Course Syllabus

American History CP

Fall Semester 2023

Porter Ridge High School

Mr. Watson

jared.watson@ucps.k12.nc.us

F207

 

Course Description

This course will explore the overarching themes, trends, and concepts of our nation’s history. This includes the development and evolution of the American system of government, the patterns and impact of migration and immigration, cultural development through the arts and technological innovations, relationships with foreign nations, and the role of both the individual and diverse groups in building the American story.

 

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• investigate major turning points in American History to develop an understanding of multiple causation
• determine patterns of change and continuity
• compare multiple perspectives of the past using inquiry-based skills
• trace American development while learning to craft compelling questions
• synthesize and evaluate evidence to develop claims, communicate ideas, and take informed action

 

Required Course Materials

• Chromebook and charger
• Chromebook compatible headphones
• Folder or binder to store printed notes/handouts
• Writing utensils

 

Grading

Grading is based on a percentage system.  Each six weeks grade will be comprised of the following four items:

• Tests/Projects- 40%
• Classwork- 35%
• Quizzes- 15%
• Participation- 10%

 

The following grading scale will be used to determine students’ overall average and letter grades:

• A: 90-100

• B: 80-89

• C: 70-79

• D: 60-69

• F: 0-59

 

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to access grades via the parent portal online, progress reports every 3 weeks, and report cards every 6 weeks.

 

The three grading periods and final exam each account for 25% of students’ total grade in the course:

• T1: 25%

• T2: 25%

• T3: 25%

• Final Exam: 25%

 

Online Learning Platform

The majority of assignments not completed on paper must be submitted on our learning platform called Canvas. Assignments can be submitted in a variety of ways including, uploading files, typing into text boxes, and sharing Google documents/presentations.  Students will be shown how to submit assignments on Canvas as needed.  Individual assignments will indicate which method of submission on Canvas is expected.  If students need a refresher or have questions, they can access the Canvas Student Guide for specific instructions.  It is the student's responsibility to ensure assignments are submitted on time and to contact the instructor if there is a problem. Please note that student activity is logged while in Canvas so instructors will be able to see if the student opened the assignment, and if there was any activity including a log of student activities during online tests and quizzes.  Students are not allowed to leave the testing window during assessments.  Doing so is considered cheating and will be handled as set forth in the Porter Ridge HS handbook.

NOTICE: Although many assignments are submitted and graded in our learning platform, Canvas, the "final" grades shown may not be properly weighted and do not contain assignments that were not graded in Canvas.  For the student's official grades, please continue to access the parent portal through PowerSchool. Login information should be the same as last year. If you need assistance accessing the parent portal, please contact the school.

 

Testing/Final Exam

It is imperative that students study for this class, keep up with their work, bring all materials to class, and come to class prepared and ready to work every day.  If students fall behind, they must communicate with me. The final exam will account for 25% of the student’s final grade. It is a teacher-made exam and students do have the opportunity to be exempt from it if they meet the following requirements:

• If their overall class grade is an A average (90-100) and they only have two unexcused absences
• If their overall grade is a B average (80-89) and they only have one unexcused absence

 

Office Hours

My office hours will take place before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-7:45. Please notify me the day before if you plan on attending. The student is responsible for contacting me and arranging an appropriate time to meet.

 

Contact

The best way to contact me is through email at jared.watson@ucps.k12.nc.us. I will respond to all emails within 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on weekends. All emails sent after school hours may not be viewed until the next school day. 

 

Email Etiquette

Be sure to use proper spelling and grammar in all emails sent to your teachers. All emails should be clear and respectful so that I can help you as best as I can. An example of an appropriate email is as follows:

Hello Mr. Watson,

I am confused about the directions for today’s assignment. Could you please re-clarify step 2? Thank you.

Best,

[Your Name]

 

Emails that do not contain a subject line, your name, my name, or any relevant information regarding our class will not be responded to.

 

Student/Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend school every day. Students who are not in class for a minimum of 75 minutes will be counted absent. (There are a few exceptions to this policy that can be found in the Porter Ridge High School Student Handbook at the bottom of this syllabus.) If a student misses 8 or more days of school in a semester, whether the absences are excused or unexcused, the student will fail the course due to attendance.

