Monday and Wednesday from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM, and by Appointment
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 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.
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
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.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
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.
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 .
HIST-1301-011 United States History I
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
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.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Hybrid
Shi. America: The Essential Learning Edition, VOL I- With Access, Third Edition. W.W. Norton & Company, 2022. ISBN: 978-0-393-54279-0
This text is required. If you purchase a used book, you will need to purchase access to online tools that accompany this book (an in-app purchase). If you would like to use an e-book, you can purchase it online on the first day of class.
Access to a reliable desktop or laptop computer, reliable internet connection, and online textbook are required. A hard copy of the book is also acceptable if purchased as a bundle with online tools access.
Mozilla Firefox must be installed as an available web browser. You will use this browser when accessing Blackboard and your textbook website. Other browsers such as Safari and Microsoft Edge are incompatible with the tools we will be using.
If you do not have Mozilla Firefox on your devices, find free download options here: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
This is a Hybrid 8-week course. It is fast-paced. To be successful, you will need to be familiar with the syllabus and course schedule and follow these carefully. You must have full access to a working computer (desktop or laptop) and to the internet. You will not be able to complete coursework using your smartphone, since some of the Blackboard functions you will be using may not work properly using smartphone or tablet technology.
Attend class regularly and communicate with me if you must miss a class or if you need to leave class early.
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".
Course and Contact Information:
Class Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Class Location: Dutton Hall Room 203
Office Hours: T/TH: 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM, or by appointment. Conducted in person or via ZOOM
Office: Social Sciences Adjunct Office, Dutton Hall
Phone:
Email: Utilize the course email function in Blackboard only. Use the Send Email link.
Course Overview
This is an 8-week survey course in American History covering the Pre-Columbian world to to 1877. As part of learning about this period, you will also learn how to think critically about historical events, evaluate primary and secondary sources, compare viewpoints, and share your analyses of these events and materials through written and verbal forms. This course will be given in a hybrid format, which means that we will conduct in-person classes and you will complete some course content in a pre-recorded online format. Some activities will also be online in an interactive format.
You must be prepared to complete coursework online, work with others in class, and be a self-starter to be successful. You must be committed to completing readings and other assignments in a timely manner, and come to class prepared to discuss topics outlined in the course schedule.
All students must attend class in order to achieve a passing grade. If you are having challenges with class attendance, please contact me immediately.
As a student in this class, you can expect me to be prepared to teach you each day, and to answer your questions about the topics we discuss. I will respond to emails and other communications within 24 hours on weekdays, and will work to help you achieve the course objectives in this class.
Preparedness, Mandatory Tutoring, and Success
You must be prepared to complete coursework online and be a self-starter to be successful in this class. This means that you must be committed to completing readings and other assignments on time, and be able to discuss these in class.
Tutoring is required if you achieve a score of 75% on any readings assignments, writing assignments, and tests. This means that if you fall to a 75% in any of these categories, you must attend tutoring before I will accept any further work from you.
Course Objectives
Throughout this course, students will:
Classroom Conduct
Come to class prepared to learn and contribute each day. Complete assigned materials each week. Bring a notebook, pencil or pen, and your book to all class meetings. When you enter the classroom, enable your video feed so class members and your instructor can see you. This is required as part of your participation score in the course.
Acceptable student behavior is explained in the Student Handbook and is listed under the heading: “Student Conduct & Responsibilities." There is also an explanation of expected student behavior in this section. It is your responsibility to know and abide by this code of conduct while a student at Amarillo College.
You are expected to show respect for every individual in the classroom. Harassing or disrespecting others on any basis is inappropriate. Be mindful and respectful of one another, and use this opportunity to learn more about differing viewpoints and experiences.
Cell phone use including texting and taking calls during class is rude and will harm your participation grade. There will be class activities during which you will be free to use your own technology such as smart phones. Otherwise, turn your cell phones off before class begins.
College expectations, personal and work pressures, and unexpected events in life can be challenging. There is help available for anyone dealing with depression, grief, loss, anxiety, addiction, etc. Amarillo College Social Services can help. Their contact number is 806-371-5439. Services are professional and confidential. Follow this link to view these services: https://www.actx.edu/socialservices/ .
