JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL

COURSE OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS

COURSE:U.S. HISTORY II HONORSDEPARTMENT:SOCIAL STUDIES

YEAR:2014-2015TEACHER: Mr. Terry

DESCRIPTION:

This year-long course is available for students willing and able to engage in academically rigorous work in the social studies. Students who fulfill their obligations and live up to the course’s challenges will be rewarded with an enriching experience. To that end, students will be asked to use analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with problems and materials in United States history. Students are encouraged to question and discuss the causes behind events and to comprehend their impact, in both the short and long term. Strong emphasis will be placed upon the contributions of “ordinary” citizens, and the history of their struggle to expand access to what many refer to as “the American dream.”

CONTENT: The course focuses on American history from the late 19th century to the present, beginning approximately where the previous course of U.S. History I finished. Students will engage with this content as it is presented in the following sequence of thematic units:

  1. Industrial Growth, Western Expansion, and the Gilded Age
  2. Progressivism and White House Reformers
  3. American Imperialism
  4. World War I
  5. The Roaring Twenties
  6. The Great Depression and the New Deal
  7. World War II
  8. The Cold War – 1940s-1970s
  9. Civil Rights and Reform
  10. 1970s-90s Foreign and Domestic Policy
  11. 21st Century America

RELATED REQUIREMENTS and EVALUATION:

  • Summer reading and reflection assignment
  • In-class performance activities such as quizzes, primary source analysis, multimedia research projects and/or presentations, class discussion, lecture/note-taking, and writing assignments.
  • Textbook and other readings will be assigned consistently for homework to ensure that the academic standards of an Honors level course are upheld. These readings will give students a necessary understanding so that class activities can best serve student enrichment.
  • Research paper (10% of end of year grade)
  • Final examination (10% of end of year grade)
  • Department Grading policy: Formative Assessments (homework, classwork) = 30%

Summative Assessments (tests, quizzes, major assignments) = 70%

EXTRA HELP AND MAKE-UP: Any day of the week after school upon request.

*Students are responsible for missed work* – The teacher will make all materials available online, but it is the student’s responsibility to request missed work and to complete it within established timelines.

CONTACT: CLASS WEBSITE: blogs.jefftwp.org/wordpress/mrterry
PREPAREDNESS:

You are required to bring the following items to every class:

  1. 3-ring binder
  2. Writing utensils
  3. Non-textbook reading assignments when relevant

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING

Do not plagiarize or cheat. The penalties are severe.

RULES WE UPHOLD IN THIS CLASS

As an Honors level course, high standards of classroom etiquette will be expected

of all students.

  1. Be on time for class and prepared to learn.
  2. Respect the classroom as an educational space and a space for opportunity:

Talking out of turn or acting inappropriately disrupts the learning process

for all members of the class. The classroom is a community which requires

everyone to do their part!

  1. Classroom discussions should be conducted with respect for the perspectives

of all class members. Every student is a valuable knowledge-holder and should

be respected as such.

  1. No food or drink (except water) in the classroom.
  2. Cell phones will not be permitted, except for educational purposes.

This is school policy and will be enforced.