INSTRUCTOR and CONTACT INFORMATION:
L. Patrick Goines. Unfortunately, we will not be able to meet face to face this semester. The best way to contact me is by emailing me at pgoines@austincc.edu. I will check my email regularly and will respond as quickly as I can. You can also leave a message on my office phone at 223-3121.

TEXTBOOK:
H.W. Brands, American Stories vol. I, 4th ed. This is an electronic textbook which you can access through Blackboard. Go to the "revel" link and follow the instructions. You have already paid for the text when you paid your tuition. I will send you an email "invitation" that provides an access code if you do not have one already. I think most students will prefer the online e-text, but you can opt out of the e-text, receive a refund, and then purchase a loose leaf printed version of the text. Opt-out requests must be received prior to the official reporting date for a full refund. For more information on opting in and opting out go HERE. You can also find more information at www.austincc.edu/firstday. Your text includes quizzes to check your knowledge of the material that you have just read. While I encourage you to take these quizzes they do not factor in to your grade.

COURSE ORIENTATIONS: 
Each student MUST COMPLETE the Online Orientation NO LATER THAN JULY 8. Failure to do this by the deadline may lead to your WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COURSE.

COURSE RATIONALE AND DESCRIPTION:
This course surveys the major developments in the history of the United States and its people from 1492 to 1877  and partially fulfills the legislative requirement.  It also includes examples of conflicting interpretations of the progress of that history and a program of historical research. this course offers students opportunities to pursue historical topics of individual interest and enhance their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. You should be aware of the expectations that the History Department has for all students. See the History Department Webpage.

COURSE METHODOLOGY:
This is an online version of the standard 3 Credit Hour United States History survey course. We will not meet as a class, but students will be required to do the same amount of work and the same quality of work as students enrolling in the classroom equivalent of the course.  Since this is a 5 week semester we will move at an accelerated pace. This course is designed for mature and capable students endowed with a great degree of self discipline and responsibility. ACC has a FAQ page about Distance Learning courses that you can access here.  If this description does not sound like you, then you should consider dropping this section. YOU WILL NEED maturity, ability, and self-discipline to successfully complete the requirements of any self-paced  course. I will email reminders about Exams and post occasional notices on BLACKBOARD. I will also post your grades on Blackboard once I receive them. Consult the History Department Webpage for more information.

COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Can be found here.

TESTING POLICY: 
Exams will be taken online through Blackboard using Respondus Lockdown Monitor on your own computer.  Make sure to go through the Distance Testing Instructions to see the requirements and procedures. Again, to take this course, you will need access to a Windows, Mac, or iPad computer with a WORKING CAMERA. Chromebooks are not compatible with the Blackboard software and can not be used in this course. You may be able to check out an iPad from ACC by going to the Student Support page.

Each unit consists of 30 multiple choice questions that come directly from the Learning Objectives found in the History 1301 STUDY GUIDE. You may TAKE EXAMS AS SOON AS YOU ARE READY. You do not have to wait until the deadline to take exams. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO WAIT UNTIL THE DEADLINE to take exams.  If you have missed a deadline FOR ANY REASON, the highest grade you can make is a 21/30. To that end, you should take exams ASAP so that you do not miss a deadline. I recognize that we lead complicated lives and there are often unforeseen challenges that interfere with are planned schedules. Unfortunately, there will be no excuses for missing a deadline. If you do not pass the test the first time you take it (21/30 or 70%), then you may retest. You may re-test only once per exam.  The highest grade possible on the retest is 21/30 or 70%.  Therefore, if you have passed the test the first time, there is no point in retaking it. YOU CANNOT make a score higher than 70% on the retest. Also, recognize that Exams have a 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The student's final course grade is determined by the quality and quantity of the student's work.  The following requirements are non-negotiable: For the grades of D, C, B, and A YOU MUST CONTACT ME, by email, phone, or in person TWICE during the semester: once after the completion of Test #3 and once after the completion of Test #5.  The purpose of these contacts is to make sure that you understand your position in this course. In your email  make sure to:
1.)  INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME
2.) WHICH COURSE YOU ARE IN (History 1301-097 for example) 
3.) Indicate whether or not you are clear about your position in the course and that  you understand what you need to do to make the grade that you are trying to achieve.
Anyone failing to make these contacts may not receive credit for the course. I will respond to ALL EMAILS as quickly as I can. In most cases, if you have not heard back from me in 24 hours you can assume that I did not receive your email. You should then re-send it.

