United States History I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

HIST-1301-012 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Out of Many: A History of the American People, Volume I. 8th Edition. Books a la carte.  2016. Faragher, et al. ISBN#9780205962488.

Supplies

Pencil, pen, and notebook; access to a reliable computer and reliable internet connection.

Student Performance

No performance information available

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

            You must be prepared to complete coursework online and be a self-starter in order to be successful in this class. This means that you must be committed to completing readings and other assignments in a timely manner, and be able to discuss these in class. Come to class prepared to learn each day. Complete any assigned material including reading and assignments. Bring a notebook, pencil or pen, and your book. Come willing to learn and contribute.

Acceptable student behavior is noted in the Student Handbook, and is listed under the heading: “Student Conduct & Responsibilities” beginning on page 16 and continuing through page 17. Consequences for violations of the Code immediately follow and explanation of expectations. It is your responsibility to know and abide by this code of conduct while a student at Amarillo College.

You are expected to show respect for every individual in the classroom. Harassment or mocking of other students on any basis including religion, race, nationality, color, sex, physical or mental challenges, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. is inappropriate and will not be tolerated. Be mindful and respectful of one another.

Cell phone use including texting during class is rude and will harm your participation grade. If you have an emergency situation and need to take a call during class, let me know before class starts. There will be class activities during which you will be free to use your own technology such as smart phones. Otherwise, turn your cell phones off when you are in class. You must also remove headphones as soon as you enter the classroom. It is rude and disruptive to the learning environment to wear them during class.

Grading Criteria

Course Objectives

      Throughout this course, students will:

• Identify, define, and explain perspectives, ideas, cultures, classes, individuals, and events in early American history.
• Determine the motivations of peoples who lived during this time period. Evaluate how their ideas influenced their actions.
• Compare viewpoints of peoples living in the Americas throughout the time period covered.
• Assess how events in early American history helped shape and were shaped by the character of its citizens.
• Acquire and practice skills in critical thinking through reading, source analysis, listening, discussion, collaboration, and writing.

 

AC Connect will be used for the following functions:

• Communicating with your instructor and classmates
• Taking quizzes and exams
• Accessing course content including assignments and study aids
• Completing other coursework as assigned
• Viewing grades

      This is a hybrid 8-week course, and will likely be challenging for many of you. In order to be successful, you must have full access to a working computer and to the internet. You will not be able to complete coursework through use of a smartphone, since the Blackboard functions you will be using cannot be reliably accessed through smartphone or tablet technology. Additionally, you will be completing up to 50 pages of reading material a week; you must do this in order to be successful in the course.

Course Work

          There are a variety of activities, assignments and assessments that you will complete during this course. You are responsible for completing these in a timely manner. If you have questions about the requirements or are unsure about how to complete the work, consult the syllabus and the assignment instructions. If you are still in need of help, contact me and I will be glad to assist you. If you do need to contact me, please do so well before your assignment is due.

Readings

            Weekly assigned readings will include material from Out of Many: A History of the American People, vol. 1 and, occasionally, other sources. You will complete about two chapters of reading material each week and you are responsible for completing the reading assignments and may be called upon in class to comment upon them. If you have any difficulty acquiring the book or with your readings, let me know immediately. Your performance in this section is directly linked to your participation grade.

Assignment

            Prior to each assignment, I will provide you with instructions outlining specific expectations for it. On the day the assignment is due, you must be prepared to discuss your conclusions in class. You will have one formal assignment in this class: it will focus on an historical ethical dilemma from the time period covered in class. This project is worth 100 points.

 Exams/Quizzes

            You will have two major exams and six quizzes in this class. All exams and quizzes will be given online. Exams will consist of a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. I will provide you with a review sheet one week before each exam is given. Questions will be taken from the book, assigned source materials, quizzes, class activities, and lectures. Final Exam date TBA.

            The Midterm Exam covers all materials assigned and covered in lecture from the very first class day up until the day of the exam. The Final Exam is comprised of material covered between the midterm exam and the final. It will be in the same format as the midterm exam. Each of these exams is worth 150 points for a total of 300 points.

