Required Books

Textbook:  Ways of the World, Vol. 1 to 1500, WITH SOURCES, 2nd Edition, Robert W. Strayer (See red note below)

Reader:  Guns, Germs & Steel, Jared Diamond. Norton Press

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    These are the only books required for this course. There will be several handouts during the semester covering discussion topics and paper requirements.

    These books are available locally at the UTEP bookstore in both new and used condition. You may also find  Guns, Germs & Steel at used booksellers off campus. Ways of the World, Vol. 1, 2nd Ed. is new and not available used.

   I strongly suggest that you purchase or rent your books as soon as possible to avoid out-of-stock situations that arise early at the UTEP bookstore. Also, there is a significant amount of reading during the first week of class.

Grades

    Grades are based on an aggregate point system. There is a total of 620 points obtainable as follows:

                                            14 Weekly Quizzes from Text and lectures.........140 points

                                            14 Reader Quizzes @ 20 points each..................280 points

                                            One Mid-term  exam......................................... 100 point

                                           *Final exam.........................................................100 points

                                                                            Total...................................620 points

Grading scale

                                                                                 620 - 558 = A

                                                                                 557 - 495 = B

                                                                                 494 - 432 = C

                                                                                 431 - 369 = D

                                                                                 368 -   0   = F

A make-up exam for the mid-term will be allowed only for students who were absent from the exam due to a UTEP sponsored and required trip (a department head letter authorizing such absence must be submitted to the professor) or medical emergency (documentation required). No study guides will be provided for the make-up exam (which will be different from the exam administered in class). All make-up exams must be taken no later than the second class day following the student's return to class. No make-ups will be allowed for weekly textbook quizzes or reader quizzes for any reason.

** Please Note: The final examination is mandatory. Any student who fails to take the final exam will receive an automatic F for the course. A make-up exam for students missing the final will be available only in extreme cases and will require the approval of the professor. Students approved to take a make-up will receive a grade of I (Incomplete) for the course and must take the make-up exam during the following Summer or Fall semester.

Learn and Earn

    A significant element of my teaching philosophy is what I call, Learn and earn. It's really quite simple. In this course, you will earn your final grade by demonstrating you have learned the material presented throughout the semester. This approach takes subjectivity out of the picture. In a nutshell, it means each of you is  personally responsible for your grade. It is, therefore, up to YOU to a) maintain your GPA and, b) insure continuation of financial aid/scholarships. I do not take these or other non-performance scenarios into consideration in grading because they are things over which I have no control nor responsibility.