HI 453: US-Latin American Relations

First things first

HOW CAN I SUCCEED AS AN ONLINE STUDENT?

1. learn to use required technology, especially computers, Vista, the Internet;
   
2. manage time well, be self-disciplined, avoid procrastinating;
   
3. invest required time [four to six hours each week on each course];
   
4. be well organized;
   
5. read and follow written instructions carefully;
   
6. actively participate, share ideas, and engage fully in online discussions;
   
7. when in doubt, asks questions;
8. be flexible, adaptable, and open-minded about the online experience.
   Online courses offer a large degree of convenience and flexibility, but it's important to note that these courses require the same level of commitment and effort as attending a class on campus.
   [Source: Adapted from ECU Distance Ed program]
   
9. Take this short self-assessment testing your readiness for distance ed.
   
10. Read what the ECU Distance Education program lists as characteristics of a successful DE student. How well do you match up?
11. If you’re new to distance learning in general, then take the NCSU virtual orientation to DE. Items 1 and 2 are especially important.
12. A special welcome to students in Leadership in the Public Sector (LPS), a distance education degree completion program designed to focus on leadership in non-market environments (such as local, state, and federal government organizations, and non-profit institutions). You'll want to explore these useful links to Resources for Online Student Learners, including those in the LPS program.
    
    Where does this course fit into your curriculum? It depends on your major. Go to NCSU Advising Central. Select major/minor, go to your college, and explore the course options and requirements that you have to fulfill.
    
    If you have a family or emergency that impedes your course work, contact Parents and Constituent Services at Box 7306, NCSU, Raleigh NC 27695-7306. You or a parent may also call toll free during business hours at 877-568-5733 or email ncsuparents@ncsu.edu. For a personal health issue, make certain to get documentation from a physician or the NCSU health center.

    HI 453 Quick Access Menu

    Some links replicated in the lefthand menu.

    Assignments and Due Dates	Internet Tutorials to sharpen your online skills	Navigating the Course
    Getting Prepared for the Course	Practice Safe Computing	Digging Deeper: How to Approach Assignments
    Distance Learner Profile	Info on LA History Courses	Coping with College
    Course Approach and Philosophy	Being an active learner	Perry's Levels of Cognitive Growth
    Bloom's Taxonomy of Thinking Skills	Latin American Newspapers	News Updates and Course Information
    Course Site Map may help you to visualize the various components and structure of the course	Check out what happened on this day in history

    Getting down to business

13. OK, you're on board. Welcome! Bienvenidos! Unity email address made official for students As of August 13, 2007, all official email correspondence from the university should be sent to students’ Unity email addresses. This includes email regarding student account information, eBILLs, and correspondence from instructors regarding classes. Students have been notified of the change in the email address that is associated with their records in the student information system. Instructors should continue to use students’ email addresses provided by Registration and Records. The university implemented these changes because of the increased use of email for official communications and the need to have confidence that the email is being delivered to valid student email addresses. Students still have the option of forwarding their email to another account.
14. Next, see what this DE specific course entails. All reading and writing assignments appear, logically enough, on the assignments page. Assignments are due on the date listed-- put another way, they assignment must be submitted (not begun) by the listed due date. Secondly, some assignments you evaluate and respond to discussons posted by your fellow students. Your responses are due the very next due date, regardless of whether that day's assignment is a quiz or a discussion. Replies to Monday discussions are due Thurday; replies to Thursday discussions are due by the following Monday.
15. Buy the two required books (see the "books" page). "I don't have my book yet" is not a valid excuse for missing an assignment.
16. Check the "Assignments" page to see what is due when. You have a 3 to 5 day window to submit each assignment, so NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE ACCEPTED. The course has a "no-faulty" policy on missed assignments. See the grading page for details.
17. Read completely and thoroughly the "how to" page. It explains the required formats and other standards and procedures for all assignments. Refer to it when submitting assignments throughout the semester.
18. Read carefully the "grading" page. It explains important requirements and penalties, such as a final grade of F for too many missed assignments.
19. Do not under any circumstances miss the first two assignments. "The History Department employs a MANDATORY DROP POLICY. This means that unless you have notified the instructor in advance that you will be absent, you will automatically be dropped from your class if you fail to attend the first two meetings of a course that meets two or more times a week or the first class of a course that meets only once a week. Your place in the class will be assigned to someone on a wait list for that class." IN HI 216, failing to submit an assignment on time is equivalent to failing to attend class.

