Mr. Sandoe’s Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday:
The
Honors American History course at
Basic
Skills Inherent in the Subject Area and Course:
The course develops students' analytical and
critical thinking skills. Students
expand their ability to use charts, graphs, maps and timelines. Writing is emphasized as part of this college
preparatory curriculum.
Andrew Cayton,
Elizabeth I. Perry, Linda Reed & Alan Winkler. America: Pathways to the Present. (
Students are required to bring
a large three-ring notebook to class daily in order to organize all notes and
any materials handed out in class. Writing implements and the textbook are also
required daily.
1. Students will recall,
select, apply, and analyze knowledge of various important topics in U.S.
History (as cited in Course of Study topics below)
2.
Students will identify examples
of diffusion and acculturation within the context of historical studies.
3.
Students will identify the
contributions of various ethnic groups to American culture.
4.
Students will integrate
information from primary and secondary sources with outside information.
5.
Students will conduct analytical
research and present the findings in an oral presentation to the class.
6.
Students will utilize computer
technology in class presentations.
7.
Students will use computer
technology to compose a research project and/or paper.
8.
Students will incorporate
relationships of elements in timelines, charts, maps and graphs and understand
its relation to cause and effect.
9.
Students will produce changes
which are relevant in a timeline, chart, or graph.
10.
Students will bring conclusion as
to why events take place and draw conclusions from the timing of events.
11.
Students will understand and
demonstrate how values and ideas motivate actors on society and shape policies
and platforms.
12.
Students will understand how a
society's superstructure (including laws, economy, culture, outlook, etc.) is
shaped by the level of technology attained.
13.
Students will work in groups to
use simple technological skills in presentation of a curriculum-related project
(e.g. appropriate web sites, photos, diagrams).
14.
Students will work in groups to
develop, present and defend simple arguments regarding specific course
material.
15.
Students will recognize,
identify, and interpret human error in aspects of history and civilization.
16.
Students will recognize the need
for individual and communal action in maintaining moral, responsible, social
order in government.
17.
Students will compare and
contrast the value of the individual in American society with the dignity of
the human person in Catholic Social teaching.
18.
Students will analyze and apply
the historical importance of religions in human history.
19.
Students will demonstrate means
of compromise to meet the needs of the majority of interest groups.
20.
Students will respond in writing
and orally under test conditions in order to demonstrate comprehension of
course material.
Course of Study: Topics covered in the course
|
Colonial Period |
|
American |
|
The Constitution |
|
Birth of |
|
American Economy & Growth of
Sectionalism |
|
Growth of American Nationalism |
|
Jacksonian Era |
|
Abolitionism |
|
Continued Westward Expansion & Conflict |
|
Antebellum |
|
Civil War |
|
Reconstruction |
|
Industrialism & Politics in the Gilded
Age |
|
Settling the Western Frontier |
|
American Imperialism |
|
Progressivism |
|
World War I |
|
Roaring 20's |
|
Prohibition |
|
Great Depression |
|
New Deal |
|
World War II |
|
Holocaust |
|
Onset of the Cold War |
|
Kennedy & Johnson Administrations |
|
Civil Rights Movement |
|
|
|
Watergate |
|
1980's-90's: Reagan, Bush, and the End of
the Cold War |
Teaching Strategies and Methods:
·
Lectures, class discussions,
debates, simulations
·
Student project presentations
·
Cooperative learning
·
Required Papers (MLA format
required for all written assignments)
·
Examination
Student must meet
academic criteria set forth by Archbishop McCarthy and obtain a passing grade
for the course.
Grades are determined by a points/percentage system
and will be divided into two major categories. The “Exams/Projects/Papers”
category will constitute 75% of the student’s grade (not including
semester/final exams). The “Participation/Quizzes/Homework” category will
constitute 25% of the student’s grade (not including semester/final exams).
Semester Grade Distribution: (not including semester exam)
Exams/Projects/Papers: 75%
Homework/Participation: 25%
Students will utilize available technology for
research and presentations. Use of
internet, CD-roms, word
processing and powerpoint will be utilized in a
manner to complement student learning.
Homework
Policy:
“The Social Studies homework policy is aimed at
providing students with meaningful work that supports/reinforces the requirements
of the department’s curriculum. Thus, homework of some sort is given nearly
every day. This homework generally takes one of several forms. The most
prevalent and consistent form of Social Studies homework is nightly reading
assignments (frequently with accompanying questions, worksheets, and/or maps)
which serve as a precursor to the following day’s classroom activities. The
department also requires the ongoing development of projects (both group and
individual) which frequently must be worked on at home. Papers and/or annotated
article reviews are required of most students as well. Frequently homework
related to such projects/papers must be managed alongside the nightly readings.
