United States History I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course

HIST-1301-005 United States History I

Prerequisites

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

Course Description

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural and intellectual history of the United States from the pre-Columbian era to the Civil War/Reconstruction period. United States History I includes the study of pre-Columbian, colonial, revolutionary, early national, slavery and sectionalism, and the Civil War/Reconstruction eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History I include: American settlement and diversity, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, and creation of the federal government.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

You are required to obtain the following books:

Give Me Liberty! Brief Fourth Edition Volume 1 by Eric Foner, ISBN 039392033X

​Patriots, Loyalists & Revolution In New York City, 1775-1776 Second Edition by Bill Offutt, ISBN 0393938891

Supplies

You are required to have regular access to a reliable computer with reliable internet access

Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period in United States history.
4. Express ideas persuasively through speech and writing
5. More effectively work together in teams

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

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

Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

Your work must be your own: academic dishonesty such as plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated and will be dealt with harshly.

It is critical for all of us to be respectful of each other during class in order to create a welcoming environment for the exchange of ideas.

In-class computer use is a privilege that may be revoked at any time: watching videos, checking Facebook, etc. is incredibly distracting to nearby students and will not be tolerated. Those using computers may be asked to sit in a designated section of the classroom.

Course materials, including lectures, handouts, and similar materials and derivative works such as course notes are protected by copyright and for personal educational use only, and may not be reproduced, distributed, sold, bartered, or publicly posted without my express written permission.

You may not record class with audio or video recording equipment unless it is part of a plan registered with disAbility services.

Grading Criteria

The following will be the graded components of this class:

There will be three quizzes: one, which will be taken in Blackboard, will cover your knowledge of the syllabus, and the other two, which will be given in class, will check knowledge and skills at critical points in the semester. The in-class quizzes will have written questions, and the syllabus quiz will be multiple choice. The quizzes will be 15% of your course grade (5% each).

There will be two exams administered in class: each will have a combination of multiple choice and written questions. The exams will be 40% of your course grade (20% each).

You will write two papers: one will help you prepare for a speech you are required to deliver during the Reacting to the Past portion of the class, and the other will present you with an ethical dilemma and ask you to discuss how you would resolve it using your experiences and values. Papers will be handed in using SafeAssign in Blackboard. The papers will be 30% of your course grade (15% each).

You will deliver an in-class speech: this will be scheduled during the Reacting to the Past portion of the class. The speech will be 5% of your course grade.

Finally, you will regularly attend class and participate in discussions (attendance/participation): absences will result in deductions from your attendance/participation grade. Attendance/participation will be 10% of your course grade.

You may view your grades and course average any time using the “My Grades” link in the course menu on Blackboard.

Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria:

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60 = F

Your final grade will be rounded to the nearest integer.

There will be no extra credit awarded in this course.

Attendance

Between 10:15 and 11:00, you must check in by using the classroom “black box” with your ID or Ellucian smartphone app. This and only this will generate your attendance record. You are responsible for doing this yourself.

Attendance is critical for your success in this course. You will lose 10% of your attendance/participation grade for each unexcused absence. Absences during the Reacting to the Past segment of class will receive a 20% deduction. Excessive absences will trigger an intervention by your academic advisor.

You must contact me as soon as possible if something comes up causing you to miss class. Missed assignments, exams and quizzes will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

It is your responsibility to obtain notes from a fellow student if you miss class: I will not hand out lecture notes to anybody.

if you do not attend class by 8/29, you will be administratively dropped from the class.

Calendar

Additional Information

This class features Reacting to the Past: a multi-week experience in which you will be stepping into the role of people in history and engaging in structured roleplaying. You will be taking on the role of men and women living in New York City before the American Revolution, working in teams to determine the fate of New York City as tension grows between the 13 Colonies and the British Empire.

I am committed to your success in my class: if you are having difficulty, please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible.  I will do my best to reach out to you if I see you are having difficulty, but don't wait for me to contact you if you are having trouble: the sooner in the class I can help you the better.