AMERICAN STUDIES: AMERICAN STORIES
2013-2014
Ms. Cocks and Ms. Misfeldt
Cocks: 224.765.2125 acocks@dist113.org Office A335
Misfeldt: 224.765.2297 gmisfeldt@dist113.org Office A311
Welcome to American Studies: American Stories. This unique class provides you with an opportunity to explore the
relationship between American literature and history as well as deepen your understanding of the society and culture to
which you belong. We look forward to building a meaningful and supportive community together.
To be productive and reach our goals, we need to establish a smooth functioning and safe environment for learning. The
following guidelines represent responsibilities and expectations that will help all of us create and sustain this type of
environment.

Mutual respect and appreciation of diversity guide our language and behavior. Therefore, each one of us
should feel comfortable to express opinions, ask questions, be creative and take risks.

Academic honesty is a top priority--cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty involves
presenting another person’s words or ideas as your own or enabling someone else to do so for you. You are
encouraged to work with your classmates on many assignments. When it comes to putting words on paper, however,
the words you write must be your own.

Regular attendance and punctuality is crucial. We have a short time together, so please be on time. You will be
referred to the dean after two tardies. Regular attendance is crucial. Much of what we do in class will consist of
discussions and activities which cannot be made up.

Absences and Make Up Work:
o It is your responsibility to make sure that all absences are authorized and to find out what assignments you
have missed. If you miss a day, please visit the handout basket to pick up any missed handouts.
o If you miss a test, you are responsible for promptly arranging a makeup time. In most cases, you should be
prepared to make up a missed quiz or test on the day you return. If you feel unprepared, you must see us
before class and we will listen to you and try to be fair. Tests, quizzes and projects will be announced in
advance and therefore, the due date stands even if you miss the day before. (If you are in school on the day
an assignment is due, you are required to turn that work in even if you miss our class.) Missing class the day
before a test, quiz or project due date does not excuse you from taking the test or quiz or turning in the
project. Tests, quizzes, and projects will be announced in advance and therefore, the due date stands. If you
are absent on the day a long-term projects/paper is due, please e-mail the final copy to us (and yourself) that
day and bring your printed copy and the rest of your process work when you return to class.
o If you email us an assignment, we will confirm receipt of your work. Please do not assume we have received
it unless you hear back from us. Make sure you also have emailed your work to yourself.
o If you know you will miss school for an extended time, we can make alternate arrangements, but you
must take the initiative to talk with us.

Late Work:
o Late work will receive reduced credit for each day it is late. Additionally, late work will not be accepted
once a unit is complete unless prior arrangements have been made. In some cases, you will not be able
to make up homework that is necessary for immediate use in class.

THE FOLLOWING DAILY CLASS MATERIALS MUST BE BROUGHT TO CLASS ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY,
August 23rd: one three-ring binder (at least three inches), three-subject notebook, text we are reading, highlighters,
post-it notes, and pens/pencils.
Required books:
The Americans – State-issued U.S. History textbook (Bring this to class only when requested)
The Scarlet Letter – Hawthorne
The Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald
The Things They Carried – O’Brien

TURNITIN.COM: We will require you to turn in both a hard copy and digital copy of your papers. Each time you
turn in a paper to either one of us, you will need to do so through TURNITIN.COM. More information (including
your password) will follow.

Learning Targets: Student learning targets are shared through rubrics, evaluation criteria, and examples. Much of
our work focuses on building analytical skills through formative assessments that emphasize thinking and writing in
order to practice skills and develop competency to succeed on summative assessments.

Grading: Grading occurs continuously throughout the semester and follows a point system in which assignments,
quizzes/tests, papers and projects are assigned a point value and combine to make up your semester grade. Therefore,
the quarter grade serves as a progress report that shows your current standing halfway through the semester. Please
note that major projects occur at the end of each marking period and may significantly impact your grade. Your final
exam constitutes between 15 % of your overall semester grade.
PERCENTAGES CALCULATE AS FOLLOWS**:
93-100
A
90-92
A87-89
B+
83-86
B
80-82
B77-79
C+
73-76
C
70-72
C67-69
D+
63-66
D
60-62
D59 & below
E
** Grades are not automatically rounded. Any rounded will be done at semester only.

Some assignments may “stand in waiting” while more current assignments critical to the progress of classroom
instruction take precedence. Assignments will be returned in a timely manner. Most tests, annotations, and writing
assignments will be returned within two weeks.

Infinite Campus (I.C.): You may use Infinite Campus as a way to keep track of your own progress, and it is a
useful way to keep track of what work might be missing. Here is the grading key we use on IC:
T = Assignments that have been turned in but not yet graded
o Please note: “T” may also indicate an assignment that was simply checked for completion and not
evaluated.
EX = Student excused from assignment—assignment not added to quarter grade
M= work not turned in; missing


Additional Notes/Communication:
If you have a problem meeting a deadline, please talk to us before the due date. We are flexible, but we will not
honor requests for extensions on short notice, except in extenuating circumstances. We will also not spend
energy chasing after you. It is your responsibility to be in touch with us. The best way to reach us is through
email and we will make every attempt to respond within 24 hours.
A strong commitment to the classroom community is essential. We work together to make this class successful,
which means that our attitudes and behaviors have an important impact on the overall well-being of the class. Let’s
work together to make this a year of exciting exploration and endless possibilities!
Ms. Cocks and Ms. Misfeldt