History 101
Fast-Track 1 – Course # 70809
Fall 2025 – Palomar College
Professor Kristen Marjanovic
Instructor Contact:
Email: kmarjanovic@palomar.edu
Palomar Phone Extension: 2418
Office Hours:
- In Person: MD-379
- Tuesdays/Thursdays 8:30-9:30 am
- Tuesdays 12:40-1:40
- Zoom:
- Wednesdays: 11:30-1:30 pm
- Contact instructor for Zoom link
- Wednesdays: 11:30-1:30 pm
- Or by appointment
Pre-required Courses:
None. However, collegiate level reading and writing skills are expected. Because this is an online class, continuous and reliable access to a computer/laptop and the internet are also required.
Time Expectations:
This is a fast-track class, so everything is doubled from what we would cover in a regular semester.
Students should expect to devote at least 10+ hours of work each week. This includes viewing the lectures, taking the corresponding quizzes, and completing weekly assessments.
Course Description:
This course will cover political, economic, social, and cultural development of the American people through Reconstruction with particular emphasis on the colonial period; the Revolution; constitutional development; westward expansion with emphasis on California and frontier influences; emergence of sectionalism; the Civil War and Reconstruction. This course plus 102 meets the state requirement in American History and Institutions, including the Constitution of the State of California.
Student Learning Outcomes:
| Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to: | Students will demonstrate this through: |
|---|---|
| 1.) Interpret American history through the use of primary and secondary sources. | Discussions, Assignments Outline, Presentation |
| 2.) Demonstrate college level writing in assessing and interpreting American history. | Discussions, Assignments |
| 3.) Accurately recall knowledge of major events and themes in early American history | Quizzes, Discussions, Assignments |
| 4.) Demonstrate knowledge of nature and development of the United States Constitution. | Quizzes, Constitution Civics assignment |
| 4.) Identify, use, and cite reliable primary and secondary sources in American history | Discussions, Assignments, Outline, Presentation |
Grade Breakdown:
| Assessment | Points | Percentage of Grade: Grades are Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation: Honor Code Syllabus Quiz Intro Discussion | Honor Code: 0 points (Must agree to the Honor Code) Orientation Quiz: 0 points (Must score 100%) Orientation Discussion: 5 points (Required to stay in the class) | 1% (Must complete all to stay in the class) |
| Lecture Quizzes | 130 points total Quizzes vary from video to video but are typically 5 points for each video part. Lowest three (3) quizzes are dropped | 12% |
| Assignments | 90 points 3 @ 30 points | 30% (10% each) |
| Discussions | 45 points 4 @ 15 points each Lowest one is dropped. | 21% (7% each) |
| Presentation | 100 points | 15% |
| Outline | 70 points | 5% |
| Constitution Civics Quiz | 20 points | 5% |
| Final Exam | 50 points | 11% |
| Total | 530 points | 100% |
Grading Scale:
Grades are based on the total percentage you earn. Because our grades are weighted, it may be easier to keep up with your grades using the “What-If” grades feature in Canvas Grades. This feature allows you to enter hypothetical grades to determine what you need to score to achieve your grade goals. Use this link for more information on how to use “What-If” grades.
A: 100-90% Exceeding Standards
B: 89-80% Meeting Standards
C: 79-70% Approaching Standards
D: 69-60% Not Yet Met Standards/Not Passing
F: –59% Insufficient Evidence/Not Passing
FW: -59% and pattern of non, or low, participation; Failure to Withdraw
Grading/Feedback:
- You should always understand why you lost a point or where your grade stands. I am always happy to clarify and explain the grading, as well as advise.
- All grading/grades are private between the student and instructor.
- Quiz scores are entered into the gradebook manually, but the correct answers are not provided. Students can, however, take the quiz multiple times to identify the correct answers.
- Discussions can take up to a week for me to grade.
