, and (4) Final Examination. For each of these requirements, the number of points each requirement is worth and the DUE DATES are listed below. POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR ALL LATE ASSIGNMENTS. ALL FOUR requirements must be completed or a grade or "F" will be assigned even if the student has a passing grade in the class from completing some of the requirements.

(1) Readings: (360 Points)
For EACH ARTICLE included in the following eleven TOPICS, students will submit a reading report which should be NO LESS than one (1) typewritten page and submitted via e-mail or FAX on or before the date given below for each topic. Additional articles (articles not included in the text) will be made available on my website, the Internet, or university library. The reading reports must include the following in DESIGNATED sections:

2. Research Question(s) or Thesis (A question or thesis answered by the main points presented in the article.)

5. Relevance to understanding Arkansas History (Time period covered, subject, people, implications, etc.)

6. Personal reflections on the article (Readability, scholarship, interest, etc.)

Rationale for Readings Assignments: Since for an on-line course there is no class attendance (45 hours per semester for a normal 3 semester hour course), students will be expected to use their "class time" for the first twelveweeks reading and writing the readings reports described above. On average the minimum number of pages for these reading reports is three per week or one page for each hour of what would have been class attendance. While it could be argued that a student might not have to exert this much effort while actually sitting in class, it can also be emphasized that each individual teacher should use their class time well and the students should be "engaged thoughtfully" in a variety of learning experiences while attending class. Overall, the readings provide a foundation for the student research project, a general survey of Arkansas history from the earliest times to the present and knowledge required to complete the final examination at the end of the semester.

Remember that the required readings are completed as partial preparation for the final comprehensive on-line examination.

NO GRADE will be given unless ALL SIX items above are covered by designated sections for each readings report.

READ THE SAMPLE REPORT AT THE FOLLOWING LINK BEFORE YOU BEGIN! Remember a report is required for EACH article!

Topic 1: European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 to 1802 by Joseph Patrick Key, Arkansas State University.

Topic 2: Early Arkansas to 1836 (30 Points)
Text - pp. 19-22, "Into the Wilderness"

Topic 3: The History of the Quapaw Indians in Arkansas by Terry A Chaney ( Edited by Dr. Tom Howard)

Due June 18 . This article will be available on this web site. See Links. (30 Points, expanded three page report required)

Topic 4: The Arkansas Territory, 1819-1836: Arkansas' Road to Statehood by Cade Allen (Edited by Tom Howard).

Due June 21 . This article will be available on this web site. See links. (30 Points, expanded three page report required)

Topic 5: Arkansas and the South, 1830-1874 (30 Points)
Text - pp. 60-66, "Memories of a Horror Story"

Topic 6: General Summary: The Civil War in Arkansas
by Bill Shea, University of Arkansas, Monticello. This article will be available on this web site. See links

by Thomas A. DeBlack, Arkansas Tech University, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. See website links.

by Carl H. Moneyhon, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. See website links.

Topic 10: WWI Arkansas to Rockefeller, 1918-1964 (30 Points)
Text - pp. 132-135, "The State's First National Leader"

Topic 11: Text: pp. 144-149 "A Baseline for Civil Rights" AND World War II through the Faubus Era, 1941 through 1967 by Ben Johnson, Southern Arkansas University, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. See website links.

Due July 16. (40 Points, expanded four page report required, which includes both readings.)

Topic 12: Modern Era, 1968 through the Present, by Ben Johnson, Southern Arkansas University, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. See website links.

(2) Research Papers: (200 Points) (Paper 175, Topic Selection/Sources 25 Points)

Each student will conduct research and write one a 10 page paper using at least EIGHT (8) scholarly sources, 0NE source from a newspaper or popular magazine and ONE source from the INTERNET for a total of TEN (10) sources. Encyclopedias and atlases ARE NOT considered scholarly sources for this paper. The course text cannot be one of your eight scholarly sources. Of course, you MAY have many additional sources, including non-scholarly sources, which would enhance your paper. The papers will be on some topic selected from the five Arkansas historical periods covered in the readings. ALL paper topics MUST BE pre-approved (see date below). The paper which will be submitted as a WORD or WORD PERFECT e-mail attachment, sent by regular mail or FAXED.

