August. 2015 – June 2016
Mr. Jeff Taff
---------------------------------------------------------------------Modern American History
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Information
Email
____ jtaff@basd.k12.wi.us
_
Phone ______262-763-0200 Ext. 4265_
Course Overview
Plan Period 2nd (8:14-9:03) 6th (12:52-1:41)
This REQUIRED course will help you to better
understand what history is and why we should study it.
You will be an active participant instead of a passive
observer, experiencing history through innovative teaching
practices that include dramatic role playing, creative
simulations, leadership case studies, dynamic group
projects, film study, and opinionated response essays.
This course centers on the five founding ideals from the
Declaration of Independence: equality, rights, liberty,
opportunity, and democracy, and invites you to evaluate if
Americans have or have not lived up to the ideals
expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Each
generation has struggled with these ideals. Some have
made little progress toward achieving them. Others have
made great progress. Beginning with the Industrial Age
(1900s) and moving forward to the present, we will
evaluate America’s progress using this “lens” to focus our
study of American History.
Units








Defining & Debating America’s Founding Ideals
America at the Turn of the Century
Imperialism & Progressivism
Boom & Bust
Global Struggles
A Time of Upheaval
A Changing Society
The Post-9/11 Era
Themes That Will Guide Our Study of Each Unit







American Diversity, Identity and Culture
Demographic Changes
Economic Transformations
Environment and Globalization
Politics and Citizenship
Reform and Religion
War and Diplomacy
Instructor Availability

Mr. Taff is available before and after school or by
appointment. Students are strongly encouraged to
come in for extra help during these times if they
are having difficulty in class or need clarification
on assignments. Please e-mail anytime with
problems or questions!
Materials Needed




a textbook (located in classroom)
a notebook
a folder for handouts
pencil or pen - optional: colored pencils, markers,
highlighters
Classroom Rules & Expectations






Work Hard & Be Nice
Come to Class Prepared Every Day
Participate actively in class
Communicate with your teacher regarding
absences or make up work
Use Positive Body Language
Respect/Acceptance of All
Essential Learning/Skills Developed In This Course




Analyzing Primary and Secondary Source
Documents
Interpreting Maps, Charts, Cartoons, and Graphs
Comparing/Contrasting Opposing Viewpoints
Formulating Written Reponses
“Courage. Commitment. Desire!”
Grading Policy

Grading for my class will be consistent with
Burlington High School’s Grading Policy.
Late Work


It is expected that all students will complete all
work assigned, on time, for full credit. Late work
will only be accepted up to 5 days late, with a
10% reduction for each additional day, up to five
days for ½ credit.
Work not turned in on time will be entered into
the grade book as a “0”. Skyward will show the
assignment as “missing” until the work is turned
in. If a student is absent the day an assignment is
due, he/she will still be able to turn it in for full
credit the next day.
Attendance



100% of your grade is based on tests, quizzes,
activities, class discussions, and daily class
work/home work. It will be based on a “total
points” system.
o Tests = approx. 100 pts., Projects
& Essays = approx. 50-75 pts.,
Quizzes = approx. 20-30 pts.,
Homework & Classwork =
approx. 10-25 points,
Participation & Upfront Journal
Entries = approx. 5-10 pts.,
Discussion = 5-10 pts., Other =
teacher discretion
I will use professional judgment to assign the most
appropriate six weeks or semester grade based on
the body of evidence; this may override your
average score and result in either a higher or lower
grade.
Tardiness

When students are tardy to class, they are
expected to sign into class and quietly take their
seat. Students are strongly encouraged to enter
class on time as not to interrupt the learning
process of their peers.


Attendance in this class is essential! If a student
must miss a class, it is the student’s responsibility
to get the assigned work the day he/she returns
from the back folder of the classroom. Every
student WILL know where this is located on the
first day of class.
Previously scheduled tests, quizzes, projects, or
homework missed due to absence should be made
up on the day the student returns from absence.
If a student is unexcused on the day of an assigned
test, he/she is responsible for the test. Late arrival
or early dismissal DOES NOT excuse him/her
from the test. If a student is ill enough to be
picked up by a parent and taken home, the test
may be re-scheduled.
Plagiarism

“Plagiarism refers to a form of cheating that has
been defined as ‘the false assumption of
authorship; the wrongful act of taking the product
of another person’s mind, and presenting it as
one’s own.’ Plagiarism, then, constitutes
intellectual theft” (MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers, Fifth Edition 30). If a student
has any question regarding the explanation of
plagiarism, she is expected to ask the instructor
for further clarification. Any act of plagiarism in
this course will result in an automatic zero on the
assignment in question, as well as further potential
academic action as determined by the instructor
and the Leadership Team.