American Studies

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It will focus on the post-Civil War period, although we will conduct an extensive review of historical and Constitutional themes from the era of contact through the Civil War period.</div> <div> The American Studies course is intended for juniors (11<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> grade) who, as freshmen and sophomores (9<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> and 10<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> grade), studied a variety of cultures outside of the United States in order to understand our complex and interdependent world.  Because students in this class will be eligible to vote within a year or two, the course will also offer an opportunity to develop and demonstrate a clear understanding of the nature of the U.S. Constitution and the workings of the U.S. government.  In addition to content, the course will promote skill development in areas such as writing essays and research papers, reading and interpreting historical documents, public speaking, using technology, analyzing contemporary methods of historical presentation (film, video, television, internet, etc.), as well as promoting critical thinking and creative expression.</div> <div> The American Studies course concludes with the <B>New York State Regents Examination in U.S. History & Government</b>. The course will include a variety of lessons and activities designed to prepare students for the Regents Exam; however, we will also take opportunities to explore material in-depth and follow our interests as the year progresses.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Course Themes:</U></b></div> <div> While we will cover a number of <B>topic</b>s (specific facts and events) during the course, we will also encounter eight <B>themes</b> (general categories) which help us to understand U.S. History:</div> <div> <B>Democracy</b>, our primary course theme, includes both the political (“everybody gets a vote”) and the social/economic definition, often described by the term “liberty” (“people can choose to do what they want”).  We will look at factors which encouraged the spread of democracy, as well as those which have limited it.</div> <div> <B>Government and Politics</b>:  Structure, function and flexibility of the U.S. government, </div> <div> political expression, social movements and public policy, legal issues.</div> <div> <B>Economic Opportunity</b>:  The “American Dream”, capitalism and laissez-faire.</div> <div> <B>Technology</b>:  Inventions and their consequences, industrialization.</div> <div> <B>Environment and Geography</b>:  How Americans have been shaped by, and shape, the natural      landscape; exploration, settlement, agricultural production, transportation.</div> <div> <B>Diversity</b>:  Variety of peoples within U.S. history , struggles for civil rights.</div> <div> <B>America as a World Power</b>:  The U.S. in world affairs, particularly in the 20<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> century.</div> <div> <B>American Identity</b>:  The definition and meaning of being an American and how that has changed over time; how various groups have defined themselves as American.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Assessment/Grading:</U></b></div> <div> We will study one unit of material at a time.  At the end of each unit, we will have a unit exam (usually a typical “test”, but perhaps a research paper, creative project, etc.).  <B>Grades</b> for the course will be determined by a point system.  Typically, a worksheet is worth 5 points, Quiz 10 points, Test or Essay 20 to 30 points.  Participation for half of a quarter is around 30 points.  An academic quarter usually works out to 200 or 250 total points.  The Regents Exam will count in your course grade.  A rough break-down of assignment types would look like this:</div> <div> <B>     </b><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >¨</FONT><B>Homework/Assignments</b>     30%     (Quizzes, pop quizzes, homework, worksheets, etc.)</div> <div> <B>     </b><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >¨</FONT><B>Exams and Papers</b>          40%     (Unit exam, research paper, creative project, etc.) </div> <div> <B>     </b><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >¨</FONT><B>Class participation</b>          30%      (See “Class Participation Rubric”)</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Classroom Rules, Expectations:</U></b></div> <div> The overall rule is RESPECT.  Respect <U>others</U> and their right to a positive learning environment.  Respect the <U>property</U> of the school, the teacher and the students.  Finally, respect <U>yourself</U> - make the most of your educational experience by raising questions, accepting challenges and asking for help.  Read and be familiar with the policies in the Irvington High School Student Guidelines.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >¨</FONT><B>Classroom Participation</b>:  Your grade in this area is a mixture of three components - Preparation, Attentiveness and Contributions.  See “Class Participation Rubric” for details).</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >¨</FONT><B>Missed work</b>:  According to the student guidebook, students are <U>fully responsible</U> for seeking information on missed class work and assignments due to absence.  Materials from previous class sessions will be made available in a visible, accessible location.  In addition, almost all materials are available on the class website.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >¨</FONT><B>Late work policy</b>: You will be expected to hand in homework and assignments on time.  Work handed in late may receive a penalty of one grade level down or more; so, it's to your advantage to make up “late” work, but don't expect the full credit.  If you want it back when the rest of the class gets theirs back, hand it in on time.   </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >¨</FONT><B>Lateness</b>:  Please arrive to class on time.  My policy is that class will start one minute after the second bell rings; that gives you an extra minute and therefore no excuses!  You should be ready for class at this time; “ready for class” means checking the table for any handouts for the day, sitting at your desk, notebook open, pen/pencil handy, conversations ended and doing any task requested of you on the blackboard, overhead, computer screen or by the teacher.  Homework or other assignments due should be placed in the “Hand-In Bin” on the table by the door.  Listen for instructions as to whether assignments due should be placed there at the beginning or at the end of class.  Also, please pay attention during the end of the class; the period ends when the bell rings.  The first and last five minutes are often the most important - don't miss out on something you need to know!</div> <div>   </div> <div> <B><U>Additional Learning Options (ALO, or “Extra Credit”)</U></b></div> <div> You may choose to do any of the following “extra credit” options:  Film Review, Television Documentary Review, Electronic Media Review, Independent Field Trip, Current Events Report.  See ALO handout for specific guidelines, description and examples.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Textbook:</U></b></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Symbol" >¨</FONT>Winthrop D. Jordan, et al.  <I>The Americans; A History</I> (New York:  McDougal, Littell & Co., 1994).</div> <div> <B>A note on the textbook</b>:  We will not follow the textbook as if it were a novel, going page by page.  Instead, we will use it as a resource, like an encyclopedia.  The “story” that you will follow is not in the textbook, but <B>happens in class</b>; you will be given a <B>unit outline</b> for each unit of study and we will make timelines and study cards.  You should keep your textbook at home and consult it as we go along.  You may be given assignments from the textbook or which use the reading in the textbook, and of course, you are always encouraged to refer to it.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Review Books</U></b><B>:</b>  Get some!  It's not my job to recommend any particular one to you, but you should definitely get one or more review books.  Make sure they use the new exam format, implemented in 2001.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>