United States History I Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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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-DC018 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

Hours

(3 sem hrs 3 lec )

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbooks

Required text: The American Yawp, Volume I. This textbook is an online, collaborative text and is linked in Blackboard.

Supplies

Supplies

Access to a computer and reliable internet connection. 

Student Performance

Student Performance

After completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Construct an argument supported by historical evidence
2. Access and interpret both primary and secondary sources
3. Analyze and interpret the effects of historical, social, economic, political and global factors of United States history to 1877. 

Course Work

This course is divided into four units. Each unit will have four to five lessons that include a short lecture, video and articles and quizzes followed by a primary source analysis and unit exam. 

It is important that you complete your work in a timely manner. Use your syllabus, course schedule or contact me to ensure that you are staying on track. 

Assignments

Unit lessons: These are recorded lessons with PowerPoints.. You can watch these at your own pace, but you must watch all videos to earn full credit. (Watching lectures, videos, and, occasionally, films, is 5% of your grade)

Videos and quizzes: Short video or videos with a quiz. You get one attempt for quizzes, and you must earn a grade of 70% or above on all of them within each unit before you can open each unit exam. If you have failed a quiz, contact me immediately. If you have any difficulties watching these videos please contact me.  (Video quizzes are 15% of grade)

Articles and quizzes: Like the videos, this is an article or articles over a particular topic with a quiz. You get one attempt for quizzes and you must earn a score of 70% or higher on each quiz. Contact me right away if you fail a quiz. (Article quizzes are 15% of grade)

Historical "Deep Dives": These assignments include videos, documents, and other content that take you further into specific topics of Historical interest. Three units will have Deep Dive assignments. (Deep Dives are 15% of your grade)

Unit Exams: Each unit exam contains varied question types, and questions are taken from the information presented in the Unit material. You get one attempt for exams. (40% of grade) You cannot take the Unit Exam until all quizzes in the unit have been successfully completed.

Discussion Posts: Discussions offer an opportunity to discuss important topics with your classmates. Three Units will include discussion assignments. (5% of grade)

Common Assessment Paper: This is a written assignment that will be opened later in the semester.  Instructions will be in the Common Assessment folder. (10% of grade)

Extra Credit: Extra credit is available. See Blackboard for more information.

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.

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.

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

No behavior expectations available

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

Exams - 40%

Quizzes - 30%

Assignments - 15%

Common Assessment - 10%

Discussions - 5%

Breakdown of Course Grades:

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59% = F

Attendance

Regular attendance is required to be succesful in this course. 

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available