Basics of Course Navigation

1. Use the menu along the left side of each page to move to different areas of the course. You are now reading the 453 Home Page. Check the course description page for a full discussion of what we're doing and why, including learning objectives.
2. You'll be using an innovative collaborative learning tool as part of your courseworks. See
3. Who's running this show? See Dr. Slatta's brief bio. Here's Dr. Slatta and his research assistant in the picture at the right. The Find Dr. Slatta page gives you my office hours, FAX and phone numbers, and a link to my "Home Range" where you can learn more about my teaching, writing, and other professional activities. Even though this is an online course, you may of course come visit me in person at my office in Harrelson 127. I've often logged onto the Internet, so you are welcome to use IM. My handle is drslatta. You may also send me email.
4. Most importantly, decide whether you are a good candidate for a distance learning course like HI 453 Online. Are you an independent learner? Are you motivated enough to work with minimal faculty guidance and intervention? Can you budget your time to complete tasks without frequent prompting? Are you organized? Are you intellectually curious? Can you ask for the instructor's assistance when you need it? Read the Profile of a Successful Distance Learner. Ask yourself how well you match up with the characteristics of the learner most likely to succeed in this type of course. If you match well, you should succeed as a distance learner. If the match is not there, you may face serious problems ahead. Read carefully the Course Grading Page and make certain that you can complete the many assignments.
5. Both instructors and students need to practice effective communication.
6. According to Sara Dulaney Gilbert, author of How to be a Successful Online Student (McGraw-Hill, 2001, p. 215), success distance-learning students have the following characteristics: They
   • Are actively involved in their learning.
   • Can focus on their goals.
   • Prioritize their responsibilities.
   • Reach out for the assistance they need.
   • Pay at least some attention to their health and wellness.
   She suggests getting some online student guidance and support from a very good site at Virginia Tech's Online Study Skills Workshops.
   

   Specifics of Course Preparation

7. After you've read the Course Description and understand what you will be doing and why, buy the required books. They are available under HI 453 in local campus-area bookstores. You may also order them online from or other online bookstores.
8. Examine the Assignments Page and the How to Do Assignments Page that summarize the required research, reading, writing, and due dates. Read carefully the course Grading Policies. Explore all the areas in the menu on the left. Be certain that you know:
   [a] when assignments are due;
   [b] the different types of assignments and exactly what each requires;
   where the find the "Introductory Lectures," required reading for each lesson;
   [c] how to use "Research Links" to find needed Internet resources;
   [d] how to email assignments to Dr. Slatta, using attached files (Word doc or RTF); and
   [e] how to participate in online discussions [See the "Help" feature on the WebCT Vista page. Also note that I want posting entered a certain way: Look at the instructions toward the top of your Assignments Page.]
   [f] In addition to learning about relations between the US and Latin America, you will learn important, useful computer, research, organizational, and writing skills.
   [g] Use your "How to" page for nuts-and-bolts descriptions of many course activities.
9. If your background in history is not extensive, you may need to do some additional reading. An easy place is to start is the What's history about page, which also includes helpful links to various definitions of history. You should also read about our approach to history. If your background on events in Latin America is week, remember to consult your history timeline regularly. You may also wish to check out a basic textbook on Latin America. I recommend any of the following, available in D. H. Hill Library.
• Latin America : a concise interpretive history by E. Bradford Burns F1410 B8
• A history of Latin America by Benjamin Keen F1408.3 K443
• Modern Latin America by Thomas E. Skidmore and Peter H. Smith F1413 S55
• Born in blood and fire: a concise history of Latin America by John Charles Chasteen F1410 C4397
• Latin America in Crisis by John W. Sherman [may not be in the library]
Need help with NCSU Library resources? See the NCSU Library Distance Learning Services for Students Page for suggestions and services provided by D. H. Hill staff.
10. Practice SAFE COMPUTING and learn the computing skills you need! If some skills need a tuneup, visit the NCSU Computing Essentials Page for tutorial help. Bad things can happen to good people. Keep disk files of all assignments that you email to me if case an email server malfunctions. Use the button on the left to check the status of NCSU Networks. If a system goes down, you'll find an announcement on that page.
11. Back up all files regularly. Hard disks crash, floppies go bad, servers crash. Always, always, make back up copies. A computer disaster is no excuse for missed assignments! Email is not infallible. If I request a second copy of an assignment, you must be able to produce it.

