Faculty Syllabus

HIST-1301 United States History I


Scott Galler


Credit Fall 2026


Section(s)

HIST-1301-085 (39620)
LEC MW 6:00pm - 7:20pm RRC RRC1 1222.00

HIST-1301-087 (39622)
LEC MW 7:30pm - 8:50pm RRC RRC1 1222.00

HIST-1301-088 (39623)
LEC TuTh 6:00pm - 7:20pm RRC RRC1 1222.00

Course Requirements

Instructor:       Professor Scott Galler

Office Hours:     Available by appointment via phone or zoom.

Telephone:       512-970-2827

E-Mail:            sgaller@austincc.edu    (Please allow up to 24 hours for a response)
When sending an email, you MUST include your course section number (This is the three digit code after HIST-1301)

Textbook:        American Stories VOL 1  H.W. Brands et al.---Purchase of the textbook is required in order to complete the course.

Please use the ACC bookstore to order your textbook: -https://austin.bncollege.com/my-account/rental-order/orders

Course Description:     Study of the history of the United States until 1877

Course Objective:        The overall objective of this course is for the student to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the course. History 1301 surveys the major political, social, cultural, military, economic, constitutional, and intellectual developments of the United States until 1877.  The best way to learn history is to understand why events occurred, not simply to memorize names and dates. So, this course will focus on the various historical interpretations of events and look for patterns of cause and effect.

Course Rationale:        This course provides a basic survey of U.S. History until 1877 and satisfies three semester hours of the Legislative Requirement in U.S. History.

Course Methodology    Lectures will be the primary instructional method, but I encourage questions asked.  Away from the classroom, readings, quizzes and writing assignments will need to be completed via blackboard.

Common Course Objectives:   Please visit  http://sites.austincc.edu/history/1301-syllabus/

 

Course Expectations:    http://www.austincc.edu/history/expectations.html

 

 

YOU WILL NEED maturity, ability, and self-discipline to successfully complete the requirements of any collegiate course. ------Why?   Because you should expect to spend several hours each week -- at least -- just to keep up with the reading and completing the assignments. Then, you will need to spend even more time every day --YES, every day! -- reviewing your study guide as you prepare for exams. Do not wait to get ready for the exams; review the study guide every day! The key to success in any class -especially a college course -- is review, review, review!

Course Calendar 

Your primary responsibility from day to day will be keeping up with the reading assignments, which are listed on the course calendar.  Much of your time will be spent in discussion of these readings, so it is essential that you complete them, give them some thought, and be prepared to talk about them. Even if we don’t discuss a particular assignment in class (and we frequently won’t), keeping up with the reading will help you better understand the material we do cover and will lead to higher grades on the exams

 

Grades:            This course will assess the skills of the student in two major areas: retention and understanding of substantive information.  The student will be tested through the unit exams, and analytic skills will be evaluated mainly through the writing projects and the in-class assignments. Both the quantity and quality of the work you complete will result in your grade.

 

To earn an A:    Earn 450-500 of all total points. (90% +)-

 

To earn a B:      Earn 400-449 of all total points. (80%-89%)

 

To earn a C:      Earn 350-399 of all total points. (70%-79%)

 

To earn a F       Earn 349 or less of all total points. (69% and below)

 

For the grade of "I", the student must have a medical excuse certified by a physician.  All "Incompletes" must be completed by the last day to withdraw in the following semester; otherwise, the “I” will turn into an “F”. There are no exceptions to this policy.

 

Exams              (300 points).     The exams will test your knowledge of material covered in the Brands textbook and the videos.

 

                        Exams/Quizzes are given via Respondus Lockdown Browser and require a working web camera.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the lockdown browser has been installed prior to taking the exam.

 

                        During an exam/quiz, your face must be facing the screen at all times. No outside sources are allowed to assist you in your exam, such as cellphone, notes, headphones, other people etc.  Failure to comply to these instructions will result in your grade being an automatic zero.  Make certain to follow the online instructions via Respondus during the exam.

 

In the event you are not able to install the software, please contact ACC tech support to assist you.  All exams may also be taken in the testing center with prior arrangements required.

 

Exams will contain multiple choice, short answer, and an essay question.  Students will be given one opportunity to take the exam with a time limit set (90 minutes).  Failure to follow instructions on the exams will result in an exam being submitted early with no additional attempts given.

