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AMERICAN
HISTORY
COURSE
OUTLINE
2007-2008
Mrs. Fox
(781) 659 - 8810 EXT 4206
The mission statement of Norwell High School is to
provide an engaging, supportive environment where students
strive for excellence, practice respect and contribute to
society.
Integrity ¨
Learning¨Respect¨Responsibility
Course:
This
American History course will begin with Reconstruction, the
period after the Civil War, and continue to the Cold War. The
goal of this course is to create awareness of past and current
issues in American history. The issues we will be studying are
still shaping the world we live in today. We will investigate
each period in depth to recognize the cause and effect
relationships, as well as the social, economic, and political
impacts. By the end of this course, you should be able to look
to history as a model for the decisions you make in your daily
lives, and more importantly in your political lives.
Student
work will focus on the following NHS student expectations for
learning:
Course
expectations:
Please
remember that this is our room and our class. The behavior and
participation of each person will shape the type of learning
that will occur. Since one person’s behavior affects everyone
else, I request that everyone in the class be responsible for
classroom management. Please keep in mind that we will be
discussing many sensitive and controversial topics in this class
and EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion - for this,
acceptance and mutual respect is essential.
To ensure
that our rights are protected and upheld, the following rules
have been established for this classroom:
The Rules: To Be Followed Without Exception
1. Be on
time, prepared, and ready to work at the beginning of class.
2. Please
raise your hand when you wish to speak, and wait to be called
upon.
3. Please
listen with all your heart and soul.
4. Please
treat others, as you would like to be treated.
Please be considerate of others and their property. Ask
before using and show respect by taking care not to ruin (this
includes, but is not limited to -- walls, chairs, and desks in
this classroom). This includes tipping in chairs – don’t
do it!
Mrs. Fox/ page one/History and Social Studies Department
Please do not line up at the door at the
end of class. If you have completed your classwork and written
down your homework, please find something constructive to do at
your seat. Most classes will run to the end of the period. If
this occurs please do not pack up to go before you are
dismissed.
Cheating of
any kind will not be tolerated. The details on what constitutes
plagiarism can be found in the Student Handbook. It is best to
always document your resources. If you allow someone to copy
your work, you are both subject to the consequences.
Please keep
your book covered at all times. Come prepared to class with a
3-ring notebook, text, writing utensil, and homework.
If you are
unable to make a deadline approach me after class or after
school to explain your concern. By choosing the appropriate
time to discuss – you may find that I am more willing to
accommodate.
Course
skills/ concepts:
Each of
you will be expected to complete specific goals in three
different areas by the completion of this course: content
knowledge, social studies skills and attitude.
CONTENT
·
Understand
how people relate to one another throughout history:
cooperation, conflict, movement, and cultural diffusion.
·
Realize
the impact of new and old ideas on society and the changes that
occur in political, economical, and social structures.
·
Recognize
the diversity and uniformity in history.
·
Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of innovation to the
way people live and think.
·
Explain
and apply ideas, theories and modes of inquiry to important
historical problems.
SKILLS
·
Develop
note-taking skills from readings and lecture.
·
Enhance
communication skills through critical reading, viewing, and oral
presentation.
·
Demonstrate proper essay writing skills and techniques for
historical writing.
·
Analyze
data provided by charts, graphs, polls, and maps to formulate
inferences and conclusions.
·
Evaluate
and improve critical thinking abilities in reference to the
social studies.
·
Compare
and contrast viewpoints and support conclusions with reasoned
judgments and historical data.
·
Locate and
utilize both primary and secondary resources.
ATTITUDE
·
Develop an
understanding for differences between and among cultural groups.
·
Express an
appreciation for the enhancement or continuity of culture and
technology as a result of time and change.
·
Develop
enthusiasm for further studies in the social studies.
·
Listen to
others’ opinions though they may differ from your own (you can
agree to disagree).
·
Practice
tolerance and impartiality towards various beliefs and concerns.
Mrs. Fox/ page two/History and Social Studies Department
Major
units:
Reconstruction
The New
Frontiers: Big Business and Westward Expansion
The Era of
Expansion
World War
I
The
Roaring Twenties
The Great
Depression and New Deal
World War
II
The Cold
War
The Social
Revolution
Text and requirements/ materials:
Lapsanky-Werner, Emma J.. Peter B. Levy, Randy Roberts, and Alan
Taylor. United States History. Boston: Prentice Hall,
2008.
Three-ring
notebook (if spiral you will need a folder to hold handouts)
Homework
policy/ major projects:
You will be asked to complete two major research papers and
complete a research portfolio. There is also a final
examination at the end of this course that will count as 1/9 of
your overall grade for the year.
Grading
system:
The
grading for this course will be based on exams, projects,
papers, homework, class participation, and notetaking skills and
organization. Effort and classroom behavior will be factored
into the percentage of points earned. The percentage breakdown
is as follows:
Homework - 20%
Homework
is expected on the assigned date. If absent, students will be
expected to make up work missed in however many days they were
absent. Work must be legible and meet evaluation requirements.
Evaluations - 60%
Each
project, test or report will have a list of requirements and
evaluation criteria listed on the directions - No Surprises!
You will be expected to maintain a writing portfolio in order to
track your progress over the semester. Each student will
receive a folder to be kept in the classroom with all pertinent
documents. Consider this an extension of your notebook.
Class Participation - 20%
Discussion, debate, and role-playing will be integrated into the
curriculum and it will be necessary that each student provide
input towards his or her own education. Class attendance and
participation are essential! This is where your classroom
behavior grade will be factored into the final grade. Notebooks
must be loose-leaf and demonstrate various note taking styles,
corrected homework, projects, and exams, as well as any readings
passed out during class. Each day you will receive twenty
points for participation in the day’s activities. You may
accumulate extra points with extra credit assignments, class
participation and staying after for extra help. You will lose
points for coming to class late, unprepared, or disrupting the
class.
Final Examination – approximately 10%
There will
be a comprehensive test at the end of the semester. Keep all
homework, class work, tests, and projects organized so that you
will be able to study effectively for the test.
Mrs. Fox/ page three/History and Social Studies Department
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