12. You'll need an up-to-date virus checking program, like Symantec's Norton AntiVirus [free to NCSU students.]
13. Course pages can be easily viewed at any monitor resolution. If you encounter difficulties, inform the instructor. Older browsers may create difficulties, so upgrade to the latest version available.

    Digging Deeper: How to Approach Assignments

    As you begin each of the assignments that comprise the course:
14. Mark the due dates from the Assignments Page on your calendar. Leave ample time for research, reading, writing, editing, and assignment submission. You should become more efficient at doing assignments as the semester progresses. For this and every course, get the help that you need. If you need help with time and stress management, study skills, finding childcare, etc. please check my Coping With College page. D. H. Hill Library offers special services for distance learners. Check it out. Read carefully each Essay Question found on the Assignments Page. Be certain that you understand it. If you are uncertain, ASK your instructor or another student via email or in the online Virtual Study Hall in your WebCT Vista discussion area.
15. Keeping the Essay Question in mind, read the Intro Lecture for the topic (if any). Do the assigned readings for the topic, also found on the Assignments Page. Take notes and/or keep a list of page numbers relevant to the Focus Question. If required, include information from online Research Sites. Add this historical information to your essay. Each essay must show knowledge of and include evidence from ALL assigned readings--printed texts and online sources.
16. Read and apply the suggestions under Writing Help as you write the first draft of your essay. Use these writing tips to improve your essays and therefore your grade. The end of the "Writing Help" document also summarizes how I will evaluate your essays. Avoid "cut-and-paste" plagiarism. Use your own words, unless you quote directly from a "primary source" (a firsthand witness; someone present at the historical time and place you are discussing).
17. Send your essays to the instructor as a Microsoft Word email attachment (most software can save in multiple formats--learn how). If you do not use Word, then save your files in RTF (Rich Text Format). I will read, grade, and comment on each of your essays. Read carefully my comments embedded in the file that I email back to you. Incorporate my suggestions and corrections on writing, analysis, and content into subsequent essays. You'll be rewarded for learning from prior essays.
18. Participate in Online Discussions with other students using WebCT software. Note whether you should do the initial posting or whether you should respond to your colleagues in the course. Based on your last name, you will alternate doing the first posting or in responding. Depending on your task, due dates may differ.
19. Don't get lost in time. Refer to the Historical Time Line to find important events and when they happened.
20. Please check my Acknowledgments and Credits Page for a list of "thank yous" to the people, institutions, software creators, and web sites that have contributed to my various web pages and online course materials.
    
    All materials © 2003-04-05 by Richard W. Slatta The instructional materials for this course have been created by and are copyrighted by Dr. Richard W. Slatta. You may not establish links to nor copy, re-edit, nor redistribute the information in these pages in any form, electronic or printed, without Dr. Slatta's written permission. Disclaimer: While this course is offered by North Carolina State University for academic credit, the specific materials on these pages are not reviewed by nor endorsed by the University.
    
    Accessible web content: I've made every effort to keep all web pages accessible to all students. If you find an image without an alternate caption or some other obstruction to your utilization of the pages, please let me know. You may also review NCSU's accessibility guidelines for web pages
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