Ridgeway High School
African American History Course Honors
Syllabus 2015-2016
Instructor: Mrs. Ashford Room: 144Phone: 416-8820
Class Email:
Class Website: ridgewayhighafricanamericanhistory.yolasite.com
Tutoring Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:15pm – 3:15pm (or by appointment)
Course Description
This course is a survey of African American history from its African roots to the present. It is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the various experiences of African Americans from a historical perspective. It will concentrate on African Americans within the context of the larger American society as well as within their own communities. Special areas of focus will include the retention of African culture, dynamics of race, themes, issues, events and personalities that have contributed to the experiences of African Americans.
Course Objectives
- Identify key events, people, places, inventions, and ideas in African American studies, looking at a cause & effect relationship in the political, economic and social structures.
- Locate major regions, cities, and geographical features and understand geographic influences in African American studies.
- Use critical thinking skills to interpret and analyze primary and secondary source materials.
- Understand how events in the past shaped the present and prepare us for the future; both in a historical and personal context.
- Improve reading, writing, note taking, and public speaking skills through a series of activities and assignments.
Methodology
Although lecture and class discussions will be the primary method of instruction used in this class, other tactics will be employed. Such methods shall include audio/visual presentations and guest speakers.
Required Text
Hine, Darlene Clark, Hine, Williams C., Harold, Stanley. African-American History. Pearson, 2006.
Students must have access to a computer, printer, and the internet in order to complete various assignments for this course throughout the semester.
Class Expectations
Students are expected to follow all classroom rules and procedures as well as the school wide policies for behavior. The five main criteria for acceptable behavior are the following:
- Be respectful
- Be on time
- Be prepared
- Be responsible
- Make learning your top priority
Consequences
Students who do not follow the appropriate guidelines for behavior and who do not meet classroom expectations will incur the following consequences
Warning (verbal)
Intervention (student-teacher conference)
Phone Call home
Parent-Teacher Conference
Office Referral (teacher reserve the right to move quickly to this point due to insubordination by student)
Cheating and Plagiarism
- Students need to use study time wisely and complete their own work. Students are encouraged to have a “study buddy but are not permitted to copy another student’s work without the teacher’s permission. Students will be required to resubmit any assignment that has been plagiarized.
- Please sign and maintain this syllabus in the binder for a grade and honor course requirement.
By signing this form, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to everything in the African American History Honors course syllabus and my role and responsibility as a student and as a parent. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Student Name: ______
Student Signature: ______
Parent/Guardian Name: ______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______
Parent/Guardian Contact Number: ______
Parent/ Guardian Email: ______
Date: ______
Assignments:
Students will complete a variety of assessments for the course. They will include but are not limited to:
Research projects
Writing projects
Art projects
Group presentations
Outside reading
Students will be provided with clear instructions and rubrics for all assessments.
Homework
Homework will be assigned weekly. In most instances students will have several nights to complete their homework assignments. Homework in this course is designed to prepare students for the next class meeting’s lessons and activities. It will include reading, vocabulary, outlining, summarizing, research, essay writing and map work. All homework assignments will be completed in binder. All assignments and handouts will be available on the classroom website. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any and all assignments and handouts they miss due to absences and/or misplacing. All make up work is due by deadline date of each nine week period. NO EXCEPTIONS. Any work not complete by deadline date will result in a ZERO in final grade calculations.
Attendance
It is crucial that you are in class and on time every day. Attendance plays an important role in your grade for this class. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to obtain any work/notes/assignments you missed while you were absent. All assignments, classwork, and notes will be available on classroom website. Students are expected to be in their seats and ready to work when the tardy bell rings.
Make Up Exams/Retakes
Students must take any missed exam after school. Students will have 1 opportunity to retake a failed exam. All missed and retakes exams will take place after school only.
Late Work
All assignments must be turned in by the due date. If a students is absent on day of assignment is due, it must be turned in on the day the student return to class. All make up work must be turned in by deadline date. Students who refuse opportunities to complete/make up assignments for the course will receive a zero.
Grading
Will reflect the Shelby County standards based grading policy. All assignments are given equal weight in points.
Course Outline and Plans
- First Nine Weeks will cover the period from Characteristics of African Continent and end at the Beginning of Jim Crow Laws.
- Second Nine Weeks will cover the period from Black Political Organizations to Cultural Achievements from 1860 to the Present.
Many topics will be covered in class and most of the classes will be discussion based. It will be imperative for students to be dedicated and consistent on their readings. Many topics discussed will be sensitive in nature and all students must be prepared to engage and become critical thinkers in order to analyze problems and solutions in the development of the African American community past and present and future.
Important Semester Dates and Deadline Dates
Fall Term
First Day of School:Monday, August 8, 2016
Labor Day Holiday:Monday, September 5, 2016 (No School)
Parent/Teacher Conferences:Thursday, September 15, 2016 (3pm-6pm)
District Learning Day:Friday, September 16, 2016 (No School)
Nine Week Exam-Project Due:Monday, October 3, 2016 (Make-Up)
Nine Week Compare/Contrast Paper Due: Monday, October 3, 2016 (Presentations)
End of First Nine Weeks:Friday, October 7, 2016
Fall Break: Monday, October 10 -Friday, October 14, 2016
Veteran’s Day Holiday:Friday, November 11, 2016
Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, Nov. 23-Friday, Nov. 25, 2016
Nine Week Project Due:Monday, December 5, 2016 – Make Up Work
Nine Week Position Paper Due: Monday, December 9, 2016 Presentations
Semester Exams Tuesday Dec. 13--Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 at 10:15am
Important Semester Dates and Deadline Dates
Spring Term
First Day of School:Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Martin Luther King Holiday:Monday, January 16, 2017 (No School)
Parent/Teacher Conferences:Thursday, February 9, 2017 (3pm-6pm)
District Learning Day:Friday, February 10, 2017 (No School)
Nine Week Exam-Project Due:Friday, March 11, 2017 (make-up)
Nine Week Compare/Contrast Paper Due: Tuesday, March 15, 2017
End of First Nine Weeks:Friday, March 10, 2017
Spring Break:Monday, March 13-Friday, March 17, 2017
Spring Holiday:Friday, April 14, 2017
Nine Week Project Due:Monday, May 15, 2017 – Make Up Work Due
Nine Week Position Paper Due: Monday, May 15, 2017-presentations
Semester Exams Tuesday May 23-Thursday, May 25, 2017
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Friday, May 26, 2017 at 10:15am