United States History I Syllabus for 2022-2023
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Course

HIST-1301-006 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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

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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 American Nation: A History of the United States, Volume I     Carnes, et al   REVEL

Bundle with Access Code and Loose Leaf paper copy.  15th Ed.  2016

ISBN# 9780134138459

Access Code is REQUIRED and will be used for assignment grades.

Supplies

Access to a reliable computer and reliable internet. Smartphones and tablets can be useful for reading, listening, and completing chapter assignments, however, they have numerous problems with the Main Exams in this course. All students should have access to a desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet access when taking Exams.

Student Performance

Learning Outcomes  

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  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 in 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

Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

During discussions in the course; students are expected to be professional and follow common courtesy. The discussions in this class are meant to bring up various positions and sometimes the debate can be heated; however, it is appropriate to attack a certain argument or point of view, but it is never appropriate to attack the person who is posting information with which you may disagree.

Grading Criteria

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60 = F

Exams Average  –  40%

Discussions Average  –  25%

Chapter Assignments – 25%

Course Paper  –  10%

All make up work will be allowed at the discretion of the instructor, if at all.

Attendance

The online US History course will not have any on campus meetings. Students must log on to this course in AC Online the first day of regular classes and follow the instructions for the course. If a student needs individual assistance they can contact me to work out the problems or schedule an appointment.

Calendar

This Course outline will also be posted on the class site.

 

Date


Welcome to History 1301

Assignments and Exams

 

1-17-2017

 

Read all of the information and instructions regarding this course on this page. Be sure to read the whole page and not just the first few dates. This information will help save you time later in the course. Be sure you have also read all of the start here page and the syllabus.

 

1-17-2017

 

There is a Discussion tab on the left hand menu. Click on that tab and then click on the Topic for Introduction. Click on my introduction posting and then click on "reply". Write an introduction of yourself. It does not have to be long and is not graded. Simply state a few things about yourself for the class. Examples include: major, interests, family information, work, how far you live from campus, etc. There is no due date on this; but the quicker the better. This is just to let you get an idea of how the discussion works.

 

1-17-2017

 

 

As discussed in the Syllabus and the Start Here page, you will have 5 Unit Exams total and 5 Blackboard Discussions total. You will also have a short Course Paper in the later part of the semester. Additionally, there are weekly chapter assignments that state what chapters are assigned for the week. Each of those have several components that must be completed by the weekly deadline to receive any credit for the points related to those components. Be sure to read ALL OF THE ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS PAGE linked to the INSTRUCTIONS-PAPER TAB in the course. There will be one overall Assignment Grade that will count toward the final overall average for the course. Those are all of the grades for this class. Those are the only grades that will be used to compute your overall average for the course.

 

Each Chapter Assignment is very similar as far as the reading and study material are concerned. Each chapter will have several sections of reading and study material. Each section has a short 3 to 5 question quiz. Each chapter has a review quiz and a shared writing assignment. Those are all graded and count toward the overall Weekly Assignment average. Be sure that you complete all of the reading, quizzes, and shared writing assignment by the deadline of each assignment. 

 

The course is divided into 5 Units. Each Unit has 3 to 4 chapter assignments. Those are all listed with detailed instructions under the Lessons-Assignments tab on the left hand menu in the course. There are also five Blackboard Discussion questions that are graded separately. They are assigned with various weekly chapter assignments throughout the course. There will not be one each week. You can see where they are assigned on this Assignment Dates page and under each of the actual assignments under the Instructions-paper tab.

 

Each weekly assignment will be assigned on Wednesday of the week and will be due by the next Tuesday except for the first assignment. So you will have at least 7 days to complete the readings, quizzes, shared writing and Blackboard discussions, so there are no excuses for not being able to complete these on time. In addition, I drop one of the five discussion grades. The Course paper will be assigned later in the semester and you will have approximately four weeks to work on this assignment. There will be detailed instructions when the paper is assigned. The average of the four main exams left after dropping the lowest will count 40% of your overall average in the course. The average of the four discussion grades after dropping the lowest will count as 25% of your overall average. The Course paper will count 10% of your overall course average. The average of all of the weekly chapter assignments will count as 25% of your overall average.

 

The Chapter Assignments completed before a Main Unit Exam are what you are responsible for reading and studying to prepare for that Main Exam. Therefore, each Main Exam just covers the chapters and readings assigned up to that exam and after the previous exam. The last Graded Exam is the Final and is only over the last few chapters assigned after Exam 4. It is not comprehensive of the whole course material. I drop one of the exam grades. 

