Faculty Syllabus

Mexican-American History I

HIST 2327-001

Section 17212

SYLLABUS

Spring, 2026

Dr. Gary Moreno

COURSE OBJECTIVE: This is a general survey of Mexican-American history from its pre-Columbian roots to 1877. Its purpose is to give the student an appreciation and understanding of how cultural, economic, political, and social developments helped shape Mexican-American communities. This course satisfies three semester hours of the legislative requirement in Mexican-American history

COURSE METHODOLOGY: This is an on-campus course. Instructional materials and assessments will take place through BlackBoard. Students work independently, reading the textbook, lectures, and the Study Guide to prepare for quizzes, midterm, and a final. Students take tests online by the posted deadlines.

CLASS MEETING TIMES: This class is an on-campus course that requires regular attendance at ACC’s Highland campus, Room 2218 on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:50 pm. Virtual office hours are available.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This a lecture-based Mexican-American history course. Success depends upon the student managing their time effectively. This course is designed for mature and capable students endowed with a great degree of self-discipline and responsibility. This is not a research course where you can look up answers online. This course requires you to actively listen, and take notes, based on my lectures. It is difficult to pass this course if you do not take notes over the lectures. Students can check out an iPad from ACC’s Student Support Center. Free Wifi is also provided in the parking lots of all ACC campuses. 

USE OF EMAIL: Do not send me messages through BlackBoard. Please communicate with me using my ACC email. All new students at Austin Community College are issued a student email account. I require that you use your ACC email in all our communications. Students are expected to read and respond to communications in a timely manner. Students should monitor their ACC email account on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed.

PROFESSOR INFORMATION:

Name: Gary Moreno, PhD

Title: Professor of History & Director of the Latin-American

Cultural Center

Office: 9143, Building G, Riverside Campus

Office Hours: Virtual meetings available through Zoom

Phone Number: (512) 223-6363

Email: gary.moreno@austincc.edu

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

TEXTBOOK:

Andrés Tijerina, Emilio Zamora Mexican Americans of Texas: A History of Tradition and Struggle Kendall Hunt (2023) 

ISBN# 9781524954604

Copies can be obtained online through the publisher. The Latin American Cultural Center at the Riverside campus also has available copies to loan out. The textbook is meant to be supplemental to the lectures. It provides additional context but is not central to the course. The lectures posted by the instructor are your main source of information. You can complete the first week of instruction, including Quiz #1 over geography, without the textbook. Please plan accordingly.

Students are expected to complete the following course work

1. Quizzes (4): 200 Points (33% of grade)
2. Midterm: 150 Points (25% of grade)
3. Final: 150 Points (25% of grade)
4. Source Project: 100 Points (17% of grade) 

SOFT DEADLINE POLICY: It is understood that over the course of your studies you may encounter unexpected difficulties. Due to such challenges, all my deadlines are “SOFT” deadlines. This means that you may complete the assessments past the deadline date without penalty, or direct permission from the instructor. However, if you complete an assessment past the deadline, or outside the regular submission parameters, then you will undoubtedly experience a delay in the submission of your grades. The soft deadline does NOT APPLY to the Source Selection or Final. The Source Selection and Final are hard deadlines.

SOURCE PROJECT: You will make a selection from a list by the source selection deadline of SATURDAY, January 24th at 11:59 PM. Students MUST complete and submit a source review by MONDAY, April 27th at 11:59 pm.  The book review must be three (3) full pages, twelve (12) font type, and double spaced. (see SOURCE PROJECT tab)

GRADING SCALE: Your final grade is determined by the number of points you accumulate during the semester, according to the following scale

An “A” requires between 537-600 points

A “B” requires between 477-536 points

A “C” requires between 417-476 points

A “D” requires between 357-416 points

An “F” requires between 0-356 points 

QUIZZES, MIDTERM, & FINAL:   

QUIZZES

Each Quiz has TEN (10) multiple choice questions valued at TWO(2) points each, TWO (2) identifications valued at TEN (10) points each, and ONE (1) essay valued at TEN (10) points. The quizzes focus on the learning objectives found in the “Study Guide” online.

MIDTERM & FINAL

Both the Midterm and Final consist of FIFTY (50) multiple choice questions valued at TWO (2) points each and ONE (1) essay valued at FIFTY (50) points that focus on the learning objectives found in the “Study Guide” online.

