U.S. Modern History

Syllabus 2011-2012

Augusta Independent School

Roy Walter Machen III

(606)756-2105

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In this course students will master not only the required content as deemed by the Kentucky Department of Education, but also develop the necessary study skills and higher level thinking strategies that will assist them through out their educational career and life itself. This course will reinforce and promote both literacy skills and problem solving skills that will encourage each to become better problem solvers, critical thinkers, life-long learners, and successful members of society. The course will require students to apply multiple skills in various subjects. Students will study:

COURSE TEXTBOOK:

Appleby, Joyce, et al (2007). The American Republic Since 1877. Glencoe

COURSE GOALS:

  • Research with primary and secondary documents, experiment, collaborate, and learn from one another in a positive and productive environment.
  • Work independently and collectively on projects, research papers, presentations, and various other assignments that correlate with the topic in discussion.
  • Students will analyze the major political, social, economic, technological, and cultural developments of the United States since Reconstruction.
  • They will examine the effects of the 1920s, Great Depression and how the New Deal fundamentally changed the role of the federal government.
  • The students will analyze America’s participation in World War II and explore the economic boom and social transformation of post-World War II America.
  • The students will evaluate the United Sates’ foreign policy since World War II and consider how the implementation of federal civil rights and voting rights impacted the country.
  • Finally the students will analyze the major social problems and domestic policy issues in contemporary American society.
  • Current and important U.S. History events will be included in the student’s study of each topic.

CLASSROOM RULES:

  1. All students must follow the rules outlined in the student handbook.
  2. Follow directions the first time given.
  3. Stay seated unless given permission to get up.
  4. Be in your assigned seat and ready to work before the tardy bell rings.
  5. Use the restroom and sharpen pencils before class begins.
  6. Bring what you need for class work everyday.
  7. Keep hands, feet, and all other objects to yourself.
  8. Raise your hand before talking and wait to be called upon.
  9. Respect your classmates, special guests, and teacher at all times.
  10. Disrupting class takes away from your education and that of your classmates.
  11. All work missed for any reason is the student’s responsibility.
  12. No drinks, candy, or gum is allowed in class unless excused by medical reason or given by the teacher.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:

1st ViolationVerbal Warning

2nd ViolationClassroom Disruption

3rd ViolationDisrespect

4th ViolationCall Principle

It may be necessary to call the principle immediately if severe inappropriate behavior occurs.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Textbook (class copy)

3-ring binder with six dividers

Pen or Pencil (blue or black ink only)

Colored Pencils (when necessary)

loose-leaf paper (please note that paper with the “edges” torn from a spiral notebook will not be accepted).

TIME and EFFORT:

Time is one of the most valuable commodities we have, it can not be gotten back once it is used. Therefore, it is something that should not be wasted including students and teachers. Students are expected to be in class on time, prepared to learn and ready to participate. This same effort will apply to teachers and guest speakers. In order for a classroom to succeed and grow, everyone is expected to work together as a team. Every person should be able to express their thoughts and ideas in their own words free from bias or prejudice. Nearly all ideas are welcomed and encouraged.

  • Please note: When working as a team or with another student, work responsibly as a group or pair, but record your own thoughts.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Class time will be divided into the following:

  • Bell ringers
  • Lecture with class discussion and higher level questioning.
  • Presentations (power point, etc.)
  • Individual and/or cooperative group assignments or assessments.
  • will be used for on line activities. It is advisable that students make use of this site to study the content being discussed to reinforce their understanding.

PLEASE NOTE REGUARDING ASSIGNMENTS:

  • Any assignments not completed in class are to be completed before returning to class the following day, unless otherwise specified by the teacher.
  • Any assigned homework is to be completed before returning to class the following day, unless otherwise specified by the teacher.
  • Students are prohibited from “doing nothing” in this class. Full participation is expected and required.
  • You will work in class every day, there are no “Free Days”. Failure to do the required work during my time (school week) will result in having to complete it during your time (weekend).
  • Do not ask to work on another class assignment or homework in my class. If all class assignments or work in completed you may read your AR book or work on assignments from another class upon receiving permission from the teacher.

EXTRA CREDIT:

There will be numerous opportunities for extra credit available throughout this course. All extra credit opportunities will be announced at least one week prior to due dates. Students are encouraged, however, to do their best on every assignment and use any extra credit assignment as a way to promote their individual strengths and not necessarily their grades.

GRADING POLICY:

Grades can be accessed online through infinite campus and are updated weekly with reports to parents every nine weeks. Grades will be computed by Points Made / Points Possible = Percentage Grade.

