US+History+Course+Syllabus+11-12

__Course Overview__
toc The United States of America, despite its relative youth, has played a tremendous role in the course of modern world history. In less than 200 years, the United States transformed itself into a superpower, extending its influence directly and indirectly throughout the world. At the same time, the United States experienced massive and important changes in its geography, government, culture, citizens’ rights, and ideas. While the entire gamut of United States history includes important changes, the United States did not become a world leader until decades after the near cataclysmic, and in terms of the country’s existence, near-fatal Civil War of the 1860s. This transformation is the beginning of US History at KIS. From the late 19th Century to the present, students will explore the journey of the United States of America in the modern world.

__What To Expect__
A successful student in this class will be creative, analytical, tech-savvy, flexible, an avid reader, a passionate and skilled writer, a hard worker, and willing to participate in class voluntarily. The teacher will utilize a variety of instructional methods, including, but not limited to discussion, source analyses, group work, PowerPoint and online video presentations, debates, reading assignments, and music studies. One of the most important components of the class will be writing. A host of writing activities will be assigned throughout the year such as critical thinking question responses, essays, and a research paper. A writing-intensive class such as this should help students improve their ability to express themselves competently and creatively, skills that should not fade throughout their lifetimes.

My expectations for this class are quite simple and be summed up by two words: respect and responsibility. I plan on showing you respect by taking time to answer your questions, listening to your concerns, and trying to make this class interesting and meaningful for you. Likewise, you will never hear me speak negatively about another student, because I respect all of you. Likewise, I expect you to show respect for your classmates, this room, our school, and myself in the same manner.

Along the same lines, we all have different responsibilities in this classroom. I have a responsibility to prepare each day and keep your interest. I also have the responsibility of teaching you the skills necessary to be successful in future high school and college courses and will prepare lessons accordingly. Likewise, you have a responsibility to come to class each day prepared with all of your necessary materials (Macbook, textbook, writing utensil, and any other handouts that I have given you.) I expect you to have completed each assignment on time and have each reading assignment completed at the beginning of each unit. (We will discuss this more in detail when we discuss grading.) If you are gone for any reason, you are responsible for getting work that you missed.

__Integrity__
Everyone is expected to maintain the highest level of integrity throughout the year. Dishonest and/or rude behavior will not be tolerated. Each student should review and understand the section of your handbook dealing with “Academic Honesty.” One could sum up that section by saying “Do your own work!” If everyone abides by that philosophy, then this should be a great school year. Also, if you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please ask!

__Grading__
The following format will be used each semester. While it is unlikely to change, I reserve the right to make appropriate changes.

Tests and Major Projects 60% Participation (Journals, Bellwork, Active Class Participation, etc.) 10% Homework (Reading Quizzes, etc.) 15% Semester Exam 15%

In accordance with KIS policy, your final grade will be docked by 1% (up to a maximum of 5%) for each “English Only” violation that occurs while in this class. Please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook for more information.

The grading scale functions as stated below: A 93-100% A- 90-92% B+ 87-89% B 83-86% B- 80-82% C+77-79% C 73-76% C- 70-72% D+ 67-69% D 63-66% F 59 and below

The Social Studies Department has adopted the following policy regarding late work. All major assignments are due at 8:00 A.M. in your appropriate class in-box on the due date. Papers turned in within 24 hours after the due date will lose 15% of the grade. Papers turned in over the next 24 hours will lose an additional 15%. Papers more than 48 hours late will not be accepted, and will result in a zero for that assignment. Weekends count as one total day late. For example, if an assignment is due on Friday, you may email it to me (or post it on my wikispace) anytime that weekend and it will be docked 15% of the grade. If you wait until Monday (or the next school day) to turn it in, it will be docked an additional 15%. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please ask!

__Examples of Assignments__
A typical homework assignment for this class will require you to read a portion of the textbook and then write a 50-word sentence analyzing a certain portion of the text. There may also be map assignments, primary source analysis, journals, etc.

Under the participation portion of your grade, students will be required to lead the class in a 10-15 minute activity at the beginning of class at least two times during the semester. I will choose the topic, but how you choose to lead the class is up to you. More information on this will be made available during the second week of class.

You will have approximately three “major” tests throughout the year, in addition to your semester exam. There will also be at least three major projects that I will be assigning each semester. These range from creating a newspaper about a historical era, teaching the class about a decade, debates, a research paper, current issues discussions, and analyzing the music of different eras. All of these assignments will require you to analyze, synthesize, or evaluate different decisions made in history, rather than just repeat information that you read in the textbook.

__Texts__
The primary text for this class is

Ayers, Edward L., et al. American Anthem: Reconstruction to the Present. 2009.

You will also receive numerous primary source and outside readings throughout the semester.

__Course Outline__
__**Quarter One**__ Geography Historical Skills Brief Overview of Native Americans American Revolution Expansion of US Antebellum America Civil War Reconstruction Constitution Overview Industrial Revolution Immigration and Urbanization

__**Quarter Two**__ The Progressive Era US and the Age of Imperialism World War I The 1920s and 1930s The Great Depression The New Deal

__**Quarter Three**__ World War II Cold War (Includes Field Trip to Korean War Museum) Civil Rights Movement Vietnam War (including the antiwar movement) Kennedy/Johnson/Nixon Administrations Suburbanization

__**Quarter Four**__ 1970s - Present Watergate 1970s Economic/Political Crises Reagan Revolution Women’s Liberation Demographic Changes The “Two Americas” (Republicans vs Democrats) Current Events Debates US Response to China US Role in Preventing Genocide US Response to North Korea Immigration Policies US Role in a Changing World Affirmative Action US Response to Terrorism Dilemmas of Foreign Aid Other topics as chosen by the teacher