WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Amarillo Campus
Division of Social Sciences
Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging, learning-focused, and
distinctively Christian environment for professional success, lifelong learning, and service to God and
humankind.
HIST 3303-Winter-CMP 2015 AM01 - Texas History
Term: Winter 2015-2016
Instructor: Dr. Brian R. Farmer
Contact Information: (Office): 806-371-5193, brfarmer@actx.edu
Office Hours: Amarillo College Dutton 202K 8:30-9:00 M-F, 1:30-3:30 M-Th
Class Time and Location: Wednesdays, 6:00-10:10PM, Amarillo Campus, Rm. 107
Catalog Description: Texas prior to statehood as well as cultural, intellectual, social, economic, and religious
development of the state.
Prerequisite: HIST 2301 and 2302, or instructor’s consent
Textbook: Campbell, Randolph B. Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State. New York: Oxford University Press,
2012.
Optional Materials: none
Course outcome competencies:
 The Native cultures of Texas prior to the arrival of non-Indian settlers
 The major aspects of Spanish colonization and its lasting effect in Texas.
 The growth and development of the region under the Republic of Texas
 The impact of slavery on the economic and political development of Texas
 The various cultures and major issues of the Antebellum era.
 The impact of the Civil War in Texas and the states role in the great conflict.
 Major issues during Reconstruction in Texas
 The major events and people of the Populist Movement and Progressivism in Texas
 The impact of the 1930s Depression and Dust Bowl
 The growth of Texas during the Second World War and the Cold War
 The shift from Democratic to Republican party dominance
Attendance: Students enrolled at one of the University’s external campuses should make every effort to attend all class
meetings. All absences must be explained to the instructor, who will then determine whether the omitted work may be
made up. When a student reaches that number of absences considered by the instructor to be excessive, the instructor
will so advise the student and file an unsatisfactory progress report with the campus dean. Any student who misses 25
percent or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings may receive a grade of F in the course. Additional attendance
policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the course syllabus, are considered a part of the University’s
attendance policy.
Additional attendance policies: See “Class Participation Grade” under Course Requirements.
Service for the Disabled: It is University policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from participation
in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.
Students should inform the instructor of existing disabilities at the first class meeting.
Course requirements:
Class participation grade. Since some portion of the readings will be presented and discussed in class during virtually
every class period, all students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion. It is obviously impossible to add much
to classroom discussion if you are absent; therefore, attendance is considered by the instructor in formulating the class
participation grade. Class participation is 10% of the final grade. Students with perfect attendance will have two points
added to their final grades at the end of the semester. Students with 1 absence will receive 1 point. Additionally, the
instructor reserves the right to deduct up to all ten points from the class participation grade for behavior detrimental to the
class. For example, a student who misses 2 of the class periods will probably receive only 8 of the possible 10 percentage
points for the class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor.
Exams. There will be three major examinations during the semester including a final exam on Wednesday, February 10.
Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures. Each exam is worth 25% of the final grade.
Book Reviews. In addition to the exams, each student will be required to compile and present one 4-6 page (double-space
typed) book review individually assigned by the instructor. Students will choose their own books, but the selections must
be approved by the instructor. Students must have their books chosen by Wednesday, December 9 or they will be
docked a 10% penalty against their book review grade. Book reviews must contain a clear presentation of the theme
or main arguments of the book and a general summary. Additionally, students must include a critique of the book regarding
its strengths and weaknesses. Some subjectivity in critical analysis is allowed; however, students are expected to qualify
their criticism with specific examples from the reading. Book Reviews are Due on Wednesday, February 2. The book
reviews are worth 15% of the final grade.
Library Resources: In order to assist students with their research, Wayland Baptist University is a member of the
Harrington Library Consortium (HLC) as are West Texas A&M, Amarillo college, and Amarillo Public Library. Students who
hold library cards at any member library have checkout privileges at any other library within the HLC.
Method of determining course grade:
Synopsis of Grading
Three Exam scores
Book Reviews
Class Participation Grade
Total
Total
75%
15%
10%
100%
The University has a standard grade scale:
A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F= below 60, W = Withdrawal, WP = withdrew passing, WF = withdrew
failing, I = incomplete. An incomplete may be given within the last two weeks of a long term or within the last two days of a
microterm to a student who is passing, but has not completed a term paper, examination, or other required work for
reasons beyond the student’s control. A grade of “incomplete” is changed if the work required is completed prior to the last
day of the next long (10 to 15 weeks) term, unless the instructor designates an earlier date for completion. If the work is
not completed by the appropriate date, the I is converted to an F.
Instructor’s policy on Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. If it is determined
that a student is not responsible for his or her own work on any assignment, no credit will be given for the assignment.
Appeal Process
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious academic evaluation.
A student who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic academic standards, just evaluation
procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course by using the student grade
appeal
process
described
in the Academic Catalog. Appeals may not be made for advanced placement examinations or course b
ypass examinations. Appeals are limited to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised, or lowered at any
stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must be submitted through the Executive
Vice President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty
Assembly Grade Appeals Committee may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or lowered to a more
proper evaluation.
Tentative schedule and reading assignments.
Week 1 11/11 Introduction: Contact of Civilizations.
Read Campbell Ch 1-2
Week 2 11/18 Spanish Texas/Mexico
Read Campbell Ch 3-4
Week 3 11/25 Revolution
Read Campbell Ch 5-6
Week 4 12/02 Republic
Read Campbell 7-8
Exam #1 Wednesday, 12/02
Week 5 12/09 Secession
Read Campbell 9
Book Titles Due Wednesday, 12/09
Week 6 01/06 Civil War
Read Campbell 10
Week 7 01/13 Reconstruction
Campbell 11-12
Week 8 01/20 Reform, Populists
Exam #2 Wednesday, 01/20
Campbell 13
Week 9 01/27 Progressives/New Deal
Campbell 14-15
Week 10 02/03 WWII-present
Campbell 16
Book Reviews Due Wednesday, 02/03
Final Exam, Wednesday, 02/10 6:00PM