Texas History 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.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

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

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

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.

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-2301-001 Texas History

Prerequisites

Course Description

A survey of the political, social, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of TExas from the pre-Columbian era to the present. Themes that may be addressed in Texas History include: Spanish colonization and Spanish Texas; Mexican Texas; the Republic of Texas; statehood and secession; oil, industrialization, and urbanization; civil rights; and modern Texas.

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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The History of Texas, Sixth Edition. Robert A. Calvert, Arnoldo De Leon, and Gregg Cantrell. Published by Wiley Blackwell, 2020. ISBN: 1119581435.

This textbook is required for the course.

Supplies

You must have a working computer with a stable internet connection. 

Required web browsers are Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

Note-taking supplies.

Student Performance

Course Overview

This is a hybrid, 8-week survey course covering major topics in Texas History. As part of learning about these topics, you will also learn how to think critically about historical events. This will include acquiring historical skills and literacy, critical thinking, document analysis, and writing.

You must be prepared to complete coursework online and in class 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. Ultimately, you are responsible for your performance in class. This means you are responsible for knowing due dates, completing coursework, attending class, and turning your work in properly.

You will have tools to help you stay on track and complete your work successfully. Your first tool is your syllabus. Read it carefully! You have other tools for a successful semester in Blackboard. Your Blackboard course page includes specific information for how you will proceed through the course. Begin with the "Start Here" section, and follow all directions carefully.

Course Objectives

Throughout this course, you will:

• Identify, define, and explain perspectives, ideas, cultures, classes, individuals, influences, and events in Texas History.
• Compare viewpoints of peoples living during this time.
• Assess and articulate how events in Texas History helped shape and were shaped by the character of its citizens.
• Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
• Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources
• Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of Texas history.

Accessing the Course

You will use Blackboard (accessed through AC Connect) for the following functions:

• Communicating with your instructor and classmates (Use the message function inside the course page)
• Taking quizzes and exams
• Accessing unit assignments and exams
• Completing coursework as assigned
• Viewing grades

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

Classroom Conduct

Come to the classroom prepared to learn and engage with the class. Complete assignments and exams on time. Bring all required materials and your enthusiasm for learning to class every day!

Acceptable student behavior is noted in the Student Handbook, and is listed under the heading: “Student Conduct & Responsibilities.” Consequences for violations of the Code immediately follow the explanation of expectations section. It is your responsibility to know and abide by this code of conduct while a student at Amarillo College. Beyond these requirements, always show consideration for every individual in the classroom. Be mindful and thoughtful of one another.

Academic Honesty

          Copying another person’s work is dishonorable and unwise. 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 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, using AI resources to create your essay, or turning in as original work assignments you have completed for other classes. If you use someone else’s ideas, you must give them proper credit. More details about these policies are listed below:

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.

Integrity is vital to your success, and I look forward to hearing your own ideas and thoughts about history. If you have any questions about this policy, please ask.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting
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 www.amarillocollege.net/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Grading Criteria

In this course, you will learn more about the early peoples and places of Texas and follow its transformation to a modern society. In this process, you will be using the assigned textbook and other resources provided in the course. As an online course, you will need to approach the course with discipline and plan carefully to complete the objectives each week. Assignments in this course are straightforward and include:

Readings

Readings are assigned from the textbook and other primary and secondary sources. Some readings will include short film clips or other materials to enhance your learning.

Chapter/Content Quizzes

You will have a short quiz for each chapter and other content provided. Quizzes will include short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, matching, geographical, and true/false questions. You will have two attempts for each quiz, and I will drop the lowest score of the two. I will drop your lowest overall quiz score. Category grade value: 20%

Exams

There are two major exams in the course. One is at mid-term and the other is a Final Exam.  Exams will include short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, matching, geographical, and true/false questions. You will have one attempt for each exam. Category grade value: 20%

Discussions

Discussion assignments will provide you an opportunity to analyze specific topics and interact with other students in the course. In them, you will answer questions, analyze information, and respond to each other's posts. Category grade value: 20%

"Deep Dives"

"Deep Dives" assignments are opportunities to learn beyond what is offered in the textbook. These assignments include opportunities to examine primary and secondary sources, watch films, or other materials that will expand your knowledge. There are four Deep Dive assignments, you will choose three to complete. Category grade value: 20%

Common Assessment

This project will be a letter to the editor of a Texas newspaper dealing with challenges and issues within the state. This project opens during week 2 of class and is due during week 6. Category grade value: 10%

Course Engagement

Your success depends on your engagement with the course. You need to log into the course at least three times per week to see announcements, learn course content, interact with other students in class, and complete assignments, quizzes, and exams. Throughout the course, I will check your progress. To earn a perfect score in this category, you must complete each section and watch or read the materials provided. Category grade value: 10%

Tutoring Policy

If you earn a score of 75% or below, you are required to complete tutoring. Tutoring is assigned based on your specific needs and you must complete it as soon as you are given your tutoring assignments.

Grading

Categories

Chapter and Content Quizzes: 20%

Exams: 20%

Discussions: 20%

Deep Dives: 20%

Common Assessment: 10%

Course Engagement: 10%

Breakdown of Course Grades:

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59% = F

Attendance

Attendance for a Hybrid course means that you will attend in-person classes twice per week and log in to our Blackboard course page and complete work regularly. This is vital to your success in this class but there are times when absences cannot be avoided due to illness or emergencies. If this occurs and will interfere with a scheduled exam or assignment, contact me immediately.

Calendar

Additional Information

I reserve the right to modify assignments and due dates throughout the semester. For example, I may cancel an assignment or extend a due date.