HIST 1302 180: The US Since 1877

• Upon successful completion of this course, each student will:

• CO1: Define and describe the functions of the United States’ political system and its effects on the development of the nation since 1877.
• CO2: Recall and classify factors that relate to issues of gender, race, religion, and economic status in US society since 1877.
• CO3: Identify and explain how the United States interacted with the governments and peoples of other nations since 1877.
• CO4: Discuss and explain connections between historical events as well as describe historical changes over time.
• CO5: Compare the experiences of the groups and societies that formed the United States.
• CO6: Assess and evaluate the historical role government has played in the development of the United States.
• CO7: Draw conclusions about the role of the government in the US from historical examples and justify their conclusions using factual data and developed argument.
• CO8: Analyze primary historical sources, thus demonstrating critical reading skills.

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• Recordings of the lectures on Blackboard Collaborate, Echo360, or TopHat.
  • These will allow you to review the lectures and take further notes.
• Additional videos, documents, and resources as assigned specifically by the instructor.
  • These will be used for Document Quizzes, and other assignments in the course.

Assignments

You will find that the course will have various types of assignments and activities that will mesh together to hopefully create a holistic learning experience and keep you engaged with the subject materials. These will include assignments with multiple choice questions, matching, map identification, review activities and various short writing assignments. Some engagement assignments will be located in Blackboard.

Discussion Forums

Each Unit, will have one Video Discussion Forum, which will require you to post and respond to your fellow students.

Each Video Discussion Forum is set up so that you will have to post first before you will see the posts of the other students. Depending on the instructions for the particular discussion forum you will be expected to reply to at least one other student providing value added. This means that it is unacceptable to simply say “Way to go, I totally agree.” Instead, you would need to specify what you agree with and then add value by providing a new insight or a specific commentary. You will receive your grades for the Discussion Forum out of a hundred points possible for each forum. Discussion Forum section will make up twenty percent of your total grade. Discussion board posts will serve as class discussion AND as graded work.

Large Class Assignments:

Some assignments that you will be doing in this course you will need work on for more time than one Unit.  These will include smaller assignments that will build up to larger ones. You will receive more information about these assignments in the course. Together they will comprise 25% of your final grade.

Exams

. There will be two exams in this course. The Midterm will cover the first half of the semester and will make up 10% of your final grade. The Final will be comprehensive and will make up 15% of your final. 

Writing in this Course:

Various written responses, such as short essays, IDs and long essays, will be required throughout this course. All written work should be written using proper essay format and should follow the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) for citations and references.

Resources for CMS can be found here:

• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/02/
• http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html

A note on sources:

There is an exponential amount of information available, but not all of it is created equal. Students are expected to be mindful in selecting the sources (or references) they use when writing assignments for this course. Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias are not acceptable sources. These types of sources are 1) open for anybody to change and 2) a goal of this course is for students to learn how to read a larger work and then be able to synthesize and summarize the information in their own words—this is a critical part of learning. Lastly, a general tip is that “.org” and “.edu” are usually reliable sources, although this not always the case. In fact, there are some “.com” sites that are just as respectable. Please do not hesitate to contact the instructor with any questions and/or concerns regarding sources before a writing piece is submitted.

[REMOVE the Core-Curriculum Learning Outcomes which do NOT apply to this course. Please don't forget to remove these instructions.]

Core-Curriculum Learning Outcomes:

1. Critical Thinking Skills (CT) - creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
2. Communication Skills (COM) - effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication
3. Teamwork (TW) - ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
4. Social Responsibility (SR) - intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
5. Personal Responsibility (PR) - ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making

Course Description

How did a nation go from the cusp of destroying itself to the preeminent world power in just over a hundred years?  What happens when American society, which was founded on inequality, is forced to finally reconcile itself with the equality-based wording of its Declaration of Independence?  How did America develop its leadership role in the globalized world of today?  These are a few of the questions that we will be examining in looking at the emergence of the modern, information-driven United States of America.

I anticipate that students will come into this class with both a rudimentary knowledge of certain aspects of American history and strong viewpoints on certain topics.  This class will help refine those viewpoints based on evidence. Another goal is that after taking this class, students will be able to identify primary and secondary sources, critically analyze these sources, and defend their evidence-based point of view by coherently and effectively writing on the subject.  These skills will be useful to you no matter what your chosen profession.

Course Prerequisites: None.

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Course Outline and Expectations

Participation/Attendance

See policies on “Student Attendance and Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy” under “XII. University/College/Department Policies”.