RETEST OPTION

The retest option gives qualifying students the opportunity to pass assessments they failed. The retest will not include multiple choice questions. Only the essay and “identifications” will be retested. There will be no retest for the Final.

EXTRA CREDIT

There will be several extra credit opportunities. Only 20 points are offered for attendance. Extra credit points are limited to one per student.  

IMPORTANT DATES:

First day of class: 1/20

Last day to add 1/21

70% refund deadline 2/9

25% refund deadline 2/16

Spring Break Holiday 3/16-20

Final withdrawal deadline 4/27

Last day of class 5/8

Final Exam Deadline 5/9

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If a student does not have contact with the instructor by the “Attendance Certification” deadline on WEDNESDAY, February 4th, they will be withdrawn. If you determine during the course of the semester that you will not be able to successfully fulfill the requirements of this course and want to avoid the possibility of being assigned a failing grade, you may withdraw yourself. The withdrawal deadline is MONDAY, April 27th. No withdrawals or reinstatements may be made after this date.

• A “withdrawal” appears as a “W” on your transcripts
• A “withdrawal does not affect your Grade Point Average (GPA)--however, there may be negative academic or financial aid consequences
• Withdrawal is accomplished by completing a withdrawal form online at the “Student Online Services” web page (http://www.austincc.edu/onlineservices/)
• It is your responsibility to complete the withdrawal process by the deadline--MONDAY, April 27th, 2026. 

ACADEMIC FREEDOM: The free exchange of information is vital to the pursuit of learning. Students are expected to approach each other with respect and a willingness to listen. Thoughtful conversations concerning history can often be uncomfortable. While we should not become prisoners of the past we must acknowledge the more unsavory aspects of our complicated history. Please be mindful of this as you attempt to make your point heard.

CLASS CALENDAR:

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLASS CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

Week 1

1/18-1/24 Introduction to the Course & Meso-America

Lectures #1-4

SATURDAY, 1/24: Source Selection deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 2

1/25-1/31 Aztec Empire

Lectures #5-7

MONDAY, 1/26: Quiz #1 (geography) deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 3

2/1-2/7 Spanish Explorers

Lectures #8-10

MONDAY, 2/2: Quiz #2 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 4

2/8-2/14 New Spain

Lectures #11-14

Week 5

2/15-2/21 Far Northern Frontier

Lectures #15-17

Week 6

2/22-2/28 Independence

Lectures #18-21

MONDAY, 2/23: Quiz #3 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 7

3/1-3/7 Early Republic

Lectures #22-23

Week 8

3/8-3/14 Road Trip Across the Early Republic

Lectures #24

Week 9

3/15-3/21 ***SPRING BREAK***

Week 10

3/22-3/28 Texas Revolution

Lectures #25-29

MONDAY, 3/23: Midterm deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 11

3/29-4/4 Texas Revolution

Lectures #25-29

Week 12

4/5-4/11 Mexican-American War

Lectures #33-34

Week 13

4/12-4/18 Resistance at the Border

Lectures #35-36

MONDAY, 4/13: Quiz #4 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 14

4/19-4/25 Benito Juárez & French Intervention

Lectures #37-38

Week 15

4/26-5/2 Porfiriato

Lectures #39

MONDAY, 4/27: Source Project deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 16

5/3-5/9 SATURDAY, 5/9: Final deadline @ 11:59 PM

Mexican-American History I

HIST 2327-001

Section 17212

SYLLABUS

Spring, 2026

Dr. Gary Moreno

COURSE OBJECTIVE: This is a general survey of Mexican-American history from its pre-Columbian roots to 1877. Its purpose is to give the student an appreciation and understanding of how cultural, economic, political, and social developments helped shape Mexican-American communities. This course satisfies three semester hours of the legislative requirement in Mexican-American history

COURSE METHODOLOGY: This is an on-campus course. Instructional materials and assessments will take place through BlackBoard. Students work independently, reading the textbook, lectures, and the Study Guide to prepare for quizzes, midterm, and a final. Students take tests online by the posted deadlines.

CLASS MEETING TIMES: This class is an on-campus course that requires regular attendance at ACC’s Highland campus, Room 2218 on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:50 pm. Virtual office hours are available.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This a lecture-based Mexican-American history course. Success depends upon the student managing their time effectively. This course is designed for mature and capable students endowed with a great degree of self-discipline and responsibility. This is not a research course where you can look up answers online. This course requires you to actively listen, and take notes, based on my lectures. It is difficult to pass this course if you do not take notes over the lectures. Students can check out an iPad from ACC’s Student Support Center. Free Wifi is also provided in the parking lots of all ACC campuses. 