 

Quizzes             (50  points)      There will be reading quizzes covering the material in the textbook and assigned videos. You will be required to read and complete all the readings in textbook assigned by chapter. Each quiz is timed at 10 minutes.

 

                        Exams/Quizzes are given via Respondus Lockdown Browser and require a working web camera.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the lockdown browser has been installed prior to taking the exam.

 

                        During an exam/quiz, your face must be facing the screen at all times. No outside sources are allowed to assist you in your exam, such as cellphone, notes, headphones, other people etc.  Failure to comply to these instructions will result in your grade being an automatic zero.  Make certain to follow the online instructions via Respondus during the exam.

 

In the event you are not able to install the software, please contact ACC tech support to assist you.  All exams may also be taken in the testing center with prior arrangements required

 

 

Writing            ( 100 points)        There will be one major writing assignment covering various topics of our course.  Each assignment will require a response of 1000-1250 words. All writings must be original work, providing proper parenthetical citation via APA formatting, including a title and reference page. The paper must be in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced. In addition, each WA must include a minimum of three primary resources, and five secondary sources 

 

Please use the Online Writing Lab (OWL) for assistance in your writing assignments, and the free tutoring available through the college. See the rubric on blackboard for how your writing assignments will be graded.

 

APA Style (7th Edition) - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University

 

Discussions      (50 points) There will be discussion board postings pertaining to the weekly readings. You are expected to post your reply by Thursday of the week it is issued, and respond to a minimum of two of you classmates by Sunday at 11:59 PM. Each posting should be approximately 150-200 words in length


For general discussion questions (unless the directions state otherwise) follow these guidelines:

  • state what you understand,
  • refer to the readings and information in the assigned videos
  • respond to, encourage, and gently challenge your classmates’ responses.
  • Please note that your initial response will likely take a couple of well-crafted paragraphs.

 

When responding to other students’ posts, these responses will also require about a paragraph or two.  Avoid one or two sentence responses such as “Great post Galler. I enjoyed reading it.”
 

The discussions are not about competing with each other to get the right answer. Instead, I expect you to collaborate to constructively create understandings. Do not simply ask questions only of others when you are responding to your classmates—this should be more conversational and discussion based.
 

My role is to craft the forum prompts, and I will be an active participant in joining in on the discussion.   Occasionally I correct misconceptions and/or redirect conversations that need redirecting. Although I will participate in discussions, I am more interested in what you say to classmates than responding to my posts alone.

 

                        5-points for posting by the due date and full engagement with your classmates

                        3 points for posting by the due date, and minimal engagement

                        0 points for not submitting a post by the due date.

 

Late work.       This course DOES NOT ACCEPT any late work.  All assignments and assessments must be submitted by the due date in the calendar. You may work in advance as much as you’d like, however all work must be turned in on time.

 

If you have a valid reason for missing an assignment, such as a death in the family or hospitalization. It is the student’s responsibility to contact me prior to the deadline, in order to request an extension. --Not all requests will be granted and may require documentation.

 

Note, all assignments can be completed early, so if you know that you will be going out of town, make certain to complete the assignment prior to your departure

 

 

Deadlines:        All Assignments/Assessments must be completed by the due dateThere are many variables that may affect your ability to submit your work. An emergency on your part does not constitute one for me.  Please be mindful of the deadlines and plan accordingly. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THIS COURSE.

 

Withdrawal:                “It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is NOV 20, 2025 . The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

 

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

 

Academic Dishonesty:             

Anyone caught looking at a fellow student’s test paper, cheating on the tests (Not following Respondus protocol), or caught plagiarizing, will receive a zero for the assignment, with no additional attempts allowed for those assignments.  A second offense will result in being referred for disciplinary action.

 

THE COLLEGE POLICY READS:

“Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to usage of Artificial Intelligence on assignments, cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.”

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence

 

  1. Introduction: In this course, the use of generative AI (GAI) technologies is strictly prohibited to preserve academic integrity and ensure the development of student competencies.
  2. Rationale: The prohibition is in place to encourage original thought, manual problem-solving skills, and to maintain equity in educational opportunities and assessments.
  3. Definition of GAI: Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can generate text, images, or other content based on minimal input. This includes chatbots, image generation tools, and code assistants.
  4. Usage Permissions: Prohibited: Students are not allowed to use GAI for completing assignments, projects, tests, or any form of assessment in this course.
  5. Penalties: Any violation of this policy will result in academic penalties which may include a failing grade for the activity, reporting to academic affairs, and further disciplinary action.
  6. Exceptions: Exceptions to this policy will only be made under specific circumstances approved by the instructor, typically where technology is used to accommodate learning differences.

