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Spring 2026 Course Syllabus
Course: HIST-1301 (Section: 1, CRN: 10009) United States History I |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||||
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| Instructor | Dr. Christina Wilbur | ||||||||||
| wilburca@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||||
| Phone | (409) 984-6394 | ||||||||||
| Office | Student Center - Room: 414 | ||||||||||
| Office Hours | Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 - 9:30 & 12:15 - 2:15 Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00 - 9:00 |
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| 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.
The American Yawp, Volume I. This is a free, online textbook. You can access the textbook in Blackboard and here: The American Yawp. Volume I A printable, PDF version of the textbook is available here: The American Yawp Printable PDF. There is also an audio version of the textbook and video lectures available on Blackboard. |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None. | ||||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites | None | ||||||||||
| 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. |
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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 | May 7, 2026 - 11:00 AM Through May 7, 2026 - 12:15 PM | ||||||||||
| Grading Scale | 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F | ||||||||||
| Determination of Final Grade |
Midterm Exam: 20% Final Exam: 20% Quizzes: 30% 8 quizzes – 7 included for a grade (lowest or missed quiz dropped) 2 Writing Assignments 15% (7.5% each) Class Participation & Class Activities: 15% This requires informed and active participation in class. Please note that just attending class does not mean that you are participating in class. |
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| Course Policies | |||||||||||
| Instructor Policies |
Exams: You will take 2 major exams in this course. Exams will be essay and you will be given possible essay questions a week ahead of the exam. 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 material will consist of class lecture material, class assignments, readings and films. One quiz - the lowest, or a missed quiz - will be dropped. Missed quizzes are not made up. Electronics in the classroom: Students are welcome to use laptop computers in the classroom for course-related purposes. However, recording or filming class sessions is not permitted, as all students are entitled to privacy in the learning environment. An exception is made for students with approved accommodations from the Office of Accessibility, who may record in accordance with their documentation. Students are encouraged to take lecture notes in a spiral notebook or notepad. On occasion, paper notes may be permitted for use during a quiz. Please note that only handwritten notes will be allowed in these situations-not notes stored on a laptop or other device-so plan your note-taking method accordingly. Cell phone Policy: To support a focused, respectful, and engaging learning environment, students are asked to keep cell phones silent and stored out of sight during class sessions. This helps ensure that everyone can fully participate and benefit from our time together. If challenges with this policy arise, the instructor may request a conversation to discuss strategies for success. Email: To help me respond to your questions as efficiently as possible, please include your course name and section number in the subject line of all emails. This ensures I can quickly identify your class and provide an accurate response. You are always welcome to email me, and I make every effort to respond within 24–48 hours during the workweek. My regular availability is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Emails sent in the evening or over the weekend will be addressed the next business day. Please use your Lamar PA email account (not Blackboard messaging) as messages sent from personal email accounts may be filtered into clutter folders and could be missed. Many common questions can be answered by reviewing the syllabus, assignment instructions, other course materials available on Blackboard, and I encourage you to consult these resources first. Finally, please remember that professional tone and clear structure are important parts of effective academic communication. Civility in the Classroom Our classroom is a space built on mutual respect, and thoughtful engagement. Students are expected to communicate and interact in ways that are civil, and supportive of learning for everyone. If behavior arises that disrupts this environment, the instructor will address it promptly and work with the student to correct the issue. |
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| Attendance Policy |
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. Excessive tardiness or leaving class early is disruptive. |
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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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