• Syllabus:  United States History, AICE 

    Course Objectives:  United States History (U.S. History) 9-12 Course – The grade 9-12 United States History course consists of the following content area strands: United States History, Geography, and Humanities. The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of United States history from Reconstruction to the present day. Students will be exposed to the historical, geographic, political, economic, and sociological events, which influenced the development of the United States and the resulting impact on world history. So that students can clearly see the relationship between cause and effect in historical events, students should have the opportunity to review those fundamental ideas and events which occurred before the end of Reconstruction.

    AICE /Advanced     courses offer scaffolded learning opportunities for students to develop the critical skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation in a more rigorous and reflective academic setting. Students are empowered to perform at higher levels as they engage in the following: analyzing historical documents and supplementary readings, working in the context of thematically categorized information, becoming proficient in note-taking, participating in Socratic seminars/discussions, emphasizing free-response and document-based writing, contrasting opposing viewpoints, solving problems, etc. Students will develop and demonstrate their skills through participation in a capstone and/or extended research-based paper/project (e.g., history fair, participatory citizenship project, mock congressional hearing, projects for competitive evaluation, investment portfolio contests, or other teacher-directed projects).

    Course Overview:  Various teaching techniques will be used.  Students will be asked to participate in numerous critical thinking activities.  They will be expected to apply what they have learned about historical issues within the context of the activity.  Activities will include:  role playing, re-creations, debates, etc. These will be designed to elicit analytical responses and aid in the learning process.  Organized debates, “Socratic Seminars” and discussions will also be used to teach this course.  Finally, lectures and note taking will complete the instructional components of the course.

    Textbook:

    The History of the USA, 1820-1941

    ISBN – 978-1-108-71629-1

    Research Project: All history honors students will be required to complete a research project, complete with endnotes and bibliography. We will discuss more about this project to come later in the year. 

    Student Evaluation:

    1. Tests will be worth 100 points. Tests will generally cover 2-3 chapters
    2. Vocabulary quizzes (usually at least one a week and unannounced) will be worth 20 points
    3. Essays and other writing assignments will vary from 10-30 points.
    4. Group and individual projects and presentations will vary accordingly.
    5. Class participation will be a vital component. Students can earn up to 100 points per quarter.  Points will be deducted from this quarter for absences, tardies, any kind of school code violations or disciplinary problems.  Points will also be deducted for failure to come to class prepared and ready to actively participate.

    Students will be graded on a total point basis.  The grading scale as follows:                            

                                   A             90-100

                                   B             80-89

                                   C             70-79

                                   D             60-69

                                   F              Below 60

     

    Refer to the school handbook concerning absences and how they can effect quarter and year grades.

    Students’ responsibilities and Class Rules

    1. Do not be late for class! I will follow the school’s policy regarding tardies.
    2. It is the student’s responsibility to ask about work missed due to absences.
    3. Any disrespect, inappropriate language, horseplay, or any disruptive classroom behavior will not be tolerated.
    4. Students must come prepared to class. This means having notebooks, pens, and other necessary materials.
    5. Students will pay attention in class. Students will NOT do other work in class.
    6. NO electronic devices in use during class. Unless teacher provides permission.

    Major Themes and class timeline:

    First Quarter

    1. America Pre-1865
    2. The Civil War and Reconstruction
    3. The Move West
    4. Industrialization, Big Business, and Labor

    Second Quarter

    1. Immigration and the Gilded Age
    2. Populism and Progressivism
    3. American Imperialism
    4. The First World War

    Third Quarter

    1. The Roaring Twenties and cultural shifts
    2. The Great Depression and the New Deal
    3. Cause of The Second World War
    4. The Cold War and an affluent society

    Fourth Quarter

    1. Civil rights and a new frontier
    2. Changing values and Vietnam
    3. Watergate, détente, and the Reagan Revolution
    4. Clinton, prosperity, and 9/11