For the grade of D:

In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests and make an overall course average of 60% (an average of 18 correct out of 30 questions on each test which is a a total of 90 points for the 5 exams). Failure to meet these requirements will result in the grade of F.  There are no further requirements, but you should recognize that a D may not transfer to other colleges as a history credit.

For the grade of C:

In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests and make an overall course average of 70% (an average of 21 correct out of 30 questions on each test which is a total of 105 points for the 5 exams).  There are no further requirements.

For the grade of B:

Option One:   In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests, and make an overall course average of 80% (24 out of 30 questions on each test which is a total of 120 points for the 5 exams) AND complete one B-level objective: the Analytical Book Review.

Option Two: In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests, and make 24 out of 30 questions or better ON EACH TEST.

For the grade of A:

In addition to the two course contacts, the student must take all 5 tests, and make an overall course average of 80% (24 out of 30 questions on each test which is a total of 120 points for the 5 exams) AND produce one A-level Objective: Research Paper.

Recognize that GRADES ARE NOT ROUNDED UP. You must have a minimum of 105 points to earn a C in the class. You must have a minimum of 120 points on the 5 exams to be eligible to write either the A of the B papers. yIf you have 119 points you are not eligible to write either paper. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to take exams ASAP so that you know your position in the course and do not spend time wiriting papers that will not be graded. 

DEADLINES:
I encourage you to take the exams BEFORE THE DEADLINE to make sure that unforeseen events do not prevent you from taking the exam. If you miss the deadline, FOR ANY REASON, the highest grade you can make is a 21/30. You may take retests at any point until August 6.  You may take the tests as soon as you are ready, however, YOU MUST take the tests by the following DEADLINES:

YOU MUST have the topic for your A-Level Objective (the term paper) approved by me on or before JULY 21 Your topic must have WRITTEN approval from me before you may proceed with your paper. Any paper submitted to me on a topic that was not approved will not be graded.   

YOU MUST turn in your B-Level Objective (the analytical book report) OR your A-Level Objective (the research paper) by AUGUST 7. Papers submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

All these DEADLINES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!  If an exam is taken after the deadline FOR ANY REASON the highest grade you can earn is a 21/30 (70%). Recognize that this is not a question of excused or not-excused. For this reason I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE EXAMS BEFORE THE DEADLINES. All exams must be taken no later than AUGUST 6. Any exam taken after that date, FOR ANY REASON, WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: 
If you determine during the course of the semester that you will not be able to successfully fulfill the requirements for this course, YOU SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE!   The deadline for withdrawing is AUGUST 3. No withdrawals or re-instatements may be made after this deadline. I WILL NOT retroactively withdraw students from this course FOR ANY REASON. It is your responsibility to understand the impact that withdrawing from a course has on your financial aid, veteran's benefits, and/or international student status.  You may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than 6 courses during your undergraduate education. You should consult with an advisor if you are thinking about withdrawing from this course.

COURSE COMPLETION VERIFICATION: 
The contact after test #5 will serve as a course completion verification and must be done no later than AUGUST 8.   FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS CONTACT REQUIREMENT MAY IMPERIL THE PROMPT REPORTING OF YOUR GRADE!!!   This is as much a requirement of the course as any other grading requirement.

INCOMPLETES: 
The grade of I (Incomplete) will only be awarded for medical reasons verified by a satisfactory letter from a physician. All Incompletes must be completed within four weeks in the following semester. There are no exceptions to this policy.“Students receiving an “I” for Summer 2020 may complete remaining course requirements and convert the I to a completion grade no later than November 191, 2020.  Students receiving an “I” for Summer 2020 who have not completed course requirements by the November 19th, 2020 extended
conversion date may request that the I be converted to a W and that they receive a voucher to take the course in Spring 2021.  These requests will be considered by the COVID-19 Spring 2021 Hardship Review Committee.  Approval would require extenuating circumstances that did not allow the student to complete the course requirements during the extended completion time.  You will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the Fall semester in order to submit work and complete the course. If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

CAMPUS OPERATIONS:
To limit the spread of COVID-19,  ACC campuses remain closed to students and the public.   There are no face-to-face classes or services.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! The college policy states: Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements, and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available at
https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process. Anyone found guilty of cheating on an exam or plagiarism on their paper will will  RECEIVE AN F FOR THE COURSE..