Assessments:
Orientation:
- Orientation Assessments consist of:
- Honor Code (0 points; required)
- Orientation Quiz (0 points toward grade; must score 100% to continue)
- Orientation Discussion (10 points; 1% of grade; required)
- You will not be able to access Week 1 until all the Orientation assignments are completed. These are also required to stay in the course. Students who do not complete all three will be assumed “absent” and dropped.
Lectures:
- The lectures are organized in an outline format. For example:
- #1) Causes of the Civil War
- Part 1 – The North
- Part 2 – The South
- #2) Fighting in the Civil War
- Part 1 – The Union Army
- Part 2 – The Confederate Army
- #1) Causes of the Civil War
- Students are encouraged to take notes following the outline points and their parts for easy reference and organization.
- In addition, many of the lectures include some discussion on scholarship and these may come up in the quizzes or discussions. Students are encouraged to note the authors, titles, and general arguments as presented.
- As you view the lectures, quiz questions will randomly popup. It is essential students view videos in their entirety to ensure they have addressed all the questions.
Lecture Quizzes:
- 26 total video quizzes; total 130 points
- Lowest three (3) are dropped
- 12% of total grade
About Lecture Quizzes:
- These are multiple choice quizzes built into the video lectures. They are meant to check your learning of the content as you progress through the lecture.
- You must watch the entire video for the quiz to be submitted.
- Scores will be manually entered by the instructor on Mondays, so you must complete that week’s quizzes by Sunday.
- Click here for more instructions on how to take Canvas Studio Quizzes.
Late Quizzes:
- Late quizzes are not accepted for credit. Your lowest/missed three (3) are dropped.
- While you can continue to take lecture quizzes after their due dates, no score will be entered into your gradebook.
Assignments:
- 3 assignments @ 30 points each
- Total 30% of grade; 10% each
Late/Early Assignments:
- Assignments are open for a period of one week. Because of this flexibility and the quick pace of this course, late assignments are only accepted with an automatic loss of ten (10) points per day.
- Keeping up with due dates is paramount to your success in this course. If you cannot adhere to the due dates, you may want to rethink taking this course.
Discussions:
- 4 discussions @ 15 points each
- Lowest one is dropped.
- Total 21% of grade; 7% each
Late/Early Discussions:
- Discussions are open for a period of one week. Because of this flexibility and the quick pace of this course, late discussions are not accepted. If you cannot complete a discussion use your one drop.
- Keeping up with due dates is paramount to your success in this course. If you cannot adhere to the due dates, you may want to rethink taking this course.
Final Assignment – Presentation and Outline:
- An outline of the presentation (70 points; 5%)
- A video presentation (100 points; 15%)
Late submissions:
- Both the Outline and Presentation are required. One will not be graded unless the other is submitted.
- If you do not get one in on time, it will lose 10% for every day it is late.
- If you cannot earn any points on one, due to lateness, it is still required for the other to be graded.
Final Exam:
- 100 points; 11% of grade
- The final exam will consist of a combination of short answer and essay questions.
- See Final Exam for instructions as well as “Extra Credit/Final Exam Option” below.
Constitution Civics Quiz:
- 20 points; 5% of grade
- Students will complete a reading and corresponding quiz on the California state government.
