Course Syllabus

Millsap High School – 2018-2019
11th Grade United States History
1877 to present day
Room 409
Coach Riley

email: Briley@millsapisd.net

Course Description:
In this course, which is the second part of a two-year study of U.S. history that begins in Grade 8, students study the history of the United States since Reconstruction to the present. Historical content focuses on the political, economic, and social events and issues related to industrialization and urbanization, major wars, domestic and foreign policies of the Cold War and post-Cold War eras, and reform movements including civil rights. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major events and analyze causes and effects of the Great Depression.

Students will 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 the times during
which they were created. Students analyze the impact of technological innovations on the American labor
movement. Students use critical-thinking skills to explain and apply different methods that historians use to
interpret the past, including points of view and historical context. At the end of the course students will be
taking the EOC exam as mandated by the State of Texas and will count towards graduation.

Class room expectations.

Always be:
o Prompt- Tardiness is unacceptable unless the student has a signed pass or a unique
circumstance that requires immediate attention
o Prepared- Organization and academic readiness are essential for success. Students must be prepared to work from bell to bell.
o Productive- Complete all assignments in the time allotted
o Polite- Be respectful and considerate of people and property
o Bring your own device- technology will be utilized at the teacher’s academic
discretion. 

Grades (Based on 100 points each)
Major Exams/Projects/Essays – 50%
In Class Assignments and outside Class Assignments-- 50%: Notebook checks, quizzes, participation, discussion, etc.

Late Work:
One day late -10 pts off
Two days late- 20 pts off
Three days late- 30 pts off

Students will be allowed to retake tests and earn up to half of their points back. 

Extra Credit will be determined at the discretion of the teacher.

Primary Source Analysis Tools for all students
When analyzing primary sources decide how reliable or trustworthy a primary source is. Furthermore, look
at all aspects of the source. All the information featured is important. You will need to determine if you see
bias in the source based on background historical information you already know or will be studying. The
following primary source tools are utilized often in this history course.
SOAPSTONE- analyzing documents and excerpts of a primary source
OPTIC- Primary source tool for analyzing visuals
APPARTS- primary source tool used for analyzing visuals or excerpts
TACOS- Political Cartoon Analysis

Vocab Tests: We will take Vocab Tests in this class. I will give 10-20 words and the students will be required to learn the definitions and be able to write the definitions of the words.

Title of notes
Questions
Vocab
words
Reminders
Test alerts

In this column you will only record the lecture/notes, abbreviations, list facts,
Skip spaces between topics. 
Units and Themes
Unit One: Foundations and Background to American History
Unit Two : Industrialization and the Gilded Age
Unit Three: American Society in Transition
Unit Four: The Progressive Era
Unit Five: America builds an Empire
Unit Six: America in WWI
Unit Seven: The Roaring Twenties
Unit Eight: The Great Depression and the New Deal
Unit Nine: America in WWII
Unit Ten: America in the Cold War and the Civil Rights Years
Unit Eleven: The Sixties: A Decade of Protest and Change
Unit Twelve: Crisis and Resurgence
Unit Thirteen: America in the New Millenium

Much of our class will be online, but all necessary supplies (notebook, pens, pencils, etc) should be brought to class every day. Most exams will be online, as well as many assignments. We will do discussion posts online as well.