Instructor: Dr. Christina A. Wilbur

Email: wilburca@lamarpa.edu

Phone: (409) 984-6394

Office Hours: T & TH: 8:00-9:30 & 10:45-12:45; MWF: 8:00-9:00

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, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, and the creation of the federal government.

Textbook:

The American Yawp, Volume 1, 2nd Edition. This is a free, online textbook. 

You can access the textbook in Blackboard and here: The American Yawp, Vol. 1

A printable, PDF version of the textbook is available here: The American Yawp Printable PDF, Vol. 1.

Audio version of The American Yawp, Vol. 1: The American Yawp, Vol. 1 Audio Edition.

Video lectures for The American Yawp, Vol. 1: The American Yawp, Vol. 1 Video Lectures

A webcam is needed to take exams.

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.

None

None

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.

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.

Final Exam: Opens Monday, November 30 at 8:00 and is due Friday, December 4 by 11:59 pm.

This class will use a 100-point grading scale.

100-90: A        

89-80: B            

79-70: C            

69-60: D            

59-0: F

How your grade is calculated:

Exam 1: 20%

Exam 2: 20%

Exam 3: 20%

Quizzes: 10%

Submission of Class Project and Presentation: 30%

(This will consist of various project assignments throughout the semester and your presentation.)

Time Requirements for this Course:

The time needed for this class is substantial. Deadlines are firm. Make it a priority to read daily and to stay on schedule with the readings, videos, and assignments. This takes time. I recommend that students print out the assignment schedule, refer to it daily, and plan their schedules accordingly.

Technology Responsibility

It is assumed that students registered for an online class 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, view videos, etc.

Late Assignments: Late submissions of assignments, quizzes, and exams are not accepted.

Format for submitting assignments: All assignment submissions MUST be submitted as a Word document. Links to SharePoint, Google Docs, Apple Pages, PDF’s, or any other format will not be accepted and will not receive a grade.

Exams:  

You will take 3 major exams in this course. Exams will be a combination of essay, short answer, and multiple choice. 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. 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:

Practice quizzes are untimed and unproctored for you to practice the course material. You may take the quizzes up to 3 times, and the highest score will be your grade. The lowest-scoring or missed quiz will be the quiz that is dropped. If you miss a quiz, you do not need to email me and ask to make it up.

Course Project:

The local history course project will make up 30% of your final course grade. Multiple assignments and a final presentation will make up your final course project grade. The course project is not optional, and all sections must be completed. Details of the course project will be provided in Blackboard.

Extra Credit:

There is no extra credit offered for the course.

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 email) as messages sent from personal email accounts may be filtered into clutter folders and could be missed. Messages sent through Blackboard email will not get a response.

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.

Additional required readings, videos, and assignments are posted in Blackboard. You must view the Module schedule to see what the required readings, videos, and assignments are. 

Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is fundamental to meaningful learning and personal growth. Students are expected to submit their own original work and to complete assignments using only the resources permitted. Doing so ensures that you are fully engaging with the material and gaining the knowledge and skills this course is designed to develop.

The use of article-rewriting tools, ChatGPT, AI agents, AI bots, or other AI-generated content is not permitted for course assignments, course submissions, quizzes or exams and will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. If there are concerns regarding the authenticity of an assignment, students may be asked to complete a written or verbal assessment to demonstrate their understanding. These will be conducted either in my office or through video conference.

When academic dishonesty is suspected, the instructor reserves the right to review and reassess previously submitted work for consistency and integrity. Cases of plagiarism or other violations-particularly those that are flagrant or repeated - may result in failure of the course, in accordance with institutional policies. Determinations regarding the severity and repetition of violations rest with the instructor.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur considers academic dishonesty, including collusion, cheating, and plagiarism as defined in the Student Handbook, to be a serious academic offense. 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 the documented offense 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 the documented offense will be forwarded to the proper university officials. All accused students will be given written notice of the offense, the penalty assessed, and the right of appeal to the department chair/advisory committee.  

Civility in the Online 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. 

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 and any other college campus notifications.

You must log in to the class regularly. If you fail to log in and submit assignments, I must conclude that you are no longer participating in the class.

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 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.

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 Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

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.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

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.

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.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

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.