UNITED STATES HISTORY
World War II Studies
COURSE SYLLABUS
Teacher: Mr. Kuss
Phone: 480-472-8158/kekuss@mpsaz.org
Contact Time: I am available by appointment. Please call.
Textbook: “The Story of World War II” by Donald L. Miller, “The Second World: A World
In Flames” by Sir Max Hastings, and “World War II A Short History” by Michael J. Lyons
AT NO TIME!!!
Cell Phones, Hats, Electronic Devices, Gang Wear, MP3 Players, I Pods, CD Players, Sagging
Pants, Swearing, Food, or other items labeled in your student passport!
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will cover the events that led up to WWII and how it shaped a generation. It will cover the rise of the dictators in Europe, the effect of the Great Depression and its effects on all nations involved in World War II. The course will focus on the social, political, and economic areas, and how they were affected. Emphasis will be put on the events that drew the Unites States into the conflict and the effect on the nation. Both theaters of war will be covered, the Pacific and the European. The important role that women and minorities played, and the effect of the war on the home front. Major battles will be discussed and studied.
After completion of this course students will know: The origins of World War II, including the rise of Fascism and Nazism, militarism and imperialism in Japan, aggression and appeasement. Impact of the Great Depression. Political & Military Leaders. Describe how the U.S. moved from a policy of neutrality to one of involvement in the war. World War II on the American home front, including economic changes and effects, social changes. The role of women & minorities.. Internment of Japanese Americans. The Holocaust (brief history). Describe U.S. military strategy in Europe and Asia. Major Offensives/The Air War
& War at Sea. Decision to use the Atomic Bomb & its effect. Planning for postwar international cooperation and peace. How World War II shaped the world today and lasting impacts.
State Standards:
S1C8-PO2, S4C1-PO2, S4C1-PO3

Priority Performance Objectives
S1C7-PO3, S1C8-PO2 & S1C9-PO1
Students should know and be able to….
• Analyze the impact of the Treaty of Versailles had on European nations, with
emphasis on Germany
• Assess the impact of the rise of dictators with emphasis on the rise of Hitler
and Nazism
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Describe the reasons for Japanese imperialism and militarism
Analyze the causes and effects of German militarism and territorial gains
Analyze the consequences of the Munich Conference and appeasement
Describe the United States movement away from isolationism
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Analyze the impact of the Non-Aggression Pact
Examine the Germany’s invasion of Poland and the start of WWII
• Examine the European Theater from 1939-1941, with emphasis on strategy,
major battles and military and political leaders
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Analyze Japan’s strategy and decision to attack Pearl Harbor
Assess Japan’s territorial gains after Pearl Harbor
Examine the U.S. entry into the war
Examine the Nazi’s Final Solution and the Holocaust
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• Analyze the economic and social impact of WW II on the home front, with
emphasis on women and minorities, and the use of propaganda
Determine the cause and effects of Japanese Internment
Examine the European Theater from 1942-1943, emphasis on strategy, major
battles, as well as military and political leaders
• Examine the Pacific Theater from 1942-1943, with emphasis on strategy,
major battles, as well as military and political leaders
• Assess the impact of the Manhattan Project
• Examine the European Theater from 1944-1945 with emphasis on strategy,
major battles, as well as military and political leaders
• Examine the Pacific Theater from 1944-1945 with emphasis on strategy, major
battles, as well as military and political leaders
• Analyze the final battles of the European & Pacific Theater, and the decision
to use the atom bomb
• Assess the cost of WWII: financially, socially and geographically for all nations
• Examine the United States & Soviet philosophy in Europe, the beginning of the
Cold War including the Marshall Plan, Berlin Airlift and the United Nations
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World War II Studies Tentative Timeline (subject to change)
Review WWI, Treaty of Versailles: 1 week
Rise of Dictators: 2 weeks
Militarism and Imperialism Germany, Japan and Italy: 2 weeks
German War Machine/Munich Conference: 1 week
Non-Aggression Pact/Start of WWII/U.S. Isolation: 3 days

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European Theater 1939-1941: 1 week
Japanese Strategy/Pearl Harbor/U.S. entry: 1 week
Pacific Theater 1941-1942/U.S. mobilization: 1 week
Manhattan Project: 2 days
European Theater 1942-1943: 1 week
Final Solution & Japanese Interment: 1 week
War on the Home Front/Propaganda: 1 week
European Theater 1944-1945: 1 week
Pacific Theater 1944-1945: 1 week
Final battles European Theater: 2 days
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Finals battles/decision to use the atom bomb: 3 days
Costs of WWII & beginnings of Cold War: 1 week
Linking Performance Objective
S4C1-PO2:
Interpret maps & images (political, thematic & geographic)
S4C1-PO3:
Use appropriate maps & geographic representations to analyze geographical problems and change
HOMEWORK
This course requires daily classwork. Students planning to excel in the class spend a minimum of five-seven hours per week studying. It is up to the student to learn the material. There will be quizzes each week on the week’s chapter reading. The bonus to the student is that they can plan their own study time to more easily match their schedule. All assignments are given in advance to allow students to organize their time. Every effort will be made to strictly adhere to the syllabus.
GRADING
It is advised that students NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY. Inadequate and poor planning on the student’s part does not constitute an emergency on my part. In short, if you see you are behind and NEED an “A”, plan better and study harder.
10% Final Exam
40% Classwork/Homework (homework less than 10%)
30% Test
20% Final Project Paper
GRADING SCALE
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89.9% = B
70% - 79.9% = C
60% - 69.9% = D
< 59.9% = F

ASSIGNMENTS AND MAKE-UP WORK & TESTS
All assignments must be completed on time and turned in on the date listed. It is your responsibility to see me immediately. Any late work will receive a 50% reduction. Test are to be made up within one day’s time of absence . Being ill or away before the test does not excuse you from taking the test when scheduled. Only verifiable reasons for missing an exam will be accepted (i.e., field trip, all-day illness phoned in by parent, etc.) Under those circumstances a make-up test will be allowed. Make-up tests will not be from the same prompt as the one given on the testing day. Extenuating circumstances will be handled on an individual basis.
READING QUIZ
May appear at anytime to insure textbook is being read!
CONFERENCES/NEED HELP
If you are having problems, it is your duty and responsibility to come and see me. I am generally available during 2 nd lunch and 7th Hour Prep in room 603P.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
There will be strict adherence to RMHS attendance and ID card policies.
EDITORIAL COMMENTS, ETC.
 We are all supposed to behave as adults, so we should respect the views expressed by everyone. As this is a history class, there may come a time when opinions are presented. One must be mindful of how one presents one’s views in class. Being a college level class, college level primary source material will be presented; you will need to handle it in an adult manner. Childish behavior will NOT be tolerated.
 NO WHINING.
 Remember, I don’t give you grades, YOU EARN THEM.
 Take good Cornell Notes!!!!!!
COURSE WRITING and READING OUTLINE
1.) Social and cultural developments and reforms.
2.) Political developments of the unit to include institutions, policy, and diplomatic relations.
3.) Economic trends, policy and impact.
READINGS
Each week a minimum of 2 primary sources and/or secondary sources will be assigned in addition to each week’s textbook reading. You the student must read each of the assigned textbook readings prior to that week to ensure constant and meaningful classroom discussions. Each week also utilizes discussions of, and writing about related historiography: how interpretations of events have changed over time, how the issues of one time period have had an impact on the experiences and decisions of subsequent generations, and how such reevaluations of the past continue to shape the way historians see the world today.