Mr. Featherling
Room: 408
Email: featherlingbra@dalhart.k12.tx.us
Course Introduction (TEA Website)
In United States History Studies Since 1877, which is the second part of a two-year study that begins in Grade 8,
students study the history of the United States from 1877 to the present. The course content is based on the founding
documents of the U.S. government, which provide a framework for its heritage. Historical content focuses on the
political, economic, and social events and issues related to industrialization and urbanization, major wars, domestic
and foreign policies, and reform movements, including civil rights. Students examine the impact of geographic factors
on major events and eras and analyze their causes and effects. Students examine the impact of constitutional issues
on American society, evaluate the dynamic relationship of the three branches of the federal government, and analyze
efforts to expand the democratic process. Students describe the relationship between the arts and popular culture and
the times during which they were created. Students analyze the impact of technological innovations on American life.
Students use critical-thinking skills and a variety of primary and secondary source material to explain and apply
different methods that historians use to understand and interpret the past, including multiple points of view and
historical context.
Textbook and Materials
Spielvogel, Jackson. U.S. History Since 1877. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill
Education, 2016.
You will need:
Notebook
Loose leaf paper
Blue/black pen and/or pencil
Folder or Binder
Objectives
U.S. History Since 1877 is designed to implement the basic knowledge of U.S History since 1877
as well as utilizing higher critical thinking skills in the understand of history. This class is also
designed to help students to pass the STAAR testing.
Late Work
10 points will be deducted per day. NO late work will be accepted after 5 days that the
assignment is due. Homework will be due at the beginning of class, after I collect homework it
will be considered late. ALL late work must have your name, hour, assignment and due date on
it or it will not be graded.
Late work will be marked accordingly (stamped and how many days it is late) and placed in the
basket under the bulletin board.
Make-up Work (District Policy)
Students will be allowed to make up all work missed due to an excused absence. The student will
receive a minimum of 2 days for each day missed in order to get all missed work completed. The
student will not receive any type of grade deduction. If the student’s absence is unexcused or
results from a disciplinary suspension, the student will be given a minimum of two days to make
up all work with a maximum grade of 70%. It is the responsibility of the student, regardless of
the reason, excused or unexcused, to obtain all assignments missed. It is required of the student
to get assignments and due dates before the absence occurs in order to stay on schedule with the
class.
Cell Phones Use Policy (District Policy)
Cell phones are to be used for educational purposes only in the classroom. Unless otherwise
specified by Mr. Featherling, cell phones are to be put away and on silent/airplane mode during
class. District policy states any abuse of cell phone will result in a $15 fine the first time:
Confiscated devices will be assessed the following fees:
1st offense-- $15 fine
2nd offense-- $15 fine/ device held in office 5 school days.
3rd offense-- $15 fine/ device held in office 10school days.
4th offense-- $15 fine/ device held 15 school days.
Classroom Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Be on time to class
Come to class prepared to learn. (Pencils sharpened, pen, paper, and notebooks)
Respect all property. (School property, personal property, and other's property)
Respect all ideas given in class and do not criticize anybody's ideas or thoughts.
Do your very best!
Grading Scale
A
B
C
F
90 – 100
80 – 89
70 – 79
69 and below
Grading Categories
Daily Grades
Assessments
60%
40%
Cheating/Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty
**See student handbook**
Class Schedule
Units
Title
Years Covered
Chapters
Unit 1
The Gilded Age
1877-1898
3-4
Unit 2
Freedom Week
Unit 3
The Progressive Era
1898-1920
6
Unit 4
Spanish-American War and World
War I
1898-1920
5,7
Unit 5
Boom Time
1920-1929
8
Unit 6
The Great Depression
1929-1939
9
Unit 7
World War II
1939-1945
11-12
Unit 8
The Cold War
1945-1970
13
Unit 9
Civil Rights Movement
1945-1970
16
Unit
10
New National Direction
1970-1990
18-21
Unit 11
History During Our Own Lives
1990-Present
21-23
Unit
Yesterday’s Challenges & Today’s
12
Opportunities
*Class Schedule is subject to change at any point