Quizzes10%

Exams20%A (90-100%)

Final Exam10%B (80-89%)

Assignments 20%C (70-79%)

Homework20%D (60-69%)

Projects & Reports10%F (59% or Below)

Bell Ringers5%

Participation5%

Class work and Homework:

  • Each day the date, bell ringer, and class topic/objective will be posted on the board. You must write down the question and answer to the bell ringer everyday. They will be graded every Friday.
  • It is important to keep good notes and completing the bell ringers because you may be allowed to use them on exams from time to time.
  • Any missed notes or bell ringers may be obtained from me or a class mate. This is your responsibility, I will not chase you down to give to you.
  • Everyday, you should write down any homework assignments in your student planner. If there is no homework, you should make note of this as well. Keeping up with this is considered class work and may be checked and graded.
  • All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Upon entering the classroom place any assignments in the proper tray.

Important! All assignments are to have the students name, date and class in the top right hand corner. The assignment name or title should be on the top line of the paper.

Remember: NO name, NO grade!

Quizzes and Tests:

Periodically quizzes will be given to assess the material being covered. I reserve the right to not announce these dates if desired or announce the day before. An exam will be given at the end of each chapter or unit to assess the material covered. These dates will be announced 5 days in advance. The layout of each exam will be described beforehand. Each 9 week final exam will be scheduled in the syllabus outline.

Please note: I reserve the right change any scheduled exam date due to weather, school function, or unforeseen situation.

DUE DATES/LATE WORK/MAKE-UP WORK:

  • All assignments are due at the beginning of the class and are to be placed in the proper tray. Do not set your work on my desk; it must go into the assigned location to receive credit.
  • Homework will only be accepted from a student who has an excused absence. If you have an excused absence, you should turn in any assignments given before you were absent on the day you return.
  • Upon return, you should also get any missed work from me and any missed notes from your classmates (Again this is your responsibility I will not come to you).
  • Missed work will be due on the assigned date as permitted in the student handbook pertaining to excused absences.
  • If you have an excused absence during a test, you will be expected to make-up the test on the day you return.
  • If you have an unexcused absence, I will not accept missed homework, and you will not be allowed to make-up any missed tests.

Presidential Research Paper

During the course of the year students will be required to research and complete one paper covering a United States President. The students will be informed well in advance of the assigned due dates for both the rough draft and final papers. Please be aware that this will be assigned on a first come basis with no two students being permitted to research the same individual.

Getting Started:

  • First, get to know about your President.
  • Read as much information about it as you can find. Read as much as you can, using both the internet and library to find your resources (keep track of all resources you will need them for documentation).
  • As you begin to find your information, take notes on important facts or information (dates, important events, people, or major world events).

The Structure of Your Report:

  • Start your report with an introductory paragraph that introduces the President and summarizes his life.
  • The report should be in three major sections, early life (pre-presidency), the presidency, and post-presidency.
  • End the report with a closing paragraph that summarizes what you wrote and learned, plus the President's legacy.

Presidential Research Paper (continued)

Topics to Research and Include in Your Report:
When you write your report, try to include as many of the following topics as you can:

  • Early Life:
  • Date and place of birth
  • Parents (including occupations)
  • Siblings (brothers and sisters) and other close family members
  • Education
  • Important people or event(s) that molded this person's character
  • Early career
  • Marriage, children
  • What led to this person running for President
  • The Presdidency:
  • Term(s) of office
  • Politiical party affiliation
  • Vice-President
  • Important events/acts that occured during this Presidency
  • People who influenced this President
  • After the Presidency:
  • Place of residence
  • Activities the President did during this time
  • Date and cause of death
  • The legacy of this President

PLEASE NOTE: Check that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct. Make sure to use complete sentences. Define any technical terms that you use. Proofread your report for errors before you hand it in -- do not hand in a rough draft.

Requirements

  • 12 font
  • New Times Roman format
  • Double spaced
  • 4 pages minimum
  • Cover page & Resource Page (Total of 6 pages)

Beginning
1 / Developing
2 / Accomplished
3 / Excellent
4 / Score
Introduction / Disorganized, no information on what is to come / Gives too little information. / Summarizes report / Concise, well-written introduction
Research Part 1
(The President's early life) / Does not cover all appropriate topics / Covers some of the appropriate topics. / Covers most of the appropriate topics. / All appropriate topics covered well. Also includes interesting facts.
Research Part 2
(The Presidency) / Does not cover all appropriate topics / Covers some of the appropriate topics. / Covers most of the appropriate topics. / All appropriate topics covered well. Also includes interesting facts.
Research Part 3
(Post-Presidency) / Does not cover all appropriate topics / Covers some of the appropriate topics. / Covers most of the appropriate topics. / All appropriate topics covered well. Also includes interesting facts.
Spelling/Grammar / Many spelling and grammatical errors / A few errors / Only one or two errors / Spelling and grammar perfect
References / No references / A single reference, incomplete citation / Several references with incomplete citations / Many references, listed in appropriate format
Timeliness / Over a week late / A week late / A day or two late / Handed in on time