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Student Accessibility Services Office on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

STUDENT PRIVACY:
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that student privacy be preserved. Grades can not be given over the phone, through a fellow student, spouses, parents or by email.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct.:
https://www.austincc.edu/students/students- rights and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct

USE OF ACC EMAIL:
ACC sends all email communication solely to the student's ACCmail account and expects students to read the messages in a timely manner. So that means all important information and emergency details will go only to your ACCmail . Students should expect to receive from, and send email to, their instructors from their ACCmail account. To set up an account, students can go to ACCmail for instructions.

SAFETY STATEMENT:
Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and
courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action. In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or a continuing illness outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

BUILDING REGULATIONS:
ACC regulations prohibit smoking, drinking, and eating in classrooms. This prohibition includes e-cigarettes.

LEGAL NOTICE:
All course materials, including the syllabus, study questions and exam questions are copyrighted material. Copying or posting all or part of these materials online to Facebook, Quizlet, or any other site is a violation of copyright and is expressly forbidden.

HISTORY TUTORING: 
ACC History Department faculty are available for additional tutoring assistance at different Learning Labs at different times. See the schedule.  ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjectsr anging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis.  An online tutor request can be made here:
https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/online-tutoring-request/ Additional tutoring information can be found here: austincc.edu/onlinetutoring
 
LIBRARY SERVICES:
ACC has a full-service library at each of its campuses to support ACC courses and programs and to provide students with research and assignment assistance from expert faculty librarians. ACC students have full rights and privileges to access Library Services online 24/7 via the ACC Library website and students can use their ACCeID logins to access all online materials, including ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos.   ACC Libraries also provide an “Ask a Librarian” service, which allows students to reach a librarian 24/7 through online chat “live.”  Faculty librarians are also available via email and phone seven days a week during hours of operation. Visit:
 
 Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu
 Ask a Librarian: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
 Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
 Email: library@austincc.edu
 
In partnership with ACC’s Student Support Center, ACC Libraries also maintain a limited collection of textbooks for students (made available by Student Affairs) to borrow. Priority access to the textbook collection is given to students receiving assistance. More information is available on the ACC website by searching “Student Support Center Textbook Collection.”

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:
ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.
 

PERSONAL SUPPORT:
Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:
Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be
found here:
https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now
 Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support
Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
 The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that
may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes:
http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
 Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the
Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/. 
A full listing of services for student parents is available at:
https://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care
 The CARES Act Student Aid will help eligible students pay expenses
related to COVID-19:
https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/cares-act-student-aid.  
 
Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student
Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns:
http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .
 
If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However if you are afraid
that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.
 
Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:
 Austin / Travis County 24 hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP
(4357)
 The Williamson County 24 hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
 Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
 Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
 Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
o Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)
 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
 
ILLNESS:
Any ACC student or employee with symptoms or exposure to the COVID-19 virus should inform their professor(s) or supervisor and complete the college’s self reporting form:
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?AustinCC&layout_id=124

CAMPUS CARRY: 
The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999. A short video can be found here.

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements:
Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with
them. If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any
ACC campus:  (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online: https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .  While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the
Compliance Office for resources and options:  Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964;  compliance@austincc.edu . If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

STUDENT COMPLAINTS:
A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved. Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability. Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students- rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED:
The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students. Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found
in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view

PASS/NO PASS:
ACC has temporarily implemented a Pass/No Pass option for grading.  Students are permitted (but not required) to convert any course sections to Pass/No-Pass grading. The following procedures will apply.  After receiving their grade for the semester, students will have until {insert date] to elect Pass/No-Pass grading.  Only grades of C or better in a course may be converted to P (Pass). Grades of D and F may be converted to NP (No-Pass).  All courses for which students receive passing (P) grades will count toward ACC degree requirements, which may override some departmental or college policies.  A grade of Pass/No-pass will not count toward a student's grade point average (GPA); however a grade of Pass will count toward earned semester hours. Students should consider the possible implications of electing the Pass/No-Pass option (e.g., on course transfer, GPA calculations, financial aid, etc.).  Academic transcripts will have a note added indicating the Pass/No Pass grading option is due to the Corona- virus pandemic.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Learning is a skill. The more you practice, the easier and more enjoyable learning becomes. Learn all you can. Ask questions. Challenge yourself. Stay informed. While we will not meet as a class I do want to remind you that in our discussions and conferences there are bound to be differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics students may sometimes disagree not only with each other, but also with the instructor. It is to be expected that faculty and students will respect the views of each other when expressed in classroom discussions. We will, therefore, vigorously defend the principles of free speech so every student should feel comfortable in expressing his or her opinions.

GO TO THE STUDY GUIDE

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