This document provides an overview of the syllabus and structure for a US History since 1877 course. The instructor introduces themselves and their background. Students then introduce themselves to the class using notecards. The syllabus is reviewed, including how grades will be calculated based on points. The course will involve weekly readings, lectures, discussions, and tests consisting of short answer and essay questions. Students are asked to read the first chapter for the next class and turn in their syllabus agreement and notecard.

2. HIST 2312: US History since 1877
• Today we will:
• Introduce ourselves
• Talk about the syllabus
• Talk about the structure of the course
• Talk about what is coming next
• Sign Course Agreement
Dr. Drew Burks

3. About Me
• From Texas
• Higher Education for ten years
• Academic Advisor (UT Arlington)
• Academic Probation Program Coordinator (Washburn University)
• Instructor (U of Kansas, Washburn University)
• Education
• BA in History and Russian (Texas Tech)
• MA in Russian and East European Studies (U of Kansas)
• PhD in History (U of Kansas)
• If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask! If I don’t know the
answer we can find it.

4. About You
• Please take a notecard
• Write the following on it:
• Your Name
• Your Program (ex. Education)
• Why are you taking this course?
• It’s okay to say “because it is required.”
• One interesting fact about yourself
• Now, introduce yourself to the class using the notecard

5. Syllabus Exercise
• Find three things
that you think are
the most important.
• What did you pick?

6. Calculating your grade
• This is a points based class
• You can calculate your current grade by dividing your total current points by
the number of possible points (at that point in the semester).
• For example: After the first test, we will have had 275 possible points, so your
current grade would be the number of points you have earned, divided by
275.
• At the end of the semester there will be 1000 total possible points
• Your final grade will be the number of points you have earned with a
decimal in front of the last digit.
• If you have earned 935 points, for example, your grade will be a 93.5.

7. Structure of the Course
• Every week you will read one or two chapters from the textbook
• Come prepared to discuss the material you have read about
• Every class period we will have:
• Lecture on the material
• Some type of discussion or class activity
• Attendance will be taken (generally by turning something in)
• Review Days
• Come prepared with possible short answer and essay questions
• You will turn these in as an assignment (25 points)

8. Structure of the Course (cont.)
• Tests
• Short Answer
• Five Ws (and maybe an H)
• Essay
• One essay that everyone will answer
• One essay you choose from two possible choices
• Participation
• Active in discussion
• Turning in daily assignments
• Extra Credit

9. For Next Class
• Get the Textbook if you haven’t already
• Read Chapter 18 (we will come back to 17 later)
• Come prepared with questions for discussion
• If you are having trouble getting the book, let me know

10. Congratulations!
• You made it through the first day of class!
• What are the first two assignments on the syllabus?
• The syllabus exercise we did earlier will count as your Syllabus Quiz
• Please fill out and sign the Course Agreement
• On the last page of your syllabus
• Turn this agreement in on the way out, and you will already have 100
points in the course, that’s 10% of your grade!
• Also, turn in your notecard
• Have a good day, and I will see you on Wednesday