History 284: The History of Texas
Spring Term 2008
Light T. Cummins
Class Time: 9:00-9:50 am MWF
Classroom: HC 211
Office: Sherman Hall 124
Office Hours as posted or by appointment
lcummins@austincollege.edu
903-813-2359

This course will provide an understanding of the history of Texas from pre-European contact to the present. It will stress the political, economic, and social development of Texas as a colony, republic, and state. It will as well analyze the role that Texas has played in the development of the United States and the State's impact on the international arena. In particular, we will begin with an assessment of the major events in the exploration and settlement of Texas. The course will provide a consideration of the native populations of various Texas regions, major figures and events in the exploration and settlement of Texas, the geographical regions of early Texas and their influences on settlement, and the characteristics of Texas as part of New Spain and Mexico. The course will then move to an analysis of the Texas Revolution, the formation of the Republic, and the establishment of statehood. Within this context, there will be a survey of the major figures and events of the period, the causes and results of the Texas Revolution, and of relations between the Republic, and later the State, of Texas and the United States. The Civil War and era of Reconstruction will also receive emphasis. There will be analysis of the political issues that led to secession, the political and economic aspects of Texas's role in the War, and the effects of the conflict on Texas. As well, the course will present the political, social and, cultural issues of Reconstruction, note the problems of economic growth and development, and the effects of the Constitution of 1876 on the development of the State. The course will then offer a consideration of the major developments in the growth of Texas from the 1880's to the period of World War One. It will introduce the major leaders and movements in business, industry, and labor; the causes and effects of ethnic immigration and social reform; factors involved in and results of economic growth; and the relationship of regional, geographic factors, and economic resources to settlement patterns and growth. This will be followed by a similar presentation for the period from World War One to World War Two, including analysis of significant events and individuals in the social and political development of Texas, and the roles of Texans in international conflicts. The final stages of this course will note developments in Texas from the period of World War Two to the present. This will permit an analysis of the significant events and individuals in the social, political, and economic development of Texas; major industries in the development of the State; the economic interdependence of Texas with other and nations; and the causes of continuing urbanization in Texas. In addition, throughout the above chronological periods this course will consider the experiences and contributions of multi-cultural groups in Texas. This will include Mexican-American and Black Texans, along with a survey of cultural and ethnic pluralism in the state. This course, as well, will seek to improve the student's understanding of the heritage of Texas government and education. It will provide an introduction to the historical reasons for the structure and functioning of state government in Texas, along with a consideration of the role which education has played in the development of the state.

Learning Objectives:

Each student will gain a familiarity with the basic facts and historiographical interpretations of Texas history. In addition, they will learn the practical steps for term paper research and writing according to the research designs used by professional historians.
 

Required Text:

This is the textbook which should be read by all students. The particular page assignments are noted on the schedule below for each examination.

Randolph B. Campbell. Gone to Texas. Paperback version.

Course Requirements:

There will be three unit examinations. The examinations will take place on the dates noted on the attached class schedule. The examinations will be composed of essay questions. They will be based upon a combination of lecture, class discussion, and reading. Each examination will be weighted in the following way: Outside reading question, 25%, Multiple Choice, 25%; Essay, 50%.

The Final Grade will be calculated as noted below, in coordination with class attendance and participation.

Reading List ----------- 10%
1st Unit Examination --- 30%
2nd Unit Examination --- 30%
Final Examination ------ 30%

Graduate Students:

Students taking this course for graduate credit will research and write a special paper or similar project, the exact nature of which will be determined by the instructor. The final draft of the graduate project is due at class time on May 10. The graduate student grading system will be:

In addition, graduate students will be held to a higher standard of qualitative evaluation on the grading of those assignments noted above which are administered in common with the undergraduate students in the class.

Outside Reading:

Students will read extensively in the historical literature from the library's general collection dealing with the history of Texas. Each undergraduate will be required to read a minimum total of 2000 pages during the semester from monographs or biographies dealing with the era. Graduate students must read a minimum total of 3000 pages. For purposes of rough approximation, this total reflects the estimate that each book read will be some 200-300 pages or so in length. Of course, should students choose some books which are longer or shorter, the number of books read will vary from individual to individual.

Students will assemble their own formal reading list based on a personal bibliographic search which reflects their interests. Students have complete freedom of choice in selecting their reading. You may, for example, read books all centered on one topic, or vary them widely to reflect all aspects of the course. All books chosen must be valid works of recognized historical scholarship and may be listed in one of the following finding aid: Light T. Cummins and Alvin Bailey, A Guide to the History of Texas. As well, any book listed in the bibliographies of the assigned course books is appropriate.

The instructor must approve the reading list, which should be formally submitted by the end of the second week of class. At that time, the student should submit a typed list which includes author, title, date and place of publication, publisher, number of pages, and Abell Library call number. It should be arranged alphabetically by author. Include only those books which you will read in their entirety. Consider this list a reading contract for the semester with the instructor. This list will be graded and will count 10% of the final grade. The instructor might add or delete titles, which in turn will provide your final reading list. The list will be graded on the following criteria: completion by the deadline, appropriateness of the titles as major historical works dealing with the course, and the furnishing of the desired bibliographical information noted above.

Students will be tested on their outside reading in the following manner. At least one class period before each test, the student will turn in to the instructor during class a blank blue book which will be returned at test time. The exam will be taken in this blue book. On the inside front cover of this blue book, the student should have listed by author and title all of the books from their reading list which they have read during the period of the course covered by the examination. The instructor will then fashion a specially designed essay question for each student based specifically on the books read by each individual, and which will be particularly based on the information and interpretations contained in these books. This reading question will count 25% of the examination grade. It is important that students pace their outside reading in such a manner that approximately one third of it is done during each of the three testing periods. For that reason, the instructor expects to see listed at the time of each examination a total number of books reflecting one third of the total outside reading for the course.

