United States History

1999 - 2000

Course Syllabus

Required Texts

Bailey, Thomas A. and David M. Kennedy The American Pageant: A History of the Republic. Tenth edition. Lexington, Massachusetts: D.C. Heath and Company, 1994.

Hodges, John C., et al. Harbrace College Handbook. Eleventh edition. New York: Harcourt Brace Javonivich, 1990.

Webster's College Dictionary (or equivalent dictionary)

Class Materials

Blue or black pen

Looseleaf 3-ring notebook

Notebook dividers or tabs

highlighter

White lined notebook paper

3.5" PC formatted floppy disk

motivation and a good attitude !

Course Description

This course presents the scope of the United States history from pre-Columbian era to the modern day. Major themes include the major political, economic, social, cultural, diplomatic, and intellectual developments throughout this time frame. Significant historical interpretations and methodologies are introduced.

Grading

Learning Opportunities (Tests)	40 percent
Writing Assignments Internet Primary Readings Chapter summaries Readings summation papers Opinion essays	25 percent
Research Assignments Chapter Internet Research Assignments Chapter Presentations (PowerPoint) Research papers	25 percent
Homework Assignments Assignments Take home quizzes	10 percent

Learning Opportunities (Tests)

Tests will be given approximately every two chapters (see course calendar for Learning Opportunity dates) and at the conclusion of each nine-week period. The unit tests will consist of questions derived from the specified chapters and course lectures. Unit test format will include fill-in-the blank questions, multiple-choice questions, identifications, true/false, matching and essay questions.

Nine-week tests and semester exams will be derived from unit tests with a comprehensive essay question incorporating major course themes.

Writing Assignments

The writing assignments in this course will consist of primary reading, chapter summaries, and opinion essays.

Each chapter the class will be reading and analyzing a primary reading from the internet assignment page. These assignments will require you to read the specified text and write a 1 to 3 page summation paper. For some primary source readings, a response paper will be required which addresses the issues of the context, the purpose and the result of the document. For secondary sources a summary of the author's thesis and supporting evidence should be given as well as a personal response to the argument's validity.

Throughout the course, chapter summary assignments will be assigned from The American Pageant. The assignments may include entire chapters or specific sections within a chapter.

Opinion essays will also be passed out periodically through the semester to allow students to express their personal convictions on various topics. Each opinion essay must be supported with a factual basis for the position. The essays will not be graded on the position taken, rather, they will be graded on how well the opinion is expressed and defended.

Research Assignments

Chapter Internet Research will be assigned for every chapter. The assignments can be accessed from the U.S. History Home Page. The assignments encourage students to use the powerful tool of the internet to gain additional knowledge relevant to the chapter. The research assignment due dates will be announced at the start of each new chapter.

Each student will be responsible for providing a Chapter Presentation of one chapter in the text The American Pageant each semester. A sign up sheet will be passed around the first week of each semester to allow each student a choice of which chapter they would like to do. A handout with due dates and details will be passed out in class.

Each student will also be required to write a research paper each semester assigned by the instructor. The research will be based on primary and secondary resources. The topics will be unusual and innovative looks at comparative history. Following assignment of topics, every other Friday time will be allotted to discuss the developments each student is experiencing in their research. This evaluation is to aid students with their paper by sharing their research experiences. A separate instruction sheet will be distributed with more detailed information following selection of topics.

Homework Assignments

Homework assignments will be periodically assigned to assist students in understanding concepts covered in the required readings and lectures. The assignments will consist of fill-in-the-blank questions, multiple choice questions, short essay questions and cooperative group projects.

Notebooks

Each student is responsible for maintaining a 3-ring notebook binder divided by assignment type (Tests, writing assignments, research assignments, and homework assignments).

Grades will be taken for the maintenence and order of the notebooks.

Expectations

Each student is responsible for being in class and seated with required materials when the bell rings. If a student is late a tardy slip will be turned into the office. If a student comes unprepared for class detention will be assigned.

Late work will not be accepted in this course. All assignments turned in late will receive a failing grade. It is the responsibility of each student to secure any assignment missed due to an absence.