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This includes an analysis of the development of American culture, its diversity and multicultural context and the ways people are unified y many values, practices and traditions. Constitutional and legal issues will be explored in depth as well as issues of foreign policy and international involvement. Oral presentations, research skills (including the analysis of primary source documents) and thesis writing will be emphasized. Students will be required to complete a major research paper. II. Course Objectives Read, interpret, and analyze primary documents and sources.
To progress as a writer experimenting in a variety of writing formats with special focus on a historical research paper. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the American political system. Understand the major events, people, values and ideas that shaped America’s history and examine how those events became the foundations of America and the world today. Trace the development of key components of American culture including government, economics, technology and the arts. To gain an appreciation and empathy for the variety of people who are apart of our country. Transfer the thematic connections between the past, present, and future.
Understand the successes and failures of the past and apply the lessons learned to their individual American experience. To develop the cooperative learning skills necessary to work successfully with others. II. Class Expectations 1 . Regular and prompt attendance See school policy for further information 2. Class Participation Includes taking notes, asking questions, working with partners or groups, and participating in class discussions 3. Come to class prepared everyday with your materials Notebook, Binder and a Pen/Pencil 4. Arrive to class without a cell phone, MPH player or food 5.
Make sure that all work produced is your own original work Plagiarism is a very serious offence and will be treated as such 6. Collegiality: treat every individual within the classroom with the utmost respect Homework Homework assignments will be given when necessary and productive. Busy work will be avoided. All homework assignments are assigned a number starting with 1 making it easy to track your submissions. Missed assignments can be made up for partial credit as long as the assignment still holds intrinsic value (as long as we are studying the same unit). When absent, make sure to be proactive in retrieving assignments missed.
Students will not lose credit for handing in assignments late when they have an excused absence. Along with written homework assignments, recommended reading from the textbook will be provided for each unit. Page numbers of textbook sections that correspond to the current unit of study will be provided on the Blue Sheet. Students are suggested to complete this reading especially when they are confused with class material or have missed class time. Grading Procedure Every assignment given throughout the year will be given a point value. Homework assignments, in-class assignments and quizzes average between 5 and 20 points.
Tests, Essays and Projects average between 50 and 1 00 points. At the end of each quarter, grades are calculated by dividing the points earned by the total possible points. Extra credit assignments are available. The course culminates with a Regents exam that counts as a 5th quarter in the final average and is essential to graduation. IV. Course Outline 1 . Constitutional Foundations for the united States Democratic Republic a. Setting for the American Revolution b. The Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence c. Constitutional Convention and the Bill of Rights d. The Constitution 2.
The Constitution Tested: Nationalism and Sectionalism a. Foreign Challenges b. State vs.. Federal power c. Expansion and Native Americans d. Slavery and Abolitionists e. The Civic war 3. Industrialization of the United States a. Reconstruction in the South b. Industrialization in the North I. Rise of Big Business l. Reaction by the working class iii. Immigration c. Agrarian Changes in the West d. Native American Indians 4. Foreign Policy of the 20th Century a. Spanish American War Imperialism c. World War d. World War II e. Cold War (Case Study: Vietnam War) f. U. S. And the Middle East Domestic policy Of the 20th Century 5. . Progressive Era b. Roaring ass . Great Depression d. Post WI American Society e. Social Revolution of the asses f. Civil Rights Movement g. Modern American Society Dear Parent/Guardian, After reading the course specifics and syllabus for American History and Government, please sign below and return. If you have any questions concerning the course requirements or your child’s progress during the academic year please call or e-mail me and will get back to you as soon as possible. I am looking forward to a challenging and enriching academic year. Special Note to Parents: Cell phone and electronic use at New Rockwell High
School has been a continuing and growing problem. All teachers alike appreciate any limitation you may place on your child’s use of electronic devices in school. We do our best to restrict use in school, but with the popularity of text messaging and messaging systems it has become an overbearing burden. You can help by not allowing your child to bring cell phones and electronics to school, cutting off or limiting text messaging and especially not attempting to contact your child through cell phone during class. I recommend keeping a copy of your child’s schedule so you are aware.