Grading Policy

The student's final grade will be determined by adding the total number of points earned and dividing that sum by three. The usual grading scale of 90-100 is an "A"; 80-90 is a "B", etc. will be used in reporting the final grade to the registrar's office. The graduate student grade will be determined by adding the total number of points earned and dividing that sum by four. The instructor reserves the right to raise or lower the final course grade according to class discussion and participation. No extra credit work will be assigned.
 

Late Work

Only students with verifiable excuses will be allowed to take make-up examinations. In the case of the final, no student will be permitted to take the exam at another time without the instructor's consultation with the mentor and registrar's office. Students who know in advance that they will be missing an examination are requested to bring that fact to the instructor's attention. Anyone missing the deadline on any work other than the term paper must contact the instructor as soon as possible without delay. Again, under no circumstances will a late term paper or annotated bibliography be accepted for credit except if the student meets the qualifications for an incomplete grade as stated below in this syllabus.
 

Incompletes

No incomplete grades will be awarded in this course for any reason whatsoever except in those cases where the student has been rendered unable to continue in the normal routine of attending college in all curricular and extra-curricular activities because of such situation and is therefore taking an incomplete grade in all other classes in addition to this one. These cases will be coordinated through the Dean's Office.
 

Attendance Policy
 

All students are encouraged to keep several factors in mind regarding attendance: roll will be called everyday and an attendance record kept; missing class for any reason whatsoever will not be an excuse as each student is fully responsible for changes of schedule, assignment, and all course content material noted each day whether or not they attended; and the instructor reserves the right to make a subjective judgment in raising or lowering a student's final course grade based upon class attendance and participation. A significant portion of this course is based upon classroom activities. Reading the assignments alone are not sufficient to maintain minimum levels of performance. When, in the opinion of the instructor, the student has missed sufficient classes to place in question their ability to continue in the course, they will be sent a class performance slip requesting a personal conference. This will usually occur after three absences. At that time, a determination will be made about the student's further continuance in the course. In any case, the instructor reserves the sole right to determine if a student's attendance is so remiss that they should be dropped from the class, and with what grade based upon their documented performance. In addition, students cannot arrive more than five minutes late for class. After that time, they will not be admitted. Students may not leave the class and return once it has begun unless in the case of a medical emergency. Students who leave the classroom thus cannot return during the remainder of the period. This includes both regular class days and examinations.

Students with special accommodation and who are registered with the Academic Skills Center must bring these matters to the attention of the instructor with all relevant paperwork by Monday, February  11^th or within three calendar days of adding the class. After that time, the instructor will not honor any special testing or classroom-related accommodations. Only those accommodations that are appropriately documented and registered with the appropriate college authorities will be honored with only those accommodations as noted in the paperwork.

Final Note  

It is an important goal for this course that each student receive the best grade they are able to earn. For that reason, please bring to the immediate attention of the instructor as soon as possible any matter, event, occurrence, circumstance, or consideration that might have a direct or indirect impact on your performance in the course. Please do not delay in mentioning such matters, even as a situation develops, since the instructor will assume no problems are bearing upon your performance unless informed otherwise.
 

Class Schedule
 

Mon Feb 4 -- What is Texas?
Wed Feb 6 – History of Texas History
Fri Feb 8 –  The Larger World of Texas

Mon Feb 11 -- Texas Land and Native Americans
Wed Feb 13 -- History of Early European Exploration
Fri Feb 15 -- Spanish Texas, Pt. 1

Mon Feb 18 -- Spanish Texas, Pt. 2
Wed Feb 20 -- Mexican Texas
Fri Feb 22 – Anglo Colonization, Pt. 1

Mon Mar 3 – First Unit Examination. Covers class activities, outside reading selections, and Campbell Gone to Texas, pp. 1-158 inclusive
Wed Mar 5 -- No Class. Texas State Historical Meeting
Fri Mar 8 -- No Class. Texas State Historical Meeting

Mon Mar 10 -- The Republic of Texas
Wed Mar 14 -- The War with Mexico
Fri Mar 16 -- Civil War and Reconstruction in Texas

Mon Mar 17 -- Spring Break.
Wed Mar 19--  Spring Break
Fri Mar 21 -- Spring Break

Mon Mar 24 -- Frontier Texas
Wed Mar 26 – The Cattle Kingdom
Fri Mar 28-- Cotton

Mon March 31 -- Texas and Reform
Wed Apr 2 -- Texas and Reform, Pt. 2
Fri Apr 4 -- The Texas Democratic Party

Mon  Apr 7 -- Texas Oil
Wed Apr 9  -- Texas in the Early 20^th Century
Fri Apr 11 – Second Unit Examination. Covers class activities, outside reading selections, and Campbell Gone to Texas, pp. 159-290 inclusive

Mon Apr 14 -- Urban and Industrial Texas
Wed Apr 16 -- Texas in the Great Depression
Fri Apr 18 -- Foundations of Modern Texas.

Mon Apr 21 --Texas in World War II, Pt. 1
Wed Apr 23 -- Texas in World War II, Pt. 2
Fri Apr 25 -- Voices of Modern Texas

Mon Apr 28 -- Texas and the Eisenhower Era
Wed April 30  -- Lyndon B. Johnson, Texan.
Fri May 2 -- The Republican Revolution

Mon May 5 -- Literature and the Arts in Texas
Wed May 7 -- Modern Texas Government, A Primer
Fri May  9 --Texas and the Future