In this course, you will learn material that will provide the necessary background for students who may have an interest in American Studies or Legal History.

You will learn by reading an interesting and detailed textbook written by the most prominent individuals in their respective fields.  Other course activities include suggested journal articles, power point presentations, instructor's short lectures on topics, museum visits, three examinations, Blackborad assignments, and a formal paper.

What you learn in this course will benefit you by the improvement of your reading and writing skills as well as a detailed knowledge of British History.  There are many other reasons for you to study British History.  It will provide you with an essential prerequisite for understanding the history of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia.   For example, the city of Alexandria has long maintained a connection with its sister city of Dundee, Scotland and has assiduously cultivated its inheritance from the past.  This is much in evidence during the Christmas Walk and other celebrations held in alexandria during the early weeks of December. 

Prerequisites

The following are required for entry into this course:

• You must have the ability to read and retain information.
• You must be able to communicate your ideas in writing 
• You  must have the ability to work independently.
• You  must be able to accept the responsibility for learning the social, economic, political and cultural evolution of English history without the assistance of the traditional  lecture-notetaking format.
• If you want to be successful in this course, you must be self-disciplined, self-motivated, and the persistence to learn the technology needed for this course.  You  must be willing to keep up with the reading, turn in your assignments on time, and take your exams in the Testing Center at the assigned period.

If you complete this course and do well, you will be able to:

• understand the social, economic, political and cultural institutions of the British past and present.
• understand the background of American institutions and especially the legal system and the general history of North America.
• complete independent study projects that will provide an opportunity to pursue a specific goal at your own pace. 
• experience a wide range of course opportunities that will contribute to your intellectual development through reading assignments, journal articles, the research paper, field trips, and internet assignments.
• develop broad concepts that will help you understand collective behavior, conflict, British culture, regionalism, industrialization, religion, and modernization.
• improvement of your reading, writing, and communication skills.

The required textbook for this course is:

TEXTBOOK

• Roberts, Clayton; Roberts, David; and Bisson, Douglas R., A History of England, Volume I: Prehistory to 1714,.latest edition, paperback 

  ISBN: 0-13-206475-8

• Roberts, Clayton; Roberts, David; and Bisson, Douglas R. A History of England, Volume II: 1688 to the Present, latest edition, paperback.

  ISBN: 0-13-206483-9

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Your course grade will be determined by the following points.

There are 3 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : jbraden@nvcc.edu
Telephone : 703-845-6357

You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office in Loudoun.

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.