UNITED STATES HISTORY
COURSE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: MR. TOM CARDOZA ()
TEXT: THE AMERICANS
DESCRIPTION:
IN THIS COURSE, STUDENTS WILL EXAMINE MAJOR TURNING POINTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. DURING THE YEAR, THEMES WILL BE EMPHASIZED AS AMERICA EXPANDS FROM A GROUP OF BRITISH COLONES INTO A MAJOR WORLD POWER.
GOALS:
1. TO GAIN A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF MOVEMENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY THAT
HAVE SHAPED BOTH AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS AND AMERICAN VALUES.
2. TO GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMTEMPORARY
EVENTS AND HISTORICAL CAUSES.
3. TO ACHIEVE SKILLS IN OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL THINKING.
4. TO DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION FOR THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. PARTICIPATE IN FORMAL AND INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS.
2. COMPLETE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PROJECTS
3. COMPLETE CHAPTER WORKSHEETS AND TESTS
4. MAINTAIN A NOTEBOOK (EACH SEMESTER)
CLASSROOM RULES:
1. CLASS ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR SUCCESS.
2. BE ON TIME! THE BOLSA GRANDE TARDY POLICY WILL BE ENFORCED
3. COMPLETE ASSIGNED WORK. TURN IT IN AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. BE NEAT!
4. BRING MATERIALS TO CLASS DAILY. (TEXTBOOK, PAPER, PEN OR PENCIL, NOTEBOOK)
5. RESPECT YOURSELF AND YOUR CLASSMATES
6. REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRACY. I AM A BENEVOLENT DICTATOR!
7. MORE RULES WILL BE ADDED IF NEEDED.
DETERMINING FACTORS FOR GRADE
1. TESTS (60% OF GRADE) AFTER THE COMPLETION OF EACH CHAPTER/ UNIT A 50 PT. EXAM WILL BE GIVEN
a. Types of questions will include True/False, Multiple Choice, Matching, Short Answer, Essay
b. Make-up exams are essay.
2. WRITING ASSIGNMENT (20% OF GRADE) STUDENTS WILL BE ASKED TO WRITE ABOUT HISTORY ISN VARIOUS FORMS INCLUDING JOURNALS, LETTERS, QUICKWRITES, SHORT ESSAYS.
3. HOMEWORK AND CLASS WORK (10% OF GRADE)
4. NOTEBOOK (this will be discussed at a later time) (10% OF GRADE)
5 CLASS PARTICIPATION – the class will be as good as you make it. Be willing to think, express your opinion, and please ask questions.
TECHNOLOGY
Electronic Devices - are to be used in classroom only with teacher permission. School policy regarding electronic devices (phones) will be enforced.
Students will be required to complete several assignments using the Internet – mostly research based.
U.S. HISTORY --- UNIT STANDARDS ---- paraphrased by Cardoza
Quarter 1
1. Students analyze the significant events surrounding the founding of the nation. 11.1
2. Students analyze the role religion played in the founding of the nation. 11.3
3. Students analyze the relationships among immigration, industrialization, and urbanization. 11.2
Quarter 2
1. Students trace the rise of the US into a 20th century super power 11.4
2. Students analyze the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments of the 1920s. 11.5
3. Students analyze the causes of the Great Depression and how the New deal fundamentally changed the
role of the federal government. 11.6
Quarter 3
1. Students analyze American participation in WW II. 11,7
2. Students analyze US foreign policy since WW II. (1940s, 1950s, & 1960s) 11.9
3. Students analyze the economic boom and social transformation of post-WW II America 11.8
Quarter 4
1. Students analyze the development of the Civil Rights movement. 11.10
2. Students analyze US foreign policy (1970s & 1980s) 11.9
3. Students analyze contemporary social problems and domestic policy. 11.11
GRADING SCALE:
90 – 100 = A
80 – 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
0 -- 59 = F