            You will take 6 quizzes during the semester. Quizzes are designed to check for understanding of the readings and to encourage mastery of reading materials. These will be based on assigned readings only, and will be available on AC Connect (in Blackboard) for the full week in which they are assigned. You may attempt each quiz four times, and will have until Saturday at 11:59 PM during the assigned week to take that week’s quiz. Quizzes are worth 50 points each, for a total of 300 points.

Participation

            Attendance is directly connected to your success; each day that you are present and participating, you will earn participation points. Students will be divided into teams for discussions, activities, and study. Full participation in these groups is necessary for you to be successful in the class.

            There will be four team activities that you will work on during the semester, these are worth 25 points each, for a total of 100 points. Attendance and participation beyond specified activities are worth 200 points.

Extra Credit

            Students in need of an extra boost to their grade may complete extra credit work. No more than 50 points of extra credit may be earned during the semester. Extra credit opportunities will be announced in class and on AC Connect (in Blackboard). Due dates will be noted and instructions given for each opportunity.

 Grade Values:      

Work completed in each category will be graded according to how well it adheres to the standards provided with each assignment. Points are assessed as follows:

Participation: 200

Team Activities: 100 points

Assignment: 100 points

6 Quizzes: 50 points each for a total of 300 points

Midterm Exam: 150

Final Exam: 150

 

Breakdown of Grades:

1000 total points available

900-1000 points= A

800-899 points-= B

700-799 points= C

600-699 points= D

0-599 points= F

Attendance

      Attendance is vital to your success in this class. There are times when absences cannot be avoided due to a variety of reasons including illness, emergencies, or travel for educational purposes. If this occurs, contact me immediately.  Any student who must miss class due to college activities or business must have his or her coach, director, or sponsor provide notice of the absence in advance of the activity. Such absences are excused if you notify me in advance.   

Calendar

Additional Information

Academic Honesty

          Copying another person’s work is unwise and dishonorable. Do not do it. Cheating of any kind is unacceptable; if you cheat, you will be dealt with as outlined in the Student Handbook. In other words, if you cheat, you will not get credit for the assignment or exam, and you may also face more serious consequences. This includes copying other students’ work on exams, quizzes, and assignments, as well as copying essays written by others. If you use someone else’s ideas, you must give them proper credit, though I expect you to learn how to articulate your own thoughts in this class. Integrity is vital to your success, and I expect you to exhibit this quality in all of your work.

 If you have any questions about this policy, please ask.

Unique Circumstances and ADA Policy

            If you require accommodations due to special needs, you must let me know immediately so that I can work with you. If you wait, for example, until the midterm exam before you disclose these needs, it will not be possible for you to retake exams or rewrite essays. You must also contact disAbility Services. They have provided this explanation:

“Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center, Room 122, Phone 345-5639) as soon as possible.”

            College expectations, personal and work pressures, and unexpected events in life are sometimes difficult to deal with. There is help available for anyone dealing with depression, grief, loss, anxiety, addiction, etc. The Amarillo College Social Services provides a variety of assistance options. The contact number for these services is 806-371-5439. Services are professional and confidential. Follow this link to view these services: https://www.actx.edu/socialservices/ . Please take advantage of them if you need to; they are there for you.

Emergencies

            If an emergency arises in which you are asked to evacuate the building, do so immediately. Be prepared for emergencies by learning the locations of exits, fire extinguishers, and other information. You will find this information posted throughout the building. It is your responsibility to become familiar with this information, and you should have Amarillo College emergency contact phone numbers entered in your cell phone.

           If you receive notice to evacuate the building, please evacuate promptly but in an orderly manner. Evacuation routes are posted in various locations and indicate all exits, outside assembly areas, locations of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations and emergency telephone numbers.

Possible Date Changes

Changes to due dates or lecture dates may be made at the discretion of the professor. If such changes occur, they will be announced in class and online, and will not lessen the time in which a student may complete the given coursework.