 

 

 

Assigned

1-18-2017

 

 

Due

1-24-2017

 


WEEK 1

Chapter 1: Beginnings

  • Introduction: Beginnings
  • 1.1: The First Peoples (15 points)
  • 1.2: The Maize Revolution (15 points)
  • 1.3: The Collapse of Urban Centers (15 points)
  • 1.4: Eurasia and Africa versus North America (15 points)
  • Summary: Beginnings
  • Shared Writing: Obesity in America (20 points)
  • Chapter 1 Quiz: Beginnings (75 points)

 

Introduction Discussion

 

 

Assigned

1-25-2017

 

 

Due

1-31-2017

 

 


WEEK 2

Chapter 2: Alien Encounters: Europe in the Americas

  • Introduction: Alien Encounters: Europe in the Americas
  • 2.1: Spanish Colonization of the Americas (15 points)
  • 2.2: Spain’s European Rivals (15 points)
  • 2.3: Early English Colonization (15 points)
  • 2.4: Puritan New England (15 points)
  • 2.5: English “Proprietary” Colonies (15 points)
  • 2.6: Indian and Colonist Intersections (15 points)
  • Summary: Alien Encounters: Europe in the Americas
  • Shared Writing: College Food (20 points)
  • Chapter 2 Quiz: Alien Encounters: Europe in the Americas (75 points)

Discussion 1 in Blackboard  -  DUE 1-31

 

ALL of Assignments 1 and 2 MUST be complete by 1-31

 

 

Assigned

2-1-2017

 

Due

2-7-2017

 



WEEK 3

Chapter 3: The Making of Society in the Colonial Era

Introduction: The Making of Society in the Colonial Era 

  • 3.1: French and Spanish Settlements Falter; English Settlements Flourish (15 points)
  • 3.2: Life in the Southern Colonies (15 points)
  • 3.3: Puritan New England (15 points)
  • 3.4: The Middle Colonies (15 points)
  • 3.5: Becoming Americans (15 points)
  • Summary: The Making of Society in the Colonial Era
  • Shared Writing: Life After College (20 points)
  • Chapter 3 Quiz: The Making of Society in the Colonial Era (75 points)

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 1.

 

 

2-5-2017

 

 

Main Exam 1 First day      - EXAM 1 will be posted this morning.  The exams are all 50 multiple choice questions and you will have 60 minutes from the time you begin. Once you go into the test you must complete your work in the 60 minute time frame. You cannot save your exam somewhere in the middle and come back to it later. Once the clock starts, it does not stop until the end of the time limit. If you get disconnected from the exam, you should try to log back in as soon as possible. This should be plenty of time for all students. Be sure to read all of the instructions before beginning the exam. The Exam will be open through Tuesday.

 

All Exams must be submitted by 11:30pm the last day the exam is available.

 

 

2-6-2017

 

 

Main Exam 1 continued today

 

 

2-7-2017

 

 

Main Exam 1 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 

Assigned

2-8-2017

 

 

Due

2-14-2017

 


WEEK 4

Chapter 4: America in the British Empire

  • Introduction: America in the British Empire
  • 4.1: The British Colonial System (15 points)
  • 4.2: Colonial Religion and Thought (15 points)
  • 4.3: The First Global War (15 points)
  • 4.4: Making the Colonists Pay (15 points)
  • 4.5: Violence Erupts (15 points)
  • Summary: America in the British Empire
  • Shared Writing: Taxes (20 points)
  • Chapter 4 Quiz: America in the British Empire (75 points)

 Discussion 2 in Blackboard  -  DUE 2-14

 

 

Assigned

2-15-2017

 

 

Due

2-21-2017

 


WEEK 5

Chapter 5: The American Revolution

  • Introduction: The American Revolution
  • 5.1: Preliminary Hostilities (15 points)
  • 5.2: The Question of Independence (15 points)
  • 5.3: Towards Victory (15 points)
  • 5.4: The United States under the Articles of Confederation (15 points)
  • 5.5: American Nationalism (15 points)
  • Summary: The American Revolution
  • Shared Writing: Leadership (20 points)
  • Chapter 5 Quiz: The American Revolution (75 points)

Discussion 3 in Blackboard  -  DUE 2-21

 

 

Assigned

2-22-2017

 

 

Due

2-28-2017

 


WEEK 6

Chapter 6: The Federalist Era: Nationalism Triumphant

  • Introduction: The Federalist Era: Nationalism Triumphant
  • 6.1: A Patchwork Nation (15 points)
  • 6.2: The Constitution (15 points)
  • 6.3: Washington and the First Congress (15 points)
  • 6.4: Washington and Foreign Relations (15 points)
  • 6.5: John Adams as President (15 points)
  • Summary: The Federalist Era: Nationalism Triumphant
  • Shared Writing: Illegal Downloads (20 points)
  • Chapter 6 Quiz: The Federalist Era: Nationalism Triumphant (75 points)

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 2.
 