Ultimately, the department does not assign busywork for the sake of assigning
homework. Thus, in spite of homework being assigned on most nights, there are
rare occasions where students might have a night off.”
During the year, students will be required to
complete ten (10) major group projects. Four (4) of these projects will involve creating & teaching lessons on assigned
historical topics & issues. Such group teaching projects will be assigned
once each quarter. For two (2) of the
remaining group projects (assigned during the 1st and 3rd
quarters), groups will be assigned an historical topic/issue to research and
analyze. Subsequently, the groups will formulate a position/argument with
regard to the topic and defend this position within the format of a class debate. Two (2) additional projects will
require groups to create 15 – minute “news broadcasts,” one during the 2nd quarter
related to the Reconstruction Era, and the other related to the 1980’s (both
will deal with historical issues/events determined by the instructor. The last
two (2) group projects will involve extensive research and development. Because
of this, each will be due at the end of a semester. During the first semester,
groups will develop either a U.S.
History Documentary or Exhibit that meets all
requirements of the National History Day competition. It is expected that these
projects will be appropriate for entry into the Archbishop McCarthy Social
Studies Fair in January and may be eligible for competition at the county,
state and even national levels. During the second semester, groups will develop
a current events/historical lessons projects. These projects, due at the end of the year, will require the research
of a current problem facing the
During the year, students will be required to
complete two (2) major individual projects. During the 2nd and 3rd quarters, students will complete political cartoon technology projects. These will
require students to assume the role of a critic during the time periods under
study. Students will research the time period (covered during the preceding
quarter), identify an historical event/issue to be criticized, develop a
criticism, and create a related political cartoon to be presented to the class
in the form of a PowerPoint presentation.
Eight (8) exams will be given during the year, two (2) each quarter (not including the
Semester and Final Exams). Exams will cover all material
covered in class as well as assigned readings. ** NOTE:
Though all exams will be heavily weighted toward material covered in class,
they will also include material not covered in class. “A” grades will be
reserved for those students who have kept up with assigned readings.
Class participation will be divided into three (3) categories.
With regard to in-class activities, participation refers to closely
following (1) individual assignments, (2) video-viewing, and (3) group work.
With regard to in-class discussion, participation refers to voluntary
contributions relevant to course material, and generally includes clarification
questions, insightful questions, and/or insightful comments. With regard to in-class
debates, participation refers to voluntary contributions to the development
and presentation of arguments for (or against) the theses under discussion.
Participation records will be maintained throughout each quarter and will then
be assessed for grading purposes.
**NOTE: It is very rare for students to obtain a perfect participation score during any given week. Perfect participation scores are reserved for those students who are constantly engaging the instructor and classmates in thoughtful analysis, interpretation, and argumentation.
All group projects, individual projects, and
homework not submitted by their assigned due date will receive a grade of zero
unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. Missed exams will be
made up according to school policy and may consist entirely of essay questions (students will not be allowed to take the same exam that was missed).
**Note: If work is missed due to an excused
absence, make-up work will be subject to guidelines specified in the
Parent-Student Handbook.
Extra credit is NOT awarded.
Any exam, project, reflective essay, or
homework assignment that exhibits plagiarism will receive a grade of zero.
Other school policies will be invoked (see Student-Parent Handbook for
specifics). For the purposes of this course, plagiarism is defined as a student
portraying anyone else’s ideas, words, or answers as his/her own. Any student who shares information
with another students when such is not explicitly
permitted by the instructor is also considered to be cheating. Students will be
asked to sign a “no cheating” policy and to adhere to this honor code
throughout the year.
**Note: please see Mr. Sandoe’s Cheating Policy
Statement for additional details.
Classroom Rules and Regulations:
Students are expected to arrive on time and
take their seats prior to the bell. Everyone is expected to treat each other
with respect and courtesy. Behavior which promotes a learning environment for
all students in the classroom is required. Although students are encouraged to
share their opinions and observations, all comments must be appropriate for the
classroom. All school policies will be enforced (see Student-Parent Handbook for specifics).
* Raise your
hand to speak. Don’t
talk while others *
You will be warned one time. After that
are
responding. Don’t be disruptive. detentions will be
assigned.
* Bring all
necessary materials to class each day. *
Reduction in class participation.
* The only
excuse for being tardy is a pass from another *
Detention
teacher or an
administrator
* Turn in all
assignments on time *
Score of zero
* If absent
the day of a test, you must take the test according * Score of zero
to rules set forth
in parent/student handbook
* No
cheating/plagiarizing *
Score of zero