American History 11R Syllabus

U.S. History -11R

Course Syllabus

Course Description:

            American history is a mandatory course for all juniors.  This course will provide comprehensive coverage of the United States from the colonial era to the present.   It will follow the New York State Learning Standards for 11^th grade Social Studies and prepare students for the American History Regents in June.  This course is a blending of political, economic and social history to provide students with a broad view of America’s past and present.  

 Goals:

-          Produce students with the ability and desire to become engaged American citizens.

-          Foster independent thinking based on sound reasoning and accurate facts.

-          Acquire and communicate information effectively and maturely.

-          Use history as a vehicle to understand and partake in the present and future.

Rationale:

            We are fortunate enough to live in one of the greatest nations in the history of the world.  By studying American history, we come to appreciate how all of this began and we respect those who helped make it this way.  Lessons of courage, persistence and sacrifice are everywhere in our history.  Lessons of wisdom are also imbedded in the many mistakes that accompany the growing pains of a nation.

            Being part of a global world also allows us to use history to analyze other nations and their behaviors, as well as cycles of our own American history.  Patterns of exploration, imperialism, industrialization, and the benefits/limitations of geography are still right in front of us every day.  To appreciate and apply history to other situations is a tremendous help in understanding them.

Textbook:  American History (Glencoe)

v  Use of my teacher website and google classroom will be emphasized in this course!

Grading Policy:

            Grades are earned by students, and not given by teachers.  I will give you everything you need in order to succeed.  It will be your choice as to whether or not you wish to succeed.  Homework is due the period you have social studies class.  Late work will not be accepted unless you are legally absent. Your quarter grade will be calculated as follows:

-          Unit Tests and Essays  30%

-          Projects and Current Events 10%

-          Quizzes 25%

-          Homework 25%

-          Class Participation 10%

Units of Study:

1.      Constitutional Foundations (1600-1800)

-          Birth of a Nation - From Colonies to Independence

-          Origins and Basic Principles of the U.S. Constitution

-          The Federal Government: Structure and functions

-          Constitutional Protection of Individual Liberties

-          Growth of a Nation – The Young Republic

2.      The Constitution Tested (1800-1880)

-          Landmark Supreme Court Cases

-          Causes of the Civil War - Nationalism vs. Sectionalism

-          A Nation Divided – The Civil War (1861-1865)

-          Rebuilding a Nation - The Reconstruction Era

3.       Industrialization (1865-1920)

-          Rise of American Industry

-          Rise of Organized Labor

-          Changing American Lifestyles; Immigration and Urbanization

-          Close of the Frontier

4.      Progressive Era: Protest, Reform, and Empire (1865-1920)

-          The Populist Movement

-          The Progressive Movement

-          The Struggle for Equality

-          World Power- Imperialism and WWI

5.      Prosperity and Depression (1920-1940)

-          The Roaring Twenties

-          The Great Depression

-          Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal

6.      Global Crisis (1920-1960)

-          Peace in Peril

-          World War II

-          Cold War

7.      Tensions at Home and Abroad (1950-1975)

-          The Civil Rights Movement

-          Post War Presidents; Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson

-          The Sixties; Decade of Change

-          Vietnam War

8.      Uncertain Times; Challenges to America’s Identity (1975-Present)

-          The Presidency in Crisis

-          The Regan Revolution;  A New Conservatism

-          Globalization; Benefits and Costs

9.      Regents Review

Class Rules and Keys to Success:

v  Do your best at all times.

v  Use your imagination and creativity when doing your assignments.

v  Come to class with a positive attitude.

v  Be sure to participate in class discussions and activities.  It is good to ask, not just answer questions.

v  Be respectful to others at all times

v  Do your homework! Missed and late work will ruin your average, so don’t let it happen.  Stay with the program, care about the learning and the grades will take care of themselves.  You are responsible to make up any missed work due to absences within a week from your return to class, not at the end of the quarter.

v  Come to class on time with all necessary materials, as you will not be allowed to go back to your locker.

v  Ask for help when you need it.  I am here to help you, but I am not a mind reader.

v  Respect yourself and your ability by setting high goals and working toward those goals.

Communication:

I am available 10^th period every day!  If you need to meet with me after school, make an appointment the day before.  My school email is ewalsh@sayvilleschools.org

Supply list:

      Three ring binder

      Loose leaf paper

      Pens and pencils

      Colored pencils

      Highlighter