Fall 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: HIST-1301 (Section: 02, CRN: 90059)
United States History I
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Christina Wilbur
Email wilburca@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6349
Office Student Center - Room: 414
Office Hours MW: 11:00 - 12:00 / 1:15 - 2:30
TTH: 8:00 - 9:30 / 12:15 - 2:15


Additional Contact Information N/A
Course Information
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
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

You do not need to buy any textbooks for this course.  

The text, 
OpenStax: US History, will be available in Blackboard.
Additional Materials/Resources You will need 3 scantrons – 882-E
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSIA complete in reading
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
  • Create an argument using 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
Core Objectives
  • Critical Thinking Skills – Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
  • Communication Skills – Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.
  • Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
  • Personal Responsibility Skills – Integrates choices, actions and consequences in ethical decision making

Lecture Topics Outline
  • Early Globalization: The Atlantic World, 1492-1650
  • Creating New Social Orders: Colonial Societies, 1500-1700
  • Rule Britannia! The English Empire, 1660-1763
  • Imperial Reforms and Colonial Protests, 1763-1774
  • America’s War for Independence, 1775-1783
  • Creating Republican Governments, 1776-1790
  • Growing Pains: The New Republic, 1790-1820
  • Industrial Transformation in the North, 1800-1850
  • Jacksonian Democracy, 1820-1840
  • A Nation on the Move: Westward Expansion, 1800-1860
  • Cotton is King: The Antebellum South, 1800-1860
  • Antebellum Idealism and Reform Impulses, 1820-1860
  • Troubled Times: The Tumultuous 1850s
  • The Civil War, 1860-1865
  • The Era of Reconstruction, 1865-1877
Major Assignments Schedule
 History 1301: Class Assignment and Reading Schedule 

 

  

 Module 1

Please consult Module I (Chapters 2-6) in Blackboard to access the additional readings and required videos.

Week 1

8/28-9/3

 

Read: Chapter 2: Early Globalization: The Atlantic World

Read: Why Study History

Read: Read: Columbus and the American Holocaust 

  

Week 2

9/4-9/10

 

Read: Chapter 3: Creating New Social Orders: Colonial Societies 

Read: “Our Plantation Is Very Weak”: The Experiences of an Indentured Servant in Virginia, 1623

Monday, September 4: Labor Day Holiday – No class

 

Week 3

9/11-9/17

Read: Chapter 4: Rule Britannia! The English Empire & Chapter 5: Imperial Reforms and Colonial Protests

Early Colonial Relationships assignment due Wednesday, September 13 by 11:59 p.m. 

Submit selections for Course Project by Wednesday, September 13 by 11:59 p.m.

Week 4

9/18-9/24

 

Read: Chapter 6: America’s War for Independence 

Read: The Loyalist

Submit materials for Course Project by Wednesday, September 20 by 11:59 p.m.  

Week 5

9/25-10/1

 

Exam Review and Exams

Exam 1: Chapters 2-6

Thursday, September 28 (TTH class)

  

 Module 2

Please consult Module 2 (Chapters 7-11) in Blackboard to access the additional readings and required videos.

Week 6

10/2-10/8

 

Read: Chapter 7: Creating Republican Governments

 & 

Chapter 8: Growing Pains: The New Republic

Read: Compromises in the Constitution

American Revolution assignment due Wednesday, October 4 by 11:59 p.m.

Week 7

10/9-10/15

Read: Chapter 9: Industrial Transformation of the North

  

 

Week 8

10/16-10/22

Read: Chapter 10: Jacksonian Democracy 

Read: The Cherokee vs. Andrew Jackson

Read: A Soldier Recalls the Trail of Tears 

  

  Week 9

10/23-10/29

Read: Chapter 11: A Nation on the Move: Westward Expansion

View: Video: Almanac - Lewis and Clark

 

Week 10

10/30-11/5

Exam Review and Exams

Exam 2: Chapters 7-11
Thursday, November 2 (TTH class)

Native Americans and Andrew Jackson assignment due Wednesday, November 1st by 11:59 pm. 

   

Module 3

Please consult Module 3 (Chapters 12-16) in Blackboard to access the additional readings and required videos.

Week 11

11/6-11/12

Read: Chapter 12: Cotton is King: The Antebellum South 

 

  

Week 12

11/13-11/19

Read: Chapter 13: Antebellum Idealism and Reform Impulses

Review Reform Chart for reference: In the Readings folder

Course Project due Friday, November 17 by 11:59 p.m.

