NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
MWF 8-8:50 AM, FLM102
Course Title: U.S. History to 1865
Course Prefix & Number: HIST 1301
Semester Credit Hours: 3
Course Description (NCTC Catalog):
Section Number: 500
Lecture Hours: 3
Semester: 151S
Lab Hours: 0
A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from
the pre-Columbian era to the Civil War/Reconstruction period. United States History I includes the
study of pre-Columbian, colonial, revolutionary, early national, slavery and sectionalism, and the
Civil War/Reconstruction eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History I include:
American settlement and diversity, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological
change, economic change, immigration and migration, and creation of the federal government.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Required or Recommended Course Materials:
Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. 7th edition.
McGraw-Hill. 2014. ISBN #978-1259375002
The web-based material is unique to NCTC. You must purchase it from the NCTC bookstore or
directly from McGraw-Hill publishing.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name of Instructor:
Josh Montandon
Campus/Office Location: Room #107 Flower Mound Campus
972 899 8400 ext. 8424 (email is preferred)
Telephone Number:
jmontandon@nctc.edu
E-mail Address:
GRADING CRITERIA
# of Graded
Course Elements
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Graded Course Elements
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4
QEP Assignments
Research Assignments
Reading Assignments
Percentage or
Point Values
18.75%
18.75%
18.75%
18.75%
5%
10%
10%
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
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Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on
this period of United States history.
ATTENDANCE POLICY and TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Syllabus: I reserve the right to amend the syllabus during the semester. However, I will announce
any and all such changes in class.
Classroom Conduct: Please turn off all cell phones during class. This means both for voice calls
and text messaging. (If your phone rings and you just forgot to turn it off, fine, just turn it off and
continue taking notes.) Do not wear headphones.
If you are using a laptop for notes, fine, but do not surf the net, look at Facebook or other
websites, watch movies, play games, or do anything with it but take notes. These things are
distracting to students sitting behind you. If you cannot make it through class without doing these
things, stay home. The same goes for sleeping. If you are so tired you are going to sleep in class
and not pay attention, stay home.
Remember, this is College, not High School. Please respect others and the instructor and conduct
yourselves as responsible adults. If you are not here to learn, please do not distract the others who
are. You are paying for this.
NO TEXTING IN CLASS
Handout and Test Return Policy:
Those students missing class when instructional items and graded tests are distributed can pick up
missed materials by appointment with the instructor. (Usually, the student in need of a missed
exam or handout will inform me, the instructor, before or after class or by e-mail, and I will bring
it to the next class meeting. If this is inexpedient, other arrangements may be made.)
Class Notes:
The instructor will not furnish class notes or copies of the presentations to students. If you miss a
lecture, get the notes from one of your fellow students in the class.
QEP Assignments: QEP stands for Quality Enhancement Program. It is a coordinated
implementation of certain policies into certain classrooms to try to increase the number of
students who succeed in those courses. In total, these assignments are worth 5 percent of your
grade. They include the following assignments: Academic Advising Assignment, Cornell Note
Assignment, Tutoring Hours, and completion of the Student Success Center Survey.
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Tentative
Calendar
(Subject to
Change w/o
Notice)
Examination Dates (Approximate):
Exam #1 Fri., Sept. 25, 2015
Exam #2 Fri., Oct. 16, 2015
Exam #3 Fri., Nov. 13, 2015
Final
TBA, December, 2015
Reading Assignment Dates:
Weekly Textbook Readings
Chapter 1, Mon., Aug. 31
Chapter 2, Mon., Sept. 7
Chapters 3, Mon., Sept. 14
Chapter 4, Mon., Sept. 21
Chapter 5, Mon., Sept. 28
Chapter 6, Mon., Oct. 5
Chapter 7, Mon., Oct. 12
Chapters 8 and 9, Mon., Oct. 19
Chapter 10, Mon., Oct. 26
Chapter 11, Mon., Nov. 9
Chapter 12, Mon., Nov. 16
Chapter 13, Mon., Nov. 23
Chapter 14, Mon., Nov. 30
Research Assignments Due Dates:
Same as readings above
(Other Assignment Due Dates TBA in class.)
Attendance is expected. We will discuss things in class that are not covered in the reading.
Attendance will be taken daily. You will not be counted off for missing, but you will miss
important class information, and to do well on the tests, regular attendance is necessary. Students
who miss a test can, if they have a legitimate reason, take the test in advance, or take a make-up
test the week following the exam by appointment with the instructor. The makeup test will be
different from the regular exam, usually consisting of multiple long essays for 100 points.
The final exam can only be taken in advance. If you miss that exam, the grade is a zero for that
exam.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating, copying or plagiarizing, or any other form
of academic dishonesty as defined by NCTC policy will result in a grade of zero (0) for the
assignment and may be referred to the Dean of Students for further action. Scholastic dishonesty
shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See “Student
Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” page 174-177 of NCTC Catalog.
Extra credit can be had by meeting with the instructor to receive an assignment. Generally, extra
credit will only earn you a small number of points, so do not rely on this. Complete the required
work and apply yourself there.
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Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _____ Nov. 5, 2015__________.
DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have
a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the
Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham,
Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.
North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of
federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of
1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93112). http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________

Communication
X
American History

Mathematics

Government/Political Science

Life and Physical Science

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Language, Philosophy & Culture

Component Area Option

Creative Arts
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES
X
Critical Thinking
X
Communication

Empirical and Quantitative

X
X
Teamwork
Personal Responsibility
Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE

Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X
Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

WECM Course
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook.
http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-StudentHandbook
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
Office Location:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Crystal R.M. Wright
Gainesville Campus, Room 824
940-668-7731, ext. 4320
cwright@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:
Office Location:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Dr. Larry Gilbert
Corinth Campus, Room 305
940-498-6216
lgilbert@nctc.edu
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