U.S. History Syllabus

Phone: 734/449-4461 x. 3318

Teacher: Mrs. LuAnn W. Easlick
e-mail: luann.easlick@wlps.net

United States History is a course required for graduation.

Course Description
United States History is the story of each Ameri           United States History

e impact that power has in the world and how the world has influenced it. It is the story of how diverse people have worked and struggled to create the country we live in, the freedoms and benefits Americans enjoy as citizens, and the challenges they face. It is the story of the disenfranchised, their struggles to be heard, and the triumph and disgrace America has faced in response to that struggle. It is a true story, accurate through the perspective of the historian who recounts it.

Course Goals and Objectives
1. Students will be able to recount important events and people in the history of the United States since the era of Reconstruction (1865)
2. Students will be able to use primary and secondary records, charts, and graphs to analyze significant events that shape the development of the Untied States.
3. Students will be able to think critically and formulate arguments on historic and contemporary problems.
4. Students will gain understanding of the contributions diverse populations make and the necessity for human dignity.
5. Students will be able to evaluate events using core democratic values.

Course Requirements
Throughout the duration of this course, students will be expected to be attentive, active participants in class discussions, group projects, debates, etc. The course demands an extraordinary amount of participation and students will be asked to work with others regularly. In addition, students will be required to write and take notes daily. Students are required to come to class with all necessary materials each day (pencil/pen, books, agenda, homework).
Materials needed: A spiral bound note book or three ring binder to keep notes in.  Something to keep  handouts in - neatly.  Do not keep handouts  in our book, it breaks the binding.  Notes and notebook will count toward extra credit on the final. ALL of your final exam material will be found in your notes

Grading System
Grades are calculated on a point system. Points are earned in three ways: engagement in the learning process, knowledge assessment, and classroom conduct.

    Engagement in the Learning Process
(Examples would be homework and classroom work.) Points will be given to students for each completed assignment and point totals will vary depending on the difficulty of the assignment and amount of preparation required. Classroom participation is very important and points will be given for involvement in group work as well as individual work.

    Knowledge Assessment
(Examples would be tests and research papers.) These will be worth a greater number of points than homework or classroom work and therefore be important towards total points earned. Final exam points will be used to calculate 20% of a student’s final trimester grade and is required.

    Classroom Conduct
Students are fully responsible for their own classroom conduct and will be expected to act like responsible citizens of the classroom community and follow classroom rules. Every student will begin the trimester with 75 classroom conduct points. Points will be lost for excessive rudeness, excessive and constant disruption, tardiness, or an uncooperative attitude. 5 points will be deducted every time a student has to be asked to leave the classroom.
The grading Scale is as follows.
100%-94%=A 76%-74%=C
93%-90%=A- 73%-70%=C-
89%-87%=B+ 69%-67%=D+
86%-84%=B 66%-64%=D
83%-80%=B- 63%-60%=D-
79%-77%=C+ 59%-0%=E
Grades will be round up or down to the nearest tens place.

Homework
Homework assignments are an important part of the learning process. Information gained by doing homework will be applied in class so it is important that it is finished when assigned. Homework is due at the beginning of the next class period after it is assigned unless otherwise stipulated. Partial credit will be given for some homework if it is turned in by Friday of the week it is due.

Attendance
Regular attendance is also critical to the learning process. Student’s will receive more classroom work than homework and will be required to turn in class work at the end of each class period unless specified otherwise. Often these classroom assignments will be group activities and hard to make up. Also, ten or more absences may result in the loss of credit (See Attendance Policy in Student Handbook) Tardiness is not only a disruption to the learning process but will cause a student to forfeit class room points. (Handbook policy also applies to tardiness.)

Cheating
Cheating does not only offend the learning process, it offends the learner as well. Being able to understand and apply what is being learned is the goal of every course. Cheating denies the learner and teacher the assessment necessary to assist the student in that goal. Unless otherwise directed, work turned in must be the student’s own work, anything that is not will result in zero points for that work. Repeated offences may result in loss of credit for the course.

Make-Up Work
It is the student’s responsibility to collect all missed work from the teacher. Student’s will be given one day to make up work for each day absent. Make-up work will be graded only if the absence is excused. However, all makeup work turned in will be checked and be considered in the final trimester grade. If you miss class the day before a test or quiz you will be required to still take this assessment on the same day it is given unless new information was taught in your absence.

Reading this document and turning in the signed portion is the student’s first homework assignment. It is worth 10 points and must be turned in by Friday, September 5th with all signatures. There will be a quiz on Friday concerning this document also worth 10 points.

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Cut on Dotted line and turn in.

U.S. History Syllabus

Print Student Name ______________________________

I have read this document and understand it’s contents.
___________________________________________ ______________
(parent’s / guardian’s signature)                                             (date) 

I have read this document and understand it’s contents.

___________________________________________ ______________ 

(student’s signature)                                                                     (date)