United States History I Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Course Information

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Course

HIST-1301-005 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

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

Textbook:  The textbook for this class is an Open Educational Resource, American Yawp (no charge to the student).  The link will be provided in the Blackboard class.
 

Supplies

paper, pen, access to computer with internet and printer.

Student Performance

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/Classroom Ground Rules: All cell phones must be silenced or turned off during lecture. Texting during class IS NOT permitted. Airpods and other similar devices are not allowed during class. No talking (outside of classwork) and no sleeping in class--respect the students around you! Students caught cheating on exams, quizzes, or other assignments will receive a failing grade (F) for that exam and may face institutional discipline.  Students who are more than 10 min late for class without a valid reason will be counted absent.

Withdrawals: You must see your instructor to withdraw from the class. There is a form that must be completed for the withdrawal to proceed.  The last day to withdraw is October 3.

In order to initiate the withdraw process, you must fill out the required form and have it signed by the instructor.  You can access the form in the Blackboard class under the "Withdrawal Form" tab.

Administrative Drop:  Any student who has not attended class by the census date (Aug. 27) will be administratively dropped from the course.

 

Grading Criteria

Composition of final grade will be based on the average of four exams, a written assignment, and class participation/attendance . 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 = below 59.4 [note:  any average .5 or above will be rounded up] Required Examinations:  There will be four exams during the course of the semester.   Exams will be made up of fill in the blank, true/false, multiple choice and a possible short answer question.  Exams will cover the material presented in class and the textbook. The four exams will comprise 60% of your class grade (each exam is worth 15%). Exams will be taken in class.  See class schedule for exam dates.  Make-up Policy:  All make-up exams must be arranged with the instructor.  If the student misses an exam, the student must arrange to take the exam within one week of the scheduled test date. There will be a -10 point deduction on the exam for any student who does not have a documented, excused reason for missing the exam on the exam date. Make up exams will be taken in the Testing Center. Letter to Editor Paper:  There will be one written assignments.  The instructor will provide the instructions in Blackboard.  The paper will constitute 20% of total grade.  Late papers will be deducted 10 points for every day they are late (including weekends).  You will submit this assignment in Blackboard. Class Participation/Attendance: Students will be given an attendance grade every time class meets.  Roll will be called every class period and 25 pts will be given for each class meeting (for a total of 100% for the week). During some class periods, students will work together in a group or with a partner and/or participate in class discussions.  If a student chooses not to participate (spends the time talking or on the phone/computer), that student(s) will receive a 0 for class participation for the day, even if the student(s) attends class.  Students must stay for the entire class period to get attendance credit.  Leaving class early will result in a 0 for the day.  Talking, sleeping, or texting during class will also result in a 0 for the day.  If a student arrives to class after roll has been called it is his/her responsibility to let the instructor know after class is over.  Class participation will count as 20% of the student's overall grade.  The lowest participation grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. Grade Breakdown: Four exams:  60% Letter to Editor Paper:  20% Attendance/Participation: 20%   Total:  100%

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

This class is a general survey of United States History from the Reconstruction to the present.  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.