USE OF EMAIL: Do not send me messages through BlackBoard. Please communicate with me using my ACC email. All new students at Austin Community College are issued a student email account. I require that you use your ACC email in all our communications. Students are expected to read and respond to communications in a timely manner. Students should monitor their ACC email account on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed.

PROFESSOR INFORMATION:

Name: Gary Moreno, PhD

Title: Professor of History & Director of the Latin-American

Cultural Center

Office: 9143, Building G, Riverside Campus

Office Hours: Virtual meetings available through Zoom

Phone Number: (512) 223-6363

Email: gary.moreno@austincc.edu

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

TEXTBOOK:

Andrés Tijerina, Emilio Zamora Mexican Americans of Texas: A History of Tradition and Struggle Kendall Hunt (2023) 

ISBN# 9781524954604

Copies can be obtained online through the publisher. The Latin American Cultural Center at the Riverside campus also has available copies to loan out. The textbook is meant to be supplemental to the lectures. It provides additional context but is not central to the course. The lectures posted by the instructor are your main source of information. You can complete the first week of instruction, including Quiz #1 over geography, without the textbook. Please plan accordingly.

Students are expected to complete the following course work

1. Quizzes (4): 200 Points (33% of grade)
2. Midterm: 150 Points (25% of grade)
3. Final: 150 Points (25% of grade)
4. Source Project: 100 Points (17% of grade) 

SOFT DEADLINE POLICY: It is understood that over the course of your studies you may encounter unexpected difficulties. Due to such challenges, all my deadlines are “SOFT” deadlines. This means that you may complete the assessments past the deadline date without penalty, or direct permission from the instructor. However, if you complete an assessment past the deadline, or outside the regular submission parameters, then you will undoubtedly experience a delay in the submission of your grades. The soft deadline does NOT APPLY to the Source Selection or Final. The Source Selection and Final are hard deadlines.

SOURCE PROJECT: You will make a selection from a list by the source selection deadline of SATURDAY, January 24th at 11:59 PM. Students MUST complete and submit a source review by MONDAY, April 27th at 11:59 pm.  The book review must be three (3) full pages, twelve (12) font type, and double spaced. (see SOURCE PROJECT tab)

GRADING SCALE: Your final grade is determined by the number of points you accumulate during the semester, according to the following scale

An “A” requires between 537-600 points

A “B” requires between 477-536 points

A “C” requires between 417-476 points

A “D” requires between 357-416 points

An “F” requires between 0-356 points 

QUIZZES, MIDTERM, & FINAL:   

QUIZZES

Each Quiz has TEN (10) multiple choice questions valued at TWO(2) points each, TWO (2) identifications valued at TEN (10) points each, and ONE (1) essay valued at TEN (10) points. The quizzes focus on the learning objectives found in the “Study Guide” online.

MIDTERM & FINAL

Both the Midterm and Final consist of FIFTY (50) multiple choice questions valued at TWO (2) points each and ONE (1) essay valued at FIFTY (50) points that focus on the learning objectives found in the “Study Guide” online.

RETEST OPTION

The retest option gives qualifying students the opportunity to pass assessments they failed. The retest will not include multiple choice questions. Only the essay and “identifications” will be retested. There will be no retest for the Final.

EXTRA CREDIT

There will be several extra credit opportunities. Only 20 points are offered for attendance. Extra credit points are limited to one per student.  

IMPORTANT DATES:

First day of class: 1/20

Last day to add 1/21

70% refund deadline 2/9

25% refund deadline 2/16

Spring Break Holiday 3/16-20

Final withdrawal deadline 4/27

Last day of class 5/8

Final Exam Deadline 5/9

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If a student does not have contact with the instructor by the “Attendance Certification” deadline on WEDNESDAY, February 4th, they will be withdrawn. If you determine during the course of the semester that you will not be able to successfully fulfill the requirements of this course and want to avoid the possibility of being assigned a failing grade, you may withdraw yourself. The withdrawal deadline is MONDAY, April 27th. No withdrawals or reinstatements may be made after this date.

