College Prep United States History Syllabus
Mr. Daarstad
Vista Murrieta High School
Welcome to Mr. Daarstad’s College Prep United States History class. This class will be an intensive 1 year steady of U.S. history from colonies to present. The following information will present the general guidelines that I hope will explain the course and my requirements for completing it successfully. Feel free to call/email me at anytime if you have any questions or concerns!
School: 951-894-5750 Ext. 6598
Email:
Website: http://www.murrieta.k12.ca.us//Domain/1741
Text: Goldfield, et.al, American Journey
Grading Policy:
Your grade in this course will be decided by a combination of assignments and examinations. Examinations will be more heavily weighted than homework assignments. It is imperative that you do all the assignments as you will fall behind and have trouble recovering. The assignments will include ID/SIGS, research, projects, essays, and DBQ’s.
Grading Scale
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
59% & below F
Grading Breakdown:
Exams: 50%
Homework: 25%
Projects: 25%
Exams:
Approximately five major multiple-choice and essay exams will be given during the first semester. The first semester final is cumulative. Second semester will follow the same pattern. Tests will be rigorous as they are intended to challenge the student in preparation for college and state testing in May. Frequent exams also insure that students read the textbook and supplementary readings, consistently check for understanding, and take notes that are thorough and well organized.
Extra Credit:
There will be some extra credit given at random times through out the semester. However, you should first be doing your best in preparing for exams and in completing assigned work. Extra Credit will not be accepted in place of assignments.
Homework Policy:
All assignments and readings are due on the date that is shown on the calendar. All late work must be turned in the day after its due. For excused absences, assignments are due the day the student returns to class unless prior arrangements have been made for emergencies.
Missed Exams & Quizzes:
Students who are absent legitimately on a day a test is given must make up the test on the day they return to class. The exam will NOT be the same as your peers. Being absent on the day before the test does not excuse you from taking the test when scheduled. Work/tests missed due to an unexcused absence will be recorded as a “0.” If a student is absent for an extended period, an appointment for making-up the test will be made. Complete loss of credit for an exam may result if the exam is not completed in a timely fashion.
Cheating/Plagiarism:
Cheating is always unacceptable and will result in zero points for the assignment. Plagiarism robs you of valuable learning, cheats your peers, and would get you kicked out of a university – practice not plagiarizing in my class. See the Student Handbook for more details about the school’s academic honesty policies.
General Expectations:
Be Prompt
· Everyone should be in his or her seat as the bell rings. All assignments should be completed prior to the beginning of class.
· Tardies are unacceptable. Being late will have an effect on your grade.
Be Prepared
· Have homework completed.
· Bring all appropriate materials (pen, pencil, paper)
Be Positive
· Respect each other and your teacher. Use of inappropriate words/actions will Not be tolerated
Be Polite
· Respect school property. Writing on desks, wall, textbooks, etc. will not be tolerated
Be Productive
· You are not dismissed from my class until I verbally dismiss you. Dismissal from class comes from my voice only.
· No personal grooming during class time
· No mp3s, i-pods, cell phones – use of cell phones in class during quiz or test will result in an automatic zero!!!
Movie Clips to be shown in class:
Periodically, I show small sections of a large number of movies in my U.S. History class to aid in the comprehension of the material we are discussing. A few of the movies are rate “R”, and contain some adult material, namely language and violence. All of the movies directly relate to the curriculum and I feel that they serve as a powerful aid in helping students understand the material covered in the book and in class. I would like to stress that any nudity in the sections of the movies I show is of an entirely non-sexual nature. If you feel your student should not view the clips, please let me know and I will arrange for them to do an alternative assignment.
Movies include but are not limited to:
Pocahontas-colonization, Last of the Mohicans-colonization, 1776-Revolution, Patriot-Revolution, Amistad-slave trade, Jeremiah Johnson-Mountain Men, Gettysburg-Civil War, Glory-Civil War, Gone With the Wind-Civil War, Last Waltz-Reconstruction, Dances With Wolves-The West, Modern Times-Progressive Era, Avalon-Immigration, An American Tale-Immigration, The Wizard of Oz-Populists, Far and Away-Immigration/Land Boom, Citizen Kane-Spanish-American War, Legends of the Fall-WWI, Razors Edge-WWI, Paths of Glory-WWI, Iron Jawed Angels-Women’s Suffrage Movement, The Great Gatsby-1920s, Jazz Singer-1920s, The Untouchables-Prohibition, It’s a Wonderful Life-Depression, Grapes of Wrath-Depression, Night at the Opera-Depression, Mi Familia-Depression, Sea Biscuit-Depression, Cinderella Man-Depression, Pearl Harbor-WWII, Tora! Tora! Tora!-WWII, Saving Private Ryan-WWII, Patton-WWII, Atomic Café- Atomic Age, Tucker-Post WWII, M.A.S.H.-Korean War, Singin’ in the Rain-50s, Quiz Show-50s, The Right Stuff-Space Race, October Sky-Space Race, Some Like it Hot-50s, Grease-50s, Pleasantville-50s, Good Night, Good Luck-50s, The Majestic-HUAC/Hollywood 10, 13 Days-Cuban Missile Crisis, Forrest Gump-50s/60s/70s/80s, Good Morning Vietnam-Vietnam, We Were Soldiers-Vietnam, Letters Home From Vietnam-Vietnam, Once Upon a Time We Were Colored-Civil Rights, Remember the Titans-Civil Rights, Panther-Civil Rights, The Long Walk Home-Civil Rights, Mississippi Burning-Civil Rights, X-Civil Rights, American Grafitti-60s, JFK-60s, The Sixties-60s, Nixon-70s/Watergate, All the Presidents Men-Watergate, Dick-Watergate, Miracle-80s, Wall Street-80s
The most important activity in this class will be the learning process. You will be required to think in this class, and I will expect you to raise the standards of your work. Thinking is hard work, but it is the only way for us to individually arrive at any conclusions or opinions that are truly our own.
If you ever have problems you need to discuss with me, please see me as soon as possible. I will do my best to ensure that any individual needs you may have can be accommodated. I am looking forward to working with you this year.
Parents: If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at the school. I will try to return your call or e-mail as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and effort and I look forward to talking with you further.
Mr. E. E. Daarstad
Room WW18
United States History Student and Parent/Guardian Signatures
I have read and understand Mr. Daarstad’s course requirements and explanation of the academic requirements for United States History that is attached to this sheet. I understand the requirements for the course and pledge to do my best to succeed. I have shared the course requirement with my parents/guardians.
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Student signature Print Name Date
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Parent/Guardian signature Print Name Date
Parent e-mail - ______
______I WILL allow my child to view the movie clips
______I WILL NOT allow my child to view the movie clips