Academic Honesty

See policies on “Plagiarism and Cheating” under “XII. University/College/Department Policies”.

Course Structure

The class is divided up into seven learning units found in Blackboard. When each Unit is finished it will become locked. Each unit folder has a homepage that will explain the course learning objectives, the required reading for the unit, any required or optional Engagement Assignments, the Discussion forum question, and the Unit Assessment.

Minimum Technical Skills Expected

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage. Additional skills required for this course include knowing how to use Turnitin.

Accommodations/Accessibility Policy

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal education opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Director of Student Counseling and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations. For more information, contact the online at Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), or via phone at 956.326.2230, or by visiting the staff at the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, room 138. A link to the Disabilities Services for Students site has also been included under the "Resources" tab inside the course.

Student Support Resources

The University wishes to have all students succeed in their courses. To provide support to our students, an array of services in the areas of technology support, academic support, student support, and accessibility support may be found at the University. For more information, visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ page on University Resources and Support Services.

Student-Instructor Communication Policy and Response Time

Course Messages/Emails

Turnaround time for course messages/emails will be 24-48 hours; though, responses may be made in 24 hours or less.

Assignments and Assessments

Individual and general feedback for assignments and assessments will be provided 7-10 days after the due date, unless otherwise specified via course announcements/messages to students.

Course Communication Guidelines (Netiquette)

There are course expectations concerning etiquette or how we should treat each other online. It is vital that we consider these values as we communicate with one another. Visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ web page on Netiquette for further instruction.

Maintain a respectful manner in e-mails, discussion forum posts, and any other class interaction.

• Make sure all messages and posts stay on topic.
• Be aware that often times humor or sarcasm do not transmit well online, so use discretion when posting.

Avoid:

• Foul language.
• Derogatory, racist, or sexist remarks.
• SHOUTING (hence, keep your caps to a minimum).

Technology Requirements

Computer/Technology Requirements

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Online students will need regular access to a personal computer that runs on a broadband Internet connection.

It is recommended that you meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the learning management system (LMS) of the University.

Additional Software. You will need the following additional software: Adobe Flash for viewing PDF documents. Microsoft Word for viewing course files and submitting assignments. TAMIU Students may access online versions of this software through their Dusty Office 365 account at https://dusty.tamiu.edu/. This site also provides students access to download the Microsoft suite for educational use. See instructions for downloading the Microsoft Office suite.

Note: Students if you do not own the required hardware, software or do not have access to internet, it will be highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you to find solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, computer labs, and classrooms.  In addition, you may also purchase any of these items at any electronic store.

Note from Instructor

All students must have access to a dependable computer with high-speed Internet access and some additional computer accessories i.e. a functional webcam, speakers, and microphone. In the case that your computer becomes unavailable or does not function, it is encouraged to have alternative access to other computers, such as the TAMIU library or other public libraries. This course operates on the Blackboard platform and works best using the Mozilla Firefox browser. In the case that Mozilla Firefox, or any other browser for that matter, does not function properly, it is recommended to have the option of other browsers i.e. Google Chrome or Internet Explorer. Further, when uploading onto “TurnItIn” drop boxes it is recommended to upload a Microsoft Word document. For technical support or assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Information Technology at (956) 326-2310 or e-mail them at hotline@tamiu.edu or elearning@tamiu.edu.

A note on completing timed tasks: It is highly recommended to use a wired connection. It is highly encouraged to use a desktop or laptop when completing any course work. Try to avoid using tablets and/or smart phones to complete course work.

Learning Management System (Blackboard)

Students are provided with guides on how to use the Blackboard LMS. Guides may be available at http://www.tamiu.edu/distance/students/elearning-orientation.shtml or by contacting the eLearning team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

Technical Support Services

Because of the nature of distance education courses, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) computing and information services are vital to the success of online students. This webpage covers contact information for Distance Education Services (Blackboard Support), the OIT Help Desk, and E-mail support: Technical Support Services.

Proctoring

All examinations and quizzes will be proctored. 

Respondus LockDown Browser (Free) and Monitor ($15 fee) Requirement

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor (webcam) for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable.

Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor (the webcam feature). A student Quick Start Guide (PDF) is also available.

Download Instructions

Click the Student Support top-middle tab located in Blackboard. Locate the Download Respondus LockDown Browser module, and click on the icon or link. You will be redirected to the information for Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. Links to download the software for PC and Mac are listed Installing the Respondus LockDown Browser Download section. It is free to download and install the software (on its own).