 

Late Work Policy

Students are responsible for all work assigned during their absence. All assignments for my class, regardless if they are on paper or Canvas, should be completed and turned in to me. My late work policy is as follows:

• Weekly warm-ups are part of your participation grade and are due every Friday. After Friday, I will not accept any late warm-ups. If you are absent, the warm-ups should be turned in to me as soon as you return to school.

• All unit assignments are due the day before the unit test. After that, all late work will receive the highest possible grade of 60% up until the end of the grading period. Once the grading period is over, late work will not be accepted.
• Projects turned in late will receive the highest possible grade of 60%.

If there are extenuating circumstances affecting your ability to submit work, reach out and we can work out a plan.

 

Cheating/Plagiarism/Forgery

Students will refrain from copying, using, or otherwise claiming the work of others to be their own. Students shall not cheat on tests/examinations, copy the work of another, or complete any type of academic assignment in a dishonest or deceptive manner. For any cheating/plagiarism offense, students will be given a grade of zero (0) on the work, a parent contact will be initiated by the teacher, and a discipline referral to the administration will occur. Students shall not provide school personnel or parents/guardians with false information by making changes in written paper or other genuine documents or use school documents inappropriately including signing another person's name or initials. Forgery/false reporting/misrepresentation may constitute grounds for out-of-school suspension (OSS) to be determined by the administrator.

 

Bathroom Policy

Students are expected to use the restroom quickly and quietly to reduce distraction and missed instructional time. Students must sign out (and back in) to use the restroom and excuse themselves from the classroom by taking the appropriate bathroom pass with them. Only one student may be out of class at a time (except in emergencies.)

 

Cell Phone Policy

We live in a technological world and with that comes cell phones. My rule is simple: if I do not hear it or see it during instructional time (that means the time I am teaching or if we are working as a class on something), then we’re good! If I see or hear your phone, I will give you a warning. Refusing to abide by the cell phone policy will be treated as insubordinate behavior and will lead to the following actions:

• You will be written up
• Home will be contacted

 

Final Note

I am looking forward to working with all of you this semester. While you may not all love history as I do, my goal is to make this class a class you want to come back to each and every day. My door is always open for you (F207 just in case you forgot) and if you need anything at all, just let me know. Let’s make this semester great!

 

Important Links

Porter Ridge High School Student Handbook

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aAa-yoJtSH-z4tKVA5KWnMu3x4ccI-Y99Bqsx4x12UI/edit?usp=sharing

 

NCDPI Course Standards

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/

 

EmpowerED Family Portal

https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/domain/2917

 

Mr. Watson’s Rules, Procedures, and Expectations

The rules, procedures, and expectations of my classroom are intended to keep the classroom environment safe, orderly, and productive.  Please respect the rules so that we can maximize learning time together.  The rules are not hard to follow, nor are any of them “out of the ordinary.”  They are simply expected behaviors for high school students in this classroom.  If you have any questions about any of these rules, or why they are in place, please ask me as soon as possible.  There should never be a rule that does not have a purpose!

 

Classroom Rules

• Phones

• • Phones are not permitted during instructional time. Refusing to abide by the cell phone rules will be treated as insubordinate behavior and lead to disciplinary action.

• Arrive to class on time

• • Arrive to class on time and ready to learn. When the bell rings, you should be sitting in your assigned seat and be prepared to start class.

• Use polite and appropriate language

• • Be respectful and refrain from using inappropriate language to maximize the effectiveness of our learning environment.

• Be proud of your work

• • Trust yourself, try your best, and do your own work.

• Class ends when I dismiss you

• • Lining up at the door creates a distraction for the entire class and can lead to chaotic activity. I dismiss you, not the bell.

 

 

Classroom Procedures

• Be prepared to start class when the bell rings

• • By the time the bell rings, you should be in your seat and working on our warm-up. 

• Absent Policy

• • If you are absent, you are expected to complete the missing work. Just because you were not in class does not give you a “free pass” for any assignments you missed. Our daily assignments will be located on Canvas and on paper if you are unable to make it to class. I will be more than happy to help you if you have any questions about an assignment. What I will not do is track you down to make sure you turn in your missing work. Take the initiative to send me an email when you are absent and check the missing work folder as soon as you are back. Once you have done that, please come see me if you have any questions or need help.

