Help

Help with class content: Lisa M. Lane, your instructor: See this page below for specifics about doing facts, interpretation, and themes for homework and quizzes. E-mail Lisa at llane@miracosta.edu.

Help with Blackboard: See the Cybercosta Contacts and Help page, or contact Karen Korstad at kkorstad@miracosta.edu. She's great with Blackboard!

Need help? Some options:
For help with course content/requirements: E-mail me
For when your computer or printer goes down: go to the computer labs on campus
For free tutoring: go to Tutorial Services

Special Services
A student with a verified disability may be entitled to appropriate academic accomodations. Please contact the Disabled Students Program and Services Office (ext. 6658 in Oceanside) or the office of the ADA Coordinator (Carol Rodriguez at ext. 6866).

Help with Coursework

Knowledge begins with the facts (C-level knowledge), proceeds to interpretation (B-level), and ends with analysis (A-level).
See a chart showing this progression: The A-B-C Chart

Then view the Tutorial on my Home Page.

Definition: Factual knowledge is the most basic, and good factual knowledge is roughly equivalent to a "C" grade in college work. Examples might be:

• defining the terms in the textbook chapter
• describing a topic
• describing what a document says, when it was written, who wrote it
• listing what happened
• memorizing events
• in group, contributing only factual material from reading or unit work

  Homework example: Definition
  The Titanic: huge luxury ocean liner, sank on its maiden voyage when it collided with an iceberg in April 1912, killing about 1500 passengers

  Hint: list who, what, when and where for each term
  

Interpretive knowledge is more advanced, because it interprets the facts. Interpretation is roughly equivalent to a "B" grade in college work. Examples might be:

• explaining why an event occurred
• knowing the causes and effects of events
• showing how a primary document proves a thesis you've created
• placing people, events, and circumstances in their historical context
• interpreting the facts in a chapter
• in group, explaining interpretations to the group

  Homework example: Significance
  The Titanic was important because its sinking caused safety standards to be revised for ships.

  Hint: use phrases like "was important because...", look for the cause or effect of the term

Analytical knowledge is the most advanced and abstract. It assumes knowledge of facts and the ability to interpret them. It sets information and interpretation within both a deep and broad context. Analysis is roughly equivalent to an "A" grade in college work. Examples might be:

• placing historical events within a larger theme
• noting trends that have occurred over time and across locations
• creating a thesis which explains how the facts and interpretations fit into a larger context
• demonstrating patterns and relationships among facts and interpretations
• using primary sources to show historical trends
• in group, comparing and contrasting historical events over time

  Homework example: Theme
  The Titanic represents a trend of a disaster leading to needed safety improvements.

  Hint: use phrasing like "represents the trend of", consider the terms as just an example of a larger theme that crosses time and place, think of theme as a thesis statement for a persuasive paper