• A “withdrawal” appears as a “W” on your transcripts
• A “withdrawal does not affect your Grade Point Average (GPA)--however, there may be negative academic or financial aid consequences
• Withdrawal is accomplished by completing a withdrawal form online at the “Student Online Services” web page (http://www.austincc.edu/onlineservices/)
• It is your responsibility to complete the withdrawal process by the deadline--MONDAY, April 27th, 2026. 

ACADEMIC FREEDOM: The free exchange of information is vital to the pursuit of learning. Students are expected to approach each other with respect and a willingness to listen. Thoughtful conversations concerning history can often be uncomfortable. While we should not become prisoners of the past we must acknowledge the more unsavory aspects of our complicated history. Please be mindful of this as you attempt to make your point heard.

CLASS CALENDAR:

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLASS CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

Week 1

1/18-1/24 Introduction to the Course & Meso-America

Lectures #1-4

SATURDAY, 1/24: Source Selection deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 2

1/25-1/31 Aztec Empire

Lectures #5-7

MONDAY, 1/26: Quiz #1 (geography) deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 3

2/1-2/7 Spanish Explorers

Lectures #8-10

MONDAY, 2/2: Quiz #2 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 4

2/8-2/14 New Spain

Lectures #11-14

Week 5

2/15-2/21 Far Northern Frontier

Lectures #15-17

Week 6

2/22-2/28 Independence

Lectures #18-21

MONDAY, 2/23: Quiz #3 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 7

3/1-3/7 Early Republic

Lectures #22-23

Week 8

3/8-3/14 Road Trip Across the Early Republic

Lectures #24

Week 9

3/15-3/21 ***SPRING BREAK***

Week 10

3/22-3/28 Texas Revolution

Lectures #25-29

MONDAY, 3/23: Midterm deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 11

3/29-4/4 Texas Revolution

Lectures #25-29

Week 12

4/5-4/11 Mexican-American War

Lectures #33-34

Week 13

4/12-4/18 Resistance at the Border

Lectures #35-36

MONDAY, 4/13: Quiz #4 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 14

4/19-4/25 Benito Juárez & French Intervention

Lectures #37-38

Week 15

4/26-5/2 Porfiriato

Lectures #39

MONDAY, 4/27: Source Project deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 16

5/3-5/9 SATURDAY, 5/9: Final deadline @ 11:59 PM

Mexican-American History I

HIST 2327-001

Section 17212

SYLLABUS

Spring, 2026

Dr. Gary Moreno

COURSE OBJECTIVE: This is a general survey of Mexican-American history from its pre-Columbian roots to 1877. Its purpose is to give the student an appreciation and understanding of how cultural, economic, political, and social developments helped shape Mexican-American communities. This course satisfies three semester hours of the legislative requirement in Mexican-American history

COURSE METHODOLOGY: This is an on-campus course. Instructional materials and assessments will take place through BlackBoard. Students work independently, reading the textbook, lectures, and the Study Guide to prepare for quizzes, midterm, and a final. Students take tests online by the posted deadlines.

CLASS MEETING TIMES: This class is an on-campus course that requires regular attendance at ACC’s Highland campus, Room 2218 on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:50 pm. Virtual office hours are available.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This a lecture-based Mexican-American history course. Success depends upon the student managing their time effectively. This course is designed for mature and capable students endowed with a great degree of self-discipline and responsibility. This is not a research course where you can look up answers online. This course requires you to actively listen, and take notes, based on my lectures. It is difficult to pass this course if you do not take notes over the lectures. Students can check out an iPad from ACC’s Student Support Center. Free Wifi is also provided in the parking lots of all ACC campuses. 

USE OF EMAIL: Do not send me messages through BlackBoard. Please communicate with me using my ACC email. All new students at Austin Community College are issued a student email account. I require that you use your ACC email in all our communications. Students are expected to read and respond to communications in a timely manner. Students should monitor their ACC email account on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed.

PROFESSOR INFORMATION:

Name: Gary Moreno, PhD

Title: Professor of History & Director of the Latin-American

Cultural Center

Office: 9143, Building G, Riverside Campus

Office Hours: Virtual meetings available through Zoom

Phone Number: (512) 223-6363

Email: gary.moreno@austincc.edu

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

TEXTBOOK:

Andrés Tijerina, Emilio Zamora Mexican Americans of Texas: A History of Tradition and Struggle Kendall Hunt (2023) 

ISBN# 9781524954604

Copies can be obtained online through the publisher. The Latin American Cultural Center at the Riverside campus also has available copies to loan out. The textbook is meant to be supplemental to the lectures. It provides additional context but is not central to the course. The lectures posted by the instructor are your main source of information. You can complete the first week of instruction, including Quiz #1 over geography, without the textbook. Please plan accordingly.

