Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: HIST-1301 (Section: 01, CRN: 10009)
United States History I
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Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Christina Wilbur
Email wilburca@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6394
Office Student Center - Room: 414
Office Hours Mon/Wed 8:00-9:30 / 11:00-12:00
Tues/Thurs 8:00-9:30
Fri 8:00-10:00 
Additional Contact Information
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.

OpenStax US History
This is a free, online textbook you can access here: OpenStax US History.
There is also an audio version of the text that you can access here: Audio OpenStax US History
Additional links to the textbook are also provided within Blackboard. 
Additional Materials/Resources All course materials are available online, but students will need 10 Scantron 882-E forms for exams and quizzes.
Corequisites/Prerequisites
  • ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
  • ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing
Learning Outcomes Learning Outcomes - Students will be able to:
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.
Core Objectives 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
OpenStax Chapter 2: Early Globalization: The Atlantic World, 1492–1650
OpenStax Chapter 3: Creating New Social Orders: Colonial Societies, 1500–1700
OpenStax Chapter 4: Rule Britannia! The English Empire, 1660–1763
OpenStax Chapter 5: Imperial Reforms and Colonial Protests, 1763-1774
 
Open Stax Chapter 6: America's War for Independence, 1775-1783
OpenStax Chapter 7: Creating Republican Governments, 1776–1790
SPRING BREAK
OpenStax Chapter 8: Growing Pains: The New Republic, 1790–1820
OpenStax Chapter 9: Industrial Transformation in the North, 1800–1850
OpenStax Chapter 10: Jacksonian Democracy, 1820–1840
 
OpenStax Chapter 11: A Nation on the Move: Westward Expansion, 1800–1860
OpenStax Chapter 12: Cotton is King: The Antebellum South, 1800–1860
Chapter 13: Antebellum Idealism and Reform Impulses, 1820–1860
OpenStax Chapter 14: Troubled Times: The Tumultuous 1850s
OpenStax Chapter 15:  The Civil War, 1860–1865         
Open Stax Chapter 16: The Era of Reconstruction, 1865–1877
Final Exam Week

Major Assignments Schedule
  Course Schedule  
 
Module One Additional readings and videos will be added to the schedule as we begin each new module. Make sure to refer to this schedule and check the new modules when they open.  
1/23-1/26
 
Thursday, 1/23: Welcome to class No class: Tuesday, 1/21: Snow Day
1/27 – 2/2
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 2: Early Globalization: The Atlantic World, 1492–1650
Read: The American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World
 
2/3 - 2/9
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 3: Creating New Social Orders: Colonial Societies, 1500–1700
Read: “Our Plantation Is Very Weak”: The Experiences of an Indentured Servant in Virginia, 1623
View: Early English Settlement
 
 
2/10 - 2/16
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 4: Rule Britannia! The English Empire, 1660–1763  
2/17 - 2/23
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 5: Imperial Reforms and Colonial Protests, 1763-1774
Read: The Stamp Act
 
 
Exam I: Thursday, 2/20
Module Two    
2/24-3/2
 
Read: Open Stax Chapter 6: America's War for Independence, 1775-1783 Monday, 2/24: Final day to drop class without penalty.
3/3-3/9
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 7: Creating Republican Governments, 1776–1790  
3/10 - 3/16 SPRING BREAK  
3/17-3/23 Read: OpenStax Chapter 8: Growing Pains: The New Republic, 1790–1820  
3/24 - 3/30
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 9: Industrial Transformation in the North, 1800–1850 No class: Tuesday, 3/25. Instructor at conference.
3/31 – 4/6
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 10: Jacksonian Democracy, 1820–1840 Exam II: Thursday, 4/3
 
Module Three    
4/7 - 4/13
 
Read OpenStax Chapter 11: A Nation on the Move: Westward Expansion, 1800–1860  
4/14 - 4/20
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 12: Cotton is King: The Antebellum South, 1800–1860
&
Read: Chapter 13: Antebellum Idealism and Reform Impulses, 1820–1860
Monday, 4/18: Last day to drop with penalty
4/21 - 4/27
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 14: Troubled Times: The Tumultuous 1850s  
4/28 - 5/4
 
Read: OpenStax Chapter 15:  The Civil War, 1860–1865          
5/5 – 5/11 Read: Open Stax Chapter 16: The Era of Reconstruction, 1865–1877  
5/12 – 5/18 Final Exam Week Final Exam: Tuesday, 5/13
 
 
 
Final Exam Date May 13, 2025 - 11:00 AM   Through  May 13, 2025 - 12:15 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
3 exams: 20% each = 60%
4/5 quizzes (lowest or missed quiz dropped): 5% each = 20%
Class presentation: 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Exams:  
You will take 3 major exams in this course.  Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. 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. 
 
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be announced the class before the quiz.  Topics will range from class lectures, class assignments, readings to films. One quiz - the lowest, or a missed quiz - will be dropped. 

Cell phone Policy:
To maintain a focused and respectful learning environment, cell phones must be turned off or silenced and stored out of sight during class sessions. Use of cell phones for texting, browsing, or any other purpose is strictly prohibited unless explicitly authorized by the instructor for a specific activity.
Consequences for Policy Violations:
1.      First Violation: Verbal reminder to comply with the policy.
2.      Subsequent Violations: Each instance will result in a deduction of 5 points from your final grade.
Important Notes:
If you are expecting an urgent call or message (e.g., family emergency), please notify the instructor before class begins. Failure to comply with this policy repeatedly may also result in a meeting with the instructor to discuss further consequences. Your cooperation is essential in fostering a productive academic environment for everyone.
 
Email: 
You must put the class and section number in the subject line of the email.  I must know what class you are in so that I can answer your question. 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 respond to email on the weekends.  Please use your lamarpa email to communicate with 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. Most questions can be answered by reading the class syllabus, assignment sheet, or other directions available to you in Blackboard.  Students should always be aware of the tone and structure of their correspondence.

I do not respond to mail sent through Blackboard email. You must use your lamarpa.edu email. 
 
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 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.
Attendance Policy Class Attendance: 
Attendance is expected.  Excessive absences or tardiness will have a detrimental effect on your overall performance in the class. 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 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.

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:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431