HIST 4700: Texas History (3 Credit Hours)

FALL 2019, MWF 1:00-1:50

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Richard B. McCaslin (Wooten 239, 369-8182, [email protected])

OFFICE HOURS: MWF 9-10, 11-12, and by appointment

TEACHING ASSISTANTS: Allie Kelley, Haley Brown

OFFICE HOURS: TBA

Please put “HIST 4700” in the subject line of all emails, which are the strongly preferred method
for all communication with both the instructor and teaching assistant.

DESCRIPTION: This course seeks to familiarize students with major topics in Texas history from
the pre-Columbian era to the present. History is not solely a list of names and dates, but rather an
interwoven tale of complex events that created the state, nation, and world in which we now live.
We will explore diverse subjects within the broad categories of politics, economics, and society,
while focusing on understanding the development of modern Texas and its residents.

TEXTS:
Randolph B. Campbell, Gone to Texas, 3rd ed. (Oxford U Press, 2012)
[ISBN 978-0199779406]
Randolph B. Campbell, Sam Houston and the American Southwest, 3rd ed. (Pearson, 2006)
[ISBN 978-0321385727]
Arnoldo DeLeon, Mexican Americans in Texas, 3rd ed. (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009)
[digital copy to be provided]

COURSE GOAL: By the end of the term, students will be able to recall the basic facts of Texas
history from the pre-Columbian era to the present, as well as communicate effectively a critical
understanding of the political, economic, and social events that shaped the development of Texas.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. By the end of the term, students will know significant groups, individuals, and events in Texas
during the following periods:
A. Colonial Texas
B. Republic of Texas
C. Early Statehood
C. Old West and New South
D. Modern Texas

2. By the end of the term, students will be able to think critically about the development of modern
Texas by identifying and discussing the impact of:
A. International rivalries from the 15th to the 19th centuries
B. Political events in Mexico and the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries
C. Economic developments in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries
D. Social changes in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries
E. Military conflicts concerning Mexico and the United States
3. By the end of the term, students will be able to communicate effectively in writing:
A. Essays that provide coherent, logical, and grammatically correct responses to
questions concerning assigned readings on Texas history, reflecting both a good
knowledge base and critical thinking.
B. Book reviews that provide coherent, logical, and grammatically correct analyses
of the thesis, evidence, and significance of assigned secondary sources.

ASSIGNMENTS: Your final grade will be based on four tests [one essay question each, to be
chosen from two provided] and two book reviews. The tests will each comprise 20% of your final
grade [cumulative total of 80%], and the book reviews will each comprise 10% of your final grade
[cumulative total of 20%].

Essay study questions will be handed out at the beginning of each section of the course. On the
test, you are expected to answer all parts of the essay question in a logical and organized fashion.
Provide at least one specific example for all general statements. There will be a review in class
before each test, and all study questions and announcements will be posted on the Canvas site for
this course.

GRADING: Grades are computed on a ten-point scale: 90 to 100 is an A, 80 to 89 is a B, 70 to 79

is a C, 60 to 69 is a D, and below 60 is an F. I do not “curve” but significant improvement will be
considered in assigning final grades. There are no pluses and minuses on report cards at UNT.

The teaching assistants will grade all assignments. Students with questions about their performance
on an exam should speak first with the teaching assistant. If a student and teaching assistant cannot
resolve any grading issue, the instructor may re-grade your assignment at his discretion, which may
result in a higher or lower grade on the assignment.

The following general criteria will be used for assessing essays and book reviews: EXCELLENT
(A): well-organized, grammatically correct, clearly presents material with accurate and appropriate
supporting evidence or examples; GOOD (B): almost excellent, some minor mistakes or omissions,
fewer examples, or poor organization or grammar; SATISFACTORY (C): several errors or serious
omissions, spelling and grammar are not college level; POOR (D): composed almost entirely of
generalities with little supporting evidence, atrocious spelling and grammar; UNACCEPTABLE
(F): misses the point; fails to deal with the question asked or the book read, almost unreadable.

ATTENDANCE: Because tests are based primarily on the lectures, it would be best if you were not
absent. It is my experience that excessive absence does affect your grade. “Make-ups” will only be
given at the discretion of the instructor. If you know in advance that you will miss a test, it would
be best to notify the instructor before missing that class. Late submissions may incur a penalty.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY emanates from a culture that embraces the core values of trust and
honesty necessary for full learning to occur. Academic dishonesty breaches the mutual trust
necessary in an academic environment and undermines all scholarship. If you use someone else’s
work (cheating) you will fail the assignment and possibly this course. Don’t do it, it’s just not
worth it. See Student Academic Integrity Policy (06.003).
 ASSISTANCE: UNT provides students a number of resources to assist in their studies. Below is
contact information for helpful student resources:
 UNT Writing Center – for help with all aspects of writing: http://writingcenter.unt.edu/
 UNT Learning Center--offers specialized tutoring, help with topics such as time management and
different approaches to test taking: http://learningcenter.unt.edu/
 History Help Center: specialized tutoring, facility for all makeup tests, open 9-5, M-F

UNT makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking
reasonable accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA)
to verify eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide a reasonable accommodation
letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a
course. You may request reasonable accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of
reasonable accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any
delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of reasonable accommodation
for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class.
Students are strongly encouraged to deliver letters of reasonable accommodation during faculty
office hours or by appointment. Faculty members have the authority to ask students to discuss such
letters during their designated office hours to protect the privacy of the student.  For additional
information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at https://disability.unt.edu/. You
may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.

Schedule of Assignments (MWF)

Colonial Texas
CLASS READING (Gone to Texas) TOPIC
Aug. 26 Introduction
28 Chapter 1 Geography
30 Indians
Sept. 2 Chapter 2 Spain
4 Chapter 3 Spain
6 Chapter 4 Spain
9 Chapter 5 Mexico
11 Mexico
13 REVIEW
16 TEST

Republic of Texas and Early Statehood

CLASS READING (Gone to Texas) TOPIC
Sept. 18 Chapter 6 Texas Revolution
20 Texas Revolution
23 Chapter 7 Republic of Texas
25 Republic of Texas
27 Chapter 8 Annexation
30 Mexican War
Oct. 2 Antebellum Texas
4 Antebellum Texas
7 Chapter 9 Secession
9 BOOK REVIEWS (HOW TO)
11 REVIEW
14 TEST

Old West and New South

CLASS READING (Gone to Texas) TOPIC
Oct. 16 Chapter 10 Civil War
18 Civil War
21 Chapter 11 Reconstruction
23 Chapter 12 Old West
25 Chapter 13 New South
28 Chapter 14 Populists (Campbell Review Due)
30 Progressives
Nov. 1 REVIEW
4 TEST

Modern Texas
CLASS READING (Gone to Texas) TOPIC
Nov. 6 Chapter 14 World War I
8 Chapter 15 1920s
11 BOOK REVIEWS (FEEDBACK)
13 Chapter 16 Great Depression
15 New Deal
18 World War II
20 World War II
22 Chapter 17 Modern Texas: Civil Rights
25 Chapter 18 Modern Texas: Economics (De Leon Review Due)
27 Chapter 19 Modern Texas: Politics
29 THANKSGIVING
Dec. 2 Modern Texas: Politics
4 REVIEW
7 FINAL (10:30-12:30)