Welcome to …..
Merion Mercy Academy
Back to School Night
Tuesday, 9/18/12
20th Century
US History
Mr. Paul Clementi
Code 4
5 Questions in 7 Minutes
3.
Who is this guy?
What’s the content?
How does he grade?
4.
Does he see my child?
1.
2.
My Background

Personal
Married, 3 children
 Parishioner, St. Thomas of Villanova


Education
B.S. Economics, Villanova University
 J.D., Seton Hall Law School
 PA Teacher Cert., Eastern Univ.


Previous Career with ExxonMobil
Teaching Assignments
 Merion
Mercy (2008 to present)
 Other Courses: World Cultures,
Introduction to Law, US Government and
Psychology
 Mock Trial Program Coordinator


3rd Place: Univ. of Penn Ben Franklin
Invitational
Top 16: Princeton Moot Court Competition
 Adjunct

Professor (2005 to present)
Villanova, Eastern, Immaculata and West
Chester Universities
Course Content














Themes at the Turn of the 20th Century
World War I
The Culture, Politics, and Economics of the 1920’s
The Great Depression and the New Deal
World War II
The Cold War
Economic Prosperity and Social Strife of the 1950’s and 1960’s
The Civil Rights Movement
The Great Society
The Vietnam War
Watergate and its aftermath
New Conservatism
The Clinton Presidency
America after 9/11 and the War on Terrorism
Course Goals
Every student will…



understand the essential themes that have
shaped contemporary US history.
understand, evaluate and synthesize the
legacies these eras have on the United States
and the contemporary world.
critique, evaluate and synthesize the lessons
which contemporary America can learned from
these eras in addressing contemporary issues.
Assessments

Formal Assessments
80% of
(Quizzes, test, papers) semester work
grade

Daily Assessments
20% of
(Class participation,
semester
work grade
class work and homework)

Final Exam
20% of
semester grade
Quizzes, Tests and Projects

Key Points ….
1.
“Nothing should be a surprise.”
2.
Quizzes may be given on any day and may be announced or
unannounced. However, unannounced quizzes if homework
/ class work is collectively unsatisfactory.
3.
Test and projects will be announced ahead of schedule and
given/due only on the assigned testing dates (day 2 and 5).
4.
On particularly longer units, a comprehensive test may be
given that draws on information prior to the previous test.
Class Participation
From the syllabus
“…. [T]o achieve our academic goals active
participation of the students in class is vital.
The development of interpersonal and
communication skills is an important part of
any social studies class. This grade is a good
faith effort grade; students will not be scored
on the correctness of your answers, but the on
the quality of your commitment to the
learning process…”
Homework and In Class Assignments

Key Points on Homework….
1.
2.
3.
4.

On average 30 minutes every night; purposeful in either
reinforcing the day’s learning or preparing for tomorrow.
Periodically checked and graded for accuracy and/or good faith.
Student binders are subject to review at any point during the
semester for grading purposes.
Any student carrying below an 80% cumulative grade may be
asked to submit homework on a daily basis for review.
Key Points on Class Work….
1.
2.
These assignments may be individually, pair or team based.
Periodically checked and graded for accuracy and/or good faith
effort.
Mid Term and Final Exam

Key Points on Mid Term
1.
2.
3.
4.

Counts as 20% of 1st semester grade.
“Nothing should be a surprise.”
Will have study guide and at least 2 days of review.
Mid January 2011.
Key Points on Final Exam….
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Counts as 20% of 2nd semester grade
Only on 2nd semester material.
“Nothing should be a surprise.”
Will have study guide and at least 2 days of review.
May 2012.
But the big question…
Does he see my
child?