 

2-26-2017

 

 

Main Exam 2 First day      - EXAM 2 will be posted this morning. All Exams are set up the same as the 1st Exam.

 

All Exams must be submitted by 11:30pm the last day the exam is available.

 

 

2-27-2017

 

 

Main Exam 2 continued today

 

 

2-28-2017

 

 

Main Exam 2 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 


Assigned

3-1-2017

 

Due

4-11-2017
 

 


RESEARCH PAPER – ETHICAL DILEMMA

Be sure to note the due date and submit your paper by that date.

 

Assigned

3-1-2017

 

 

Due

3-7-2017

 


WEEK 7

Chapter 7: Jeffersonian Democracy

  • Introduction: Jeffersonian Democracy
  • 7.1: Jefferson and the Rise of the Republicans (15 points)
  • 7.2: Jefferson’s First Term (15 points)
  • 7.3: Jefferson’s Second Term (15 points)
  • 7.4: The Looming Dangers of the Napoleonic Wars (15 points)
  • 7.5: The Legacy of Jeffersonian Democracy (15 points)
  • Summary: Jeffersonian Democracy
  • Shared Writing: Debt (20 points)
  • Chapter 7 Quiz: Jeffersonian Democracy (75 points)

Discussion 4 in Blackboard  -  DUE  3-7
 

 

Assigned

3-8-2017

 

 

Due

3-21-2017

 


WEEK 8

Chapter 8: National Growing Pains

  • Introduction: National Growing Pains
  • 8.1: Madison and the March to War (15 points)
  • 8.2: The War of 1812 (15 points)
  • 8.3: Monroe and American Aspirations (15 points)
  • 8.4: Sectional Divisions Intensify (15 points)
  • 8.5: John Quincy Adams as President (15 points)
  • Summary: National Growing Pains
  • Shared Writing: Government Assistance (20 points)
  • Chapter 8 Quiz: National Growing Pains (75 points)

 

 

Assigned

3-22-2017

 

 

Due

3-28-2017

 


WEEK 9

Chapter 9: Toward a National Economy

  • Introduction: Toward a National Economy
  • 9.1: The North Industrializes (15 points)
  • 9.2: Cotton Revolutionizes the South (15 points)
  • 9.3: The Revival of Slavery (15 points)
  • 9.4: The Transportation Revolution (15 points)
  • 9.5: Economic Development Under the Marshall Court (15 points)
  • Summary: Toward a National Economy
  • Shared Writing: Made in China (20 points)
  • Chapter 9 Quiz: Toward a National Economy (75 points)

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 3.

 

 

3-26-2017

 

 

Main Exam 3 First day      - EXAM 3 will be posted this morning.

 

 

3-27-2017

 

 

 Main Exam 3 continued today

 

 

3-28-2017

 

 

Main Exam 3 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 

Assigned

3-29-2017

 

 

Due

4-4-2017

 


WEEK 10

Chapter 10: Jacksonian Democracy

  • Introduction: Jacksonian Democracy
  • 10.1: Jackson’s New Political System (15 points)
  • 10.2: Jackson “Kills the Bank!” and Chills the Economy (15 points)
  • 10.3: Jackson Expels the Indians (15 points)
  • 10.4: States’ Rights versus the Federal Union (15 points)
  • 10.5: The Twilight of Jacksonianism (15 points)
  • Summary: Jacksonian Democracy
  • Shared Writing: Republican or Democrat (20 points)
  • Chapter 10 Quiz: Jacksonian Democracy (75 points)

DISCUSSION 5 in Blackboard  -  Due 4-4-2017

 

 

 

4-11-2017

 

 

Course Research Paper Due

 

Assigned

4-5-2017

 

 

Due

4-11-2017

 


WEEK 11

Chapter 11: The Making of Middle-Class America

  • Introduction: The Making of Middle-Class America
  • 11.1: An Emerging Middle Class (15 points)
  • 11.2: The Age of Reform (15 points)
  • 11.3: The Romantic View of Life (15 points)
  • 11.4: Education for Democracy (15 points)
  • Summary: The Making of Middle-Class America
  • Shared Writing: Family (20 points)
  • Chapter 11 Quiz: The Making of Middle-Class America (75 points) 

