Course Syllabus

AMERICAN HISTORY 2    

Mr. Brock

Room 160

mjbrock@wcpss.net

 American History is our story; how a collection of native-born citizens and immigrants settled this nation, built a mighty industrial base, became a global power, dealt with cultural upheaval and economic depressions, fought against fascism and communism, and became the most powerful nation on the planet.  Students will learn the foundations of modern American culture as well as how America’s past is constantly influencing its present and future.  The ultimate goal of this course is to create citizens ready to take their place in the American saga.

GRADING SYSTEM

Grades will be used to evaluate and to provide feedback to students.  Your grade will be determined according to the following percentages:

Classwork        35%

Quizzes            25%

Tests                 40%                 

The following grade scale will be used in this class. 

A (100 – 90)       B (89 – 80)         C (79 – 70)         D (69 -60)         F (59 – 0)

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

• 3 ring binder (you can also use this for other classes).
• #2 pencils and pens (blue or black ink only).
• Notebook paper with clean edges (no spiral bound fringe).

Textbooks are limited and will not be issued.  It is suggested that students study one of the online US history textbooks—such as https://www.ushistory.org/us/index.asp or www.digitalhistory.uh.edu—on their own.

 Students will be required to join the class’s Canvas online virtual classroom page.  The link is on the school website on the right-hand side.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will take 5 to 7 quizzes per quarter, as well as 2 to 3 tests per quarter.  While a student will not necessarily have homework every night, they will have weekly classwork assignments and projects that will require some work at home.  Additionally, students should spend at least 15 to 30 minutes per night reviewing notes.  Each quarter will count 40% of their overall grade.  There will additionally be a final exam that counts as 20% of their overall grade.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

East Wake High School Retest Policy supports the premise that all students can experience success.  Students will be allowed to retake up to two tests per quarter.  A student can only retake a test that is lower than a 70.  Upon being given a test back, students will have up to one week to retake a test.  The student’s original test grade, as well as the second test grade, will be averaged together for the final test grade.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

• Be in class, seated, and ready to work from the start of class until the end. Finish projects and tests for other classes, call home, and make appointments in guidance on you own time, not class time.
• Do your work; do it well; hand it in on time.
• If you’re absent, it is your responsibility to see me when you return for missed assignments.
• Help keep classrooms clean.
• Treat others with respect and courtesy.

Students are responsible for complying with and are expected to be familiar with the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct and School Board policies governing student behavior and conduct.  All Code of Student Conduct policies are contained in the WCPSS Student Handbook and the East Wake High School Handbook, which is distributed to all students and parents at the beginning of each school year.  If there is a conflict between the rules expressed in this syllabus, the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct policies shall take precedence.   Any violation in the code of student conduct will result in disciplinary actions outlined in your student agenda.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Good attendance is essential for student achievement and success.  A student should have no more than 10 days in a given semester. 

It is the responsibility of the student on the first day of his/her return to school following an absence to arrange for make-up time and/or work.  All assigned make-up work will be completed outside of regular class time within 3 school days (except in the case of consecutive multiple absences).

Students are expected to arrive to class on time.  Arriving to class late may result in disciplinary actions from me.  Excessive tardiness will result in an administrative referral.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Any student who engages in or attempts to engage in plagiarism, falsification, violation of software copyright laws, or violations of computer access may be subject to disciplinary action and will receive zero on the assignment.  Cheating includes giving or receiving any unauthorized assistance of academic work.  Plagiarism includes copying the language, structure, or idea of another and representing it as one’s own work. 

Semester 1

Amistad, Glory, Lincoln, Gone with the Wind, Queen, Gettysburg The Conspirator, Dances with wolves, Open Range, Tombstone, Wyatt Erp, Geronimo, Far and Away, Gangs of New York, Iron-jawed angels, Fly Boys, Citizen Kane, Public Enemies,

Semester 2 

Water for Elephants, The Great Gatsby, Cinderella Man, The Grapes of Wrath, Raisin in the Sun, Goodnight and Goodluck, Saving Private Ryan, A League of their Own, The Aviator, 13 Days, Apollo 13, Malcolm X, Forrest Gump, Nixon, All the President’s Men, Frost Nixon, J Edgar Hoover, Pearl Harbor, Across the Universe, 42, Hairspray, Glory Road, The Help, Platoon, Milk, W.