Syllabus Outline of Content

  1. Why Study U.S. History? (Introduction)(1 Days)
  2. The Crisis of Union, 1848-1877
  3. Sectional Conflict Intensifies, 1848-1660(6 Days)
  4. Slavery and Western Expansion
  5. The Crisis Deepens
  6. The Union Dissolves
  7. The Civil War & Reconstruction, 1861-1877(10 Days)
  8. The Opposing Sides
  9. The Early Stages
  10. The Turning Point
  11. Reconstruction Begins
  12. Reconstruction & Republican Rule

(END OF UNIT CLOSING)(2 Days)

  1. The Birth of Modern America, 1865-1900(1 Day)
  2. Settling the West, 1865-1900(6 Days)
  3. Miners and Ranchers
  4. Farming the Plains
  5. Native Americans
  6. Industrialization, 1865-1901(6 Days)
  7. The Rise of Industry
  8. The Railroads
  9. Big Business
  10. Unions
  11. Urban America, 1865-1896(6 Days)
  12. Immigration
  13. Urbanization
  14. The Glided Age
  15. The Rebirth of Reform
  16. Politics & Reform, 1877-1896(6 Days)
  17. Stalemate in Washington
  18. Populism
  19. The Rise of Segregation

(END OF UNIT CLOSING)(2 Days)

9 WEEK FINAL EXAM Week of October 15th

  1. Imperialism and Progressivism(1 Day)
  2. Becoming a World Power, 1872-1919(5 Days)
  3. The Imperialist Vision
  4. The Spanish-American War
  5. New American Diplomacy
  6. The Progressive Movement, 1890-1919(5 Days)
  7. The Roots of Progressivism
  8. Roosevelt in Office
  9. The Taft Administration
  10. The Wilson Years
  11. World War One & Its Aftermath, 1914-1920(8 Days)
  12. The United States Enters World War I
  13. The Home Front
  14. A Bloody Conflict
  15. The War’s Impact

(END OF UNIT CLOSING)(2 Days)

  1. Boom and Bust(1 Day)
  2. The Jazz Age, 1921-1929(5 Days)
  3. A Clash of Values
  4. Cultural Innovations
  5. African American Culture
  6. Normalcy and Good Times, 1921-1929(5 Days)
  7. Presidential Politics
  8. A Growing Economy
  9. The Policies of Prosperity
  10. The Great Depression Begins, 1929-1932(5 Days)
  11. Causes of the Great Depression
  12. Life During the Depression
  13. Hoover Responds
  14. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1933-1939(5 Days)
  15. Roosevelt Takes Office
  16. The First New Deal
  17. The Second New Deal
  18. The New Deal Coalition

(END OF UNIT CLOSING)(2 Days)

9 WEEK FINAL EXAM Week of December 17th

  1. Global Struggles, 1931-1960(1 Day)
  2. A World in Flames, 1931-1941(10 Days)
  3. America and the World
  4. World War II Begins
  5. The Holocaust
  6. America Enters the War
  7. America and World War Two, 1941-1945(10 Days)
  8. Mobilizing for War
  9. The Early Battles
  10. Life on the Home Front
  11. Pushing the Axis Back
  12. The War Ends
  13. The Cold War Begins, 1945-1960(5 Days)
  14. Origins of the Cold War
  15. The Early Cold War Years
  16. The Cold War and American Society
  17. Eisenhower’s Policies
  18. Postwar America, 1945-1960(5 Days)
  19. Truman and Eisenhower
  20. The Affluent Society
  21. Popular Culture of the 1950s
  22. The Other Side of American Life

(END OF UNIT CLOSING)(2 Days)

9 WEEK FINAL EXAM Week of March 11th

  1. A Time of Upheaval, 1954-1980(1 Day)
  2. The New Frontier & the Great Society, 1961-1968 (5 Days)
  3. The New Frontier
  4. JFK and the Cold War
  5. The Great Society
  6. The Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1968(5 Days)
  7. The Movement Begins
  8. Challenging Segregation
  9. New Issues
  10. The Vietnam War, 1954-1975(7 Days)
  11. The United States focuses on Vietnam
  12. Going to War in Vietnam
  13. Vietnam Divides the Nation
  14. The War Winds Down
  15. The Politics of Protest, 1960-1980(5 Days)
  16. The Student Movement & Counterculture
  17. The Feminist Movement
  18. New Approaches to Civil Rights
  19. Saving the Earth

(END OF UNIT CLOSING)(2 Days)

  1. A Changing Society, 1968-Present(1 Day)
  2. Politics and Economics, 1971-1980(5 Days)
  3. The Nixon Administration
  4. The Watergate Scandal
  5. Ford and Carter
  6. The “Me” Decade: Life in the 1970s
  7. Resurgence of Conservatism, 1980-1992(5 Days)
  8. The New Conservatism
  9. The Regan Years
  10. Life in the 1980s
  11. The End of the Cold War
  12. Into a New Century, 1992-Present(5 Days)
  13. The Technological Revolution
  14. The Clinton Years
  15. An Interdependent World
  16. America Enters a New Century
  17. The War on Terrorism

(END OF UNIT CLOSING)(2 Days)

9 WEEK FINAL EXAM Week of May 20th