United States History I Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

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Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

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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.

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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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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Course

HIST-1301-005 United States History I

Prerequisites

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

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The American Yawp: A Massively Collaborative Open U.S. History Textbook. Stanford University Press, 2023. Available at  

This text is required. If you would like to purchase a print copy of this textbook, you may do so online.

Supplies

Basic supplies for taking notes are needed each day. Access to a reliable desktop or laptop computer, reliable internet connection, and textbook are required.

Mozilla Firefox must be installed as an available web browser. You will use this browser when accessing Blackboard and your textbook website. Other browsers such as Safari and Microsoft Edge are incompatible with the tools we will be using.

If you do not have Mozilla Firefox on your devices, find free download options here: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

You must have Microsoft Word or access to it for the writing portion of this course.

Student Performance

This is an 8-week lecture course. It is fast-paced. To be successful, become familiar with the syllabus and course schedule and follow these carefully. You must have full access to a working computer (desktop or laptop) and to the internet so you can complete assigned coursework. You will not be able to complete coursework using your smartphone, since some of the Blackboard functions you will be using may not work properly using smartphone or tablet technology.

Attend class every day ready to contribute to discussion, ask questions, learn, and share your observations. You must attend class in order to achieve a passing grade. If you are having challenges with class attendance, please contact me immediately.

You must be prepared to complete coursework online, work with others in class, and be a self-starter to be successful. You must be committed to completing readings and other assignments in a timely manner, and come to class prepared to discuss topics outlined in the course schedule.

As a student in this class, you can expect me to be prepared to teach you each day, and to answer your questions about the topics we discuss. I will respond to emails and other communications within 24 hours on weekdays, and will work to help you achieve the course objectives in this class.

Tutoring Policy

If you have earned a score of 75% or lower, you are required to attend tutoring. If you have earned a score of 75% or below, you need to speak with me immediately to begin your tutoring assignment. When you receive your tutoring assignment, you need to complete it quickly so you can move forward in the course. Tutoring assignments will focus on specific skills you need to improve.

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

Course Time and Location:

Class Time: Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM                      

Location: Dutton Hall Room 201

Course Objectives

Throughout this course, students will:

1. Identify, define, and explain perspectives, ideas, ethical challenges, cultures, classes, individuals, and events in American history.
2. Determine and explain motivations of peoples you will study, and evaluate how their motives guided their actions.
3. Compare perspectives of peoples living in the Americas throughout this time.
4. Assess how events in American history shaped and were shaped by its citizens, the environment, ideas, and other historical factors.
5. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence
6. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources
7. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of United States history.

Classroom Preparedness and Conduct

Come to class prepared to learn and contribute each day by completing assignments on time. Bring a notebook, pencil or pen, and your book to all class meetings. You will use these for taking notes and participating in class activities.

Acceptable student behavior is explained in the Student Handbook and is listed under the heading: “Student Conduct & Responsibilities." It is your responsibility to know and abide by this code of conduct while a student at Amarillo College.

Show courtesy to every individual in the classroom. Disrespecting others on any basis is inappropriate. Be mindful and respectful of one another, and use this opportunity to learn more about differing viewpoints and experiences.

Cell phone use including texting and taking calls during class is rude and will harm your participation grade. Using phones is acceptable when technology is required for specific activities in class. Otherwise, turn your cell phones off, and remove earbuds and headphones even if your phone is turned off before class begins.

Administrative Drop Policy

Amarillo College attendance policy includes a provision to automatically drop students who do not attend class and complete at least one meaningful assignment during the first week of class. For this class, you must complete an assignment and attend class during the first five days of the course. Make sure you have fulfilled these requirements. 

Academic Honesty

Honesty is fundamental to good character, and I expect you to follow high standards of academic integrity. This may be your first time in college, and specific expectations may not be clear to you. Below, see the basic standards expected of you.

Amarillo College English and Cultural Studies Department

Plagiarism, Collusion, and Cheating Policy, Revised Spring 2024

The English and Cultural Studies Department takes academic integrity seriously.  Scholastic dishonesty, punishable as prescribed by Board policies, shall include, but not be limited to plagiarism, collusion, and cheating on a test or written assignment.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as “using exact words from any outside source without using quotation marks or properly citing them; paraphrasing words from any outside source without citing them; or using research from any outside source without citing it.”

Self-Plagiarism

Self-plagiarism is defined as turning in your own previous work to meet a current assignment.  This policy will be amended at the discretion of each individual instructor. 

Collusion

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI (like ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. 

Cheating

“Cheating on a test” shall include:

1. Copying from another student’s test paper.
2. Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
3. Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator.
4. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of a pending test.
5. The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the pending test.
6. Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
7. Bribing another person to obtain a pending test or information about a pending test.