Academic Integrity
Copying another person’s work is unwise and dishonorable. 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. Academic dishonesty includes using AI technology to generate essays, copying other students’ work on exams, quizzes, and assignments, copying essays written by others, 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. Integrity is vital to your success, and I look forward to hearing your original ideas and thoughts about history.
If you have any questions about this policy, please ask.
Course Work
There are several activities, assignments and assessments that you will complete during this course. You are responsible for completing these in a timely manner. If you have questions about the requirements or are unsure about how to complete the work, consult the syllabus and the assignment instructions. If you are still in need of help, contact me and I will be glad to assist you. If you do need to contact me, please do so well before your assignment is due.
You will use Blackboard and the companion site for your textbook to:
This is an 8-week course, and will likely be challenging. In order to be successful, you must have access to a computer and the internet. You will not be able to complete coursework using a smartphone, since the Blackboard functions you will be using may not be reliable when using smartphone or tablet technology. Use the newest version of Mozilla Firefox as your web browser, since many of the functions you will need in Blackboard and the textbook website will not work using other browsers.
Readings, InQuizitive, and Historical Skills
Weekly readings will include material from America: The Essential Learning Edition, Volume Two and, occasionally, other sources including film, documents, artwork, filmed interviews, etc. Each week, you will complete readings and assignments online via your textbook website. With each chapter you will complete InQuizitive assignments.There are videos, interactive maps, and other materials that will help you understand and master the material. You will complete approximately two chapters per week, though not all chapters will be assigned. If you have any difficulty acquiring the book, let me know immediately. This textbook is required for the course; you will not be able to pass the course without it.
History Skills Tutorials assignments will provide you with a solid foundation for basic historical analysis of primary and secondary sources. You will complete four of these before you begin your Common Assessment assignment. Also included in this category is a short document response and a thesis statement exercise.
You will earn 100 points For InQuizitive assignments (your average of all InQuizitive assignments with the lowest chapter score dropped), and 150 points for History Skills Tutorials assignments for a total of 250 points in this category.
Common Assessment
You will have one formal writing assignment in this class: it will include document analysis and your assessment of individual experiences during the American Revolution. I will post the instructions for this assignment when appropriate. This project is worth 150 points.
Exams
You will have two major exams in this class. Exams will be online and will include a combination of multiple choice, true-false, short answer, and essay questions. I will provide you with a review sheet for each exam. Questions will be taken from the book, assigned source materials, assignments, class activities, and lectures. The Final Exam will open during the last week of class.
Each of these exams is worth 100 points. Your total points for this category is 200 points.
Participation, Discussion, Responses
Attendance and participation are important to your success; each day that you are present and participating, you will earn points. You will engage in daily responses, document analysis, short quizzes, and in-class discussions. Most of these are informal, and you may be divided into teams for some of these activities. Full participation in these groups is necessary for you to be successful in the class. Participation and discussion activities are worth 200 points.
Each week, you will view pre-recorded lectures, interactive maps, quizzes, or other materials online. With these, you will complete assessments, create your own questions, or engage in peer discussions about what you have learned. Each lecture set or exercise is worth 25 points for a total of 200 points.
Total points available for this category is 400.
Extra Credit
Students who are in need of an extra boost to their grade may complete extra credit work. You may earn 25 points of extra credit may be earned during the semester. Extra credit opportunities will be announced in class and on AC Connect (in Blackboard). I will provide instructions for each opportunity.
Grading
Readings, InQuizitive, Historical Skills: 250 points
Common Assessment (Analysis and Writing Project): 150 points
Exams: 200 points
Participation, Discussion, Lecture and Activities: 400 points
Breakdown of Course Grades:
1000 total points available
900-1000 points= A
800-899 points= B
700-799 points= C
600-699 points= D
0-599 points= F
Attendance is vital to your success in this class and is required. There are times when absences cannot be avoided due to a variety of reasons including illness, emergencies, or travel for athletic or educational purposes. If this occurs, contact me immediately. If you must miss class due to college activities or business, have your coach, director, or sponsor provide notice of the absence in advance of the activity. Such absences are excused if you notify me in advance.
Your course calendar is available during our first class session. Weekly folders and checklists will open each week during the term.
I may modify some syllabus items throughout the term. If this is needed, I will note the changes for you.
If you are not doing as well as you had expected in this course and are concerned about your progress, please speak to me about your concerns. I will be glad to help you.
10/22/23 9:57 PM
10/24/23 1:25 PM