Course Description

Prerequisites: PREREQUISITES:  Normally requires junior level status.
Materials: Text: The Americans ( McDougal Litttell )

DESCRIPTION:   A year long broad survey course ( pre colonial history to about 1975 ) of American political, economic, social, cultural, and intellectual history punctuated by more in depth examination and analysis of certain key themes and events which provide unity and continuity throughout the course. The progression of this course also integrates with units in English 3 and Honors American Literature.

The weekly schedules posted on line, along with handouts/ study guides for every major test, essay and assignment not described in the text book, will provide the detailed information for the general overview provided here.

Chapters 1-3
Students will read all material in these chapters along with some short handouts. Assignments will consist primarily of responsive journal writing, a few opinion / critical thinking questions from the text, and the drawing of a few maps. Class discussion with a few short, informal lectures will be the pattern throughout this fairly easy introductory unit.

Chapters 4-6
The origins/causes of The American Revolution will be covered in a series of formal lectures culminating in a major two part test (in class and take home). A few text based assignments in chapter 4 along the way. Extensive textbook work and class discussion on chapter 5 will provide the basis for the second two part test on Washington's character and Presidency and Hamilton's life and financial system. We will also watch a 5 hr video series on the America Revolution throughout this unit. We conclude with a 3 hr. video on Thomas Jefferson with journals and an essay based upon it.

At this point a series of handouts, information, lectures and discussions (supported by journal writing, 1 or 2 short essays, and a bit of textbook work from portions of chapt. 7 & 8 ) will cover such topics as the war of 1812, the Era of Good Feelings, John Marshall and the Supreme Court, economic expansion, and the age of Jacksonian Democracy.

Chapters 9 - 11  - The Civil War Era
A Series of formal lectures, handouts, and discussion culminates in a major two part test on the origins / causes of the Civil War. We will also watch the first installment of Ken Burn's documentary on The Cilvil War. Extensive chapter 8 text book work and formal lectures culminate in a two part test on the Civil War and Lincoln's life, character, and political leadership.

The Semester concludes with a final take home essay which will focus on key historical figures and their continuing impact on American History.

Chapter 12 -  Rebuilding the South
Students will read this chapter in preparation for a fact based reading quiz followed by a series of class discussions.

At this point a series of handouts and a few formal lectures and discussions will cover topics concerning the native Americans during this period, the era of the cowboy,etc. Responsive journals will be the assignments.

Chapters 13,14,15,16  - The Nation Transformed: Change and Reform

Students will cover this material through a series of group presentations

Chapters 17 - The Progressive Movement
Chapter work and discussion cover this material. We will also watch a 2 hr. documentary on Teddy Roosevelt. Based upon this video, handout, and the text, students will write a take home essay on T.R.

Chapter 18 & 19 - America Claims an Empire & The First World War
Chapter work on 18 provides a basis for much classroom discussion. Chapter 19 work, discussion, and one short formal lecture prepares students for test on WWl.

Chapters 20 & 21 - The Roaring Twenties

A broad overview of the period with an emphasis on cultural developments.

Chapter 22 - The Great Depression

 Economic focus on the causes and consequences of The Great Depression.

 Chapter 23 - The New Deal
Text book work on chapter 23 provides the basis for more classroom discussion. Chapter 23 involves extensive text book course work along with a 2 hr. Bio of F.D.R. and a short essay based upon it.

Chapters 24-25 - World War Two
Extensive textbook work on WWII along with lectures, discussion, and video culminate in a test on WWII.

At the point, handouts informal lectures, and discussion for the Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson presidencies provide students with material for responsive
journals.

Chapter 29 The Civil Rights Movement

Text based work, discussion, and videos cover this chapter. A final series of lectures (two) on Viet Nam and Richard Nixon &Watergate conclude the semester.

Once again, a final take home essay focuses on key historical figures and their contribution/impact on American History.



Goals and Objectives:
Upon completion of United States History, a student should be able to display the following skills: classifying, comparing/contrasting, distinguishing fact from fiction, recognizing bias or propaganda, drawing conclusions, determining cause and effect, evaluating information, and constructing a valid argument. Other skills that will be enhanced by this course include graphing, reading, writing, outlining, vocabulary development, map reading, and memorization. A student passing this course will be able to display a thorough knowledge of U.S. History in both verbal and written form.
This course is designed with the goal of providing students a motivation towards their education and an understanding of the importance of history (and the extraordinary people who made it ) in today's world.



Methods: United States History meets every day. Activities during these sessions include instructor led discussions, student led discussions, lectures with note-taking,  student presentations, debate, audio presentations, video presentations, guest lectures, and values clarification exercises, as well as many other activities designed to encourage active learning in the classroom to enhance the material presented in the text. Current events often take a key role in providing relevance to the text material. Written assignments are typically 3 times a week ( Mon. / Wed. / Fri. ) and take approx. 60 min.)

Grading Policy: All work is assigned a grade and numerical point value. A general breakdown would be as follows:

First Semester                         Second Semester

Assignments:  30%                   Assignments:    50%
Tests:            50%                   TESTS:              30%
Participation:  TBA                   PARTICIPATION: TBA
Final:             20%                   FINAL:               20%