  Week 13

11/20-11/26

Read: Chapter 14: Troubled Times: The Tumultuous 1850s

Read: Slavery and the Coming of the Civil War as Seen in the Beaumont Banner

Thanksgiving Holiday:

Thursday, November 23: No class

Week 14

11/27-12/4

Read: Chapter 15: The Civil War

Impending Crisis assignment due Wednesday, November 29 by 11:59 p.m.

Week 15

12/4-12/10

Read: Chapter 16: The Era of Reconstruction

Thursday, December 7: Exam Review (TTH class

 Week 16

12/11-12/13

 Final Exams

 

Final Exam: Chapters 12-16

Tuesday, December 12 (TTH class)

 

Final Exam Date December 12, 2023 - 9:30 AM   Through  December 12, 2023 - 10:45 AM
Grading Scale
Determination of
Final Grade
Grading: 


Three (3) Exams: 45%          Course Project: 45%            Assignments: 10% 

(You will choose one (1) out of the four (4) assignments listed below to complete). 

  • Early Colonial Relationships
  • The American Revolution
  • Native Americans and Andrew Jackson
  • The Impending Crisis
Your grade will be based solely on your performance on the above-listed grades.
The final grading scale for this class is as follows:

 
Please keep up with your grades. Students should keep all copies of graded and ungraded work until course grades have been submitted at the end of the semester. You will be able to see your current average in Blackboard under the ‘Current Class Average’ column. Your grade will be based solely on your performance. Additionally, all grades will be posted in Blackboard in a timely manner – please allow at least two weeks for assignment and exam grades to be posted. Please make sure to read the comments on your submitted assignments as I make comments both on the assignment itself and in the grading notes section. It is your responsibility to read comments and assessment notes and to make the suggested changes on future assignments/exams.

Course Policies
Instructor Policies Important dates for the Fall semester:
  •          Monday, October 2: Last day to drop a course without academic penalty.
  •          Thursday, November 23& Friday, November 24: Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes).
  •          Monday, November 27: Final day to drop a course or withdraw with academic penalty.
  •          Friday, November 17: Course Project due (all classes)
  •          Tuesday, December12: Final Exam 
Additional required readings:
Additional required readings are included in Blackboard and noted on the schedule.
 
Exams:  
You will take three (3) major exams in this course.  Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Exam reviews will be provided a week before the exam but are only general overviews of topics. Makeup exams will only be provided in exceptional circumstances such as serious hospitalization or death in the family. Documentation may be required to take a missed exam.
 
Assignment Due Dates:
All assignments are to be turned in on time, but a two (2) day grace period is allowed. No assignments will be accepted after the grace period ends which is 48 hours past the posted deadline. You do not need to email me to take advantage of the grace period. Due dates are clearly noted on the syllabus. All assignment submission links will allow you to submit multiple times up until the due date if you find that you need to update an assignment before the submission link closes. The grace period does not apply to the Course Project. No late submissions will be allowed after the due date for Course Projects. 
 
Uploading Assignments:
All assignments must be uploaded in the required format. All assignments – unless instructed otherwise – i.e. a video or PowerPoint submission – must be submitted as Word document. Do not submit Google docs, pages, or PDF’s.  It is your responsibility to make sure that you have submitted your assignment as directed in the instructions. If I cannot open your assignment, I will not grade it. 
 
Additionally, if you have difficulty uploading your assignment due to Blackboard or other technical issues, you should email me a copy of the assignment immediately – not the next day.  It will be considered late if I do not have an email copy of the assignment by the due date.  You should then contact Blackboard technical support to address the problem and work to get the assignment uploaded into Blackboard.
When you submit an assignment, Blackboard sends you a confirmation email with an individual submission number. Please make sure that you receive, and save, this confirmation.  If there are issues regarding the submission of your assignment, I may ask to see the submission confirmation.
 
Technology Responsibility:
It is assumed that students are proficient with the technological/computer requirements and the Blackboard system.  A lack of computer proficiency is not an excuse for the failure to submit assignments, etc. It is your responsibility to understand how to navigate Blackboard, upload and download files.
 
Assignments from a previous course or repeating the class:
You may not submit assignments that were created for another class. You also may not resubmit assignments from a previous attempt in the class. Assignments that are found to have been reused will receive a 0. All work must be your original work. You are not to use AI or other similar programs. If plagiarism or use of AI is suspected, students will be asked to discuss this matter with the instructor.
 