Chapter 12: Westward Expansion

  • Introduction: Westward Expansion
  • 12.1: Expansion by Manifest Destiny (15 points)
  • 12.2: Expansion by Negotiation and War (15 points)
  • 12.3: New Territories: Slave or Free? (15 points)
  • 12.4: Clay’s Welcome Compromise of 1850 (15 points)
  • Summary: Westward Expansion
  • Shared Writing: Family Roots (20 points)
  • Chapter 12 Quiz: Westward Expansion (75 points)

All assignments from both Chapters 11 and 12 must be completed by 4-11.

 

 

Assigned

4-12-2017

 

 

Due

4-18-2017

 


WEEK 12

Chapter 13: The Sections Go Their Own Ways

  • Introduction: The Sections Go Their Own Ways
  • 13.1: The South (15 points)
  • 13.2: The Northern Industrial Juggernaut (15 points)
  • 13.3: Building a Global Transportation Web (15 points)
  • 13.4: The Economic Surge on the Eve of the Civil War (15 points)
  • Summary: The Sections Go Their Own Ways
  • Shared Writing: Voting (20 points)
  • Chapter 13 Quiz: The Sections Go Their Own Ways (75 points)

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 4.
 

 

4-16-2017

 

 

Main Exam 4 First day      - EXAM 4 will be posted this morning.

 

 

4-17-2017

 

 

Main Exam 4 continued today

 

 

4-18-2017

 

 

Main Exam 4 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 

Assigned

4-19-2017

 

 

Due

4-25-2017

 


WEEK 13

Chapter 14: The Coming of the Civil War

  • Introduction: The Coming of the Civil War
  • 14.1: Antislavery Sentiment Deepens (15 points)
  • 14.2: Slavery Crisis Temporarily Evaded (15 points)
  • 14.3: Political Parties Fracture over Slavery (15 points)
  • 14.4: Hopes for Compromise Wane (15 points)
  • 14.5: The Antislavery Lincoln Emerges (15 points)
  • 14.6: On the Brink of Disunion (15 points)
  • Summary: The Coming of the Civil War
  • Shared Writing: Beyond the Law (20 points)
  • Chapter 14 Quiz: The Coming of the Civil War (75 points)

 

 

Assigned

4-26-2017

 

 

Due

5-2-2017

 

 

WEEK 14

Chapter 15: The War to Save the Union

  • Introduction: The War to Save the Union
  • 15.1: War Commences (1861) (15 points)
  • 15.2: Stalemate and Slaughter (1862) (15 points)
  • 15.3: Lincoln Frees (Some) Slaves to Win the War (15 points)
  • 15.4: Turning Point (1863) (15 points)
  • 15.5: Strangling the South (1864) (15 points)
  • 15.6: Final Reckoning (1865) (15 points)
  • Summary: The War to Save the Union
  • Shared Writing: The War on Terror (20 points)
  • Chapter 15 Quiz: The War to Save the Union (75 points)

 

 

Assigned

5-3-2017

 

 

Due

5-9-2017

 

 

WEEK 15

Chapter 16: Reconstruction and the South

  • Introduction: Reconstruction and the South
  • 16.1: Presidential Reconstruction (15 points)
  • 16.2: Radical Republicanism (15 points)
  • 16.3: The Southern Economy during Reconstruction (15 points)
  • 16.4: The End of Reconstruction (15 points)
  • Summary: Reconstruction and the South
  • Shared Writing: Adversity (20 points)
  • Chapter 16 Quiz: Reconstruction and the South (75 points)

NOTICE this assignment and the last Exam MUST be completed by 5-9.

LAST DAY TO TAKE EXAM 5 (FINAL) IS 5-9.
 

 

5-5-2017

 

 

Main Exam 5 - Final- First day   - EXAM 5 will be posted this morning.

 

 

5-6-2017

 

 

Main Exam 5 continued today

 

 

5-7-2017

 

 

Main Exam 5 continued today

 

 

5-8-2017

 

 

Main Exam 5 continued today

 

 

5-9-2017

 

 

Main Exam 5 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest. This is Tuesday of Finals Week. This is the last day to take the final in this class.

 

 

 

 

Additional Information

http://www.actx.edu

Syllabus Created on:

06/04/23 6:42 PM

Last Edited on:

06/04/23 6:42 PM