Course Syllabus
Course Name: U.S. History
Instructor: Bruce Baumann Phone: (605) 698-3953 Ext. 3515
E-mail: b_baumann@tiospa-zina.us Office Hours: 7:30am - 8:00am M-F or by appointment in room 507
Homework Policy: Much of the coursework will be completed in class, Homework assignments will include: projects, presentations, vocabulary and worksheets. These are to be completed in a timely manner.
Makeup Work Policy: Makeup work for a day missed is the student’s responsibility and should be asked for upon their return to class. Students will be given sufficient time to complete missing assignments.
Course Outline: U.S. History will focus on the cultural, economic, political and diplomatic events from the Colonial period to the present. The course will be divided into the following timeframes:
First Semester:
* American Beginnings to 1763 (Colonization)
* Creating a Nation (Revolutionary War)
* Growth and Change (Expansion and Reform)
* War and Reunification (Civil War)
* A Nation Transformed (Industrial Revolution)
Second Semester:
* World War I and its Aftermath
* The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression
* World War II and its Aftermath
* Changing Home Front (Civil Rights)
* Modern Times
* The Presidency
History is an important aspect of all of our lives and studying history will provide you with a framework that will allow you to better understand yourself, your nations history, politics and all current events.
Course Expectations/Requirements:
Classroom Requirements:
* textbook (The American Nation)
* a notebook, spiral or three-ring binder with loose-leaf paper
* a folder to keep classroom handouts in (provided)
* writing utensils (pen/pencils)
* a highlighter (provided)
Classroom Expectations/Policy:
* You should be in class and ready to work
* Follow directions the first time they are given
* Ask for help if you do not understand
* No food or drink in room unless approved by me in advance
* Sleeping in class is not acceptable
Consequences for choosing inappropriate behavior:
*warning from teacher
*referral to detention
*phone call to parents
Most importantly, actively participate in class as it is your classroom and your education!
SEMESTER 1
First Quarter
Weeks 1-3
Prehistory to Colonization The students will gain knowledge of how historians have explained the peopling of North America. The explorers, colonists and their effects upon the native people will be investigated.
Weeks 4-6
Creating a Nation The students will learn how the struggles with English rule led to Independence and a War for Independence. The Acts and Provisions put on the colonists and the rebellions that led to freedom for Americans. The documents of the era will also be discussed.(Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the Constitution)
Weeks 7-9
Expansion and Reform The students will investigate the changes that took place as the United States grew and prospered. Nationalism, Regionalism and widespread reforms that helped shape our country.
Second Quarter
Weeks 10-13
War and Reunification Students will see how expansion and change led to the Civil War in the United States. The Native American response to expansion and the people’s response to slavery will be considered. The battles, results and the cost of the war in human and monetary values will be looked at.
Weeks 14-15
A Nation Transformed Students will delve into the transformation of American society caused by the industrial revolution. The inventions and inventors that left an indelible mark on life as we know it will be explored.
Weeks 16 – 17
Projects and Presentations The students will choose from the events or timeframes in the 1700 - 1800’s to do a Presentation/Project on and will have time to finish their projects and present them to the rest of class as part of their first semester assessment.
Week 18
Review and Test The students will be prepared for and administered a first semester test that encompasses all of the material covered in the semester.
Second Semester
Third Quarter
Weeks 1-3
World War I The students will analyze the causes and effects of World War I. Emphasis will be put on the United States role in the war and the struggle for neutrality. Students will compare the Revolutionary, Civil and World War in regard to cost to the United States.
Weeks 4-5
The 1920’s and Great Depression The students will investigate the changes brought about by the 1920’s and how the prosperity ended as the Great Depression ensued. The accent in this unit will be on the causes of the depression and the downfall of American morals and family life.
Weeks 6-7
World War II The students will analyze the causes and effects of World War II. Emphasis will be put on the United States role in the war and the atomic bomb. Students will compare the World War I and World War II in regard to cost to the United States.
Weeks 8-9
Civil Rights The students will investigate the need for and the struggle to get civil rights legislation passed. Emphasis will be put on the racism and reasons for the hatred. Students will compare the treatment of Native Americans and African Americans in United States History.
Fourth Quarter
Weeks 10-11
Korean and Vietnam Wars The students will analyze the causes and effects of the Vietnam and Korean Wars. Emphasis will be put on the United States role in the wars and the struggle for acceptance. Students will compare the Korean and Vietnam Wars in regard to cost to the United States.
Weeks 11-15
Modern Times The students will examine the changes brought about in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Emphasis will be put on the changes in society and what they mean to the students of today.
Weeks 16-17
The Presidency Comparisons will be made between the various presidencies of the more influential and controversial presidents of the United States.
Week 18
Review and Test The students will be prepared for and administered a second semester test that encompasses all of the material covered in the semester.