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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers to most questions students ask are generally found in the course syllabus or course calendar. Why not look there first?
Q: May I write a report or something for extra credit?
A: It is not my policy to give students extra credit assignments and no exceptions will be made. However, students may use the Replacement Credit Option to replace their lowest or a missed exam score (one time only). See course syllabus and the "Forms and Information" section of this website for details.
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Q: There's a lot of material in the reading. How do I know what to study?
A: First of all, make yourself a copy of the study guides for each chapter of the textbook (see "Student Study Aids" section of this website).
I also advise visiting the online study guides provided by the publisher of your textbook and printing a copy of the glossary for each chapter. Each chapter glossary comprises a list and brief description or explanation of most (but not all) the principal people, places, and events on which you might be tested.
Together, these two items should give you a good sense of what's particularly noteworthy in each section of the course.
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Q: How soon will I know my exam grades?
A: Generally, I make it my policy to have exams and other assignments graded, and students informed of their grades, by the next class session. This does not necessarily apply to any exams taken in the Test Center.
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Q: May I make up an exam I missed?
Students may use the Replacement Credit Option to replace their lowest or a missed exam score (one time only). See course syllabus and the "Forms and Information" section of this website for details.
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Q: May I turn in an ARE or MAPEX late?
No, but you can turn in an ARE or MAPEX early! Once I have reviewed the answers to an ARE or MAPEX in class, you may not turn it in. If you have not turned it in by that time, you will receive a zero (0) for that particular assignment. No exceptions!
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Q: May I retake an exam on which I did poorly?
A: Generally, I do not allow retakes. However, I will consider requests for retakes on a case-by-case basis and in general, will allow one only in the most extreme circumstances, for example, the death of a close family member occuring shortly before a test. I may also take into consideration your attendance, your grades to date, how engaged you seem in class, etc. In addition, I may ask for corroborating evidence of the circumstances that led to your not doing your best.
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Q: I'm doing poorly in the course. What can I do to improve my grade?
A: It's been my observation that students who read the assigned text, who attend class regularly, who pay attention and participate, and who take time to study for each test generally do well. One possible way to improve your grade would be to start doing all those things.
If you are doing all these things and are still performing poorly, you should consider trying some or all of these additional actions:
Seek Tutoring. The college offers tutoring in history and other subjects. See the syllabus or college catalog or current schedule for the phone number and location of Tutoring Services. Find a "Study Buddy" or form a "Study Group." Studying with another person or group of persons can be helpful for some people. If you don't know who to ask, tell me you are seeking a "study buddy" or want to form a group and I will announce it in class. Make flash cards. If you prefer to study alone or don't have time to meet with another person or group, try making flash cards. Just get yourself some large notecards and a fine-tipped marker. On one side of each card, print the name of the people, places, events and other topics contained in the chapter glossaries, which you can find at the online study guides for this course. On the other side of each card, write what makes each person, place, event, or topic noteworthy. It sounds like a lot of work but you want to pass the course, right? (Just making the cards is a learning experience on its own.) You can use the cards to study by yourself or have a family member or friend test you by holding up the card so that they can see the answer and you can't. This way, the person helping you doesn't necessarily have to be taking the course or know very much about U.S. history. As you are tested, or as you test yourself, place the cards to which you know the answer in one pile and the ones you don't know in a second pile. Try to make the second pile get smaller and the first pile get larger! Does this work? Well, it worked for me when I was studying Spanish in graduate school. It helped me pass a very important test!
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Q: How can I find out my final grade for the course?
A: Here's how to access your grades online:
RICHLAND COLLEGE
Here's a link that will take you straight to the eConnect Student Menu Log On page.
COLLIN COUNTY
CougarWeb Log On page.
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Do you have a question that isn't answered here? Then contact me by email or stop after class and talk to me. I don't have an office of my own but if you need more than than 5 or 10 minutes of my time, I will be happy to speak to you about any academic topic in the associate or adjunct faculty office at a time convenient to us both.
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This website copyright © 2006-2009 (except where noted) by Steven Butler, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
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