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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-1301-014 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
Required text: David Emory Shi. America: The Essential Learning Edition, Volume One, Third Edition. Ebook, InQuizitive, History Skills Tutorials, and Student Site. Copyright 2022; ISBN: 0393542793.
This text is available at the Amarillo College Bookstore, and it includes several tools you will need for the course. This text must be purchased as a new copy, not a used copy.
Pencil, pen, and notebook; access to a reliable computer and reliable internet connection.
Required internet Browser: Mozilla Firefox (available as a free download at https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browsers/).
Required word processing software: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 is available for free for Amarillo college students. Go to this link and follow the instructions: https://www.actx.edu/remote/office-365)
Your textbook is required for this class; you will not be able to pass the course without the textbook and access to its companion website. You will purchase the textbook after our first class meeting; do not attempt to do so until after we have met.
Contacting Your Instructor:
Utilize the course mail function in Blackboard only (accessed via AC Connect). You will also have opportunities to meet with me before or after class and during office hours.
Preparedness, Mandatory Tutoring, and Success
You must be committed to completing readings and other assignments on time, and be able to discuss these in class. In-class discussions make the course more interesting, so come ready to have a good experience by being prepared to engage with the class.
This is a Hybrid course, and will require you to be a self-starter to achieve the highest level of success in the course. Approximately half of the coursework required must be completed outside of class. While this is challenging, there are also many tools you will have to help you be successful. When you need help or have questions, please ask!
Tutoring is required if you achieve a score below 75% on any readings assignments, writing assignments, and tests. This means that if you fall below 75% in any of these categories, you must attend tutoring before I will accept any further work from you.
You don't need to wait for a tutoring assignment. If you know History is a tough subject for you, come in and see me and we will work together to make this semester a successful one for you. If you struggle with writing, tutors at the Writer's Corner are prepared to assist you!
Course Objectives
Throughout this course, you will:
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".
Classroom Conduct
Come to class prepared to learn. Complete any assigned material on time. Bring a notebook, pencil or pen, and your enthusiasm for learning! You may bring a laptop for taking notes in class, though I strongly suggest that your write your notes by hand. This will help you remember what you are learning about.
Acceptable student behavior is noted in the Student Handbook, and is listed under the heading: “Student Conduct & Responsibilities” beginning on page 16 and continuing through page 17. 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.
Show respect for every individual in the classroom. Be mindful and thoughtful of one another.
Cell phone use, including texting, during class is rude and will harm your participation grade. If you have an emergency situation and need to take a call during class, let me know before class starts. There will be activities during which you will be free to use your own technology such as smart phones. Otherwise, turn your cell phones off. Put them in a bag, a pocket, or somewhere out of sight where you will not be tempted to check it. Please remove headphones as soon as you enter the classroom. It is rude and disruptive to the learning environment to wear them during class.
Academic Honesty
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. This includes copying other students’ work on exams, quizzes, and assignments, as well as 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 are not sure if your paper or assignment meets the requirements, do not worry! I will answer any questions you might have and I am also providing tools for you in the Common Assessment and other assignments. These will help you check your own work for plagiarism issues.
Below, see the specific policy for our department:
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:
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 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 reliably completed through 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 and InQuizitive
Weekly readings will include material from America: The Essential Learning Edition, Volume One and, occasionally, other sources including film, documents, artwork, recorded presentations, etc. Each week, you will complete readings and assignments online via your textbook website. With about half of these chapters, 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. 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.
You will earn 100 points For InQuizitive assignments (based on the average you earn from completing these). I will drop the lowest chapter score at the end of the term.
Thinking Like an Historian
Part of learning about History includes learning how to think critically. You will take these skills with you into any career you choose, but they will also help you evaluate information you receive throughout your life. In these assignments, you will analyze primary and secondary sources and determine their meaning, implications, and value. You will complete one of these assignments for a total of 50 points.
History Skills Tutorials
You will be learning how to analyze various historical documents in this class through specific tutorials on your textbook companion website. Once you have completed these, you will have opportunities to explore primary and secondary sources. These skills are important as you prepare for higher level courses and for your career, but are also needed for your Common Assessment. There are four exercises in this category; these are worth a total of 100 points.
Common Assessment
You will have one formal writing assignment in this class. In it, you will be writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper concerning and important issue of this time. I will post the instructions for this assignment when appropriate. This assignment is worth 150 points.
Exams
You will have three exams in this class. Exams will be online and in class 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, class activities, and lectures. Final Exam will be in class during the last week of class.
Each of these exams is worth 100 points. Your total points for this category is 300 points.
Attendance, Participation, and In-Class Discussion
Attendance and participation are important to your success and each day that you are present and participating, you will earn points and experience. Your attendance relates directly to your success; come to class ready to participate.
You will also be completing Presentation Responses and Discussions outside of class. Generally, these will coincide with InQuizitive chapters that you will be completing on your own. Using the materials provided, you will have a full opportunity to understand and analyze the major issues of the time covered, and consider the outcomes involved in these.
Your first assignments in this category include an email and a syllabus quiz. You will complete these during the first week of class.
Total points available for this category equal 300.
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 Assignments: 100 points
Thinking Like an Historian: 50 points
History Skills Tutorials: 100 points
Common Assessment: 150 points
Exams: 300 points
Attendance, Presentation Responses, Activities, and In-Class Discussion: 300 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. There are times when absences cannot be avoided due to illness, emergencies, or educational purposes. If this occurs, contact me immediately. If you must miss class due to college activities or business, you must have your coach, director, or sponsor provide notice of the absence in advance of the activity.
Your complete course calendar is available in your Blackboard course. Refer to it and your weekly checklists each week during the semester to make sure you are completing your work on time.
Instructor’s note on course schedule and syllabus: I may adjust the lecture/activity schedule during the term to accommodate reasonable variance in class discussions.
03/19/24 2:57 AM
03/19/24 3:14 AM