Once Installed

• Open LockDown Browser
• Log into Blackboard Learn
• Navigate to the test and begin

Note: You won't be able to access tests with a standard web browser. If this is tried, an error message will indicate that the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start LockDown Browser and navigate back to the exam to continue.

Cost for Respondus Monitor

There is a $15 fee for the webcam feature that's used with LockDown Browser (sometimes referred to as Respondus Monitor). This is a one-time fee, valid for 12 months (365 days) for all courses or exams that use Respondus Monitor. You will be prompted to make the purchase the first time an exam requires the use of LockDown Browser's webcam feature. Payment can be made with PayPal, Visa or Mastercard.

To pay for Respondus Monitor:

1. Start Respondus LockDown Browser.
2. Navigate to your test.
3. Complete the set-up process, which includes a payment screen for entering credit card information.
4. Payment and entering credit card information is only necessary one-time per course.

Guidelines

When taking an online exam that requires LockDown Browser and a webcam, remember the following guidelines:

• Select a location where you won't be interrupted.
• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it.
• Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers)
• Clear your area of all external materials — books, papers, other devices.
• Remain at your computer for the duration of the test.
• To produce a good webcam video, do the following:
  • Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims
  • Ensure your computer or tablet is on a firm surface (a desk or table) — not on your lap, a bed, or other surface that might move
  • If using a built-in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete
  • Take the exam in a well-lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting with your back to a window
• LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

Getting Help

Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser:

• The Windows and Mac versions of LockDown Browser have a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues.

• If you have problems downloading, installing, or taking a test with Respondus LockDown Browser, email the TAMIU eLearning Team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

Webcam Checkout for Personal Computer

If students are unable to use personal or borrowed computers and equipment, students may stop by the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services office to check out webcams (with built-in microphones). The office is located at Killam Library 259 (down the hall from the HelpDesk) and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Checkout for a webcam is on a first-come, first-service basis. Speak with an eLearning staff member to checkout a camera. Students will sign an Equipment Loaner Agreement, making them responsible for the care of the camera. Webcams checked out must be returned within five business days of the checkout date.

Feedback (Rubrics)

Graded work will also have some form of specific feedback:

• Mid-Term and Final Exam essays’ feedback will be given through their designated rubrics (see below).
  • TurnItIn feedback will be located in TurnItIn—if a student cannot locate the feedback, he/she must contact the instructor ASAP.
• The feedback for graded work will depend on the nature and context of the work.
• Discussion forum feedback will be given through their designated rubric. (See rubric within the course.

A note on rubrics: All of these rubrics include both content and delivery elements. In other words, students will be responsible for providing correct information and proper format i.e. good grammar, correct spelling, and paragraph divisions if necessary.

Rubrics

Mechanics: Paper is free from spelling and grammar errors and conveys information clearly. It also conforms to specification given in the prompt as to length, margins, and layout. It clearly flows from one topic to the other coherently.

Structure and Evidence: The student clearly identifies the question being answered and articulates a strong thesis and supporting arguments without missing a major point. Students have provided specific examples and data sufficient to demonstrate their thesis and supporting arguments.  Each point is well documented. There is no incorrect or false information.

Proper Citation: Students have filled the requirements of citation. They have made a good faith effort to write using CMS format. Students avoid using prohibited sources such as Wikipedia and other only encyclopedias. Students have also made a concerted effort to try and do proper footnotes.

Introduction and Conclusion: Paper has a strong Introduction and Conclusion. The conclusion specifically alludes back to the first topic covered and shows the interconnections of everything.

Late Work Policy

Complete all units in order. Each Unit will become available when indicated on the Course Schedule in the Syllabus and remain active only for a specified amount of time. Students will not be able to bundle assignments together and email them to the professor, as all course material will have to be submitted through Blackboard. Any graded assignments emailed to the professor without prior approval will not be accepted. When the due date for the unit has passed, the unit will become locked meaning that you will not be able to submit.

Late exam will not be accepted. Anything submitted using a TurnItIn drop box will not be accepted more than a day after it is due. The discussion forum cannot be submitted late. If you foresee any problems with turning assignments on the due date, please complete them and turn them in early. If you cannot do this, please contact me BEFORE the due date so that I can try and work with you on it. The best way to do well on this class is to stay ahead or on top if the course work. If you have unforeseen hardships, contact me as soon as possible so that I can work with you to get your work in. Proper and timely communication is key.

