Description & Overview
Course Description
This American History course will begin with the drafting and signing of the U.S. Constitution and proceed chronologically through Civil War Reconstruction. We will examine the people, events, and ideas that shaped the United States and brought us to where we are today. The course will view U.S. history through the lens of economic, political, and social ideas. These ideas will help us understand the growth and development of the nation and how they have shaped the country we have today. In addition to the Constitution, some of the key topics we will study include: the early days of the republic, the birth of early political parties in America, the first industrial revolution, Jacksonian democracy and westward expansion. From here we will look at how abolitionism and its detractors fueled the divisions between North and South in the period leading up to the Civil War. Lastly, we will examine the Civil War and its aftermath, with the election of 1876.
(revised August 2016)
Course Overview & Expectations
Students will be expected to complete the work assigned to the best of their abilities. Assignments will include reading the textbook, reading and interacting with websites, watching videos, classwork, note-taking, homework, and class projects. Students will also have a current event summary that is due every other week. There will be a variety of class projects that will include presentations and written essays. There will also be tests (usually one every two chapters) and quizzes. Below is a breakdown of the individual categories for a semester grade.
Grading
A student’s grade for the semester will be determined by the grades made in the following areas:
This American History course will begin with the drafting and signing of the U.S. Constitution and proceed chronologically through Civil War Reconstruction. We will examine the people, events, and ideas that shaped the United States and brought us to where we are today. The course will view U.S. history through the lens of economic, political, and social ideas. These ideas will help us understand the growth and development of the nation and how they have shaped the country we have today. In addition to the Constitution, some of the key topics we will study include: the early days of the republic, the birth of early political parties in America, the first industrial revolution, Jacksonian democracy and westward expansion. From here we will look at how abolitionism and its detractors fueled the divisions between North and South in the period leading up to the Civil War. Lastly, we will examine the Civil War and its aftermath, with the election of 1876.
(revised August 2016)
Course Overview & Expectations
Students will be expected to complete the work assigned to the best of their abilities. Assignments will include reading the textbook, reading and interacting with websites, watching videos, classwork, note-taking, homework, and class projects. Students will also have a current event summary that is due every other week. There will be a variety of class projects that will include presentations and written essays. There will also be tests (usually one every two chapters) and quizzes. Below is a breakdown of the individual categories for a semester grade.
Grading
A student’s grade for the semester will be determined by the grades made in the following areas:
- Tests – 25%
- Projects – 25%
- Classwork - 20%
- Quizzes - 20%
- Homework – 10 %
“Let us study things that are no more. It is necessary to understand them, if only to avoid them.” - Victor Hugo