Assignments: 
Students should read the instructions included with each assignment. Any additional materials that are needed are noted on the assignment instructions.
 
Suggestions for the course: 
This class moves very quickly, and we have quite a lot of material to cover. There is little time to catch up if you get behind. Make it a priority to read daily and study. Refer to your syllabus so that you can stay up to date with readings and assignments. 
 
Email:
You must put the class and section number in the subject line of the email.  It is important that I know what class you are in so that I can answer your question. I do try to respond in a timely manner within 24 to 48 hours during the week. I am available during normal business hours – Monday-Friday 9-5.  Emails received in the evening will not get a response until the next day.  Email received during the weekend will not get a response until Monday. 
 
Please use your lamarpa email to communicate with me as email from Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc. may end up in clutter folder and I will not see it, and therefore, not respond. Most questions can be answered by reading the class syllabus, assignment sheet or other directions available to you in Blackboard. Class updates are sent out through Blackboard email, so it is good practice to check your email daily. It is important that students are aware of the tone and structure of their correspondence.
 
All emails should include:
? A greeting
? A clear statement of the question or inquiry
? Your name
? Include proper spelling and grammar.  'Texting' abbreviations, lack of punctuation and 'i' are not acceptable.
 
Civility in the Classroom:
Student incivility, rudeness, or attacks of a personal nature or statements will not be tolerated, whether directed at the instructor or another student. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities on campus or in online classes will be required to cease such behavior. If the behavior continues after the first warning, the student will no longer continue as a student of the course.
 
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is essential to learning and I take it very seriously.   Academic dishonesty will not be accepted in this class.  Students are to submit their own work – not the work of others.  If you submit other’s work as your own or submit assignment using resources not allowed, not only are you jeopardizing your academic future, but you are paying for an education you are not receiving and, moreover, you are wasting your own time and energy in an effort not to learn. It is expected that students are submitting their own original work.
 
All student submissions are checked for plagiarism and use of any materials not authorized for use for an assignment is prohibited. Should this be an issue with any assignment you submit, you will receive a 0 on the assignment and, possibly an F in the class. The use of article rewriting tools, or other AI technology is unacceptable and will result in a 0 for the assignment. If there are indications of academic dishonesty, students may be asked to take a written, or verbal assessment in my presence. 
 
If an issue arises with your work, I do reserve the right to go back and reassess/regrade previously submitted work to see if academic dishonesty has occurred with previous submissions. Assigning an F for the course for plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty is at my discretion if the offence is flagrant or repeated.  Please note that I decide if an offence is flagrant or repeated – not the student.
 
Lamar State College – Port Arthur Academic Dishonesty Policy:
Lamar State College-Port Arthur considers academic dishonesty, including collusion, cheating, and plagiarism as defined in the Student Handbook, to be a serious academic offence.  Students guilty of such behavior will be subject to the following penalties:
First offense:  Student will receive a failing grade on the exam or assignment with no possibility for a make-up.  If the offense is flagrant, the student may receive an ‘F’ in the course.  The student's name and documented offence will be forwarded to the proper college officials.
Second offense:  Student will receive an ‘F’ in the course with no possibility for make-up.  The student's name and documented offence will be forwarded to the proper university officials.  All accused students will be given a written notice of the offense, the penalty assessed, and the right of appeal to the department chair/advisory committee. 
 
Syllabus Change Policy
I reserve the right to adjust this syllabus, assignments, and due dates as needed.  Any changes will be announced in class and sent as an announcement through the Blackboard system. You should check your email daily for any announcements about the course.
 
24-hour Online Blackboard Help:
If you need help with Blackboard, please contact the 24-hour online help desk at (936) 496-5379 or bbhelp@lamarpa.edu. 
 
For mylamarpa access/login issues:
Mr. Kenneth Lisby
Office: Gates Memorial Library Open Computer Lab
Email: helpdesk@lamarpa.edu
Office: (409) 984-6150    
 
Disability Accommodations:
It is the policy of Lamar State College-Port Arthur to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to state and federal law and the College’s commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a disability who needs accommodation should provide the instructor with a copy of the letter from the Office of Student Disability at the beginning of the course. 

Attendance Policy Class Attendance:
Attendance is expected.  Excessive absences or tardiness will have a detrimental effect on your overall performance in the class. If a student has more than 6 absences, I reserve the right to lower a student’s final grade by one letter grade. Students are expected to arrive to class on time
Additional Information
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431