 

 

INCOMPLETES:        “An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given for extenuating circumstances.  What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion.  If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor.  This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester.  A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair.

 

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.  The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade.

  1. Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.      The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester. 

 

3.      The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester. 

 

4.      Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded. 

5.      When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F.

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.”

 

Academic Freedom:                 The free and open exchange of ideas is vital to the pursuit of learning. No student should feel inhibited from expressing his or her opinion on any subject.

 

Students with Disabilities:       Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the SAS.  Students are encouraged to do this, three weeks before the start of the semester.   ALL SAS Documentation must be sent to me during the first week of the class.

 

Student Privacy:                      The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of educational records.  Grades cannot be given over the phone, through a fellow student, or by electronic devise such as email of text message in this course

 

High School Students:

 

This is a college course and all students enrolled in this course will be treated as college students. All sections of this syllabus pertain equally to all students in this course, regardless of age or educational status. Regardless of their age, high school students who are enrolled in a college course are protected by Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. In compliance with this Act, I will not discuss your academic performance with anyone but the student.

 

Health & Safety Protocols: Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances.  While some health & safety protocols are no longer mandatory, the college encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on campus.  If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.

Some important things to remember:

  • If you have not done so, ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community. Visit www.vaccines.gov/ to find a vaccine location near you.
     
  • If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility. Testing is now widely available.
     
  • If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self-reporting tool located here.
     
  • ACC continues to welcome face masks on campus.  Per CDC guidelines, face masks remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19.  The college cannot mandate indoor masking, but is encouraging it during this spike in cases as a result of the Delta variant.
     
  • The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing.
     
  • Please be sure to carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while on campus.
     

Because of the everchanging situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus?ref=audiencemenu for the latest updates and guidance.

Recording Policy

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section.  Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

 

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through BlackBoard Collaborate or another platform.  Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.  Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.

Statement on Academic Integrity

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

 

Student Rights & 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.

 

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

 

Statement on Privacy:

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student.

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 an outbreak of illness, 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.

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 512-223-1231.   Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://austincc.edu/campuscarry

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

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any college- related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at:  http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers

 

 

 

Use of the Testing Center

The Testing Centers will allow only limited in person testing and testing time will be limited to the standard class time, typically one and one-half hours.  Specifically, only the following will be allowed in the Testing Centers:

  • Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Testing: All approved SAS testing
  • Assessments Tests: Institutionally approved assessment tests (e.g., TSIA or TABE)
  • Placement Tests: Placement tests (e.g., ALEKS)

 

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.

 

Student Support

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at the Student Resources websiteA comprehensive array of student support services is available online at the Student Support website.

 

Student Accessibility Services

Austin Community College (ACC) is committed to providing a supportive, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students.  Each campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Students are encouraged to request accommodations prior to the beginning of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received accommodations from SAS for this course will provide the instructor with the legal document titled “Faculty Notification Letter” (FNL) through the Accessible Information Management (AIM) portal.

Until the instructor receives the FNL, accommodations should not be provided.  Once the FNL is received, accommodations must be provided.  Accommodations are not retroactive, so it is in the student’s best interest to request their accommodations as soon as possible prior to the beginning of the semester.

Please contact SAS@austincc.edu for more information.

 

Academic Support

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 subjects ranging 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: Online Tutoring Request

 

Additional tutoring information can be found here: Online Tutoring

 

Library Services

ACC Library Services offers both in-person and extensive online services, with research and assignment assistance available in-person during limited hours of service. Although all college services are subject to change, plans include ACC students signing up for study space and use of computers at open libraries, extensive online instruction in classes, online reference assistance 24/7 and reference with ACC faculty librarians. In addition, currently enrolled students, faculty and staff can access Library Services online (also 24/7) via the ACC Library website and by using their ACCeID to access all online materials (ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos). ACC Libraries offer these services in numerous ways such as: "Get Help from a Faculty Librarian: the 24/7 Ask a Librarian chat service," an online form for in-depth research Q and A sessions, one-on-one video appointments, email, and phone (voicemail is monitored regularly).