• Turn in all assignments to the tray

• • All completed assignments should be turned into your block tray.

• Sign in/out to use the restroom and take the pass.

• • Every time you need to use the restroom, sign out and take the pass. As soon as you come back, sign back in and place the pass on the table. Do not raise your hand and ask me if you can go to the restroom. If you see the pass on the table, just go. If the pass is not there, that means somebody is currently out and you have to wait until they come back. Only one person out at a time (unless it is an emergency.)

• Clean up after yourself.

• • Before you leave class, make sure you have all your belongings and do not leave a mess at your desk.

 

Classroom Expectations

I expect you to…

• Be respectful
• Never make excuses
• Be prepared every day
• Follow directions
• Pay attention
• Take responsibility for your actions
• Keep our classroom safe, positive, and fun

 

Course Outline

Unit	Unit Description	Suggested Pacing
1: A New Nation	The American independence movement was sparked by growing political and economic tensions between the American colonists and Great Britain. Following independence, the new nation faced many challenges, including a wide diversity of perspectives, while trying to build a stable system of democratic governance for the newly established federal republic.	10 days
2: Growth of a Nation	After the American Independence movement, the United States was tasked with establishing a stable and functional governing system. In this process, the United States began to experience various economic, political, and cultural changes leading to a rise in nationalism, sectionalism, and migration by the American people. America experienced the birth of a two-party system as well as a second war with England. Technological advancements helped pave the way for economic progress and an era of Manifest Destiny. While Andrew Jackson sought to redefine the presidency, numerous reform movements emerged to improve life for various marginalized groups and causes. Through different governmental decisions, as well as citizen advocacy, the identity of America saw changes that would lead to conflict in the coming years.	10 days
3: Civil War and Reconstruction	The Civil War was one of the most pivotal events in US history. In this unit, students will explore the roles of slavery and Lincoln’s election in causing the war. Next, students will examine the perspectives of various groups, such as Northern whites, Southern Whites, Blacks, etc.) on the war. Students will then investigate the plans for Reconstruction and the legacy of Antebellum America that re-emerge during the Jim Crow Era.	10 days
4: Modern America Emerges	During the Gilded Age a booming industry fueled by immigration led to western expansion, the growth of cities, friction between workers and factory owners, and the creation of new reform movements. As the United States started building an empire, goals began to change and forced the United States away from isolationist policies, ultimately leading to involvement in World War I.	13 days
5: America Between the Wars	Following World War I, the United States experienced a decade of decadence with the illusion of prosperity. This would lead to an economic crisis and depression that the government would be required to intervene to alleviate economic interests at various levels.	11 days
6: World War II and the Cold War	This unit of study will focus on major changes in US foreign policy from World War II and into the Cold War, while also looking at the impact these wars have had on Americans living at home. Students will begin with analyzing America’s decision to enter World War II followed by the perspectives and contributions of various marginalized groups. Next, students will explore the ideological differences as well as some of the key events that represent the Cold War, both in terms of foreign affairs and another Red Scare at home. Students will then explore three of the major Cold War events in more detail - the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War - to evaluate the development and application of US Cold War foreign policies.	13 days
7: Changing American Society	The post-war period of American history was a time of many changes in society, government, economics, and technology. Students will start the unit by examining the push for the return of traditional American values highlighted by a new and affluent consumer society after World War II. Next, they will analyze the issues, challenges, and successes of the Civil Rights Movement as well as other contemporary attempts at reform such as the women’s movement, counterculture, and many others. Students will also evaluate the presidents of the 60s and 70s in terms of their ability to achieve their goals and improve life for Americans.	14 days
8: Contemporary Developments	As the 20th century ended and the new century dawned, a new era of domestic and foreign policy began. Debates regarding domestic social and economic policies were aimed at addressing social and economic inequities in American Society. Foreign policy shifted from Cold War concerns to interventions in foreign lands and responding to acts of foreign terrorism.	5 days