My name is Kyle Wilkison.  I am a member of the faculty of the Department of History of Collin College and I teach on the Spring Creek Campus.  But, I also teach wherever you may be through this online course.  Please keep in mind that you have a human teacher who is only an email message or telephone call away.  My office is located on the Spring Creek Campus of Collin College, Plano, Texas, in Suite G221, Office G223. My office telephone is (972) 881-5834 and my email address is Kwilkison@ccccd.edu.  

I want my students to succeed, both in the course and in their academic careers.  I predict that you can and will succeed if you commit sufficient effort and time to this course.  That sounds like something a teacher would say, doesn't it?  I have been teaching online students at Collin College for eight years, college History for twenty-five years, and hold the Ph.D. in History from Vanderbilt University (1995).  If you wish, you can see my curriculum vita (academic résumé) here.   

My office hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM and Tuesday afternoons, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Students are welcome to drop in at other times. The best method for reaching me is through email, however, which I check regularly. I usually respond to student emails within one or two days, excluding weekends.  If you need to reach me immediately and I am not at my office number, you may call the Social and Behavioral Sciences Office at 972-881-5800.

This course is on the Blackboard platform. Blackboard is an online environment which allows us to interact with each other and allows you to easily stay on top of your due dates and assignments.  It may take you a few tries to get the hang of it, but I think you will find it to be fairly simple.  All course information will be on the Blackboard management system.  You will access this course via CougarWeb on the first day of class.