United States History II 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-1302-010 United States History II

Prerequisites

Course Description

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural and intellectual history of the United States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II examines industrialization, immigration, world wars, the Great Depression, Cold War and post-Cold War eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include: American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, urbanization and suburbanization, the expansion of the federal government and the study of U.S. foreign policy.

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

Required text: The American Yawp, accessible at: 

Supplies

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

Required internet Browser: Mozilla Firefox (available as a free download at https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browsers/).

Required word processing software: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 is available for free for Amarillo college students. Go to this link and follow the instructions: https://www.actx.edu/remote/office-365)

Your textbook is required for this class; you will have weekly readings assignments in this course.

Student Performance

Contacting Your Instructor:

Utilize the course mail function (Messages) in Blackboard only (accessed via AC Connect). You will also have opportunities to meet with me before or after class and during office hours.

Preparedness, Mandatory Tutoring, and Success

You must be committed to completing readings and other assignments on time, and be able to discuss these in class. In-class discussions are included in your grade and make the course more interesting, so come ready to have a good experience by being prepared to engage with the class.

Tutoring is required if you achieve a score below 75% on  any readings assignments, writing assignments, and tests. This means that if you fall below 75% in any of these categories, you must attend tutoring before I will accept any further work from you.

You don't need to wait for a tutoring assignment. If you know History is a difficult subject for you, come see me and we will work together to make this semester a successful one for you. If you struggle with writing, tutors at the Writer's Corner are prepared to assist you!

If you are interested in taking this course as an Honors course, let me know and I will direct you to the proper staff and resources. You must request this during the first week of class.

Course Objectives

Throughout this course, you will:

1. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of United States history.
2. Assess and articulate how events in modern American history helped shape and were shaped by the character of its citizens.
3. Acquire and practice skills in critical thinking through reading, source analysis, listening, discussion, collaboration, and writing.
4. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
5. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.

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 class prepared to learn. Complete any assigned material on time. Bring a notebook, pencil or pen, and your enthusiasm for learning! You may bring a laptop for taking notes in class, though I strongly suggest that your write your notes by hand. This will help you remember what you are learning about.

Acceptable student behavior is noted in the Student Handbook. 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.

Show respect for every individual in the classroom. Be mindful and thoughtful 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 activities during which you will be free to use your own technology such as smart phones. Otherwise, turn your cell phones off. Put them in a bag, a pocket, or somewhere out of sight. Remove headphones and ear buds as soon as you enter the classroom. It is rude and disruptive to the learning environment to wear them during class.

Academic Honesty

Copying another person’s work is unwise and dishonorable. Using AI without the consent of the instructor is likewise dishonest. 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, 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. Integrity is vital to your success, and I look forward to hearing your original ideas and thoughts about history.

If you are not sure if your paper or assignment meets the requirements, please ask about it. I will answer any questions you might have and will provide tools for you to support your learning. These will help you check your own work for plagiarism issues.

Below, see the specific policy for our department:

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 Bard) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of 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.

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

Course Work

You are responsible for completing course work 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. If you have a special circumstance, you may request a due-date extension. Such requests must be made before the assignment is due.

You will use Blackboard to:

• Communicate with your instructor and classmates
• Take exams and quizzes
• Access course content including assignments and study aids
• Complete other coursework as assigned
• View grades

This is an 8-week course, and will likely be challenging. In order to be successful, you must have access to a computer and the internet. If you do not have a computer, there are several locations on campus where you can access a computer and printer. Use the newest version of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome when you complete any online work.

In this course, you will learn more about the United States and its transformation to a modern society. In this process, you will be using the assigned textbook and other resources provided in the 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. In class, you will be working with other students to develop historical skills and content mastery. These activities are graded and included as a part of your course engagement score.

Chapter/Content Quizzes

Short quizzes focused on readings and other selected content will be given each week. Quizzes will include short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, matching, geographical, and true/false questions. Quizzes will be given in class or online. The lowest quiz score of the semester will be dropped. Category grade value: 15%

Exams

There are three major exams in the course. Exams will include short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, matching, geographical, and true/false questions. Exams may be given in class or online, and you will have one attempt for each exam. The Final Exam is comprehensive. Category grade value: 30%

"Deep Dives"

"Deep Dives" assignments are opportunities to examine specific topics in greater depth. These assignments include opportunities to examine primary and secondary sources, watch films, or other materials that will expand your knowledge. There are eight Deep Dive assignments during the term: The Vietnam War selection is mandatory, and you will choose three additional topics to complete.  Category grade value: 30%

Common Assessment

This project will be a letter to the editor of a nationally-circulated newspaper dealing with challenges and issues of national concern. 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 twice per week to see announcements, interact with other students in class, and complete assignments, quizzes, exams, or other content as assigned. You will also need to attend class on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week. 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, participate in class and online, and maintain a good attendance record. Category grade value: 15%

Extra Credit

Students who are in need of an extra boost to their grade may complete extra credit work. You may earn 25 points of extra credit during the semester. Extra credit opportunities will be announced in class and on Blackboard. I will provide instructions for each opportunity.

Grading

Quizzes: 15%

Exams: 30%

Deep Dives: 30%

Common Assessment: 10%

Course Engagement: 15%

Breakdown of Course Grades:

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59%= F

Attendance

Attendance is vital to your success in this class. There are times when absences cannot be avoided due to illness, emergencies, or educational purposes. If this occurs, contact me immediately.  If you must miss class due to college activities or business, you must have your coach, director, or sponsor provide notice of the absence in advance of the activity.

Calendar

Additional Information

Instructor’s note on course schedule and syllabus: I may adjust the lecture/activity schedule during the term to accommodate reasonable variance in class discussions, and reserve the right to modify assignments and due dates as needed. For example, I may extend a due date on a quiz or assignment..