United States History I Syllabus for 2016-2017
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

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

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• 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.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

HIST-1301-008 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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

You are required to obtain the following books at the beginning of the semester:

The American Nation Fifteenth Edition Volume 1 by Mark Carnes

• You will receive an unbound paper copy of your textbook that you can place in a 3-ring binder and a card with an access code for REVEL. You will be using both during the course.
• REVEL is a web based content delivery platform. You will be experiencing your textbook through REVEL: in addition to the written text, REVEL includes multimedia such as videos and interactive maps, the option to listen to the text being read by a narrator, and quizzes that will help you learn the material. You are required to use the REVEL version of your text.
• If you cannot obtain your text immediately, REVEL provides a 14 day free temporary access period, so not having your text will not be an acceptable excuse for missing assignments.
• The in-class portion of the class will feature many activities that will require you to use your text, so having the paper copy will be necessary. Additionally, exams will be open book and open note so not having a paper copy could disadvantage you.

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.

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 are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures, particularly those relating to academic integrity and personal conduct. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be dealt with harshly; of particular importance is properly citing the sources you use in written work and not collaborating with other students during exams. You will be respectful of your peers during class discussions.

It is only acceptable to use outside sources when specifically instructed: your texts provide plenty of material to work with. It is never acceptable to use non-scholarly internet sources: use of unauthorized sources in an assignment will result in it receiving a failing grade.

Course materials, including assignments, handouts, lectures, 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 to the Internet without your professor’s express written permission.

You may not record class with audio or video recording equipment without permission; if permission is granted, you agree to only use said recordings only for your own personal educational purposes and will not reproduce, distribute, sell, barter, or publicly post the recordings without your professor’s express written permission.

You are responsible for taking the proper steps to solve technical problems with technology used during the class: a list of support resources has been provided for you under the “help” section of the course’s Blackboard site. It it particularly important to give yourself enough time to work through technical issues before due dates because technical problems will not usually be an acceptable excuse for late work.

Your professor is not a technical support person and will simply refer you to the “help” section if you come to him with technical problems; it is appropriate, however, to speak with him if you are unable to reach a resolution after consulting the appropriate resources.

The best way to get in touch with your professor is through email. Please use Blackboard’s email tool, linked to in the course menu, not your personal email or school email through ACConnect.

Please observe the proper etiquette for business emails when contacting your professor: provide a descriptive yet concise subject in addition to a professional salutation (such as Hi) and closing (such as Sincerely); additionally, you should write in complete sentences and avoid net- or text-speak. Your professor earned his PhD, so it is appropriate to address him as Doctor (abbreviated Dr.). Most workplaces use email, so this should be good practice for you.

Email is not an instantaneous form of communication, so give your recipient time to respond. Dr. Fauss checks his email at least once a day Monday through Friday, which means that usually, but not always, you will get a response within 24 hours.

Grading Criteria

There will be three exams that you will take on Blackboard: each will consist of 45 multiple choice questions. You will be allowed to use notes and your textbook during the exam. The average of the two highest exams will be 40% of your course grade (20% each). 

You will be completing eight assignments in REVEL: the assignments will be worth 10% of your course grade.

You will write two papers during the Reacting to the Past game. One paper will be submitted early in the game and the other will be due at the end. The first paper will be 20% of your course grade, the second 10%.

You will be assessed on your participation during the Reacting to the Past game. You will be expected to participate in online discussions related to the game and in class when the game is being played. Participation will be 20% 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; your course average is calculated as a running weighted total.

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 next highest integer.

Late papers will only be considered if you submit a “request to complete late work” form (available on Blackboard) by the end of class on the due date and abide by the stipulations specified on the form; exceptions to this rule will only be granted in true emergencies. No make ups will be given for missed exams.

Attendance

Attendance is critical for your success in this course: you cannot expect to do well on exams and your papers if you miss class, and your participation grade will suffer if you miss class during Reacting to the Past. Excessive absences will trigger an intervention by your academic advisor.

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

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.

The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and calendar if needed.