History of the United States I Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

HIST-1301-036 History of the United States I

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

A general survey of United States history from the European background to the present. The study includes political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life in this country and follows the development of the United States as a world power.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Tindall, George B. & Shi, David E., America: A Narrative History,

Vol. I & II, Sixth ed., published by W.W. Norton & Co., 2004.

 ( Required reading for the student. School will provide.)

Supplies

Paper, pens, colored utensils as needed.

Student Performance

\ After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to:

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\ 1. Trace the development of a stable, democratic political system flexible enough to address the wholesale changes that occurred since the founding of the nation.
\ 2. Explain how this nation has been peopled from the first inhabitants to the many groups that arrived in slavery or servitude during the colonial period down to the voluntary immigrants of the Civil War era.
\ 3. Evaluate economic and technological changes as they have affected daily life, work, family organization, leisure, the division of wealth, and community relations.
\ 4. Delineate the role of religion in our nation prior 1877.
\ 5. Recount how the recurring reform movements in U.S. history dealt with economic, political, and social problems in attempting to make their ideals congruent with reality.
\ 6. Define the changes in our beliefs and values over time and describe how they have varied among different groups: women and men; non-whites and whites; and people of different regions, religions, and classes.
\ 7. Describe the role of geographical factors in the history of the U.S.
\ 8. Practice critical thinking and information retrieval skills.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

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If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Failure to comply with lawful direction of a classroom instructor is a disruption for all students enrolled in the class.

Cheating violations include, but are not limited to: (1) obtaining an examination , classroom activity, or laboratory exercise  by stealing or collusion; (2) discovering the content of an examination , classroom activity, laboratory exercise, or homework assignment  before it is given; (3) using an unauthorized source of information during an examination , classroom activity, laboratory exercise, or homework assignment ; (4) entering an office or building to obtain unfair advantage; (5) taking an examination for another person; (6) completing a classroom activity, laboratory exercise, homework assignment, or research paper for another person;  (7) altering grade records; (8) using any unauthorized  form of electronic communication device during an examination, classroom activity, or laboratory exercise;  (9) Plagiarism.  Plagiarism is the using, stating, offering, or reporting as one’s own, an idea, expression, or production of another person without proper credit.

Disciplinary actions for cheating in a course are at the discretion of the individual instructor.  The instructor of that course will file a report with the Dean of Students when a student is caught cheating in the course, whether it be a workforce or academic course.  The report shall include the course, instructor, student’s name, and the type of cheating involved.

Students who are reported as cheating to the Dean of Students more than once shall be disciplined by the Dean.  The Dean will notify all involved parties within fourteen days of any action taken.

Grading Criteria

The grade will be taken from quizzes, tests, & lecture response.


Exams: There will be four major examinations during the semester including a final exam on Tues.  Dec 6th. Students may drop the lowest grade on one exam other than the final. Students may not drop the final exam. Exams will be multiple choice with 1-3 essay questions or project oriented and cover both the readings and the lectures.

Makeup Exams:There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with the instructor. If a student misses an exam, that exam automatically becomes the one that the student must drop. If the student misses a second exam, then the student must arrange with the instructor to take an essay makeup exam.There will be four tests during the semester, one of which will be the non-comprehensive Final Test.    

Quizzes will come from your Review Questions.       

Class Work will consist of various assignments and activities. Review Questions will be handed out at the beginning of every chapter to help you focus your readings.  Students are expected to respond to primary sources; using knowledge gained from lecture notes and readings.

The final grade in this course will be determined by the following:

Test  50%      Quiz /Project 40%     Class Work 10%

Attendance will be averaged in your final grade.

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60 = F

Academic dishonesty:
Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Some collaboration with other students on projects is acceptable on the Review Questions it  is NOT ACCEPTABLE; students must do their own work. Papers which bear a striking resemblance to the work of other students will not be accepted. If the instructor determines that a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment.
 

Attendance

Amarillo College Attendance Policy:   Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.

Class participation grade:Since some portion of the readings will be presented and discussed in class during virtually every class period, all students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion. It is obviously impossible to add much to classroom discussion if you are absent, therefore, attendance is considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade. Class participation is 10% of the final grade and it is based primarily on attendance, but the instructor reserves the right to deduct up to all ten points from the class participation grade for behavior detrimental to the class. For example, a student who misses 20% of the class periods will probably receive only 8 of the possible 10 percentage points for the class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor. Students who continually exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise detrimental behavior may receive a zero for their class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if necessary.