The research paper topic, introduction page and five (5) of your major scholarly sources in bibliographical form are due on or before JUNE 28th . The paper is due on or before JULY 23th.

DO NOT BEGIN THIS ASSIGNMENT BEFORE YOUR READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAPER. Failure to follow these will result in major point deductions when the paper is graded .

The REQUIRED format and guidelines for researching and writing the papers are as follows:
1. A biographical paper on an Arkansas personality must receive special approval.
2. Only ONE (1) of the required scholarly sources may be from the INTERNET.

3. Unless used as an EXTRA source, NO CLASS ASSIGNMENT or reading can be used.

4.   One required source MUST BE from the Arkansas Historical Quarterly.
5.   Only ONE (1) documented source for each paper may be from a newspaper
      or popular magazine. All others must be from other SCHOLARLY sources.
6.   Each paper will be typed using only a 12 point font or less with double spacing.
      (Bookman Old Style is preferred).
7.   Use only 3/4 inch margins or less on all sides of the pages.
8.   Direct quotes may be no longer than four lines.
9.   Paraphrasing must be footnoted regardless of the word changes.
10. Each paper must include a title page.
      (Not one of the 10 pages of required text).
11. Each paper must include a bibliography attached at the end of the paper.
      (Not one 10 pages of required text).
12. ALL footnotes MUST BE at the BOTTOM of the pages where the sources
      are cited regardless of which style manual is used. Include page numbers.

EBSCOhost information is UNACCEPTABLE for footnotes or Bibliography.
13. The Turabian style manual is preferred, but not required. You may use APA

with the exception of item #12.
14. Plagiarism in any form will NOT be tolerated. See this link for the policy.

        Policy on Plagiarism
15. Any form of plagiarism will result in an "F" for the course.
      Each student will be required to sign a form indicating an understanding
      of this plagiarism policy. See form below.
16. Each paper MUST have a RESEARCH QUESTION to be answered.
17. Finally, each paper MUST have a THESIS which is explored in the
      "Introduction" and based on the research question.
18. A definitive answer to the research question MUST BE given in the
      conclusion to the paper.

20. Remember, encyclopedias and atlases ARE NOT considered scholarly sources.

Failure to follow these guidelines will have a MATERIAL affect on the grade assigned. For #13 the grade is a given. Some assistance and suggestions for the paper topics can be provided to student requests by e-mail.

Sample Paper: You have read this paper for reading assignment #3. Now go back and check it for what your research paper could and should be.

For some of your research you may need to visit various libraries outside your county. The Gateway library card might be helpful. Please check on the card at the following LINK.

Each student will visit THREE (3) museums dedicated to Arkansas history and public service. These must include the following TWO: The Old State House Museum and The Historic Arkansas Museum. The third museum visited is selected by the student and approved by the teacher via e-mail no later than For example, the third museum could be the Central High Visitors Center and Museum in Little Rock, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott, or the Delta Cultural Center in Helena. If one visited the museums in Little Rock, all visits could be done in ONE day.

Information and schedules for the required visits may be obtained from the Arkansas history web sites listed below. A MINIMUM visit of TWO HOURS is required for each museum, but you may stay longer (if you think you have seen "everything" there is to see, then "reflect" and make notes in the remaining time. Carefully check your time in and out on the form and have your visit and time verified by the museum official who signs your form. This amount of time allows for you to take good notes "on site". Take the guided tour and ask specific questions that relate to understanding Arkansas history. You will need these Arkansas history specifics for your summaries you will turn in after your visits. Call ahead to check for tour schedules and special events. All the museums have websites you can check ahead for your visit.

