U.S. History II
Syllabus
2015-2016
Course Description: Students will be expected to complete readings, class
discussions, and hands-on projects on various historical topics. The emphasis of
this course is a study of the history of the United States from the late 1800’s to the
present. Main topics will include the Industrial revolution, Immigration, the
Great Depression, the New Deal, the Progressive Era, the two World Wars, Civil
Rights Era, the Cold War, the Vietnam Era, and the new challenges of
contemporary times. Varied approaches are utilized to establish links between
past and present America, creating a framework for students to make good
choices as citizens and future leaders of our nation.
Textbook: Discovering Our Past: A History of the United States (Modern
Times) Copyright 2015
Key Topics of Study:
 Industrial Revolution
 Imperialism-Progressive Era
 World War I
 Roaring 1920’s
 Great Depression and New Deal Era
 World War II
 Early Cold War Era-Korean War
 Civil Rights
 Vietnam War
 1970’s-1980’s Domestic Policy and End of Cold War Era
 Troubled 1970’s
 New Challenges for the United States in a New Era
Methods of Assessment
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Homework
Projects (Individual and Group)
Presentations (Individual and Group)
Class Participation
Quizzes
Chapter, and Multiple Chapter Tests
Midterm, and Final Tests
 Organized notebook of class work
Homework: Will be assigned as often as the teacher feels necessary. Homework
is to be completed at home! Homework is an integral part of your understanding
of American history, and your overall grade in this course.
Expectations/Rules for homework assignments
1) Homework will be completed on the date assigned. I will accept
homework for ½ credit until the mid-quarter due date (to be
determined by the teacher). All assignments after the mid-quarter
notices will be due by the date given by the teacher. This date will
fall towards the end of the quarter. Assignments not completed
after the final due date are worth 0 points. If there are extenuating
circumstances I will be more than happy to work with you
(funerals, illness, etc.)
2) Homework and other projects will be completed in a neat and
orderly fashion. Take pride in your work, it can only help your
understanding and your grade!
3) I will check homework at the beginning of class during the warmup. I will either collect the homework and grade it, or I spot-check
it to show that you have successfully completed the assignment.
4) Projects/Papers/Presentations that are late will decrease one letter
grade per day that they are not handed into the teacher.
Mr. Minnich 2015-2016
Classroom Expectations
1) RESPECT your fellow classmates.
* I expect the classroom should be a place where everyone can feel comfortable with
sharing his or her thoughts and ideas. Name-calling and disrespect will not be allowed
in this classroom.
2) RESPECT the property of others.
* Take care of the materials and property in the classroom as if they were owed by you.
There will be no destruction of property. Keep the room the way it was on the first day
of school.
3) There will no swearing in the classroom at anytime.
* Swearing is inappropriate and disrespectful to all of your fellow classmates and will
not be tolerated. This will result in an immediate detention!
4) Raise your hand to be called upon.
* So everyone will have an equal opportunity at participating in the class, I need to have
you raise your hand to be called upon. If you call out I will give you a warning, and the
second time I will have to resort to the use of a detention.
5) Ask permission to leave the classroom.
* Before leaving the room, I will need you to ask permission. I am responsible for all of
you and do not want to see any of you get in trouble, or get hurt. I need to know where
everyone is at all times. Please sign out and take a pass with you every time you leave
the room.
6) Keep your hands, feet and other objects to yourself.
* There is no need to throw any objects in the classroom; this is to be kept on the
athletic fields. Throwing something could seriously hurt someone, or break something
in the classroom. It is best to hand a pencil or paper to someone.
7) Have assigned work completed and ready to hand in on the date it is due.
* When an assignment is given out I expect that it will be completed on the date I ask
for it. I will accept work one day late for half credit. The work will still be worth half
credit until the mid-point of the quarter and the end of the quarter. It is your
responsibility to get the work done by the date that it is due. If you have extenuating
problems (family vacation, illness, death in the family) let me know. I will work with
you!
Discipline Sequence
1) First time you will receive a verbal warning from the teacher
2) Second time I will talk to you after class
3) Reasons a student receives a detention
a. Late to class 3 times in one quarter = Detention
b. Late to class by more than 5 minutes without a pass. School tardiness policy
will be followed.
c. Constant disruption of classroom activities/disturbing other students’ learning
d. Destruction of school, or someone’s personal property
e. Vulgar language within the classroom
4) Call your parents/guardian and discuss with them your behavior
5) Visit to the principal’s office for discipline action
Student Name (Print )__________________________________Period____
After reading through the syllabus with your parent/guardian return this
page signed to Mr. Minnich by _______________. By signing below I
verify that I have read over the US History course expectations and rules
and I will seek to meet if not exceed these expectations.
Student
Signature__________________________________________Date______
Parent/Guardian
Signature_________________________________________Date_______
Phone Number___________________________________________
E-mail address___________________________________________