American History: 1880’s to the Present



American History: 1870’s to the Present

Instructor: Ms. Debrah Poveromo

Social Studies Office 272-4033

Email dap13@

Textbook: America’s History, 6th Edition (The textbook will be made available online, in addition to a hardbound copy)

Author: James A. Henretta, David Brody, Lynn Dumenil

The Eleventh grade American History course covers the time period from the rise of industrialization to present day events. The focus will be on the American experience in the late Nineteenth and Twentieth century with a strong emphasis on social and political history. Throughout the year, the common theme will examine the “Struggles for Freedom” by various peoples in America. American freedom has been both a living truth for millions of Americans and a cruel mockery for others of a different race, gender, or economic status. Students will explore the meaning of freedom, the social conditions that make freedom possible, and the boundaries of freedom to determine who is entitled to enjoy freedom and who is not. Instruction will include vocabulary development, critical thinking activities, debates, cooperative learning, geography activities, primary and secondary source readings, lectures, and research projects. Selected videos will be used to enhance instruction of major topics. Current events will be discussed through out the year. Together, we will explore major issues facing our society today and become more informed, responsible citizens.

Grading Procedures:

1. Tests – Approximately two major tests per nine weeks. Both objective and essay type questions will be used. Most tests will be worth 75-100 points. If you are

absent on the day of the test, you will be expected to take the test on your first day back to school.

2. Quizzes – Both announced and pop quizzes covering classroom discussions and reading assignments. Announced quizzes will be worth 20 points. We will have

five quizzes a marking period and the lowest quiz score will dropped at the end of each marking period. Pop quizzes will be 10 points and will vary in number.

3. Homework – Three times per week on average. The homework will consist of reading assignments, guided reading questions, internet assignments, written assignments, primary source documents, etc. 10 – 20 points. Assignments may be turned in by the end of the due date without penalty.

However, 5 points per day will be deducted for late assignments without excused

absences.

4. Notebooks – Students should keep a notebook on material covered in lectures, movies, handouts, etc. Some material will not be found in the textbook. Good note taking and organization are necessary skills to be successful in this class.

5. Lion Lab assignments—Students will participate in on-line discussions with students from Mr. Walsh’s C.P. U.S. history classes. The discussion topics will come from the National Constitution Center’s nationwide conversation series on current constitutional issues called The Exchange. The Exchange is a public forum in which high school students discover the power of their voices as citizens. It encourages students to apply constitutional values to the most pressing and often divisive issues of the day as they seek common ground. Students will use their Lion Lab groups at least one day per week to build a common learning community within the American history courses.

1. Projects :

a. Position paper: students will choose a topic of controversy relating to a key constitutional issue or problem facing our nation today. Students will explore both sides of the controversy in a 3-5 page paper and take a stand on the issue in last part of the paper. Your position must be based on solid research and in-depth analysis of the topic. This is not an opinion paper. You will be required to present your topic of inquiry to your class.

b. Exploring Sites of Memory: Students will be required to visit a historic site of

memory within your community or state. The site you select should commemorate

a person, place or event important to American or Pennsylvania history. You will be

required to do a podcast, iMovie or power point for the site you visit. This assignment will be due in May.

c. Hooverville: This project is a simulation of the Great Depression and requires students to construct a shanty (cardboard shack) to live in for the school day. Students will experience the hardships of poverty, hunger, and limited material goods to gain a better appreciation of what it was like being poor in America in the early 1930’s. An alternative project will be provided for students who are unable to participate in this activity. (February)

2. SENIOR PROJECT OPTION:

b. History Trunk Project: students will have the option of selecting a specific history trunk that contains artifacts from a particular time period.

Here are a list of the trunks:

1. Pioneer/Frontier Trunk

2. Civil War Trunk

3. Struggles for Freedom Trunk (African American, Native American)

Students will be asked to learn the contents of their trunk and prepare a creative presentation. Through out the year, students will be invited to share the trunk with elementary and middle school students within the district.

5. Participation – Each day I will take attendance, expect you to be on time for class, and check to see if you have participated in the classroom discussion. Participation points are earned by actively engaging in the activity for the day. These points are averaged into your nine weeks and will constitute approximately 8% of your grade. (50 points per marking period)

6. Grade Calculation – All work assigned in my class, is evaluated by points earned out of points possible.

A- 90%+

B- 80% - 89%

C- 70% - 79%

D- 60 – 69%

E- 59% and below

Class Writing Standards:

1. All work is to be typed or in blue or black ink. All work done in this class must be original. Plagiarism is NOT tolerated.

2. Work should be submitted on white, 81/2 x 11 paper.

3. All research should include resources cited using MLA writing standards. Please refer to the school library webpage to find the link for research guidelines:



Academic Integrity:

The State College Area High School Student Handbook defines plagiarism as “using someone else’s words or ideas without citing the source of that information”. Consequences will vary depending upon the extent of the plagiarism and the degree of intentionality. See pages 9-10 in student handbook for consequences. Grade level administrator and parent will be contacted.

Examples of plagiarism include:

a. buying, borrowing, or stealing another person’s work

b. copying from another source (ex. Cutting and pasting from the internet)

c. paraphrasing another’s ideas without giving credit

If students are permitted to work with some one else on an assignment, it will be explicitly announced.

Mid-term Exam: The mid-term exam will include information covered in the course during the first half of the year.

Final Exam:

1. All students will be required to take a final exam at the end of the school year.

2. The exam will cover the content of the course from the second half of the year.

3. Your primary study tool will be your notebook and vocabulary assignments throughout the year. It is vital for you to keep your notebook to assist with preparation for the exam.

Classroom Policies:

1. Students must be in the classroom when the bell rings.

2. Students with an excused absence will be allowed to make up work missed. If you are absent the day of a test or quiz, you will be required to make it up the next day. If you were absent more than one day prior to the test, you will have up to five days to make up the work missed.

3. No texting or computer games during class, please.

4. Students must be respectful to others at all times.

5. Late homework assignments will be accepted with a five point per day deduction. Major projects turned in late will receive a letter grade deduction per day late.

6. Extra Credit – Given through occasional events quizzes, attending public issues forums at Schlow Library, etc.

7. Students are expected to read the newspaper and or watch the news everyday. One or two times a marking period, students will be responsible for presenting a national and international story relating to current events. Free newspapers are offered to the students daily and can be found near the main office.

8. A Word of Advice: Keep up with your reading assignments. Do not hesitate to see me if you have a question relating to you grade or studies.

American History Syllabus

Textbook: America’s History, 6th Edition

Author: James A. Henretta, David Brody, and Lynn Dumenil

Topic: Chapter:

Industrialization, Urbanization, and Immigration 17, 18, 19

1877 – 1900

Progressive Movement 20

1900 – 1914

An Emerging World Power 21

1877-1914

World War I 22

1914-1920

The Roaring Twenties and the Coming of the Depression 23

1920 - 1932

The New Deal (Franklin D. Roosevelt) 24

1933 – 1939

World War II 25

1939 – 1945

Cold War America (Truman, Eisenhower) 26

1945 – 1960

The New Frontier (Kennedy)

The Great Society (Johnson) 28

1960 – 1968

The Civil Rights Movement 28

1954 – 1970

The Vietnam War 28

1954 – 1975

The 1970’s: Towards a Conservative Am. 29

(Nixon, Ford, Carter)

The Reagan Revolution and the End of the Cold War 30

1980-200

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