Class Review for Future AMS 111 Students

What can I say? American Studies 111 is a history elective focused on American experiences in the face of armed conflicts. For those who detest history, turn back. However, for those who are interested in history, especially that of our great country, you will encounter certain aspects of our nation during such times as the Civil War, World War II, and more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This course truly did open up my eyes to certain things that I did not know previously on these topics.
I didn't know what to expect with this course until the first day. As Professor Swihart read over the syllabus, I said to myself, "You must be kidding me!!" Almost every class throughout the semester, you are required to read anywhere from 1-3 articles, some short (2-3 pages), some long (20-25 pages), and then hand in at least a one page summary (either handwritten or typed double-spaced), the next class. In class, you will then discuss what you have read.
Though it seemed like a lot of work, there was ONE thing I saw in the syllabus. If you do all but three summaries up until the mid-term, you were EXEMPT, yes I said EXEMPT, from taking the mid-term. So basically it's just as good as a 100% on the mid-term. It said the same for the final as well. However, about midway through the course, Professor Swihart said that regardless of what anyone does with the summaries after the midterm, everyone must take the final. Though I didn't know the reason behind the sudden change, I just rolled with it (I must admit....I was a little angry....I still got love for you Professor!!). I didn't want to take a final, but he gave us the questions ahead of time in order to prepare for them before hand, which I thought was quite noble.
I wish this course would have fulfilled a writing intensive requirement (which it could have), but did not. However, I do believe that this coming semester (Spring 08'), this couse is given as a writing intensive course. A little too late for me, but now you can expect that there will be a decent amount of writing in a course when it is considered "Writing Intensive". If I would have known there would have been this much writing involved, I wouldn't have registered for the course. Although, if it fulfilled a writing intensive requirement, then that would have been a whole different story. All in all, I did enjoy the course and what it had to offer, despite the sometimes demanding work schedule.

My Advice to Prospective Students:

1) If Professor Swihart offers that same deal of doing all but three summaries and you are exempt from the mid-term, try to do it. It only benefits you and your grade because not only are you doing all the summaries, which are weighted the most at 40% of your grade, but you also will get an automatic 100% on the mid-term and don't have to worry about. Whatever the case may be, try not to fall too behind in the summaries because IT WILL get overwheming.

2)Staple your work!! He will take points off...

3)Once again, if you are not a history buff, or you don't like to read and write too much, this is not the course for you. (Though this coming semester you will receive a writing intensive credit for your work....much like the one I think my class deserved. But...what is, is what is!!)