American History Syllabus 2012
“1491 and Beyond”
Overview: Historians have long wondered what the New World looked like in 1491. The year 1491 is significant in the respect that it marks the year before Christopher Columbus opened the New World’s frontier to European desires. Science and technology have given our generation a window to peer into this distant past. Our objective is to delve into the Americas prior to the year 1491 and gather a perspective on the following topics:
1. Prehistory and the expansion of human populations into the New World: the process by which the Americas were populated and eventually settled.
2. The Native Peoples of the Americas: an exploration of the stunning diversities and achievements of this people’s unique history.
3. European intrusion into the New World: the world of Native peoples in 1491 looks drastically different than it did even 5 years later.
4. The Columbian Exchange and European Exploration
Self Guided Learning Plan: in addition to taking notes and participating in class discussion and presentations you should prepare the following on your own. Please note that any reading that is assigned should be read for the day it is due. Falling behind in reading is a dreadful idea as the ideas we have will build on each other, you will find that you can get lost in a hurry! These activities should support your reading are to be completed by the conclusion of this unit.
1. Essential Fact Pyramid:
a. Please choose from these topics:
i. Native American Groups
ii. Empires of the Americas
iii. “500 Nations”
2. Topical “4mat”:
a. Topic: The political, intellectual, and economic development of Europe led to the Age of Exploration
b. You will need to format questions for the four categories, they must begin with the four words, “if, how, why, and what”. In addition, you must answer these questions.
3. Double Entry Note Taking
a. Topic: The historical image of Christopher Columbus (based on text reading in addition to the Howard Zinn reading)
4. History Change Frame Graphic Organizer
a. Topics: (choose 1)
i. The impact of European exploration on the New World: please select the groups based on your reading.
5. Different Perspectives Graphic Outline
a. For the topic (Your perspective on ______) please choose from the following options:
i. Impact of Columbian Exchange
ii. The First Americans
iii. Native American from ______(tribe)
Reading and Homework Calendar: Unit 1
1491 and Beyond…
Date due…
Wednesday 9/5: “How did People Reach the Americas” (please note the important questions on the back page-these are due!)…for background information it would be very helpful to read pages 4-7 in your textbook.
Thursday 9/6: Please read 8-13 in your textbook. In your notes: what are three essential ideas from this reading?
Friday 9/7: No reading—might be a good idea to begin Howard Zinn reading!
Monday 9/10: Howard Zinn excerpt: Columbus, Indians, and Human Progress: please highlight statements that impacted you in some way. Did a statement surprise you? Did it shock you? Think about what you might want to ask Howard Zinn.
Tuesday 9/11: Commemorating 9/11, a brief discussion on how 9/11 changed our world. Please prepare a typed paragraph on how you think 9/11/01 changed American History.
In addition: please read pages 20-25 in your textbook.
Wednesday 9/12: Please read 26-31 in your textbook. In your notes: evaluate the graphic on page 29. How did you perceive the impacts of this event?
Thursday 9/13: Brief assessment on 1491 and Beyond…
Graphics:
4Mat Organization Matrix