A careful examination of the syllabi of courses offered by the History Department during the summer of 2002 reveals that the instructors adapted their courses to summer time limitations in ways that allowed students time for preparation, reflection and analysis without diluting the rigor or abridging the central content of the courses.  Teachers made a variety of course adjustments.  Dr. Steely, in his History 1112: World Civilization II, required one less examination than he does when the course is offered during the full-length fall or spring semester.  This provided the students with more time for reading and reflection than they would have had under the pressure of studying for the usual three exams.  Other professors, such as Dr. Ron Love in his History 1111: World Civilization I course, Dr. Keith Bohannon in History 2111: American Civilization I, and Dr. Steve Goodson in his History 4485 course, required fewer outside readings in their summer courses than they do in their fall and spring courses.  Students thus focus more on core readings and most important material.  While, consequently, they do not read as many pages as students do during other semesters, summer course make their own demands—longer class sessions, requirements that students over the material and prepare assignments in a shorter amount of time—that compensate for the fewer assignments in other areas.

Examination of the syllabi makes clear that History Department faculty members approach their summer duties seriously and conscientiously.  They make adaptations to fit the subject matter to the shortened sessions, while working to ensure that summer students get what they need to meet the learning outcomes from the courses and that they are, in no way, shortchanged.

[Report submitted by Dr. Steve Goodson, Fall 2002]