Course Evaluation

At the end of this course, students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation that will be distributed to them via email and through a course link.

Additional Course Information/Other Policies

Syllabus Subject to Change

While information and assurances are provided in this course syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and that events beyond the control of the instructor could occur. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that will produce syllabus changes.

Accessibility and Privacy Statements on Course Technologies

At Texas A&M International University, we believe that all students should have equal technology opportunities in the classroom. These technologies/sites may also require user data, such as the creation of a username and password. In this class, we will utilize Blackboard and Turnitin. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of these technologies on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.

Other Policy/Information

Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarism means presenting someone else’s work as your own. Do not do this at any point in your University career—there are severe repercussions. Any student caught cheating through plagiarism, or in any other form, will receive an automatic “F” for the course, and the instructor will also report this violation of the honor code.

Incompletes

Incomplete:  Students who are unable to complete a course should withdraw from the course before the final date for withdrawal and receive a “W.”  To qualify for an “incomplete” and thus have the opportunity to complete the course at a later date, a student must meet certain criteria. This criteria (and more) can be found in the section of the COAS policies located at the end of this syllabus.

Extra Credit

There is no extra credit in this course.

Policies of the College of Arts and Sciences

Leave of Absence (LOA) Rule

The Student Leave of Absence (LOA) Rule assists and encourages students to return and graduate after an absence of two or more consecutive long semesters from TAMIU. Absences during summer sessions are excluded, as continuous enrollment is not affected. Eligible students are encouraged to take advantage of the benefits provided by a LOA, e.g., no need to apply for readmission to university and may participate in their regularly scheduled registration/enrollment period upon return. Please note that re-admission to a college program may be required.

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for a LOA, a student must be eligible to register for classes and meet the following criteria:

1. Be a degree-seeking student.
2. Be registered during the semester immediately prior to the beginning of the LOA:

1. A student who was admitted as a new first-time freshman, transfer student, or graduate student but did not attend will not be eligible for a LOA. Instead, the student should contact the Office of Admissions. Graduate students should contact the Graduate School.
2. A student who was readmitted but did not attend will not be eligible for a LOA. Instead, the student should contact the Office of Admissions. Graduate students should contact the Graduate School.

1. Be in good academic standing or on academic probation with their college.
2. Have no holds (e.g., disciplinary, business, testing, etc.), which would restrict registration. Note: Students with Business Office holds may be given consideration for a LOA if authorized by the Bursar’s Office.
3. Have submitted any outstanding high school and/or transfer transcripts if prior                      admission/readmission and continued enrollment was contingent upon receipt of  those transcripts.

Rules and specific processes regarding LOA for undergraduate and graduate students can be found in the Student Handbook.

Classroom Behavior

TAMIU values academic freedom in the classroom and, thus, classroom discussion and academic debate are encouraged. It is essential that students learn to express and defend their beliefs, but it is also essential that they learn to listen and respond respectfully to others whose beliefs they may not share. The university will accept different or unpopular points of view, but it will not tolerate condescending, insulting, or discriminatory remarks. When students verbally abuse or ridicule and intimidate others whose views they do not agree with, they subvert the free exchange of ideas that should characterize a university classroom. If their actions are deemed by the professor to be disruptive, they will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action (please refer to the Student Handbook for more information) and professors may ask the student to leave the class.

TAMIU Honor Code: Plagiarism and Cheating

The university is committed to strict enforcement of the Honor Code. Students should conduct themselves ethically in all activities, in and out of the classroom. Ethical behavior also includes reporting violations of the Honor Code to the appropriate office. Please read the Student Handbook to review the university’s Honor Code.

There are several violations of the Honor Code that involve plagiarism and cheating.

1. Plagiarism: The act of passing off some other person’s ideas, words, or works as one’s own. It includes, but is not limited to, the appropriating, buying, receiving as a “gift,” or obtaining, by any other means, another’s work for submission as one’s own academic work. Examples include, but are not limited to:
   1. Failing to credit sources used in a work product in an attempt to present the work as one’s own.
   2. Intentionally, knowingly, or carelessly presenting the work of another as one’s own (i.e., without crediting the author or creator).
   3. Copying test answers or the words or phrases of another without crediting the author or claim credit for the ideas of another.
   4. Borrowing or lending a term paper, handing in as your own work a paper purchased from an individual or off the Internet, or submitting, as one's own any papers or work product from the files of any group, club, or organization.
   5. Submitting the same paper in more than one class without the permission of the instructor.

