Welcome Letter for Medieval and Early Modern European Women's History

Hello and welcome to History 352!

Welcome to Medieval and Early Modern European Women’s History. This introductory survey examines material on women’s changing historical roles in Europe, divided into two units: the medieval period from 1200-1500 and the early modern period from  1500-1700. In this huge sweep of time, we will touch on the many broad changes in women's family, reproductive, and work lives. Women were vital participants in medieval and early modern economies, religion, society, and culture. This course uncovers the essential, and often overlooked, roles of women in this period and highlights the fascinating daily lives of ordinary women and their families. 

Expectations

An online course is much different from a traditional class. For one thing, it is writing intensive to offset time in class spent on lectures and discussions. You must take charge of your learning:  ask for help or explanations quickly when you don't understand material or assignments, complete assignments independently and on time, and follow instructions carefully.  

Most of the teaching, some of the reading, and all of the assignment submissions are online only. An online course is neither more difficult nor easier than the same course taught in a conventional classroom, but you must discipline yourself to do the weekly assignments by their deadlines. DO NOT FALL BEHIND! Assignments all have due dates and there are severe grading penalties for missing them, no matter what the excuse. Follow the course calendar in the and assignment instructions in the Blackboard syllabus folder. Check for announcements and look in your email at least every few days. 

Required Texts

Jennifer Ward, Women in Medieval Europe, 1200-1500. Longman  History of European Women, 2002. ISBN 978-0-582-28827-4

Cissie Fairchilds, Women in Early Modern Europe, 1500 - 1700. Longman  History of European Women, 2007. ISBN 978-0-582-3718-1

NOTE: You purchase the required text books, new or used, at the campus bookstore or through any online company.
Get the required text books right away, as you will need them to complete most of your assignments, starting in the second week of the semester. Links or copies to supplemental online readings are also found on the Blackboard course site.

Grading

Grades will be based on the following formula:     

• 11 weekly essays of 500 words minimum=20 points each (total 220 points)

•  12 weekly short writing assignments (including online discussions)  of  between 250-350 words=10 points each. (total 120 points)

•   2 Film papers of 750 words minimum= 40 points each. (total 80 points)

•  2  unit papers of 1250 words minimum=80 points each. (total 160 points)

How to Access Blackboard:
To log on to Bb point your web browser to http://bb.wpunj.edu and click the Login button in the upper left. Then enter your username and password in the spaces provided and click login again -- you'll find your course Bb sites listed on the right.

Some things to be aware of as you work with Blackboard:

1. You probably won't find all your courses listed; the only ones that will appear are those that have been activated by the professor teaching the course. Professors who don't use Blackboard will not activate their courses.
2. Your username is comprised of your lastname and firstinitial, usually appended with a numeral. If you don't know your WPUNJ system username password you can use the Username lookup link at http://bb.wpunj.edu , or go to it directly at: https://webapps.wpunj.edu/misc/username_lookup/username_lookup.cfm
3. If you are already logged in to the WPUNJ system through WPConnect you won't have to re-enter your username and password -- just click the first login button.
4. Extensive Bb help, including a number of dynamic animations, can be found at http://bb.wpunj.edu
5. You can always obtain Bb help by using the Problem Report form at http://bb.wpunj.edu , or by going to it directly at: http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/bb/sc/ .

WPUNJ Student Email:
To log on to WPUNJ Student Email point your web browser to http://student.wpunj.edu and enter your username, then RETURN. A dialogue box will pop up, into when you re-enter your username and password, then RETURN.

Some things to be aware of as you work with Student email:

1. Blackboard courses will use student email; third-party email addresses will not work on Bb.
2. If you are already logged in to the WPUNJ system through WPConnect you won't have to re-enter your username and password -- just click the Email tab.