U.S. History
Ms. Walsh
(ellie.walsh@jp2hs.org)
2015-2016
It’s not the who, what, when, & where that is open to reinterpretation, but the meaning of those
events, personalities, and ideas. – Bruce A. Lesh
Course Objective
The historian R.G. Collingworth once remarked, “nothing capable of being memorized is history.”
What he, like all professional historians, understood is that history is more than a collection of fact to
be memorized; it is structured and disciplined way of thinking about interpreting the meaning of the
past. With a lens of American history, students in this course will build on their foundational reading,
writing, and speaking skills to further develop their own historical practice. As student-historians,
class members will learn to look at moments in American history and make connections to the global
context, broader historical themes and the national and international significance.
Course Description
This course focuses on the development of the United States of America. Although the class will
broadly cover the chronological path of the nation, students will be asked to engage particular
moments more deeply in light of the essential question “What does it mean to be an American?” and,
specifically, how American identity changes over time. In order to practice their reading, writing, and
speaking skills as historians, students will regularly encounter primary sources and secondary works
to complement their textbook works. To support an emphasis on analytical critical thinking as well as
clear interpretation, students in this class will participate in debates, graded discussions, and writing
workshops to put their factual knowledge, gained through active reading and note-taking, together to
form cohesive and sophisticated arguments.
Veritas Policy (See Student Handbook)
The Promise: I promise before God and members of the community that I will be a person of
integrity who will not lie, steal, cheat, plagiarize, or break the bonds of trust that define this
community. I make this promise in order to build a community of trust and integrity with my
brothers and sisters at JPII.
Review by Veritas Council: A student accused of a Veritas violation may ask for a hearing from a
jury of his or her peers, called the “Veritas Council.” All appeals of the recommendations or
decisions of the Council are to the Headmaster of Pope John Paul II High School.
Plagiarism:
Whenever you are asked to prepare written work outside of class I assume that it will be entirely of
your own efforts. Improper use-or deliberate misuse-of source material is plagiarism. The MLA
Handbook, 1984 ed. 1:6 interprets plagiarism as “the act of using another person’s ideas or
expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source.” If working collaboratively, students
are expected to equally share in the specific task. A student who is found guilty of plagiarism or false
representation of work or effort will be subject to severe disciplinary action. In order to prevent
plagiarism, typed work must be submitted to Ms. Walsh electronically by email and in hard-copy
before the deadline.
My Expectations
Be Ready
Be Respectful (to me, to yourself, to your classmates, to the learning process)
Be Responsible
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Expect homework each night.
Late work will receive a maximum of a 70% if completed by the next class period. No work will
be accepted after that.
Annotate every text that you read. You will receive a grade on the quality of your notes.
Unmarked texts will receive a 0% (until annotated). In History class, we think in words—
annotations involve making marginal notes—not simply underlining or highlighting.
You are responsible for all assignments given by the teacher in class—this overrides even what
you see on Veracross.
All papers, unless otherwise noted, must be typed, stapled, and hole-punched before class.
 As late major assignments will lose 10% (1st class late) then 5% (each remaining class
until CRS), I would advise meeting deadlines. Contact me via email as soon as possible if
you might hand in a paper late.
 If you choose to not hand in a major assignment, you will be required to attend a Credit
Restoration Session (CRS) the following Friday unless the assignment is satisfactorily
completed before that date.
Spelling and grammar count; students of History are also students of English. Proofread.
If you are absent, you are responsible for making up the work that you missed. Check the absent
work box on the supply counter.
I am available for extra help during my tutorials (Monday & Thursday, 3:15 -4:00) or by
appointment most mornings, afternoons, and lunches. At times, I will ask a lot from you—but
you are not on an island—I want to help you succeed in meeting your learning goals.
I often call on students by surprise—if class participation is an area that makes you nervous, come
see me as soon as possible.
