Overview 

• Course Description: This course teaches students how to interpret information from handwritten records from a variety of languages in the United States and Europe.
• Credits: 3

This course should be taken early in the Family History Research program because it will give students the foundation needed to read documents in genealogical research. With this knowledge, students will have the skill and confidence to accurately decipher handwritten records, and be better prepared to conduct research and analysis in the field of Family History.

Requirements 

Prerequisites 

There are no course prerequisites for this course; however, it would be beneficial to have already taken REL 261 and FHGEN 110 and to have already taken or currently be taking FHGEN 120. Students need basic computer skills to be successful in the course. Please note that this course does not teach students basic computer skills. Students should already be quite familiar with using a computer before starting this course. To help ensure that students do possess the necessary skills, students will complete a technical skills inventory and quiz in FHGEN 120. 

Required Resources 

Read the information in the Textbook Information module to learn how to access your textbook. 

Resource Title/Description	Author/Provider	Ed./Vol.	13-Digit ISBN (if applicable)
Paleography for Family and Local Historians (Available for free through the BYU-Idaho library)	Marshall, Hillary	2nd
Latin for Local and Family Historians (Optional) (Available for free through the BYU-Idaho library)	Stuart, Dennis	1st	N/A
German English Genealogical Dictionary (Optional) (Available for free through the BYU-Idaho library)	Thode, Ernest	7th	9780806361307
Microphone and webcam for your computer	-	-	-

Proctored Exams and Assessments

This course will use an online proctoring software called Proctorio. This makes it possible for students to take assessments and exams without a human proctor present. Proctored exams can be accessed like any other exam, once the software has been installed. Exams will be recorded by Proctorio and reviewed by the BYUI Testing Center. Any questionable exams will be forwarded to the instructor for further review.

For step-by-step instructions on Proctorio installation, please refer to this help guide article (Links to an external site.).

Structure

Course Outcomes (CO) 

1. Students will accurately decipher elements of handwritten documents.
2. Students will accurately transcribe a handwritten document.
3. Students will produce an accurate translation of records handwritten in old English.
4. Students will accurately decipher elements of handwritten documents in Latin, German, or Scandinavian languages.
5. Students will accurately transcribe a handwritten document in Latin, German, or Scandinavian languages.
6. Students will produce an accurate translation of records handwritten in Latin, German, or Scandinavian languages.

Course Map

Major Assignments

The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes (CO).

Major Assignment	Description	CO#
W03 Exam	This exam will test your ability to decipher difficult elements in handwritten documents.	1
W05 Assignment: Transcription	This assignment will require you to transcribe a handwritten document.	2
W07 Assignment: Translation	This assignment will require you to translate a handwritten document.	3
W09 Exam	This exam will test your ability to decipher difficult elements in handwritten documents from other languages.	4
W11 Assignment: Transcription	This assignment will require you to transcribe a handwritten document from a different language.	5
W13 Assignment: Translation	This assignment will require you to translate a handwritten document from a different language.	6
W14 Exam: Final	This exam will test your abilities to decipher, transcribe, and translate handwritten documents both from English and another language.	All

Weekly Patterns

The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions.

Due Date*	Learning Model	Activity Title	Description
Midweek	Prepare	Study	Study materials will provide a background in certain scripts to prepare for the week.
Midweek	Prepare	Quiz	Questions will provide different examples to practice skills learned from reading.
Midweek	Teach One Another	Topic Discussion	Topics for the class or groups to discuss that will strengthen understanding of projects and assignments.
End-of-Week	Prepare	Quiz	Questions will provide different examples to practice skills learned from reading.
End-of-Week	Prove	Assignment	Some weeks will include exams that will test your skills to decipher certain elements of handwriting. Some weeks will have an assignment that will require you to transcribe or translate a provided handwritten document.

*Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.

All quizzes, exams and practices in this course are open book and open note.

Learning Model

The course follows the BYU-Idaho Learning Model with a weekly cycle of Prepare, Teach One Another, and Ponder and Prove activities.

Prepare:
You will prepare by completing readings and coursework. You will analyze historical documents to learn different types of handwriting used in various time periods and practice writing in the historical styles.
Teach One Another:
You will teach one another through discussion board interactions and peer review assignments. You may also have assignments to teach other people in your life and share those experiences with the class.
Ponder and Prove:
You will demonstrate your skills by completing transcription assignments, translations, and assessments (quizzes).

This is not an independent study course. The group teaching and learning activities require you to cover material at the same time and the same pace.

Expectations 

Workload 

You are expected to put in 9–12 hours of work each week for this course.

Group Work 

There are no group assignments in this course.  However, in the second half of the course, you will be choosing a language (German, Latin, or Scandinavian) to work on. This will help build your skills in interpreting handwritten documents from another language.  Since this half of the semester will require looking into unfamiliar languages, we are providing an optional study group page to work with other students who are learning the same language.  These groups are completely optional but are intended to be a support forum as you work through learning writing elements of other languages.

Late Work 

As a sign of professionalism and respect, you should complete your work on time. However, your instructor has the discretion to accept late work or extend due dates as appropriate. If you feel you are unable to complete your work by the deadline, contact your instructor promptly and explain your situation. If your request for an extension is granted, be aware there may be a grade reduction penalty. 

Retries 

Retries or re-submissions are also allowed at the discretion of the instructor. 

Extra Credit 

From time to time, extra credit may be offered at the discretion of the instructor.

Writing Requirements

As you complete your assignments throughout the semester, you will be graded on grammar and spelling. As a professional genealogist, you will be expected to compose documents in a professional manner. Grammar and spelling errors reflect poorly on your business. Spend the time to learn to become a good writer. There are many resources available to help you with this task. BYU-Idaho also offers its Writing Center services here.

While writing, make sure that all work is original. If you use other sources, make sure to cite them properly. Plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment and possibly the course. Read the following guidelines about plagiarism on BYU-Idaho’s Academic Honesty site.

Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Grading Scale
A	93% and above
A-	90 - 92.9%
B+	87 - 89.9%
B	83 - 86.9%
B-	80 - 82.9%
C+	77 - 79.9%
C	73 - 76.9%
C-	70 - 72.9%
D+	67 - 69.9%
D	63 - 66.9%
D-	60 - 62.9%
F	59.9% and below

Plagiarism (stealing or passing off the ideas of another as your own without giving credit) of any kind will not be tolerated. Any form of plagiarism, cheating, or attempt to deceive will result in a failing grade.

Copyright

Materials on BYU-Idaho I-Learn and related sites may be protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code). These materials are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

University Resources

If you need assistance, visit the I-learn help tab located on the left hand side of your screen to contact the appropriate support center.

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

• Student Honor
  • Academic Honesty
  • Student Conduct
    • Sexual Harassment
• Student with Disabilities
• Complaints and Grievances
• Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.