After each visit the signed museum report form will be submitted by regular mail or FAX. A separate three page (minimum) written report for each museum is required for EACH museum. Each visit and report is worth 60 points. Therefore, each report MUST HAVE substance related to what you LEARNED about Arkansas history. The three museum visits must be completed and reports submitted on or before JULY 16th. Click on the LINK which follows for the required report forms:

(4) Final Examination: (200 Points)
Each student must take a final examination over the course materials. The examination instructions and questions will be sent to each student via my website by JULY 16th . The answers to the examination must be submitted on or before JULY 26th . The major emphases of the final examination questions will be on the required readings, but questions over student research may also be included.

Students may earn extra points by timely responses to e-mails. If a "required response" e-mail is sent and a student responds on the same day, a extra point will be assigned to the student's extra point total. A point will be deducted from the student's extra point total for failing to respond in a timely manner to an e-mail that requires an acknowledgement and/or response. Check your e-mail everyday. Students may also earn extra credit by electing ONE of the optional readings.

Internet Sites: The following are some Arkansas history WEB pages with related LINKS. These are also important sources of information for research and reading.

Grading Procedure:
The final grade for the course will be determined by the total number of points earned during the semester. Each activity are assigned a number of points, and as such each activity is weighted as to its proportional value toward the semester grade. A simple division of the accumulated points by the total possible points is the student's grade at any given time. Grades may or may not be curved at the end of the semester. Any curve will be based on the overall performance of the entire class and will be AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER.

Students with Disabilities: It is the policy for Harding University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. Therefore, any student with a documented disability condition (e.g. physical, learning, psychological, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations, must contact the instructor and the Disabilities Office at the at the beginning of each semester. (If the diagnosis of the disability occurs during the academic year, the student must self-identify with the Disabilities Director as soon as possible in order to get academic accommodations in place for the remainder of the semester.) The Disabilities Office is located in Room 102 of the Lee Academic Center, telephone, (501) 279-4019.

Mission Statement: The vision of the Harding University is to develop life-long, professional learners who influence the lives of their students in positive, lasting ways. To that end, the mission of the Harding University is to prepare candidates who are scholarly, nurturing, self-directed facilitators of student learning. This course is designed to integrate faith, learning, and living by developing Christian scholarship, as well as promoting Christian ethics, and global citizenship.

Academic Integrity Statement: Academic dishonesty in all its forms is inconsistent with the principals upon which Harding University was founded and will result in sanctions up to and including dismissal from the class with a failing grade.

Comprehensive Examination:
If you are pursuing a degree at Harding University, graduate students should be aware that a comprehensive examination question over this course is a possibility as a part of completing your degree.

About Your Teacher:
Dr. Tom Howard is Distinguished Professor Emeritus and former Chairman of the History and Social Science Department. He has been a faculty member and administrator at Harding University since 1972. He received the Distinguished Teacher Award three times. He took early retirement in 2003 and is now serving in an adjunct capacity.

He and his wife, Patsy (who before retirement worked in the College of Education), have three daughters: Mrs. Cindy Gurchiek (Third grade Teacher at Harding Academy), Mrs. Christy Perry (Houston, TX) and Mrs. Beth Collins (7th Grade English Teacher at Ahlf Junior High), whose husband David is Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students at Harding University. Dr. Howard and his wife have seven grandchildren, Erin Gurchiek, Austin Gurchiek, Ann-Marie Gurchiek, Claire Perry, Thomas Perry, Charlie Collins and Maggie Collins.

Required Plagiarism Form: This form is to be submitted on the first day of class (NOW).

Student Understanding and Commitment Form

"I have read the Policy on Plagiarism. I understand what the policy says and I commit to being completely honest with regard to its contents. I realize that failure to do so will result in an "F" for the course."

_________________________________ ______________
Signature Date

Print Name _____________________

(Sign, detach and mail or FAX to: Dr. Tom Howard, Box 12247 HU, Searcy, AR 72149)