Students are expected to complete the following course work

1. Quizzes (4): 200 Points (33% of grade)
2. Midterm: 150 Points (25% of grade)
3. Final: 150 Points (25% of grade)
4. Source Project: 100 Points (17% of grade) 

SOFT DEADLINE POLICY: It is understood that over the course of your studies you may encounter unexpected difficulties. Due to such challenges, all my deadlines are “SOFT” deadlines. This means that you may complete the assessments past the deadline date without penalty, or direct permission from the instructor. However, if you complete an assessment past the deadline, or outside the regular submission parameters, then you will undoubtedly experience a delay in the submission of your grades. The soft deadline does NOT APPLY to the Source Selection or Final. The Source Selection and Final are hard deadlines.

SOURCE PROJECT: You will make a selection from a list by the source selection deadline of SATURDAY, January 24th at 11:59 PM. Students MUST complete and submit a source review by MONDAY, April 27th at 11:59 pm.  The book review must be three (3) full pages, twelve (12) font type, and double spaced. (see SOURCE PROJECT tab)

GRADING SCALE: Your final grade is determined by the number of points you accumulate during the semester, according to the following scale

An “A” requires between 537-600 points

A “B” requires between 477-536 points

A “C” requires between 417-476 points

A “D” requires between 357-416 points

An “F” requires between 0-356 points 

QUIZZES, MIDTERM, & FINAL:   

QUIZZES

Each Quiz has TEN (10) multiple choice questions valued at TWO(2) points each, TWO (2) identifications valued at TEN (10) points each, and ONE (1) essay valued at TEN (10) points. The quizzes focus on the learning objectives found in the “Study Guide” online.

MIDTERM & FINAL

Both the Midterm and Final consist of FIFTY (50) multiple choice questions valued at TWO (2) points each and ONE (1) essay valued at FIFTY (50) points that focus on the learning objectives found in the “Study Guide” online.

RETEST OPTION

The retest option gives qualifying students the opportunity to pass assessments they failed. The retest will not include multiple choice questions. Only the essay and “identifications” will be retested. There will be no retest for the Final.

EXTRA CREDIT

There will be several extra credit opportunities. Only 20 points are offered for attendance. Extra credit points are limited to one per student.  

IMPORTANT DATES:

First day of class: 1/20

Last day to add 1/21

70% refund deadline 2/9

25% refund deadline 2/16

Spring Break Holiday 3/16-20

Final withdrawal deadline 4/27

Last day of class 5/8

Final Exam Deadline 5/9

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If a student does not have contact with the instructor by the “Attendance Certification” deadline on WEDNESDAY, February 4th, they will be withdrawn. If you determine during the course of the semester that you will not be able to successfully fulfill the requirements of this course and want to avoid the possibility of being assigned a failing grade, you may withdraw yourself. The withdrawal deadline is MONDAY, April 27th. No withdrawals or reinstatements may be made after this date.

• A “withdrawal” appears as a “W” on your transcripts
• A “withdrawal does not affect your Grade Point Average (GPA)--however, there may be negative academic or financial aid consequences
• Withdrawal is accomplished by completing a withdrawal form online at the “Student Online Services” web page (http://www.austincc.edu/onlineservices/)
• It is your responsibility to complete the withdrawal process by the deadline--MONDAY, April 27th, 2026. 

ACADEMIC FREEDOM: The free exchange of information is vital to the pursuit of learning. Students are expected to approach each other with respect and a willingness to listen. Thoughtful conversations concerning history can often be uncomfortable. While we should not become prisoners of the past we must acknowledge the more unsavory aspects of our complicated history. Please be mindful of this as you attempt to make your point heard.