Students must provide citations for facts, ideas, and opinions that are not their own. If students are unsure about providing proper documentation, they are encouraged to seek advice from professors or the Academic Center of Excellence (ACE). It is the professor’s prerogative to ask students to submit work to one of TAMIU’s Plagiarism detection tools: Turnitin or Blackboard’s SafeAssign.

Professors must report incidents of plagiarism to the Honor Council. It is the professor’s prerogative and/or discretion, to issue an “F” in the course should he/she discover that a student has committed plagiarism. The professor, however, may elect to give students, particularly freshmen and sophomore students, a “zero” for the assignment if he/she believes that the student plagiarized out of carelessness and not out of an attempt to deceive the professor to earn an unmerited grade. Serious cases of plagiarism, especially those that involve flagrant incidents of plagiarism by graduate or doctoral students, may lead to suspension or expulsion from the university.

1. Cheating: An act of deception in which a student misrepresents that he/she has mastered information related to an academic exercise. Examples include, but are not limited to:
   1. Copying from another student’s test, lab report, computer file, data listing, logs, or any other type of report or academic exercise.
   2. Using unauthorized materials during a test. Consulting a cell phone, text messages, PDAs, programmable calculators with materials that give an advantage over other students during an exam.
   3. Using crib sheets or other hidden notes in an examination or looking at another student's test paper to copy strategies or answers.
   4. Having another person supply questions or answers from an examination to be given or in progress.
   5. Having a person other than oneself (registered for the class) attempt to take or take an examination or any other graded activity. In these cases, all consenting parties to the attempt to gain unfair advantage may be charged with an Honor Pledge violation.
   6. Deliberately falsifying laboratory results, or submission of samples or findings not legitimately derived in the situation and by the procedures prescribed or allowable.
   7. Revising and resubmitting a quiz or exam for regrading, without the instructor's knowledge and consent.
   8. Giving or receiving unauthorized aid on a take-home examination.
   9. Facilitating academic violation: intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate the Honor Pledge.
   10. Signing in another student's name on attendance sheets, rosters, Scantrons.
   11. Submitting in a paper, thesis, lab report, or other academic exercise falsified, invented, or fictitious data or evidence, or deliberate or knowingly concealing or distorting the true nature, origin, or function of such data or evidence.
   12. Procuring and/or altering without permission from appropriate authority of examinations, papers, lab reports, or other academic exercises, whether discarded or used, and either before or after such materials have been handed in to the appropriate recipient.
   13. Using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, soliciting, copying or possessing, the contents of an un-administered test, a required assignment or a past test which has, by the professor, not been allowed to be kept by their students.
   14. Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT. Unless allowed by each professor, students are expected to complete each assignment without assistance from others, including automated writing tools.

It is important to note that professors may ask students to work in groups. However, if someone in a group commits academic misconduct, the entire group could be held responsible for it as well. Members of groups must clearly document who contributes what parts of the joint project and to know what group members are doing and how they are getting the material they provide. Ignorance is no excuse.

It is also important to be aware of group texts or chats. If another student is attempting to violate the Honor Code, it is your ethical responsibility to report him/her to the Honor Council. Again, membership in a group that attempts or engages in cheating may lead to all members of the group being subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Should professors discover that a student has cheated on an exam or quiz or other class project, the student should receive a “zero” for the assignment and not be allowed to make the assignment up. The incident should be reported to the Honor Council. If the cheating is extensive, however, or if the assignment constitutes a major grade for the course (e.g., a final exam), or if the student has cheated in the past, the student should receive an “F” in the course, and the matter should be referred to the Honor Council. Additional penalties, including suspension or expulsion from the university may be imposed. Under no circumstances should a student who deserves an “F” in the course be allowed to withdraw from the course with a “W.” 

Appeals of Academic Dishonesty

Students have the right to appeal a faculty member’s charge of academic dishonesty by notifying the TAMIU Honor Council of their intent to appeal as long as the notification of appeal comes within 10 business days of the faculty member’s e-mail message to the student and/or the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement. The Student Handbook provides more details.

Exam Monitoring

For online courses, professors may require students to use a proctoring service such as Respondus Monitor, Proctorio, or Examity. Students are responsible for signing up and paying the required fees. This information will be stated under the “Course Materials” section of your syllabus.

