U.S.
History
Course
Description:
This
two semester course provides a general overview of the history of the United
States. In thematic units, we will be exploring America’s past, examining the
cultural, political, geographical, economical and technological changes that
have taken place that have helped to shape us and guide us as a nation today.
General
Course Goals:
1.
To
help students understand and appreciate the nature of American culture and to
see how important aspects of this culture have developed over time.
2.
To
impress the fact that American culture is pluralistic--that many groups have
contributed to our culture in the past and continue to do so in the present.
3.
To
provide students with an understanding of change as a condition of human
society. Societies rise and fall; value systems improve or deteriorate and the
tempo of change varies within cultures and periods of history.
4.
To
explain how the United States, once a primarily rural, agrarian society, became
a large, highly industrialized country in which most people live in urban areas.
5.
To
describe the important problems Americans have faced in the past and the
solutions they arrived at to deal with these problems as well as exploring the
roots of problems facing the country today in hopes of finding solutions for
these problems in the future.
6.
To
provide help in the development of the critical thinking and study skills and
techniques required for success in a challenging and highly competitive global
society.
Required
Text and Materials:
The materials needed are:
1.
McDougal
Littell’s The Americans textbook
2.
Notebook
for class notes and handouts.
3.
Folder
for History Portfolio projects.
4.
Textbook,
notebook, and pens/pencils should be brought to class at all times.
Classroom
Procedure:
The topics introduced in this course will be presented in a variety of
ways. The predominate method will be lecture-discussion sessions with some
films, class debates, various group activities and simulations. Students are
required to take and keep notes and all handouts in their history notebooks.
How
Will You Be Graded?
Grades
are weighted as follows:
1.
30% Test scores and quizzes
2.
20% participation (mandated
by new MHS attendance policy)
3.
20% Semester Final
4.
30% Homework/activities/projects
Your
grade will depend upon neatness, completeness, accuracy and promptness. All
papers handed in late will receive a lowered grade unless student has an excused
absence. Absent students have up to one week to hand in any late assignments
and/or to make-up any tests they may have missed.
Grade
Scale:
|
A |
92% |
B |
82% |
C |
72.5% |
D |
63% |
|
A- |
89.5% |
B- |
79.5% |
C- |
69.5% |
D- |
60% |
|
B+ |
87.5% |
C+ |
77% |
D+ |
67% |
F |
59%
or less |
NOTE!
Attendance
and promptness are of paramount importance to your success in school. 20% of
your classroom grade will be based upon participation and participation is
related to your presence in class. If you are absent from class, it is your
responsibility to see me about any assignments you may have missed. Concerning
tardiness: BE ON TIME! (It is better to be on time and ask permission to get
a drink or go to your locker afterwards, than to be late)
Text
for U.S. History: The Americans McDougal-Littell:
NOTE:
Due to the large number of textbooks that have been lost or not returned
by students, there will be no textbooks assigned to each student. Textbooks will
be available for student use in the classroom.
Textbooks will also be available in the MHS library and may be used there
during tutorial or may be checked out for student use at home from the
librarian.
Web site address for textbook links: http://www.mcdougallittell.com/amhist/amlinks/amself.htm
Course
Outline for Fall Semester
First
Semester:
We will be covering the following units: The
chapter topics for first semester are outlined here briefly:
|
Unit
I: Course Introductions (August
22-24)
* |
Classroom
expectations, grading standards Introduction
to using the Classroom Atlases |
3
days
|
|
Unit
II: The American Presidents
and the History of Political Parties in the US
(August
27-Sept 3
) |
Brief
overview of the US presidents and the role of political parties in U.S.
history |
5
days
|
|
Unit
III: The
Impact of American Expansionism: Part One: The Westward Movement Sept
4-Sept 17 |
The
Indian Removal Policies/ Manifest Destiny and Trails West/Texas Rebellion
and the War with Mexico/ California Statehood |
12
days
|
|
Unit
IV: The
Impact of American Expansionism: Part Two: Consequences Sept.
17- Oct 4:
end
of 1st trimester |
Native
Americans/ the Indian Wars/ the Reservation System/ Struggle for civil
rights/ Natives today |
10
days
|
|
Unit
V: The Impact of Slavery: Part One: The Political Consequences End
of 2nd trimester 11/ 16.
Oct.
5- Nov. 16 |
Sectionalism/Civil
War/ Reconstruction/post-war America |
30
days
|
|
Unit
VI: The Impact of Slavery: Part Two: The Social Consequences Nov.
17- Dec. 21 |
Jim
Crow/Civil Rights/Reparations Movement/ African Americans today |
20
days
|
|
Unit
VII: Jan
3- 9 Reforming America end
of 3rd trimester/semester exam |
Populism,
Unionism, Barons of Industry |
6
days
|
*dates are tentative, dependent upon school interruptions
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