1. To master content based on the themes of American History
2. To be able to recognize and analyze patterns in American History
3. To understand how events and patterns apply to the College Board themes of the course
4. To develop anaysis skills necessary to answer prompts based on three types of stimulus inquiry:
    a. Text
    b. Pictures
    c. Primary documents
    d. Secondary documents
    e. Excerpts from books
5. To develop and master writing skills including:
    a. The formation of a thesis and thesis statement
    b. Analysis using different types of examples
    c. The formation of a concluding statement
    d. To apply these skills to Long Response, Document Based Questionis, and Short Response prompts
6. To develop a knowledge base of the contributions of significant historical figures
7. To develop an understanding of the contributions of groups and individuals to American History
8. To understand the basis of the concepts of the Constitution
9. To develop an understanding of the evolution of conflict and conflict resolution in American History
10. To develop an understanding of the expansion of rights protected by law in American History
11. To develop an understanding of the role of state and federal courts in defining American Law

Students need to do the following to excel -

1. Take careful notes by completing the notes posted in class
2. Read the assigned pages each night
3. Follow up on any areas of interest or difficulty using the supplemental web resources
4. Make an effort to improve writing

Grading

1. Grades will be assigned as follows:
    a. Tests at the end of each unit, AP format. Approximately 2 per quarter
    b. Periodic quizzes
    c. Weekly essay writing assignments
    d. Daily participation points, unauthorized use of phone or excessive time out of class will result in an automatic "0" for the day.


 

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I. DESIGNED LEARNING OUTCOMES AND EVIDENCE FOR ASSESSMENT

1.  To express verbally or in writing an awareness of our nation's past and present 
2.  To understand current issues and how to reason towards solution.
3.  To analyze and interpret primary sources, including documentary materials, maps, statistical tables, and pictorial and graphic evidence of historical events 
4.  To write essay examinations and analytical papers 
5.  To express themselves with clarity and precision and know how to cite sources and credit the phrases and ideas of others 
6.  To understand the causes and effects of major events such as the American Revolution, Civil War, Great Depression, the World Wars, and The Cold War
7. To see trends in areas such as politics, diplomacy, and social reform
8. To understand significant historical controversies concerning each period in American History
9. To understand the complexity of American backgrounds and problems and develop a tolerance toward differences among Americans and American ideas
10. To express an appreciation of the student’s own identity, his own worth, and his place in the society in which he lives

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1. Students are expected to keep a notebook on the material covered during class lectures, discussions and presentations.
2. Students are given regular reading assignments in their text, The American Pageant.
3. They are expected to do these assignments since the reading directly relates to the class discussions.
4. For each class, the students should construct several discussion-based questions pertaining to the reading assignment. Through these questions, the class can discuss those things that were unclear in the reading as well as explore opinions and implications to other topics not mentioned in the reading.
5. Each semester, the students are expected to give a brief presentation on one topic mentioned in the readings. On his assigned day, the student must be well organized and interesting. He must present the topic as well as provide stimulating questions to help direct the class discussion.  Each presentation/discussion should last about 15-20 minutes.
6. Since a constant effort is made to relate historical topics with what is happening in the world today, each class will begin with a brief discussion on a current event topic. Each student will be expected to keep abreast of events taking place in the world today by watching the news, reading the newspaper or listening to a news-based radio station.
7. Class discussions are a daily item. They are based on the text reading and the daily presentations. Each student is expected to participate in the class discussions. During each lesson several students will be called upon to provide brief summaries of the reading assignment.
8. Each student will write a research paper on a topic agreeable with the instructor.  More information on these will be given at a later date.

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III. METHODS OF EVALUATION

1. Occasional quizzes will be given to ensure that reading assignments are being done and that students are aware of current events. These quizzes will be small (10 – 15   questions).
2. Tests are given every 3-4 weeks. They will consist of multiple choice/true-false and essay questions. The tests will count for approximately 60% of the student's semester average.
3. Topic presentation is worth 40 pts. Students will be evaluated on their organization, knowledge and creativity.
4. The semester paper will be worth 200 points (two test grades).
5. At the end of the first semester, a comprehensive examination is given. This exam counts as two test grades.  

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1. Text, The American Pageant, 
2. Handouts from current articles.
3. Relevant readings from books, articles and the Internet.
4. Materials discoverd during the year by students and the teacher.
   

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Each theme can be traced throughout the course to varying degrees:
   
1. American Diversity (race, class, ethnicity, and gender)
2. American Identity/American Exceptionalism
3. Reform/Social Change
4. Culture (literature, art, music, philosophy, theatre, and film)
5. Demographic Changes within the American Population
6. Changes within the American Economy/Legacy of Capitalism
7. Environmental Attitudes and Policies
8. Increasing/Decreasing Trends of Globalization
9. Role of Religion in America
10. Conflict and Diplomacy

Web Resources

Updated 8/15/2022

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Mr. Marchand's E-Mail