Course Schedule:
| Week Monday-Sunday | Lectures/Quizzes The video lengths provided do not account for the time it will take you to answer the built in quiz questions. | What is Due: For all due dates 11:59 pm is shown as the deadline. However, all assignments will be kept open until 8:00 am the following day and will not be considered late. Anything after 8:00 am will be considered late and not accepted. The only exception is the Final Exam which closes at 12:00 noon on its due date. |
|---|---|---|
| 1: August 25th – 31st | View and Complete Orientation View and Complete: Discovery: 2 videos 1 hour 49 minutes The Southern Colonies: 2 videos 1 hours 30 minutes | Due Friday, August 29th: Honor Code Orientation Quiz Orientation Discussion *Completion of all three Orientation assignments is required to stay in the class. Students who do not complete/agree to these will be dropped from the course without discussion. Due Sunday, August 31st: Discussion #1 – Heroes and Villains |
| 2: September 1st – 7th (Monday is Labor Day) | View and Complete: The Northern Colonies: 2 videos 1 hour 37 minutes Leading toward Revolution: 2 videos 2 hours 10 minutes | Due Sunday, September 7th: Discussion #2 – America’s Founding Due Monday, September 8th: Assignment #1 – American Grievances |
| 3: September 8th – 14th | View and Complete: The American Revolution 3 videos 2 hours 40 minutes The Constitution: 2 videos 2 hours 16 minutes | Due Sunday, September 14th: Assignment #2 – Constitution and Compromise |
| 4: September 15th – 21st | View and Complete: Early Republic: 2 videos 2 hours 16 minutes Market Economy: 1 video 30 minutes Jackson 1 video 1 hour 3 minutes | Due Sunday, September 21st: Discussion #3 – Powers of Government |
| 5: September 22nd – 28th | View and Complete: Westward Expansion: 2 videos 1 hour 20 minutes Road to Civil War: 2 videos 2 hours | Due Sunday, September 28th: Discussion # 4 – An Inevitable War? |
| 6: September 29th – October 5th | View and Complete: The Civil War: 3 videos 2 hours 25 minutes Reconstruction: 2 videos 3 hours 20 minutes | Due Sunday, October 5th: Assignment # 3 – Civil War Monuments |
| 7: October 6th – 12th | Prep: Presentation and Outline Final Exam (See opt out options) | Due Sunday, October 12th: Presentation and Outline |
| 8: October 13th – 19th | Prep: Civics Quiz Final Exam | Due Friday, October 17th: California Civics Quiz Final Exam (by 12:00 pm, noon) |
Extra Credit/Final Exam Option:
There is no extra credit in this course. However, if you are satisfied with your grade prior to taking the Final Exam, you can opt out of taking the final exam and instead accept your current grade in the course. This is after all other work, to include the Paper, Presentation, and Civics Quiz have been graded. For example, if your Paper, Presentation and Civics Quiz have been graded, and at that point you have a B in the class, you can choose to not take the Final Exam. No grade will be entered for students who opt out of the exam, and thus your final grade in the class will be a B. If, however, you want an A in the class and believe you can do well on the Final Exam, you can take the exam. But the exam is not extra credit. It will impact your grade, for better or worse.
Here is further breakdown of your options:
Option 1: Do not take the Final Exam
This option is for students who, once all other work is graded, are satisfied with their grade in the course . No score will be entered and the final exam will not be calculated toward your grade. The grade you see at that point will be the grade submitted to the college. If you want to keep that grade, do not go into the final exam at all. If you open the exam, it will be considered an attempt, it will be graded and counted toward your grade. So, don’t just take it out of curiosity or fun if you don’t want it counted toward your grade. Just leave it alone. Ensure you are certain what you grade in the class will be if you opt not to take the final exam. Once the final exam date passes, should you realize you did need to take it, the exam will either be counted late, losing points, or not reopened at all.
Option 2: Take the Final Exam
If you have a borderline grade you’d like to improve, or you are currently not passing the class, you can take the exam to try and improve your grade.
Be aware, though, this is not extra credit. The exam will be counted toward your total grade %, even if you do not score well. If you take the exam, your resulting grade will be the one submitted to the college and you cannot revert back to your pre-exam grade.
Why am I offering students this option?
If you have done well in the class, up through the Presentation, you will have shown me all I need to see and demonstrated you have achieved the learning goals for this course. But if you’d like to pick up your grade, I still want you to have the ability to do so, demonstrating to me your best work and your learning in the class.
Readings:
Readings for this class are provided in Canvas. You will not need to purchase any texts for this class.
Canvas:
Canvas is where our course takes place. All assignments are submitted in Canvas. Course updates, reminders, and other important information will be posted in Announcements throughout the semester. Students are responsible for accessing this information.
