U.S. History
College Prep (CP) Level
2012-2013
Instructor Information
Name: Mrs. Quinlan
Current Courses: United States History (CP and Honors), World History (CP)
Email: squinlan@hf233.org
Phone: (708)799-3000 ext. 5282
Room: 311N
Available for help: Afterschool in Room 311N or by appointment
Course Information
Basic Information:
Course Description:
U.S. History 1522
Level: College Prep (CP)
Department: Social Science
Prerequisite: World History
Open to: Juniors
Length: 1 year
Credit: 1
This course is a chronological survey of United States history. Reading and
writing assignments emphasize comprehension of main themes, trends and
concepts, and analysis of some primary sources necessary for an understanding of
the American historical experience. Activities may include group projects.
Exams may consist of multiple-choice and essay questions. Students are required
to complete a research paper. Students entering the course should have reading
and writing skills at about grade level.
Course Objectives:
1) Understand the narrative of U.S. History and how studying history helps explain the world we live in today.
2) Understand that the United States has always been a diverse society and that the struggle for equal rights was and continues to be
central to the American story.
3) Widen their perspective on what it has meant and what it means to be an American and to be a human being.
4) Develop critical-thinking skills necessary for citizens in a democracy and for historians.
5) Develop reading comprehension skills for primary and secondary sources and identify points of view.
6) Learn to create a thesis and support the thesis with evidence from primary and secondary sources.
7) Develop historical empathy.
8) Develop geographic literacy.
9) Develop historical research skills that culminate in the production of a paper.
Course Outline- Semester 1:
Unit 1: Colonial America, 1492-1763
Unit 2: The American Revolution, 1763-1782
Unit 3: Confederation and the Constitution
Unit 4: The New Republic, 1789-1828
Unit 5: Antebellum America, 1828-1861
Unit 6: The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Course Outline- Semester 2
Unit 7: Industrial America, 1870-1900
Unit 8: Progressive America, 1900-1920
Unit 9: American Foreign Policy, 1890-1920
Unit 10: 1920s and 1930s
Unit 11: The United States and World War II
Unit 12: The Cold War
Unit 13: The Search for a Great Society, 1945-68
Unit 14: The Rise of the Right
Unit 15: The U.S. and the Middle East
Major Assessments:
Unit Exams, Essays, Projects
U.S. Constitution Exam & Illinois Constitution Exam
First Semester Exam
Major Assessments:
Research Paper
Unit Exams, Essays, Projects
Second Semester Exam
Necessary Materials:
The Americans- Danzer, DeAlva, Wilson
Dedicated Notebook and Folder/Binder
Grading:
Philosophy
Grades are determined by a student’s performance:
Ongoing Assessments (tests and quizzes, presentations, projects, written assignments, and homework) = 100% of your
grade
Scale
Earning
Your
Grade
Quarter 1= 40% of your final grade
Quarter 2= 40% of your final grade
Final Exam= 20% of your final grade
A= 100-90
B= 89-80
C= 79-70
D= 69-60
F= 59-0
Simply put…earning a grade requires hard work and dedication. Every student is capable of succeeding in this class. This
requires effective and consistent note-taking, completion of homework assignments, participating in class, preparing for
exams, and most importantly- asking for help! I am here and want to help you, so be proactive and earn your success!
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious offense. Any student caught plagiarizing will be given a failing grade for that
project/assignment and may be given a failing grade for the quarter. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
- Using another individuals’ ideas or words without properly citing them
- Copying another student’s homework
- Cutting and Pasting from the Internet
Homework:
-
Homework is due at the start of class OR when I ask that it be collected. Once collected, any submitted after IS LATE!
Homework is expected ON TIME from all students with pre-planned or school related absences
Students have as many days to make up missed work as the number of days absent
If you are absent the day before a test, you will be expected to take it with the rest of the class, since tests are announced
several days in advance.
**The H-F Homework and Tardy policy will be in place---- please see Handbook for details. **
Class Expectations:
-
You are accountable for your behavior. Think before you act.
Respect yourself and each other. That includes the space, belongings, and learning environment of others.
Contribute to a positive learning environment. This means you are not disrupting the class and learning of others in any way!
(i.e. cell phone use- they should be away and on silent, head down, talking out of turn, etc…)
Use appropriate language. Inappropriate and/or Offensive language of any type WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Observe all rules in the handbook including dress code and no food or drink in class.
If YOU CHOOSE to NOT MEET CLASS EXPECTATIONS…
1. Teacher warning, discussion after class
2. Teacher detention and possible call home. Failure to serve a detention will result in a Dean’s Referral.
3. Dean’s Referral and phone call home
**Severe disruptions will result in student being immediately sent to the Dean’s Office. **
Class Procedures:
Entering the Room
-Be in class when the bell rings and immediately proceed to your seat, taking out all needed class supplies
-Bellwork and/or other announcements will be on the board for you to begin, do not wait for me to tell you to start.
-If you missed class the prior day, turn work in the “Absent” bin BEFORE the bell rings and you sit down
-If you enter AFTER THE BELL, sign the clipboard and attach your pass. Sign in even if you do not have a pass.
Absence Binder/File
-Visit the Absence Binder BEFORE or AFTER class to find out what you may have missed.
-Filed assignments will be in the labeled box for you, if needed.
Bathroom
-You have 2 bathroom passes/semester, and they are to be used during independent or group work time ONLY.
Class Dismissal
-When the bell rings, wait until you are dismissed and final words are given. The teacher dismisses you, not the bell.