Welcome to HIS 269:Civil War and Reconstruction, offered by the Extended Learning Institute of Northern Virginia Community College. 

The textbook will provide the historical information that will help you understand and analyze events, trends, people, and concepts that are important. Video/Audio presentations and study questions are provided to assist you in organizing the information and preparing you for the examinations. Supplementing the above will be projects that will provide opportunities for you to visist sited of important battles and events or do historical research on topics of special interest to you. 

If you successfully complete this course, you will be able to: 

• Identify and describe the significance of events, people,and items listed in the identification study questions. 
• Organize information and write essay answers for the essay study questions. 
• Analyze important historical information and interpretations. 
• Give an overview of the origins, nature, and consequences of the Civil War and Reconstruction. 

The required textbook for this course is:

• James M. McPherson, ORDEAL BY FIRE: THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION

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

Your course grade will be determined by the introductory letter, 4 exams and 2 projects, according to the following points:

There are 4 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 : cpoland@nvcc.edu
Telephone : (703) 323-3776
You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person.

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.