Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: HIST-1301 (Section: 71, CRN: 90063) United States History I |
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Instructor | Dr. Christina Wilbur | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
wilburca@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Phone | (409) 984-6394 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office | Student Center - Room: 414 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Office Hours | Mon/Wed 1:15-3:15 Tues/Thurs 8:00-9:30 / 10:45-12:15 |
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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.
The American Yawp: A Massively Collaborative Open U.S. History Textbook, Vol. 1: To 1877 Edited by Joseph L. Locke and Ben Wright You can access your free, online textbook here: The American Yawp Online A printable, PDF version of the textbook is available here: The American Yawp Printable PDF. An audio version of the textbook is available here: The American Yawp Audio. Video lectures for each chapter of the textbook are available here: The American Yawp Video. Lectures Links to the textbook are also provided within Blackboard. |
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Additional Materials/Resources |
Additional required readings and videos are included in Blackboard and listed under each Module. Also, any class lecture PowerPoints, handouts, study guides or other ancillary material will be posted within each module. |
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Corequisites/Prerequisites |
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Learning Outcomes |
Create an argument through the use of 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. |
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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 |
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Lecture Topics Outline |
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Major Assignments Schedule |
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Final Exam Date | December 8, 2025 - 8:00 AM Through December 10, 2025 - 11:59 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grading Scale | 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Determination of Final Grade |
● 4 Exams: (50%). 12.5 % each ● Quizzes: (20%). Complete 9 (8 @ 2.5% each included for your grade) ● Course project (30%) Exams / Quizzes You will take 4 exams and 9 quizzes in this class (1 quiz will be dropped). The lowest scoring or missed quiz will be the quiz that is dropped. So, if you miss a quiz, you do not need to email me and ask to make it up. All quizzes and exams will be taken via Blackboard with video proctoring software. You are to abide by the proctoring rules and any deviation from them will result in a 0. Exams and quizzes may include multiple choice, short answers, essays, or other types of questions or assessments. Course Project: The course project will make up 30% of your final course grade. This project will require you to demonstrate your knowledge of material from the semester. Multiple assignments throughout the semester will be included for your course project. The course project is not optional. Details of the course project will be provided in Blackboard. Grading Scale and What It Means Grades in this course reflect not just the completion of assignments, but the quality, depth, and effort demonstrated in your work. Each letter grade represents a different level of mastery and engagement with the material: ● 90–100: A (Excellent Work) An “A” represents outstanding achievement. Work at this level is thorough, polished, and shows deep understanding of the material. It goes beyond simply meeting the requirements—it demonstrates original thought, strong analysis, and careful attention to detail. Earning an “A” requires consistent effort, strong writing and critical thinking skills, and excellent time management. ● 89–80: B (Good Work) A “B” represents solid, above-average work. Assignments at this level meet all requirements and show a good grasp of the material. The work is organized, accurate, and well-presented, but it may not go as far in depth or originality as “A” level work. This is good, strong work that shows you are engaging seriously with the course. ● 79–70: C (Satisfactory Work) A “C” represents acceptable performance. Work at this level meets the minimum requirements but may be basic, incomplete in analysis, or show limited engagement with the material. It demonstrates that you are doing the work, but not at a high level of mastery. A “C” is passing, but it signals that there is room for significant improvement. ● 69–60: D (Poor Work) A “D” represents below-average performance. Work at this level may miss key requirements, contain frequent errors, or show little understanding of the material. A “D” is technically passing, but it does not reflect adequate mastery of the subject and may not count toward certain degree requirements. ● 59–0: F (Failing Work) An “F” indicates that the work does not meet the minimum requirements for the course. This may be the result of missing assignments, incomplete submissions, or a lack of understanding of the material. An “F” means no credit is earned for the course. ● Remember:Grades are not just a measure of where you are now, but also an opportunity to see where you can grow. Aim high, put in steady effort, and use feedback as a tool to keep improving throughout the course. |
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Course Policies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Instructor Policies |
AI policy for this class:
You are not to use AI for assignments in this course.All work submitted to me must be your original work – not AI, AI influenced, or AI revised. You may also not use other AI tools during testing. Failure to follow these policy guidelines for this class will result in a 0 for the assignment or exam and the possibility of an assigned F for the course. If there are indications of academic dishonesty, students may be asked to take a written, or verbal assessment in my presence.
Tips for Success:
Civility in the Online 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. Email: You must put the class and section number in the subject line of the email. I need to know what class you are in so that I can answer your question(s). You are welcome to email me, and I do try to respond promptly 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. I do not check email on the weekends or holidays. Please use your lamarpa email to communicatewith me as emails from Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc. may end up in a clutter folder and I will not see it, and therefore, not respond. Additionally, do not use Blackboard email. You will not get a response. Most questions can be answered by reading the class syllabus, assignment sheet, asking a classmate or other directions available to you in Blackboard. But should you still need help or have a question, please let me know. Students should always be 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. |
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Attendance Policy |
Attendance and Participation in an Online Course Regular logins are required to confirm your participation in this class. Simply logging in once at the beginning of the semester—or only around exam times—does not meet the expectations for attendance. Colleges and universities are required to report student attendance to offices such as Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs, and other administrative units. If you are not logging in consistently and completing assignments, I am required to document you as not attending. To avoid any issues with your enrollment or benefits, you should log in daily (or at minimum several times a week) to check announcements, participate in course activities, and stay current with readings and assignments. Consistent engagement is not only essential for your success in this course but also for maintaining your official enrollment status. |
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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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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. |
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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 |
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