Modern United States History Course Guide

How do I reach my teacher?

  • Teacher: Julie McMullen
  • Room # 2114 (my office is in the Social Studies loft)
  • Phone #: (314) 415-7670
  • E-Mail Address:

Course Goals and Objectives

  • Students will recognize the influence of individuals and groups on the growth and development on the social, political, economic, cultural, and technological evolution of the United States.
  • Students will examine and evaluate the challenges America faced as a developing nation.
  • Students will recognize that the United States is an ever changing nation evolving to meet the needs of its people.
  • Students will identify and discuss the changing nature of the "American Dream".
  • Students will explain the role the United States played in global conflicts.
  • Students will apply the tools of social science inquiry (such as primary and secondary source documents, maps, charts, and graphs) to their study of United States history.
  • Students will recognize their role as citizens and actively practice their civic duties and responsibilities.
  • Students will recognize how their lives are connected to the past and how past impacts the present.

Enduring Understandings:

  1. The students will understand that geography of the United States influenced the

development of its culture and economic activities.

  1. The students will understand the relationship between individuals and groups and the evolution of society, economics, politics, culture, and technology in the United States.
  2. The students will understand that the story of American history is fraught with examples of the struggle to resolve conflicts between individuals and groups based on democratic ideals.
  3. The students will understand that throughout American history, its inhabitants have debated the appropriate role of government.
  4. The students will understand that developments in American society influence the way people define citizenship.

Essential Questions

  1. How does geography influence culture and economics in the United States?
  2. To what extent does society influence people and to what extent do people influence society?
  3. To what extent is the story of American history consistent with our democratic ideals?
  4. What is the appropriate role of government in society?
  5. How should the United States interact with other countries?
  6. What does it mean to be a citizen?

What can I expect from my teacher?

  • I will encourage you to value and appreciate the rich history of the United States.
  • I will promote self-advocacy and expect you to take personal responsibility for yourself and your actions.
  • I will have respect for ALL of my students and expect the same respect in return.
  • I will challenge your historical viewpoints to help you become critical historical thinkers.
  • I will support your academic, emotional, and social growth.

What is expected of me on a daily basis?

  • ATTENDANCE:
  • Our classroom community will value your attendance and participation. You cannot gain as much knowledge and historical experience if you are absent or tardy. I will count tardies and note unexcused absences in the grade book (an unexcused absence is an absence NOT called in by your parents). If tardies become excessive, you will receive detentions and I will call home.
  • If you have to be absent, obtain any notes from a reliable source and consult me DURING ACADEMIC LAB (not at the beginning or end of class) with questions or concerns regarding missed work. Except when noted, all assignments will be due within 1 class meeting after returning to school.
  • Excessive requests for hall passes will not be tolerated. Use the facilities on your own time.
  • ORGANIZATION:
  • I expect everyone to keep an organized binder or folder with loose-leaf paper and a notebook. You are to date all handouts, lecture notes, and assignments and will be expected to keep them neat and organized. I will collect this binder/folder on every test day to give you credit for all assignments completed during that unit.
  • You will be receiving a Parkway North planner that you need to bring to every class.
  • BRING YOUR TEXTBOOK WITH YOU TO EVERY CLASS!
  • HOMEWORK:
  • Your homework will be a vital component to your classroom participation. When assigned, it is your responsibility to complete the work in preparation for the next class’s agenda, or as a reflection of your understanding of the material we have already covered. Your work will be checked for accuracy and/or completion at the beginning of every class, but will not be collected. You are responsible for keeping your work in your binder/folder until the day of a test when I will give you credit for all your work.
  • CLASSROOM POLICIES:
  • CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be put away at all times during class. If I see your cell phone out I will ask you to put it away the first time, but the second time I see it, I will take it and you can have it back at a later time to be determined by me!
  • Parents/guardians, if you need to get in touch with your child during my class, please call my classroom (415-7670) or one of the secretaries here at school, rather than text message your child.
  • IPODS: I do not want to see ear-buds in your ears during full-class work. I will instruct you if there are appropriate times you may use your IPODS, otherwise, they need to be put away!
  • Plagiarism: otherwise known as stealing ideas, pictures, or words from another source will not be tolerated in my class and will result in an automatic 0. If you are unsure of whether or not your work is original, please ask because I do not accept the “I didn’t know that was plagiarism” excuse!
  • INFINITE CAMPUS:
  • Because you have access to Infinite Campus, you are expected to keep up with your grade and any missing work you might have in this class.
  • Below is some information that might help you better understand and interpret how I use Infinite Campus
  • The date listed on the assignment is typically the day in which we do or start the assignment – for more accurate due-date information, students should keep track of that in their planners.
  • If you see a list of assignments in Infinite Campus that have no score and NO comments, this means I have not graded the assignment yet
  • If you are missing an assignment, turned an assignment in late, went above and beyond, or done anything else worth noting on an assignment, you will be able to see a comment attached to that assignment in Infinite Campus
  • Parents, this is what you want to look for, as this is my way of communicating with you on a regular basis about your student’s progress.
  • GRADING SCALE:
  • A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = <59

I have read the following Course Guide and understand the above expectations:

______

(Parent / Guardian Signature) (Student Signature)

Please sign film permission slip below. Please email me with any concerns.

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Dear Parent or Guardian,

Because certain aspects of history can be very accurately portrayed in film, we will be watching a number of different films through out the year. Since warfare is a large part of history, some films may contain violence and vulgar language, therefore resulting in an “R” rating. Would you please consider giving your student permission to view the films in class? Thanks!

I, ______, give my student ______permission to

(Parent Signature) (Please Print Student’s Name)

view content-appropriate “R” rated films in social studies class.

Please sign film permission slip below. Please email me with any concerns.

------

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Because certain aspects of history can be very accurately portrayed in film, we will be watching a number of different films through out the year. Since warfare is a large part of history, some films may contain violence and vulgar language, therefore resulting in an “R” rating. Would you please consider giving your student permission to view the films in class? Thanks!

I, ______, give my student ______permission to

(Parent Signature) (Please Print Student’s Name)

view content-appropriate “R” rated films in social studies class.

Please sign film permission slip below. Please email me with any concerns.

------

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Because certain aspects of history can be very accurately portrayed in film, we will be watching a number of different films through out the year. Since warfare is a large part of history, some films may contain violence and vulgar language, therefore resulting in an “R” rating. Would you please consider giving your student permission to view the films in class? Thanks!

I, ______, give my student ______permission to

(Parent Signature) (Please Print Student’s Name)

view content-appropriate “R” rated films in social studies class.