United States History I Syllabus for 2026-2027
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Office Location

Dutton Hall 202K

Office Hours

Monday & Wednesday:  9:30-10:30; 11:45-12:30

Tuesday & Thursday:  9:30-10:30

 

 

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 .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

HIST-1301-007 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The textbook is a free online textbook that will be provided in the class.

American Yawp vol. I


 

Supplies

This is an online course, so access to a computer with reliable internet is necessary. The device must have the ability to download the Respondus Lockdown Browser (instructions are in the class). The Lockdown Browser is a course requirement for all students.

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course, the student 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 of 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

Behavioral Expectations: Students caught cheating on exams or homework assignments will receive an F on the assignment and possibly face institutional discipline. This includes the use of AI on assignments.


Withdrawals: You must see the registrar to withdraw from the class. The last day to withdraw is October 6.

Any student who has not completed the first discussion post or any unit material by the Census Date (August 31) , will be administratively dropped from the course.  Logging into the course does not count as "participating" in the class.

In order to initiate the withdraw process, you must fill out the "Academic Withdrawal Request" form, which can be found in the Blackboard class under the tab "Withdrawal Form".  This form must be filled out by the student and signed by the instructor.  It can be signed electronically or scanned into an email.
 

Grading Criteria

Composition of final grade will be based on the average of unit quizzes, Deep Dive assignments, 4 unit exams, and discussion posts. The grade scale is as follows:

A = 89.5 and above
B = 79.5-89.4
C = 79.4-69.5
D = 69.4-59.5

F = 59.4 and below

Unit Quizzes:  Each unit has a quizzes over articles and/or videos. There is one attempt per quiz. They are not timed. The quizzes make up 25% of the overall grade. The Respondus Lockdown Browser is required for unit quizzes.

Reflection and Connection:  Each unit has a writing assignment connecting the information in the unit. Any assigned generated by AI will be given a 0. The R&C assignments make up 10% of the grade.

Deep Dive Unit Quiz:  Each unit has a Deep Dive assignment, either a video or article with quiz. The quiz includes short answer portions. These assignments make up 25% of overall grade. The Respondus Lockdown Browser is required.

Unit Exam:  Each unit has an exam that covers the video lessons presented and the other material in the unit. The exams are open for 2 weeks. Students will not be able to take the unit exam until all unit quizzes have been completed. The unit exams are timed and students get one attempt at the exam. There are no retakes or make-ups. The unit exams make up 30% of overall grade. Students must download and utilize Respondus Lock Down Browser in order to take the exams [instructions and link are in the Blackboard class].

Paper:  A common assessment paper will be assigned later in the semester. It makes up 10% of the overall grade. Any AI use on the paper will result in a 0 for the assignment.

Make-up Policy:  There are no make-ups on the unit material. The units are opened for 2 weeks. Do not wait until the last minute to try and complete a unit.

Grade Breakdown:

Unit Quizzes:  25%

Deep Dive Unit Quizzes:  25%

Unit Exams: 30%

Reflection & Connection:  10%

Paper: 10%

Total:     100%

 
 

Attendance

 

 

This is an online course so we do not have scheduled class meeting times.

Calendar

Weeks 1 & 2   

August 24--September 6 

UNIT 1

Chapters 1 - 4 

 

Lockdown Browser Practice Quiz due 8/31 by 11:59 pm

All Unit 1 work due by 9/6 at 11:59 pm

Weeks 3 & 4

 

September 7--September 20  

UNIT 2

Chapters 5-7

   All Unit 2 work due by 9/20 at 11:59 pm

Weeks 5 & 6

 

September 21--October 4  

UNIT 3

Chapter 8-11

All Unit 3 work must be completed by 10/4 at 11:59 pm

10/5:  Common Assessment Paper due at 11:59 pm

October 6:  Last Day to Withdraw

Weeks 7 & 8

 

October 5--October 14

 UNIT 4

Chapters 12-15

All Unit 4 work due by 10/14 at 11:59 pm

     

 

Additional Information

This class is a general survey of United States History from pre-Columbian Native America to Reconstruction.  The study includes political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life in this country and follows the development of the United States as a world power.  HIST 1301 is not a prerequisite for 1302.

The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or the calendar if needed.

Syllabus Created on:

08/11/26 9:30 AM

Last Edited on:

08/11/26 9:45 AM