CLASS CALENDAR:

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLASS CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

Week 1

1/18-1/24 Introduction to the Course & Meso-America

Lectures #1-4

SATURDAY, 1/24: Source Selection deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 2

1/25-1/31 Aztec Empire

Lectures #5-7

MONDAY, 1/26: Quiz #1 (geography) deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 3

2/1-2/7 Spanish Explorers

Lectures #8-10

MONDAY, 2/2: Quiz #2 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 4

2/8-2/14 New Spain

Lectures #11-14

Week 5

2/15-2/21 Far Northern Frontier

Lectures #15-17

Week 6

2/22-2/28 Independence

Lectures #18-21

MONDAY, 2/23: Quiz #3 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 7

3/1-3/7 Early Republic

Lectures #22-23

Week 8

3/8-3/14 Road Trip Across the Early Republic

Lectures #24

Week 9

3/15-3/21 ***SPRING BREAK***

Week 10

3/22-3/28 Texas Revolution

Lectures #25-29

MONDAY, 3/23: Midterm deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 11

3/29-4/4 Texas Revolution

Lectures #25-29

Week 12

4/5-4/11 Mexican-American War

Lectures #33-34

Week 13

4/12-4/18 Resistance at the Border

Lectures #35-36

MONDAY, 4/13: Quiz #4 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 14

4/19-4/25 Benito Juárez & French Intervention

Lectures #37-38

Week 15

4/26-5/2 Porfiriato

Lectures #39

MONDAY, 4/27: Source Project deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 16

5/3-5/9 SATURDAY, 5/9: Final deadline @ 11:59 PM

Mexican-American History I

HIST 2327-001

Section 17212

SYLLABUS

Spring, 2026

Dr. Gary Moreno

COURSE OBJECTIVE: This is a general survey of Mexican-American history from its pre-Columbian roots to 1877. Its purpose is to give the student an appreciation and understanding of how cultural, economic, political, and social developments helped shape Mexican-American communities. This course satisfies three semester hours of the legislative requirement in Mexican-American history

COURSE METHODOLOGY: This is an on-campus course. Instructional materials and assessments will take place through BlackBoard. Students work independently, reading the textbook, lectures, and the Study Guide to prepare for quizzes, midterm, and a final. Students take tests online by the posted deadlines.

CLASS MEETING TIMES: This class is an on-campus course that requires regular attendance at ACC’s Highland campus, Room 2218 on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:30 to 2:50 pm. Virtual office hours are available.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This a lecture-based Mexican-American history course. Success depends upon the student managing their time effectively. This course is designed for mature and capable students endowed with a great degree of self-discipline and responsibility. This is not a research course where you can look up answers online. This course requires you to actively listen, and take notes, based on my lectures. It is difficult to pass this course if you do not take notes over the lectures. Students can check out an iPad from ACC’s Student Support Center. Free Wifi is also provided in the parking lots of all ACC campuses. 

USE OF EMAIL: Do not send me messages through BlackBoard. Please communicate with me using my ACC email. All new students at Austin Community College are issued a student email account. I require that you use your ACC email in all our communications. Students are expected to read and respond to communications in a timely manner. Students should monitor their ACC email account on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed.

PROFESSOR INFORMATION:

Name: Gary Moreno, PhD

Title: Professor of History & Director of the Latin-American

Cultural Center

Office: 9143, Building G, Riverside Campus

Office Hours: Virtual meetings available through Zoom

Phone Number: (512) 223-6363

Email: gary.moreno@austincc.edu

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

TEXTBOOK:

Andrés Tijerina, Emilio Zamora Mexican Americans of Texas: A History of Tradition and Struggle Kendall Hunt (2023) 

ISBN# 9781524954604

Copies can be obtained online through the publisher. The Latin American Cultural Center at the Riverside campus also has available copies to loan out. The textbook is meant to be supplemental to the lectures. It provides additional context but is not central to the course. The lectures posted by the instructor are your main source of information. You can complete the first week of instruction, including Quiz #1 over geography, without the textbook. Please plan accordingly.

Students are expected to complete the following course work

1. Quizzes (4): 200 Points (33% of grade)
2. Midterm: 150 Points (25% of grade)
3. Final: 150 Points (25% of grade)
4. Source Project: 100 Points (17% of grade) 

SOFT DEADLINE POLICY: It is understood that over the course of your studies you may encounter unexpected difficulties. Due to such challenges, all my deadlines are “SOFT” deadlines. This means that you may complete the assessments past the deadline date without penalty, or direct permission from the instructor. However, if you complete an assessment past the deadline, or outside the regular submission parameters, then you will undoubtedly experience a delay in the submission of your grades. The soft deadline does NOT APPLY to the Source Selection or Final. The Source Selection and Final are hard deadlines.