History Only Binder
History classes, particularly one like this that uses a variety of sources in addition to a textbook,
inevitably become organizational nightmares. You will receive many, many handouts in this class. It
is your responsibility to keep track of these materials and maintain a writing portfolio in your binder.
Additionally, we will be writing in class everyday, so it is necessary to keep all of these materials in
one place so you can assess your progress as a reader, writer, and thinker. This binder, along with
paper, pen(s), and other materials should be brought to every class.
By next week, please bring a sizeable History only binder divided into the following sections:
1.
Syllabus and Class Activities (writing workshops, catalysts, etc)
2.
Class notes (lined notebook paper, titled, dated and with a clear format).
3.
Course readings/homework/handouts
**The teacher will also help students maintain a writing portfolio that will remain in the classroom.
Assignment Types
• Homework/ Classroom Work (0-25 Points)
• Tests/Projects (50-100 Points)
• Quizzes/Debates/Presentations (25-50
• Essays/Projects (100-300 Points)
Points)
Veracross Codes
When following your progress on Veracross, these codes will help you track of your assignments.
Description
Pending
Complete
Not Turned In
Abbreviation
Pending
NTI
Missing
Assignment
Incomplete
M
Not Required
to Complete
NREQ
Inc
Notes
Assignment has not been graded or the deadline has not arrived.
Completed assignment
Student was present but did not turn in the assignment. Late
penalties apply.
Student was absent. Student can receive full credit for the
assignment when returning to school.
Student failed to finish or hand in an acceptable quality of work on a
major assessment.
Student is not required to complete the assignment.
Student Objectives
1. To develop the ability to become a “free-thinker!” Of course, I expect students to be able to recall
the important material required of this course; however, I feel that true victory is achieved when a
student can understand material, analyze it, and be able to speak intelligently and freely about it.
2. To develop the ability to communicate in the writing sense. Skills will be learned in a cooperative
and supportive environment. Throughout this course, students will write essays within several
different assignments. These essays will be driven towards Thesis Driven Essays, FRQ’s, Reaction
Essays, DBQ’s, and Research Papers. The writing process objective will be geared towards focusing
on developing your ability to defend your interpretation of historical topics in these various essay
types.
3. To develop oral communication skills in a cooperative and supportive environment. Throughout
the course of this year, we will have many class discussions, debates, and special presentations. The
goal here is to learn a topic and be able to speak about it confidently.
4. To develop critical thinking skills through class discussions, debates, assessments of primary,
secondary sources, images, essays on tests and other forms of assessment. Being able to think
critically will enhance the student’s ability to grasp the course content and to also allow them to
“walk in the shoes” of the people we will be studying in this course. Critical thinking will also be
used regularly with paraphrasing of quotes.
5. To develop the ability to do meaningful research. The tools will be books, primary and secondary
sources, periodicals, images, and notes. Research of certain questions will allow the student to look
beyond this class as a survey course and explore the intricate and complex topics that made up the
study of specific time periods in American history.
6. To develop a strong understanding of North American geography.
Course Schedule
Unit 1: Discovering America (Native Cultures, Early English Colonies)
Unit 2: Declaring America (American Revolution, New Nation)
Unit 3: Testing America (American System/Era of Good Feelings, Age of Jackson, Societal and
Cultural changes of a young nation, Manifest Destiny, The Republic of Texas/War with Mexico,
Abolitionism, The Road to the Civil War, The American Civil War)
Unit 4: Defining America (Reconstruction, The Gilded Age, Immigration)
Semester Exam
Unit 5: Building America (Early Expansion, Westward Expansion, American Imperialism, Social
Struggles of a New Century)
Unit 6: Situating America/Engaging America (World War I, Roaring Twenties, Great Depression,
World War II)
Unit 7: Redefining America – Abroad & Domestic (The Origins of the Cold War, The Domestic 50’s,
The Space Race, US in an Era of Turmoil, Civil Rights and other equality movements, America’s
Vietnam War, Decline and Rebirth, Prosperity and the New World Order)
Unit 8: America Today
Final Exam