It is important to note that professors may ask students to work in groups. However, if someone in a group commits academic misconduct, the entire group could be held responsible for it as well. Members of groups must clearly document who contributes what parts of the joint project and to know what group members are doing and how they are getting the material they provide. Ignorance is no excuse.

It is also important to be aware of group texts or chats. If another student is attempting to violate the Honor Code, it is your ethical responsibility to report him/her to the Honor Council. Again, membership in a group that attempts or engages in cheating may lead to all members of the group being subject to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.

Should professors discover that a student has cheated on an exam or quiz or other class project, the student should receive a “zero” for the assignment and not be allowed to make the assignment up. The incident should be reported to the Honor Council. If the cheating is extensive, however, or if the assignment constitutes a major grade for the course (e.g., a final exam), or if the student has cheated in the past, the student should receive an “F” in the course, and the matter should be referred to the Honor Council. Additional penalties, including suspension or expulsion from the university may be imposed. Under no circumstances should a student who deserves an “F” in the course be allowed to withdraw from the course with a “W.” 

AI Statement for Dr. Weight’s History Courses

Using generative AI in this course is strictly prohibited and will be referred to the Honor Council as cheating.  This includes ChatGPT.  It also includes grammar checkers that give sentence and paragraph restructuring suggestions (like Grammarly Go, etc.)  This DOES NOT include spelling and grammar checkers on word processing apps or the original versions of Grammarly.  In the writing in this course, I want to see YOUR thoughts, words, ideas, and structure not a computer.

Use of Work in Two or More Courses

Students should not submit work completed in one course for a grade in a second course unless you receive explicit permission to do so by the professor of the second course.  In general, students should get credit for a work product only once.

Disputes over Academic Matters

Faculty members are responsible for determining course curricula, for developing appropriate methods of evaluating student learning, for evaluating fairly, for upholding academic standards, and for enforcing procedures concerning academic honesty. Decisions made by faculty members regarding the quality or integrity of student work, including decisions about course grades, are presumed to be fair and final (unless the student files a successful grade appeal). In cases of academic violation students may be subject to both grade sanctions and disciplinary action (see Student Violations of Academic Integrity below).

Students who believe that they have grounds for challenging faculty decisions regarding academic issues--excepting those pertaining to matters of academic freedom--may appeal using the procedure outlined below. Faculty members are required to report acts of academic violation to their chair, their Dean, the Provost, the Honor Council (through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement), and the Vice President for Student Success.

Grade sanctions may be imposed only by faculty members. Academic suspension or expulsion may be imposed only by the Provost. As with disputes about course grades, students may appeal grade sanctions imposed for academic violation only by following the procedure outlined below. Students should not attempt to persuade academic administrators to change a grade; they cannot and will not do it unless a student follows the grade appeal policy below and is successful in persuading either the faculty member for the course or an ad-hoc committee of faculty members that a change is warranted.

Student appeals of faculty academic decisions should be completed within 15 University business days after the student’s first meeting with the faculty member to question the faculty member’s decision.

1. The student must first meet with the faculty member and discuss the faculty member’s decision. This meeting should occur as soon as possible after the decision has been made, normally within one week of the student being notified of the decision. The faculty member is expected to listen to the student, provide an explanation for the decision, and change the grade or decision if the student’s argument is persuasive. To change final course grades, a faculty member must submit a “Grade Change Form” and attach an accompanying memorandum justifying the decision to change the grade. The faculty member’s department chair and Dean must approve the change.

1. If the faculty member declines to change the decision or grade, the student may then discuss the matter with the faculty member’s immediate academic supervisor (hereafter, “chair” will be used to mean either the department chair or the immediate academic supervisor). If the chair believes that the student’s position has merit, the chair will discuss the matter with the faculty member.

1. If the student is not satisfied with the chair’s assessment of the issue or if the faculty member declines to change the decision after discussing it with the chair, the student may then request that an ad hoc committee of faculty members review the matter. This committee consists of three tenured faculty members within the same discipline or department unless circumstances dictate otherwise. If the chair determines that a tenured faculty member cannot be selected from the same discipline or department, then the chair may add a tenured faculty member from a closely related discipline. From the pool of eligible tenured faculty members designated by the chair, the faculty member, the student, and the chair will each nominate one faculty member to serve on the committee.

