20th Century Civil Liberties
Leigh Humphrey
Room 314
Career Center phone #727-8181
Email: lhumphrey@wsfcs.k12.nc.us
Website: Through Career Center Faculty/Staff website or http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us//Domain/2131
Course Description/Overview
The course will accentuate the history, struggles, successes and similarities of diverse groups of
Twentieth century groups (mostly Americans) who protested on behalf of civil liberties and civil rights. The course will begin with an
understanding of America’s founding documents—The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution—and the
conceptual and historical paradoxes of each. A foundation of the course will be an understanding of Jefferson’s creed that “…all men
are created equal…,” as well as, the document’s interpretation and applicability over the course of the Twentieth Century. The
course will also emphasize the flexibility of the U.S. Constitution, and specifically the impact of additional amendments over time
and their varying interpretations on both civil liberties and civil rights during the Twentieth Century. The thrust of the course will be
the historical narrative of a people who persevered to give greater meaning to our founding creed and those founding American
documents. This story would include the Twentieth century social movements for greater freedom and equality led by and for
various groups of Americans. Because of past and current global calls for universal human rights based on Jefferson’s ideals, this
course should promote the interconnected civil liberties and civil rights narrative of a people, a nation, and a world.
(NC SCOC United States History).
Note to Parents and Students
The issues in this class may be sensitive in nature and to ensure an environment where students feel safe in expressing their
opinions, I demand that students respect each other, classroom rules, and the expectations set forth for seminars and class
discussions. Students may NOT direct their statements towards any specific student(s) in the class. When addressing a
disagreement with another student on a particular issue, it must be done in a respectful way. Students must be able to explain and
back up their opinions. If a student feels uncomfortable with a particular issue, they may complete an alternative assignment in lieu
of the class discussion. Parents, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. You may also preview any of the
information if you wish.
Attendance
*STUDENTS: ATTENDANCE is important. It is unreasonable for you to expect to succeed if you have excessive absences. Absences
will be dealt with in accordance with district/school policy. It is your responsibility to keep up with ALL assignments you miss. You
should follow the handbook policy concerning make up work.
*For the most part, reading and other assignments will be posted on my website. I will also be utilizing REMIND to send out text
messages as reminders of assignments, projects, tests, and general classroom information.
*District policy allows for Administrative Fs due to excessive absences. The Career Center will be addressing this on a semester
basis. If a student misses 10 or more days, regardless of whether excused or not, during a semester, the semester grade will be
changed to a F. A grade waiver form is available to appeal an administrative F. Students will be responsible for obtaining and
completing the form at the given time if the absence threshold has been met. Students and parents will be notified if the student is
in danger of violating the policy. Also, students and parents may monitor absences through the Power School Parent Portal.
*Another important thing to note in regards to attendance is that all students may be exempt from final exams in accordance to the
following formula: student has an A in the class with no more than 5 absences during the school year, a B in the class with no more
than 3 absences during the school year, or a grade of C and zero absences during the school year.
(over)
Textbooks and Resources
There is not a specific textbook for this class. The class will look at a lot of resources including primary sources,
movies/documentaries (list will be provided), secondary sources, etc.
Supplies
*Three ring binder with loose leaf notebook paper
*Blue/Black ink pens
*1 subject spiral/composition notebook (for free writing/journaling)
Grading
Grades are figured on a cumulative point basis. Each assignment will have a point value (and sometimes will also be weighted) and
the grade average is determined by dividing the total points possible by the points earned. Student’s grades will be based on a
combination of Unit Tests, Take Home Tests, Quizzes (mostly reading review and basic factual information), Classwork, Homework,
Current Events, Projects (both individual and group) and Participation (this includes free writing/journaling).
Students are expected to follow the honor code for ALL assignments. “I have neither given nor received help on this assignment.”
Violations will result in a zero for the assignment and possible other consequences.
New Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
59 and below
Homework
Homework, although not frequent, will consist mostly of reading and other relevant assignments. Homework will be the basis for
class discussion and activities. If you are not prepared, you may not be allowed to participate in the conversation and at the very
least you will not be in a position to contribute constructively. Some note-taking, outlining, or other supplemental reading activity
may also be required. Whether assigned or not, I strongly suggest students take notes, outline or use some other tool to record
important information from the readings. It is imperative that students keep up with the reading. Students should always take the
opportunity to ask about anything in the reading they did not understand. (Thankfully, I cannot read teenagers’ minds and thus I will
not know if students do not understand a concept unless they ask me—until test time and then it is too late)!
Projects
There are a number of projects, individual, pairs, and small group, associated with topics addressed in this course. For the most part,
I will allow class time for research and development of the project; however, some projects or parts of projects will need to be done
outside of school. I will give students ample time and notice of due dates. This is not a homework heavy class so this should not be a
burden to them provided they use their time wisely and plan ahead.
Topics Covered
Freedom and equality as found in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution
Late 19th & early 20th Reformers: Populists, Progressives, and New Dealers
20th Century Movements of African Americans, women, Hispanics, LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrants, labor, environmental, etc.
Individual Reformers (i.e. Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Alice Paul, etc.)
Use of various types of media
Contemporary Global Issues
*Appropriate student suggestions will be considered