Statement of Consequences

If you plagiarize, cheat, or collude, you will face consequences. Ignorance of the policy is not an excuse. Any work produced in part or in whole through plagiarism, collusion, or cheating may receive a penalty up to and including a zero for the assignment.  After assigning a zero, a subsequent infraction will result in a meeting the head of the Department and possible expulsion from the class. Another incident will result in a referral to the Vice President of Enrollment Management.

Tools are available to help you fulfill these expectations. For your writing assignments, you will have access to Turnitin plagiarism tools to help you evaluate your work. If you find any issues with your rough draft, for example, you can correct them before you turn in your final draft.

Student Support

College expectations, personal and work pressures, and unexpected events in life can be challenging. There is help available for anyone dealing with depression, grief, loss, anxiety, addiction, etc. Amarillo College Social Services can help. Their contact number is 806-371-5439. Services are professional and confidential. Follow this link to view these services: https://www.actx.edu/socialservices/ .

A variety of others services are also available through ARC, Amarillo college's Advocacy and Resource Center. See what they have to offer at https://www.actx.edu/arc/advocacy-and-resource-center

Grading Criteria

Course Work

Assignments are listed in your course schedule and in your weekly checklists. All assignments are available in Blackboard, on the companion website for your textbook, or provided in class. Review the syllabus and schedule often to check due dates and course expectations. You are responsible for completing all assignments 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 first. If you need more help, contact me at least two days before the assignment is due and I will be glad to assist you.

You will use Blackboard and the companion website for your textbook for these functions:

• Communicating with your instructor and classmates
• Accessing and completing course content including assignments, study aids, primary source materials, content mastery tools, skills tutorials and assignments, and other materials
• Completing assessments
• Completing other coursework as assigned
• Viewing grades

Communication

Our primary communication will be in person or through the message function in Blackboard. You will need to check your messages regularly, and also check your college email for important updates and announcements.

Course Work and Grading Policy

In this class, you will have many opportunities to explore American History and develop critical thinking skills. Below, you will find explanations and values for each assignment and assessment type included in the course. A note about grading: I begin grading each assignment the day after the due date has passed. For written work such as your Common Assessment, it may take up to about two weeks to return your grades to you, though some grades post immediately. I am available to discuss your grades with you, and it is always a good idea to come chat with me about your progress in the course.
 

In-Class Discussions, Activities, and Attendance

• Attendance is directly connected to your success; each day that you are present, participating, and completing in-class projects, you will earn attendance points. Students may be divided into teams for discussions, activities, and study. Full participation in these groups is necessary for you to be successful in the class, and points will be assessed for each activity. The total score from this category counts for a total of 20% of your final grade.

Readings Assignments, Readings Quizzes

• Weekly readings will include material from The American Yawp, a free, online textbook. You will complete two to three chapters of reading each week. Come to class prepared to comment on what you have read. For each chapter, you will also complete Quizzes. There are two attempts for each quiz, and I will drop the lowest quiz score. The average score from readings quizzes will count for a total of 20% of your final grade.

Presentation Responses

• There will be recorded presentations or films for you to watch and respond to on your own outside of class. These presentation focus more closely on specific subjects such as the early Industrial Revolution and the Second Great Awakening. Assignments from this category are worth 20% of your final grade.

Common Assessment

• The Common Assessment is your term paper for the course. This project will include analyzing primary documents in the context of the Revolutionary Era and writing a letter to the editor regarding your position on the the topics of the time. This project opens during the second week of class. This project counts for 10% of your final grade.

Skills Assignments

• Skills in document analysis, writing, and editing are valuable for all fields and are a part of completing a quality education. In History, they are particularly valuable as you gain a better understanding of our past. In this class, you will learn and apply some of these basic skills through completing skills lessons combined with your Common Assessment. Skills assignments count for 5% of your final grade.

Exams

• You will have two major exams. They will include multiple choice, essay, true/false, matching, fill in-the blank, short answer questions, and essays. I will provide you with a review sheet before each exam. Questions are from the book, assigned source materials, quizzes, class activities, and lectures. Exams are worth 25% of your final grade.

Extra Credit

• Students may complete extra credit throughout the semester. You may earn up to 25 points during the term. Extra credit opportunities will be announced in class and in Blackboard.

Grading

• In-Class Discussions, Activities, and Attendance: 20%
• Reading Assignments and Quizzes: 20%
• Presentation Responses: 20%
• Common Assessment: 10%
• Skills Assignments: 5%
• Exams: 25%

Grade Breakdown:

• A: 90%-100%
• B: 80%-89%
• C: 70%-79%
• D: 60%-69%
• F: 59% and below

Attendance

Attendance is vital to your success in this class and is required. There are times when absences cannot be avoided due to a variety of reasons including illness, emergencies, or travel for athletic or educational purposes. If this occurs, contact me immediately.  If you must miss class due to college activities or business, have your 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

If you are not doing as well as you had expected in this course and are concerned about your progress, please speak to me about your concerns. I will be glad to help you.