OVERVIEW
History 355 will survey all of American History from the earliest colonial settlements to the end of the 20th Century. Course topics will follow guidelines suggested by the College Board for preparation for the AP exam in May.
NOTEBOOK
You will need a large 3-ring binder with section dividers: (1) class notes, (2) homework, (3) handouts, (4) returned work, (5) current events. Notebooks must be brought to class every day.
HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned daily. The regular assignment is to read a section in the text or a handout, to underline important points, and take book notes. Book notes will be checked at the start of class. On a rotating basis, one student will write a brief written outline and will post it for the entire class on our FirstClass conference. The outline will include identifications of key individuals, terms, and other main ideas from the reading, and will be 1 page in length. The outlines will be used to review for tests and for the AP exam. On other occasions, there will be assignments to answer questions or write a summary that will be collected and graded.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Asking questions and participating in class discussions is an important part of the course. The class participation grade is based on your effort and consistency, so there really is no such thing as a stupid question.
QUIZZES
Unannounced. They cover only the assignment for that day. Quizzes will usually consist of 5-6 short answer questions focusing on reading comprehension.
QUESTS and TESTS
Tests cover the material of an entire unit, which is usually two or more chapters. The test will include multiple choice questions and an essay. DBQ essays (like the AP exam) will be introduced. Format varies slightly from test to test. A quest is shorter, and usually covers one chapter.
PAPERS and PROJECTS
Papers assigned in this course will emphasize the use and analysis of primary sources. Many special projects will be geared toward familiarizing you with the Advanced Placement test and developing critical thinking skills. A research project will follow the AP test in May.
CURRENT EVENTS
You will be asked to read a current events article and write a brief summary for every double block. Articles and summaries will be kept in your notebook throughout the entire year. Two students per double will lead a debate on an assigned issue (about 10 minutes). In preparation for a debate, you will be asked to read 2-3 articles.
LATE or MAKE UP WORK
A daily homework assignment can be completed by the end of the day for half credit. All other assignments will be accepted, but penalized 10% per day. If you are absent, you need to see me the day you come back to school, even if it is the drop day for history. The more days you missed, the more time you will be given to make up your work.
WARNING: if you do not make up assignments or quizzes, you will be given a zero for that grade. If you do not make up a test, you will be penalized 10% per day. If you are in school but leave before class, you are expected to get the assignment.
GRADING
Homework check 3 points
Current events check 3 points
Outline or other writing assignment 10 points
Current events debate 20 points
Quiz 5-10 points
Quest 40-50 points
Test 100 points
Class participation 25 points
Papers & projects 50-100 points
Quarter grade = your score / total number of points
EXTRA HELP
Please don't hesitate to ask! I will be in Room 201 during 9th Period. You can also check the faculty lounge A or B block, or talk with me in advance to set up a more convenient time.
GETTING IN TOUCH WITH ME
I check email regularly at school and at home:
OVERVIEW
History 340 will examine and compare different civilizations from the 14th to the 20th centuries. In addition to immersing ourselves in the cultures of different eras, we will also be reflecting on the connections with the world today.
NOTEBOOK
You will need a large 3-ring binder with section dividers: (1) class notes, (2) homework, (3) handouts, (4) returned work, (5) current events. Notebooks must be brought to class every day. Notebooks will be collected and graded quarterly.
HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned daily. The regular assignment is to read a section in the text or a handout, to underline important points, and take book notes. Book notes will be checked at the start of class. On a rotating basis, one student will write a brief written outline and will post it for the entire class on our FirstClass conference. The outline will include identifications of key individuals, terms, and other main ideas from the reading, and will be 1 page in length. The outlines will be used to review for tests. On other occasions, there will be assignments to answer questions or write a summary that will be collected and graded.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Asking questions and participating in class discussions is an important part of the course. The class participation grade is based on your effort and consistency, so there really is no such thing as a stupid question.
QUIZZES
Unannounced. They cover only the assignment for that day. Quizzes will usually consist of 5-6 short answer questions focusing on reading comprehension.
QUESTS and TESTS
Tests cover the material of an entire unit, which is usually two chapters. Tests include objective questions (short answer, multiple choice, map questions, or matching) and an essay. Essays are graded on (a) the development of a thesis, (b) use of supporting information, and (c) clarity and organization. A quest is shorter, and usually covers one chapter. Identifications or paragraph questions replace the essay.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Papers, multimedia presentations with PowerPoint, and group projects are some of the special projects we will do this year. Special projects emphasize research skills such as finding information in the library or on the Internet, evaluating the quality and usefulness of the information, and paraphrasing information from sources. Requirements, deadlines, and grading guidelines will be provided.
CURRENT EVENTS
You will be asked to find a current events article and write a brief summary for every double block. Articles and summaries will be kept in your notebook throughout the entire year. Two students per double will lead a debate on an assigned issue (about 10 minutes). In preparation for a debate, you will be asked to read 2-3 articles.
LATE or MAKE UP WORK
A daily homework assignment can be finished by the end of the day for half credit. All other assignments will be penalized 10% per day. If you are absent, you need to see me the day you come back to school, even if it is the drop day for history. The more days you missed, the more time you will be given to make up your work.
WARNING: if you do not make up assignments or quizzes, you will be given a zero for that grade. If you do not make up a test, you will be penalized 10% per day. If you are in school but leave before class, you are expected to get the assignment.
GRADING
Homework check 3 points
Current events check 3 points
Outline/ other writing assignments 10 points
Current events debate 20 points
Quiz 5-15 points
Quest 40-50 points
Test 100 points
Papers & projects 50-100 points
Class participation 25 points
Quarter grade = your score / total number of points
EXTRA HELP
Please don't hesitate to ask! I will be in Room 201 during 9th Period. You can also check the faculty lounge A or B block, or talk with me in advance to set up a more convenient time.
GETTING IN TOUCH WITH ME
I check email regularly at school and at home:
History Matters: A comprehensive guide to American History —almost everything you can ask for in one digital place
American History 102: Professor Stanley K Schulz's web lectures and other helpful materials to supplement the American History survey from 1865 to the present
African American Odyssey: African American History from slavery to the Civil Rights movement, from the Library of Congress
America Votes: A collection of speeches, images, and more on American presidendtial elections, from Duke University
The Diary of Martha Ballard: Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's research on late colonial life in New England from the point of view of a midwife; includes excerpts arranged thematically as well as the complete diary in handwritten and transcribed form