SOURCE PROJECT: You will make a selection from a list by the source selection deadline of SATURDAY, January 24th at 11:59 PM. Students MUST complete and submit a source review by MONDAY, April 27th at 11:59 pm.  The book review must be three (3) full pages, twelve (12) font type, and double spaced. (see SOURCE PROJECT tab)

GRADING SCALE: Your final grade is determined by the number of points you accumulate during the semester, according to the following scale

An “A” requires between 537-600 points

A “B” requires between 477-536 points

A “C” requires between 417-476 points

A “D” requires between 357-416 points

An “F” requires between 0-356 points 

QUIZZES, MIDTERM, & FINAL:   

QUIZZES

Each Quiz has TEN (10) multiple choice questions valued at TWO(2) points each, TWO (2) identifications valued at TEN (10) points each, and ONE (1) essay valued at TEN (10) points. The quizzes focus on the learning objectives found in the “Study Guide” online.

MIDTERM & FINAL

Both the Midterm and Final consist of FIFTY (50) multiple choice questions valued at TWO (2) points each and ONE (1) essay valued at FIFTY (50) points that focus on the learning objectives found in the “Study Guide” online.

RETEST OPTION

The retest option gives qualifying students the opportunity to pass assessments they failed. The retest will not include multiple choice questions. Only the essay and “identifications” will be retested. There will be no retest for the Final.

EXTRA CREDIT

There will be several extra credit opportunities. Only 20 points are offered for attendance. Extra credit points are limited to one per student.  

IMPORTANT DATES:

First day of class: 1/20

Last day to add 1/21

70% refund deadline 2/9

25% refund deadline 2/16

Spring Break Holiday 3/16-20

Final withdrawal deadline 4/27

Last day of class 5/8

Final Exam Deadline 5/9

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If a student does not have contact with the instructor by the “Attendance Certification” deadline on WEDNESDAY, February 4th, they will be withdrawn. If you determine during the course of the semester that you will not be able to successfully fulfill the requirements of this course and want to avoid the possibility of being assigned a failing grade, you may withdraw yourself. The withdrawal deadline is MONDAY, April 27th. No withdrawals or reinstatements may be made after this date.

• A “withdrawal” appears as a “W” on your transcripts
• A “withdrawal does not affect your Grade Point Average (GPA)--however, there may be negative academic or financial aid consequences
• Withdrawal is accomplished by completing a withdrawal form online at the “Student Online Services” web page (http://www.austincc.edu/onlineservices/)
• It is your responsibility to complete the withdrawal process by the deadline--MONDAY, April 27th, 2026. 

ACADEMIC FREEDOM: The free exchange of information is vital to the pursuit of learning. Students are expected to approach each other with respect and a willingness to listen. Thoughtful conversations concerning history can often be uncomfortable. While we should not become prisoners of the past we must acknowledge the more unsavory aspects of our complicated history. Please be mindful of this as you attempt to make your point heard.

CLASS CALENDAR:

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLASS CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

Week 1

1/18-1/24 Introduction to the Course & Meso-America

Lectures #1-4

SATURDAY, 1/24: Source Selection deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 2

1/25-1/31 Aztec Empire

Lectures #5-7

MONDAY, 1/26: Quiz #1 (geography) deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 3

2/1-2/7 Spanish Explorers

Lectures #8-10

MONDAY, 2/2: Quiz #2 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 4

2/8-2/14 New Spain

Lectures #11-14

Week 5

2/15-2/21 Far Northern Frontier

Lectures #15-17

Week 6

2/22-2/28 Independence

Lectures #18-21

MONDAY, 2/23: Quiz #3 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 7

3/1-3/7 Early Republic

Lectures #22-23

Week 8

3/8-3/14 Road Trip Across the Early Republic

Lectures #24

Week 9

3/15-3/21 ***SPRING BREAK***

Week 10

3/22-3/28 Texas Revolution

Lectures #25-29

MONDAY, 3/23: Midterm deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 11

3/29-4/4 Texas Revolution

Lectures #25-29

Week 12

4/5-4/11 Mexican-American War

Lectures #33-34

Week 13

4/12-4/18 Resistance at the Border

Lectures #35-36

MONDAY, 4/13: Quiz #4 deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 14

4/19-4/25 Benito Juárez & French Intervention

Lectures #37-38

Week 15

4/26-5/2 Porfiriato

Lectures #39

MONDAY, 4/27: Source Project deadline @ 11:59 PM

Week 16

5/3-5/9 SATURDAY, 5/9: Final deadline @ 11:59 PM