COURSE OVERVIEW 2003-2004

Teacher: Mr. Crown

Course Title: United States History            Level: Double Honors                             

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course students will have developed a set of skills required for the study of history and social studies. Students will practice and develop social studies skills such as map reading skills, table and chart reading skills, and the ability to analyze and interpret historical information and documents. Students will also practice and develop their reading, writing and organizational skills through frequent reading and outlining, reading and summarizing, extensive note taking, and essay writing activities. They will practice and demonstrate critical thinking skills during class discussion and in their written work. Social skills such as team work and cooperative skills will be developed through small group and cooperative learning activities. Substantial knowledge of United States history will be acquired as well as the ability to critically assess information about United States history and the behavior of historical actors.

STATE GOALS                                                                                                                        

STATE GOAL 16: Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations.                                                                                    

16A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.                                                    

16B. Understand the development of significant political events.                                                 

16C. Understand the development of economic systems.                                                            

16D. Understand Illinois, United States and world social history.

METHODOLOGY

A significant portion of class time will be devoted to lectures and discussion of the material covered during the lectures. Cooperative learning and group work methodology will also be utilized. Focused reading and writing activities such as SOAPS (Subject, Occasion, Audience, Position, Speaker), and frequent in-class and take home essays will be assigned. Students will work with partners to prepare and deliver presentations on selected readings, historical actors, and topics, and they will participate in structured debates and panel discussions for which adequate preparation outside of class will be required. The debates will focus on controversial topics and individuals in United States history. Students will frequently be required to present and summarize assigned readings for the benefit of the entire class, and they will work with partners and groups to do so.

UNITS OF COURSE CONTENT
The content to be covered over the course of the school year begins with colonial America, the American Revolution, and the United States Constitution in preparation for the state mandated Constitution exam which all students must pass in order to graduate high school. After the Constitution Exam the course with proceed chronologically through the history of the United States, following the presentation of units determined by our textbook. Topics which will receive special emphasis include Hamilton’s Federalists v. the Jeffersonian Republicans, Westward Expansion, the Plight of Native Americans, the Expansion of Democracy and Capitalism in the Jacksonian Era, Immigration, Urbanization, Industrialization, the Development of American Economic and Political Power, Slavery and the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, Culture and Society in the 1950s, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam and the Sixties, Watergate, and Détente. National Political History, the History of U.S. Foreign Policy, as well as Social and Economic History will be emphasized.

SPECIAL OR LONG TERM PROJECTS
Students will develop and demonstrate knowledge of course content through frequent special written assignments which in addition to quizzes and exams will make up a significant portion of the graded work for this course. Special group projects such as skits, simulations, and tape recorded “radio” news broadcasts, debates, panel discussions, and presentations will also be assigned. A major and mandatory project due in January is History Fair for which students will receive handouts and instruction during the first semester.

TEXT/READING/MATERIALS

The textbook is The Americans, and one of our goals for the year is to have each student read nearly the entire text. Students must purchase a portfolio folder or binder which they will use for this class only. Students must keep all handouts, assignments, homework, class notes, quizzes, and tests in their portfolio and bring their portfolio to class every day. Throughout the school year Mr. Crown will conduct random checks of the materials in the portfolio. Students will receive 10 points if they can show Mr. Crown the required item in their portfolio and 0 points if they cannot. The point of this portfolio is to help students stay organized throughout the year and ensure that they have all of their materials available to study for quizzes and exams. Everything in the portfolio must be dated and organized in chronological order. Students must come to class prepared every day with all of their required materials. These materials include pens, pencils, notebook, notebook paper, portfolio binder or folder, textbook, homework assignments, and any other materials they are required to bring to class.

FEES

There is a $10 History fee and a $2 History Fair fee.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework assignments will be assigned frequently. Most assignments are worth 10 points if done correctly and turned in on time. Late assignments will be penalized 50% for the first day late, and 100% after that. For many homework assignments, students will be required to bring their textbooks home with them.

EXTRA-CREDIT WORK POLICY

Extra-credit work will be assigned from time to time, but not frequently. Students should not count on being able to make up late work and missing assignments through extra-credit.

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY

Late assignments will be penalized 50% for the first day late, and 100% after that. Students will not be allowed to make-up work for absences unless they show the teacher a note validated by the attendance office which explains why the absence is excused. Students may not turn in make-up assignments for work they have missed due to cuts or unexcused absences.

GRADING POLICY

Attendance and tardiness will determine borderline grades. Class participation will account for 10% of the course grade. This includes participation in class discussions, completion of class assignments, cooperation and team work during group assignments, and the maintenance of a respectful, cooperative, and mature attitude towards classmates and the teacher. Students must listen carefully to the teacher during class instruction, try to contribute to class discussion, answer and ask relevant questions in class, and strive to learn from everyone while helping others to learn. In general a positive attitude is essential and will significantly increase one’s participation grade. The most common reason for failure is multiple late and missing assignments.

Semester grades will be determined according to the following:

Participation                                                     10%

Homework and In-Class Assignments               50%

Quizzes, Tests, and Projects                             40%