1. The ad hoc committee will hear from the student, the faculty member, and the chair and examine relevant documents. If the committee sustains the faculty member’s decision, the committee will provide the student with a written statement explaining the reasons for the committee’s decision. The student may request in writing that the committee reconsiders its decision and provides reasons for so doing. If the committee refuses to reconsider or if it reaffirms its original recommendation, the faculty member’s original decision is final. If the committee finds in favor of the student, the committee will provide the faculty member with a written recommendation explaining the committee’s reasons. If the faculty member disagrees with the committee’s recommendation, the faculty member may request that the committee reconsiders its recommendation and provides the committee with a rationale for revisiting the recommendation. If after considering the faculty member’s rationale the ad hoc committee is still persuaded that the faculty member’s original decision should be reversed, the committee will recommend in writing to the chair that the faculty member’s decision be overturned. The committee may also make this recommendation to the chair if the faculty member fails to alter the original decision and also fails to respond to the committee’s original recommendation. The faculty member will receive a copy of the recommendation to the chair, allowing a final opportunity to revise the original decision. If the faculty member fails to comply, the chair may override the faculty member’s original decision, and, as appropriate, revise the student’s course grade. In order to certify that the grade dispute process outlined above has been followed appropriately, the Dean of the College or the School and the Provost will review all decisions by chairs to change grades against the will of a faculty member.

Incomplete Grades

Students who are unable to complete a course should withdraw from the course before the final date for withdrawal and receive a “W.” To qualify for an “incomplete” and thus have the opportunity to complete the course at a later date, a student must meet the following criteria:

• The student must have completed 90% of the course work assigned before the final date for withdrawing from a course with a “W”, and the student must be passing the course; The student cannot complete the course because an accident, an illness, or a traumatic personal or family event occurred after the final date for withdrawal from a course;
• The student must sign an “Incomplete Grade Contract” and secure signatures of approval from the professor and the college dean.
• The student must agree to complete the missing course work before the end of the next long semester; failure to meet this deadline will cause the “I” to automatically be converted to an “F”; extensions to this deadline may be granted by the dean of the college. This is the general policy regarding the circumstances under which an “incomplete” may be granted, but under exceptional circumstances, a student may receive an incomplete who does not meet all of the criteria above if the faculty member, department chair, and dean recommend it.

 WIN Contracts

WIN Contracts are offered only under exceptional circumstances and are limited to seniors. Only courses offered by full-time TAMIU faculty or TAMIU instructors are eligible to be contracted for the WIN requirement. However, a WIN contract for a course taught by an adjunct may be approved, with special permission from the department chair and dean. Students must seek approval before beginning any work for the WIN Contract. No student will contract more than one course per semester. Summer WIN Contracts must continue through both summer sessions.

Student Responsibility for Withdrawing from a Course

It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course before the final date for withdrawal from a course. Faculty members, in fact, may not drop a student from a course without getting the approval of their department chair and dean.

Independent Study Course

Independent Study (IS) courses are offered only under exceptional circumstances. Required courses intended to build academic skills may not be taken as IS (e.g., clinical supervision and internships). No student will take more than one IS course per semester. Moreover, IS courses are limited to seniors and graduate students. Summer IS course must continue through both summer sessions.

Grade Changes & Appeals

Faculty are authorized to change final grades only when they have committed a computational error or an error in recording a grade, and they must receive the approval of their department chairs and the dean to change the grade. As part of that approval, they must attach a detailed explanation of the reason for the mistake. Only in rare cases would another reason be entertained as legitimate for a grade change. A student who is unhappy with his or her grade on an assignment must discuss the situation with the faculty member teaching the course. If students believe that they have been graded unfairly, they have the right to appeal the grade using the grade appeal process as described in the Student Handbook and in the Faculty Handbook.

Final Examination

All courses in all colleges must include a comprehensive exam or performance and be given on the date and time specified by the Academic Calendar and the Final Exam schedule published by the Registrar’s Office.

Extra-Credit Work

Professors may not give extra-credit opportunities to individual students. If they choose to give extra credit, professors must make it available to all students in a class. Professors are discouraged from giving extra credit for class attendance and/or attendance at university events. Professors should not give extra-credit opportunities after final grades for the semester are submitted. 

