American History II Honors

Syllabus

2017-2018

Course Description: Students will be expected to complete readings, class discussions, and various written and oral reports on different historical topics. The emphasis of this course is a study of the history of the United States from the late 1800’s to contemporary times. Main topics include the Industrial Revolution, Immigration, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, the New Deal, the two World Wars, the Cold War and Civil Rights Eras, the Vietnam Era, and the new challenges of contemporary times. Varied approaches are utilized to establish links between the past and present America, creating a framework for students to make good choices as citizens and future leaders of our nation.

Textbook: Discovering Our Past: A History of the United States (Modern Times) Copyright 2015

Textbook Website:

Key Topics of Study:

  • Industrial Revolution
  • Imperialism-Progressive Era
  • World War I
  • Roaring 1920’s
  • Great Depression and New Deal Era
  • World War II
  • Early Cold War Era-Korean War
  • Civil Rights
  • Vietnam War
  • 1970’s-1980’s Domestic Policy and End of Cold War Era
  • New Challenges for the United States in a New Era

Methods of Assessment

  • Homework (Assigned, Completed, and Graded on Google Classroom)
  • Projects (Individual and Group)
  • Research Papers
  • Book Reports
  • Presentations
  • Class Participation
  • Quizzes
  • Chapter, and Multiple Chapter Tests
  • Midterm, and Final Tests

Homework: Will be assigned as often as the teacher feels necessary. Homework is to be completed at home or in study hall! Homework is an integral part of your understanding of American history, and your grade in this course. Homework will be assigned, completed, and graded on Google Classroom. Assignments will be posted about a week before they are due, so work ahead!

Expectations/Rules for homework assignments

1)Bring your assigned charged laptop every day to class. This laptop is a tool to be used only for educational classwork, not for games or other non-educationally distracting components. Discipline will result in misuse of the laptop.

2)Cell phones are not permitted in the classroom. If a student has an emergency and needs to contact a parent they need to ask the teacher for permission. Discipline will result in use of the cell phone in any form during class time.

3)Homework will be completed on the date assigned. I will accept homework for ½ credit for one calendar week after the due date. Assignments not completed after the final due date are worth 0 points. If there are extenuating circumstances I will be more than happy to work with you (funerals, illness, etc.)

4)Homework and other projects will be completed in a neat and orderly fashion. Take pride in your work, it can only help your understanding and your grade!

5)Projects/Research Papers/Book Reports that are late will decrease one letter grade per day that they are not handed into the teacher.

Classroom Expectations

1)RESPECT your fellow classmates, and the property of other.

I expect the classroom should be a place where everyone can feel comfortable with sharing his or her thoughts and ideas. Name-calling and disrespect will not be allowed in this classroom. Take care of the materials and property in the classroom, and your laptop as if they were owed by you. There will be no destruction of property. Keep the room the way it was on the first day of school.

2)Come prepared to class everyday

Bring your assigned charged laptop every day to class. This laptop is a tool to be used only for educational classwork, not for games or other non-educationally distracting components. Discipline will result in misuse of the laptop.

3)Cell phones are not permitted in the classroom at anytime

If a student has an emergency and needs to contact a parent they need to ask the teacher for permission. A detention will result in use of the cell phone in any form during class time.

4)There will no swearing in the classroom at anytime.

Swearing is inappropriate and disrespectful to all of your fellow classmates and will not be tolerated. This will result in an immediate detention!

5)Raise your hand to be called upon.

So everyone will have an equal opportunity at participating in the class, I need to have you raise your hand to be called upon. If you call out I will give you a warning, and the second time I will have to resort to the use of a detention.

6)Ask permission to leave the classroom.

Before leaving the room, I will need you to ask permission. I am responsible for all of you and do not want to see any of you get in trouble, or get hurt. I need to know where everyone is at all times.

7)Keep your hands, feet and other objects to yourself.

There is no need to throw any objects in the classroom; this is to be kept on the athletic fields. Throwing something could seriously hurt someone, or break something in the classroom. It is best to hand a pencil or paper to someone.

8)Have assigned work completed and ready to hand in on the date it is due.

When an assignment is given out I expect that it will be completed on the date I ask for it. I will accept work one day late for half credit. I will accept homework for ½ credit for one calendar week after the due date.It is your responsibility to get the work done by the date that it is due. If you have extenuating problems (family vacation, illness, death in the family) let me know. I will work with you!

Discipline Sequence

1)First time you will receive a verbal warning from the teacher

2)Second time I will talk to you after class

3)Regular Detention

  1. Late to class 3 times in one quarter = Detention
  2. Late to class by more than 5 minutes without a pass. The school tardiness policy will be followed. A detention will be issued.
  3. Constant disruption of classroom activities/disturbing other students learning
  4. Destruction of school, or someone’s personal property
  5. Vulgar language within the classroom
  6. Not prepared for class on a consistent basis (not bringing your laptop, textbook, notebook, and a pencil to class)

4)Call your parents/guardian and discuss with them your behavior

5)Visit to the principal’s office for discipline action

Student Name (Print )______Period____

After reading through the syllabus with your parent/guardian return this page signed to Mr. Minnich by ______. By signing below I verify that I have read over the US History Honors course expectations and rules and I will seek to meet if not exceed these expectations.

Student Signature______Date______

Parent/Guardian

Signature______Date______

Phone Number______

E-mail address______