MIDDLESEX COUNTY VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Woodbridge Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences
GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS/ COURSE SYLLABUS FOR
UNITED STATES HISTORY I HONORS
Your teacher is: Mr. Ziskind
GRADE 10 2015-2016
email: ziskindn@mcvts.net
COURSE OVERVIEW:
The purpose of social studies education is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and
attitudes they need to become active, informed, responsible citizens and members of their
communities. United States History I Honors will give students an opportunity to develop an
understanding and appreciation of America’s past and present. This course will focus and
emphasize the development of America from colonization to the beginning of the 20th century.
This course will place an emphasis on the political, social, economic, and historical events that
have helped shaped this nation’s history. Students will also explore the role that New Jersey has
played in the development of the United States.
TEXTBOOK:
Danzer, Gerald. The Americans, Mc Dougal Little, publishing 2007.
NOTEBOOK REQUIREMENTS AND MATERIALS:
Students are responsible for the content in their textbook and any additional handouts they are
given in class. Students should refer to these materials in all class discussions as well as written
assignments.
Students are required to bring a binder or multi-subject notebook and a pen or pencil to class.
You will be required to make sure your notebook is listed by topic. You will be required to
create and maintain different sections of your notebook for THEMES and essential FACTS of
the lesson. It is also recommended that students bring a folder to class for hand outs as well.
Please note that the notebook will be checked periodically.
HOMEWORK POLICY, STUDENT PARTICIPATION, AND MAKE UP WORK:
1. Homework is to be submitted on the due date, unless otherwise specified by the instructor.
Late work will be accepted, but points will be deducted accordingly.
2. A grade will be given for class participation each marking period.
3. Students with an excused absence will be given two days (a day for each day out) in which
to turn in the homework for full credit. After which, rule #1 will apply.
4. If for any reason you should be absent on a test day you will be allowed to make up the
test by making prior arrangements with me.
GRADING POLICY:
Grades are given as follows:
Tests / Projects / Essays = 40%
marking level.
You will have roughly 2 tests and 1-2 projects per
Homework =30% The types of homework will vary.
Classwork / Participation = 30%
GRADES:
A+ = 100 – 98
C+ = 79-77
A = 97-92
C = 76-72
A- = 91-90
C- = 71-70
B+ = 89-87
D = 69-65
B = 86-82
F= 64 and Below
B- = 81-80
CLASSROOM RULES:
1. Students are expected to be in class and in their seats at the start of class.
2. All students are required to bring a notebook, pen, or pencil to each class.
3.
In the event of an excused absence from school it is the responsibility of the students to
make up the missed work.
4. Students may not disrupt class in any way. Parents will be notified of disruption if
attempts to correct the problem are ignored by the student. Please note this includes cell
phones, I-pods, etc.
5. No food is permitted in the classroom.
6. All assignments should be the student’s own work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Should a student plagiarize an assignment a zero will be given and the student may not
make up the assignment.
COURSE OUTLINE
The following topics will be covered during the school year. Please note the instructor
may make changes to the Course Outline/ Syllabus at any time.
UNIT 1.
AMERICAN BEGINNINGS TO 1873
Chapter 2- The American Colonies Emerge 1492-1681
Topics Covered:
Spain’s Empire in the America’s
An English Settlement at Jamestown
Settlement of the Middle Colonies
Chapter 3- The American Colonies Come of Age 1650-1760
Topics Covered:
England and Its Colonies
Regional Economies: The Agricultural South/ The Commercial North
The French and Indian War
Chapter 4- The War for Independence 1769-1783
Topics Covered:
The Stirrings of Rebellion
Ideas Help Start a Revolution
Winning the War
UNIT II.
A NEW NATION 1781- 1850
Chapter 5- Shaping a New Nation 1781-1788
Topics Covered:
Experimenting with Confederation
Drafting/ Ratifying the Constitution
Chapter 6- Launching the New Nation 1789- 1816
Topics Covered:
Washington Heads the New Government
Jefferson Alters the Nation’s Course
The War of 1812
Chapter 7- Balancing Nationalism and Sectionalism 1815- 1840
Topics covered:
Regional Economies Create Differences
The Age of Andrew Jackson
Chapter 8- Reforming American Society 1820-1850
Topics Covered:
Religion Sparks Reform
Slavery and Abolition
Women and Reform
UNIT III.
AN ERA OF GROWTH AND DISUNIUON 1825-1877
Chapter 9- Expanding Markets and Moving West 1825-1847
Topics Covered:
Manifest Destiny
Expansion in Texas/ The War with Mexico
Chapter 10- The Union in Peril 1850-1861
Topics Covered:
The Politics of Slavery: Protest, Resistance and Violence
The Birth of the Republican Party: Slavery and Secession
Chapter 11- The Civil War 1861-1865
Topics Covered:
The Civil War Begins
The Politics of War
The North Takes Charge
The Legacy of the Civil War
Chapter 12- Reconstruction and its Effects 1865- 1877
Topics Covered:
The Politics of Reconstruction
Reconstructing Society
The Legacy of Reconstruction
These course requirements have been explained to me by my teacher, and I intend to
assume my responsibility, as a student, to follow them
Student name _______________________________
These course requirements have been explained to me by my teacher, and I intend to
assume my responsibility, as a student, to follow them
_________
_______________________
_______________________
Date
Signature of student
Signature of parent