UConnect, TAMIU E-Mail, and Dusty Alert

Personal Announcements sent to students through TAMIU’s Uconnect Portal, TAMIU E-mail, and Blackboard Course Messages, are the official means of communicating course and university business with students and faculty –not the U.S. Mail and no other e-mail addresses. Students and faculty must check UConnect and their TAMIU e-mail accounts regularly, if not daily. Not having seen an important TAMIU e-mail or UConnect message from a faculty member, chair, or dean is not accepted as an excuse for failure to take important action. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to sign-up for Dusty Alert (see https://www.tamiu.edu/oit/students/dusty_alrt.shtml). Dusty Alert is an instant cell phone text-messaging system allowing the university to communicate immediately with you if there is an on-campus emergency, something of immediate danger to you, or a campus closing.

Copyright Restrictions

The Copyright Act of 1976 grants copyright owners the exclusive right to reproduce their works and distribute copies of their work. Works that receive copyright protection include published works such as a textbook. Copying a textbook without permission from the owner of the copyright may constitute copyright infringement. Civil and criminal penalties may be assessed for copyright infringement. Civil penalties include damages up to $100,000; criminal penalties include a fine up to $250,000 and imprisonment. Copyright laws do not allow students and professors to make photocopies of copyrighted materials, but you may copy a limited portion of a work, such as article from a journal or a chapter from a book for your own personal academic use or, in the case of a professor, for personal, limited classroom use. In general, the extent of your copying should not suggest that the purpose or the effect of your copying is to avoid paying for the materials. And, of course, you may not sell these copies for a profit. Thus, students who copy textbooks to avoid buying them or professors who provide photocopies of textbooks to enable students to save money are violating the law.

Students with Disabilities

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal education opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Office of Student Counseling and Disability Services.  This office will contact the faculty members to recommend specific, reasonable accommodation. Faculty are prohibited from making accommodations based solely on communications from students.  They may make accommodation only when provided documentation by the Student Counseling and Disability Services office.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, harassment based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions, is prohibited. A pregnant/parenting student must be granted an absence for as long as the student’s physician deems the absence medically necessary. It is a violation of Title IX to ask for documentation relative to the pregnant/parenting student’s status beyond what would be required for other medical conditions. If a student would like to file a complaint for discrimination due to his or her pregnant/parenting status, please contact the Office of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance (Lorissa M. Cortez, TAMIU Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator; 5201 University Boulevard, KLM 159B, Laredo, TX 78041; TitleIX@tamiu.edu; 956.326.2857) and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office, U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600). You can also report it on TAMIU’s anonymous electronic reporting site: www.tamiu.edu/reportit.

TAMIU advises a pregnant/parenting student to notify their professor once the student is aware that accommodations for such will be necessary. It is recommended that the student and professor develop a reasonable plan for the student’s completion of missed coursework or assignments. The Office of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance (Lorissa M. Cortez, lorissam.cortez@tamiu.edu) can assist the student and professor in working out the reasonable accommodations. For other questions or concerns regarding Title IX compliance related to pregnant/parenting students at the University, contact the Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator. In the event that a student will need a leave of absence for a substantial period of time, TAMIU urges the student to consider a Leave of Absence (LOA) as outlined in the TAMIU Student Handbook. As part of our efforts to assist and encourage all students towards graduation, TAMIU provides LOA’s for students, including pregnant/parenting students, in accordance with the Attendance Rule and the Student LOA Rule. Both rules can be found in the TAMIU Student Handbook. 

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and “shall not discriminate against any student or exclude any student from its education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, on the basis of such student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery therefrom.” Moreover, the university is committed to assisting all students to continue their education and maintain their academic progress. TAMIU strives to develop programs and establish services that support all students regardless of their unique challenges. We realize that being both a student and parenting a child(ren) has helped you develop strengths but also comes with unique challenges. For this, TAMIU has identified a "parenting liaison" to assist students who are parents of children under 18 years or expecting. The parenting liaison will work with you and the TIX office to meet your needs. This webpage educates you on relevant policies, programs, and resources. Please note that parenting and pregnancy statuses apply to both partners, regardless of sex or gender identity. If you have any questions, please contact the Parenting Liaison, Mayra Hernandez at mghernandez@tamiu.edu, call 956.326.2265, or visit Student Center 226.

Anti-Discrimination/Title IX

TAMIU does not discriminate or permit harassment against any individual on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity in admissions, educational programs, or employment. If you would like to file a complaint relative to Title IX or any civil rights violation, please contact the Office of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance (Lorissa M. Cortez, TAMIU Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator; 5201 University Boulevard, KLM 159B, Laredo, TX 78041; TitleIX@tamiu.edu; 956.326.2857) or via the anonymous electronic reporting website, ReportIt, at www.tamiu.edu/reportit , and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office), U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600.