• Introduction to the course
• Watch the Seinfeld video (learn.vccs.edu)

• Review this syllabus, your textbook and the NOVA Online version of HIS 135; bring questions about the course with you to class
• Send me an email to confirm your ability to use email before the start of class
• Bring with you to class two questions either about the course or about history

• a quick and easy quiz on the course (five reasons why the course will not be difficult and will be interesting)
• What is History? quote assignments
• Watch the medieval help desk

31 August, Monday, Design Your Course
What to do before class:

• Prepare for your What is history? presentation
• Purchase and start reading the textbook
• Email your current events selection to me before the start of class and come to class prepared to explain your current events selection
• Design your personal course syllabus. Select the assignments ( besides the required ones), that you intend to complete in the course. Make sure that you check this weekly schedule to see when assignments are due. Email that list to me before the start of class.

• What is history? assignment presentations
• Explain your current events selection
• Explain your personal course syllabus

• Read chapter 10 in the textbook
• The Wikipedia entry for the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is surprisingly good.  Please read it.
• Check the student-created website on Hiroshima
• It is an old debate, whether the US should or should not have used the atomic bomb against Japan, but we will discuss it.  Please come to class prepared to offer your thoughts.  You may do additional research on the topic.
• Bring with you to class two Cold War events

• Discuss the use of the atomic bomb and the end of World War II

• Consider posting to the discussion board in Blackboard (See the access instructions on the course information page.)

• Continue reading the textbook, the Midterm exam will cover chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18
• Double check selections for WIki, Pop culture,. module essay, movie etc
• Please note that September 10th is the last day for schedule adjustment with tuition refund.

• Read the textbook chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
• Review for the midterm exam.  Come to class and ask any question about the exam.

• The dreaded midterm exam.  You will not need to follow the NOVA Online procedures for taking the exam, you will do the map and chronology in class.  Email the essay to me before the start of class.

• Review the textbook chapters 11 and 12 (You already read them for the midterm exam!)
• Review the working draft of a Cold War Chronology. I am looking for a volunteer to work on cleaning up this chronology and making it both more accurate and also more inclusive.(extra credit opportunity for someone who wants to work on this)
• Read my remarks on Russia and the Cold War and Gorbachev in my HIS 242 course.
• There are many student-created websites that deal with Cold War subjects that are part of the HIS 135 course. See the Chronology.

• Discuss the Cold War
• Watch an old British newsreel about the Berlin Airlift or the WGBH footage of the Berlin Airlift

• Write the required Short Paragraph One and email to me before the start of class. Please also bring a copy of your paragraph to class.
• Review some examples of this assignment (*.doc or *.pdf)

• We will present and discuss your short paragraph assignments

28 September, Monday, In-class movie:  Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964, directed by Stanley Kubrick)

• Volunteer to lead the discussion of Dr. Strangelove for Thursday (an extra credit opportunity)

• Come to class prepared to discuss the portrayal of the Cold War in Dr. Strangelove
• Students opting for the Personal World History assignment should be prepared to talk about their work.

• Write the Wiki Analysis paper (if you are doing it) and email to me before the start of class (Zach, Alexa, Jose, Shannon)

• We will present and discuss your Wiki Analysis paper assignments

• Write a Module Essay paper (if you are doing it) and email to me before the start of class (Alexa, Shannon, Jose, Erin, Chris)

• We will present and discuss your Module Essay paper assignments

• Write the Movie Review paper (if you are doing it) and email to me before the start of class (Zach, Alexa, Jacob, Jose, Zafar)

• We will present and discuss your movie review papers.
• Students doing the Personal World History assignment should be prepared to talk about the progress so far on their work (Cesar, Jacob, Jason, Zach, Chris).

• Review the textbook chapters 13, 14, 15, 16 (You have already read them for the midterm exam!)
• Read my notes on Democratization, Decolonization and the Division of South Asia
• There are many student-created websites on decolonization subjects that are part of the HIS 135 course. See the Chronology.

• Reconstructing history exercise
• Discuss decolonization and democracy
• Watch a news video about the death of Gandhi

• Write the required Short Paragraph Two and email to me before the start of class

• We will present and discuss your short paragraph two assignments

• Volunteer to lead the discussion of the Frontline documentary on Rwanda for Thursday (an extra credit opportunity)
• Read my notes on Human Rights

• Come to class prepared to discuss the Frontline documentary on Rwanda
• Presentations as assigned in class on Monday
• Please note that 2 November is the last day to withdraw without grade penalty

• Write the Pop Culture paper (if you are doing it) and email to me before the start of class (Zach, Alexa, Shannon, Jacob, Jose, Zafar, Erin, Chris, Jason)

• We will present and discuss your Pop Culture papers
• Students doing the Personal World History should be prepared to talk about their further progress!

• Write a Module Essay paper (Erin, Chris) and email to me before the start of class

• A Day in the life of Life magazine.
• We will present and discuss your Module Essay papers

• Write the My Family and History paper (if you are doing it) and email to me before the start of class (Zach, Shannon, Jacob)
• Students working on their Personal World History should have a substantial draft of their work finished at this time.

• We will present and discuss your Family and History papers
• Select a movie to watch next week.

• Write the Research paper (if you are doing it) and email to me before the start of class (Alexa, Jose, Zafar)

• We will present and discuss your Research papers

• Watch the chosen movie in class
• Students doing the Personal World History should have reviewed the work of other students and be prepared to offer some constructive comments

• Watch the chosen movie in class (continued)

• I am available for individual consultation today
• Write a Module Essay paper (Erin, Chris) and email to me before the start of class

• Write the required Current Events Paper and email to me before the start of class (Jacob Brazil; Cesar Spain; Alexa Italy; Chris Iraq; Erin Great Britain; Jose Greece; Zafar Pakistan; Zach Vietnam; Andrea Colombia; Christiania Mexico; Jason Nigeria; Shannon Angola)
• The Personal World History papers are also due (Cesar, Jacob, Zafar, Jason)

• Present/discuss your Current Events papers

• Any Other Extra Credit Class Presentations (must be pre-approved) (Erin, Chris)
  

• I am available for individual consultation today

• Review the textbook chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 (You have already read them for the midterm exam!)
• Read my remarks on Globalization and Human Rights
• Prepare for the final exam.  You will not need to follow the NOVA Online procedures for taking the exam, which you will take in class.  Email the essay to me before the start of class.
• Please print out and complete a course evaluation. (Bring it with you to the final exam.)