Intellectual Property Rights:
Please respect the integrity and intellectual content of this class. Students may only record video or audio of lectures with the consent of the instructor, and recordings may only be made for personal educational use. (An official accommodation letter from the Disability Resource Center may also permit recording.) All course content, including slides, videos, handouts, assignments, exams, textbooks, etc., is the intellectual property of its creator; is protected by Palomar’s AP 5500: Standards of Student Conduct; and may be protected by copyright. Unless otherwise indicated, course content may not be copied, captured, altered, sold, or distributed in print or digitally without written permission of the course instructor. This includes sharing course content with others in person, through the mail, or via the internet (including social media, email, etc.). When in doubt, please ask the instructor for clarification
Important Palomar Dates: Fall 2025
- Last day for refund: September 7th
- Last day to drop for no grade on record: September 4th
- Census date/Rosters Finalized: September 5th
- Last day to Withdraw/Drop the course, for a W: September 21st
- Last day to change course to Pass/No Pass: October 17th
Course Ethics/Student Conduct:
- Our course ethics policy is meant to benefit and ensure student learning and not to be punitive. However, repeated issues will result in the student’s removal from the course. Further, our online classroom is meant to be a safe and professional environment, therefore the use of extreme profanity, bullying, derogatory phrases, disrespectful behavior or language, or any language and/or behavior deemed to be aggressive, is unacceptable and may also result in the student’s removal from the course.
- See Student Ethics in the Orientation module and the Honor Code for more detail.
- For more information, see the Palomar’s academic integrity policies.
Attendance/Participation:
- Students are required to “attend class” by viewing the lecture videos in their entirety. While students may read along with the video, it still must be viewed, as in watched. Simply reading transcripts, for example, will not be considered “in attendance.” If you have a DRC accommodation, please let me know.
- I am legally obligated and encouraged by the College to drop students who are not attending class. Students can be dropped or failed for “excessive absences.” In our class, “excessive absences” is defined as not viewing four (4) individual, non-consecutive lecture videos. For example, Discovery Part 1 and Discovery Part 2 are considered two individual videos. Because each week contains at least two videos, missing two weeks of lecture can result in a student being dropped. “Not viewed” means that less than 60% of the video was viewed, the quiz was not attempted, or there is evidence the student simply skipped around. Any submitted assignment, in which the corresponding lectures were not viewed, will count towards “non-attendance,” and be given a zero.
- No student can pass the class if under 70% of the lectures were viewed.
- It is the student’s responsibility to know what lectures they have viewed, what assignments they have submitted, and the general extent of their participation. You will not receive a warning email from me reminding you that you have been absent and are in danger of being dropped. Thus, you can be dropped without warning.
- If you know you will be out a few days, it is the responsibility of the student to let the instructor know, in order to avoid being dropped. Once dropped, you will not be allowed back in.
Accommodations:
- If you require accommodations, please notify me at your earliest convenience. The Disability Resource Center offers accommodations to include note-takers, testing accommodations and tutoring.
- To explore the technology/opportunities available to students with disabilities, see a counselor in the Disability Resource Center (760) 744-1150 xt. 2375.
Pronouns Statement:
- Palomar College, the EHPS Department, and your professor support an inclusive environment to include shard spaces for different voices and experiences.
- Preferred names and pronouns: If you have a preferred name or pronoun, please let me know. You are encouraged to include your preferred pronouns in Canvas.
- Under “Account” in the global navigation bar, click on “Settings.” Click “Edit Settings.” Under “Pronouns” click the drop-down menu to select your preference.
General Support through Palomar:
Palomar Services:
Tech Support:
- Palomar Academic Technology
- The Academic Technology Resource Center (ATRC) can help with issue you may have when using Canvas and Zoom, such as uploading assignments, trouble viewing content, etc.
- Help Desk – Information Services
- Information Services can help with technical support for you computers, Palomar networks, audio-visual equipment, software applications, etc.