United States History I Syllabus for 2026-2027
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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 .

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-DC003 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

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

Supplies

Required supplies: Access to a desktop or laptop computer and a reliable internet connection.

Standard note-taking supplies. You should be taking notes as you study.

Required internet browser: Mozilla Firefox (available as a free download online) or Google Chrome.

Required software: Microsoft Word. A free version is available online at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web 

If you use Google docs to complete assignments in this class, you must save your document as a Word or PDF document before uploading it for grading.

Student Performance

Course Overview

This is an online, 16-week survey course in American History covering major topics in modern American 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 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, 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 another powerful tool for a successful semester in Blackboard. Your Blackboard course page includes specific information for how you will proceed through the course. Start 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 early American history.
• Compare viewpoints of peoples living during this time.
• Assess and articulate how events in modern American 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 United States 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

Course Work and Tools

This course is divided into four units; each unit contains four or five lessons. Each lesson includes short lectures, videos and articles, quizzes, and other content to complement what you are learning in your textbook.

Completing work in a timely manner is your personal responsibility. If you have questions about the requirements or are unsure of how to complete the work, consult the syllabus, course schedule, and assignment instructions. If you still need help, contact me and I will be glad to assist you. If you do need to contact me, please do so at least two days before your assignment is due.
 

This course is divided into 4 units. At least one new lesson will open each week; as each lesson opens, it will remain open until the last week the unit concludes.  I will open some lessons earlier due to holidays or major events during the term. Once a unit is closed, assignments in it will not be reopened (in other words, no late work will be accepted. You have multiple weeks to complete the work; budget your time carefully).

Each unit contains the following:

1. Unit lessons: These are recorded lessons with PowerPoints. Think of this section as your "class time." There is an attendance grade given for completion of these lessons; the unit exam questions will come from these lessons, the videos and articles, and your textbook. You can watch these at your own pace, but you must watch all videos to earn full credit in the Course Involvement category. Note that you can pause videos, take a break, and then finish them. (Course involvement includes consistently logging in, completing assignments, watching lectures, videos, and, occasionally, films, and is worth 5% of your grade)
2. Videos and quizzes: These include a short video or videos over a particular topic with a quiz. Few of the videos are from YouTube, so you should have no issues accessing these, and if you do have trouble playing them, please contact me about this.  You get two attempts 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 twice, contact me immediately. Do not wait until the last day to take these quizzes, since doing so could keep you from being able to complete the exam before the due date. I drop your two lowest quiz scores from the quiz category. (Video quizzes are 10% of grade)
3. Articles and quizzes: Like the video quizzes, 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 10% of grade)
4. An Historical "Deep Dive": These assignments include videos, documents, and other content that take you further into specific topics of historical interest. For each of these, you may answer questions based on materials presented to you, locate significant geographic locations on a map, and complete other activities as assigned. All four units will have a Deep Dive assignment. (Deep Dives are 10% of your grade)
5. Discussion Posts: There are five discussion posts during the semester. The first is an introductory post at the beginning of the course, the second deals with historical thinking and document analysis and opens with Unit 2, the third deals with westward expansion and opens with Unit 3, the fourth deals with the secession crisis with a focus on Texas events and opens with Unit 4, and the fifth and final discussion is a course "wrap-up." (15% of grade)
6. Unit Exam: The unit exams consist of 51 questions: Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, matching, and true false, and may also include short-answer questions or other question types. Questions are taken from the information presented in the Unit material. You get one attempt for exams. See below for exam tips (40% of grade) You cannot take the Unit Exam until all quizzes in the unit have been successfully completed with scores of 70% or higher. If you have not met these requirements, the exam will not open and you will need to contact me.

Not included in the Units, but part of the course grade:

1. Common Assessment Paper: This is a written assignment that will be opened later in the semester, and is due Tuesday, 16 November at 11:59 PM. Any common assessment written using AI technologies will earn a zero score. Instructions are provided in the Common Assessment folder. (10% of grade)

Extra Credit

Extra credit opportunities may be provided throughout the semester. Pay attention to announcements, lessons, and other content for these opportunities. Extra credit points are usually applied to your lowest exam score. If you have perfect scores on your exams, extra credit points will be applied to other assignments and noted in feedback comments.

Tutoring Policy:

If you earn a score below 75%, 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. If you receive an email notifying you that you have been assigned tutoring, follow the directions in the message or contact me for clarification.

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 your virtual classroom prepared to learn. 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 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.

Grading Criteria

Grading

Categories

Course Involvement: 5%

Video and Article Quizzes: 20%

Historical Deep Dives: 10%

Discussions: 15%

Major Exams: 40%

Common Assessment (Term Paper): 10%

Breakdown of Course Grades:

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59% = F

Attendance

Attendance Policy

Attendance for an online course means that you will log in 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

Unique Circumstances and ADA Policy

If you require accommodation due to special needs, you must let me know immediately so that I can work with you. If you wait, for example, until the midterm exam before you disclose these needs, it will not be possible for you to retake exams or rewrite essays. You must also contact Student Services at https://www.actx.edu/arc/student-resources .

College expectations, personal and work pressures, and unexpected events in life are sometimes difficult to deal with. There is help available for anyone dealing with depression, grief, loss, anxiety, addiction, etc. The Amarillo College Social Services provides a variety of assistance options.

Emergencies

If you are on campus and an emergency arises in which you are asked to evacuate the building, do so immediately. Be prepared for emergencies by learning the locations of exits, fire extinguishers, and other information. You will find this information posted throughout the building. You should also have Amarillo College emergency contact phone numbers entered in your cell phone if you spend a significant amount of time on campus.