 

Parent and Family Engagement Services

ACC understands how important parent and family support is to every student's college journey. From parents and siblings to stepparents, grandparents, partners, and loved ones, the Parent and Family Engagement Office at ACC is committed to empowering families to support student success. The office provides a family orientation to ACC, free workshops explaining the world of higher education (financial aid, student resources, career and transfer services, etc.), a monthly newsletter full of student success tips, and a website designed to answer family members' frequently asked questions. All students, especially first-generation students, are encouraged to share these resources with their families and invite them to be part of the Riverbat experience. Contact familyengagement@austincc.edu or visit the Parent & Family Engagement website for more information.

 

Academic Adjustments for Pregnant Students

ACC works with each student to provide academic adjustments that best meet their needs, including for students who are pregnant.  Examples of such adjustments may include but are not limited to:

  • Breaks during class, as needed
  • Excused absences or a leave of absence
  • Making up missed assignments or assessments
  • Additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition

Additional examples and further information are available at the Accommodations for Pregnant Students website.  To request adjustments due to pregnancy, contact equalopportunity@austincc.edu.

 

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  at the Student Life website.

 

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:

  

 

Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns at the Counseling website.

 

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: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
  • 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)

 


Readings

American Stories VOL 1  H.W. Brands et al.-Purchase of the textbook is required in order to complete the course.

Please use the ACC bookstore to order your textbook: -https://austin.bncollege.com/my-account/rental-order/orders


Course Subjects

Unit 1

New World Encounters  pre 1608

England's New World  1670-1732

Putting Down Roots  1619-1692

Experience of Empire  1680-1763

 

Unit 2

American Revolution 1763-1783

The Republican Experiment 1783-1788

Democracy and Dissent   1788-1800

Republican Assendacy 1800-1814

 

Unit 3

Nation Building and Nationalism  1815-1825

Triumph of White Men's Democracy 1824-1840

Slaves and Masters  1793-1861

Pursuit of Perfection  1800-1861

 

Unit 4

An Age of Expansionism  1830-1861

The Sectional Crisis          1846-1861

Secession and the Civil War   1860-1865

The Agony of Reconstruction  1865-1877


Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Common Course Objectives:  

1. Describe the European background of New World colonization and identify motives of those who migrated to the western hemisphere.

2. Explain the diversity of English speaking colonies of North America.

3. Describe the societies that evolved in the English colonies of North America, together with the development of un-free labor systems.

4. Explain the economic and political relationships between the English colonies and the Mother Country.

5. Describe the economic, religious and political developments in eighteenth century Colonial America.

6. Identify the wars fought by English colonists in North America and evaluate the impact of those wars, particularly the French and Indian War.

7. Trace the growing alienation of the colonies from Great Britain, which ended with the decision to declare independence.

8. Describe the course of the American Revolution to the winning of Independence, including the significant campaigns and the diplomatic maneuvers that helped gain victory.

9. Explain the impact of the American Revolution on American society and politics and the problems that arose after independence.

10. Describe the restructuring of the Republic at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the fight for the ratification of the Constitution.

11. Trace the rise and development of political parties during the 1790s, including the contributing domestic and foreign policy differences and the attempted suppression of the Republicans by the High Federalists.

12. Describe the key events and developments of the Jefferson and Madison administrations, including the attempts to avoid war with Britain, together with the outcomes of the War of 1812.

13. Describe the territorial expansion and economic developments after the War of 1812.

14. Trace the social, economic and political developments of the Jacksonian Era which democratized the United States and transformed the party system.

15. Identify the religious developments and reform movements of the Antebellum Era.

16. Describe the territorial and internal expansion of the United States during the 1830s and 1840s, including the war with Mexico.

17. Trace the expansion of slavery in the early nineteenth century and explain the effects of that expansion.

18. Describe the African American experience under slavery.

19. Explain the events from the Compromise of 1850 to the election of 1860 that led to the disruption of the union.

20. Trace the course of the Civil War from secession to Appomattox, paying particular attention to the social, economic and political effects of the conflict.

21. Describe the reconstruction of the South and explain its failure.

22. Identify the major problems of the Grant administration and evaluate his handling of those problems.


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Published: 05/06/2026 13:13:35