US History Course Information

Regular classes – Year-long course

Dual Credit classes – 2nd-semester course

DeKalb High School

Mrs. Heather Daniel

DHS Room 208

903-667-2422 x2208

heather.daniel@dekalbisd.net

Visit my webpage at https://www.dekalbisd.net/70845_3

Conference 5^th  period (12:50-1:50) 

Course Description:

This course will use a continuation of the US history that began in 8th grade.  We will study the history of the United States following Reconstruction (1877) to the present.

Course Rationale:

The purpose of this course is to make you think about our national history and how it makes us who we are.  History is not just a jumble of dates and names, but rather a story about our past that helps us understand some of the fundamental American ideals that set us apart from the rest of the world.  Those stories will  provoke questions about history and what effect that history has had on our lives.

We are fortunate enough to live in one of the greatest nations in the history of the world.  By studying American history, we come to appreciate how it all began, and earn respect for those who made it this way.  Lessons of courage, wisdom, and persistence are everywhere in our history, along with many mistakes that accompany the growing pains of a nation.

Course Expectations

• Students will demonstrate respect for themselves, their classmates, their teacher, the physical environment of the classroom, and the various topics and viewpoints we consider.

  • Students will give their attention to whoever “has the floor,” be it a teacher or another student.

  • Students will not work on assignments for other classes until all work for this class has been completed and turned in.

  • Students will wait to pack up until I have indicated that class is over.

• Students will come to class on time, with all necessary supplies, having completed all assignments, prepared to actively participate in class.

• Students will keep and maintain a US History Interactive Notebook (INB). This will help to organize class notes and materials, serve as a tool to make meaningful connections across the curriculum, and as a resource to prepare for the unit assessments, semester and final exams, and the state End of Course (EOC) exams.

• Students will take responsibility for themselves and their learning.

Teaching Philosophy/Words of Wisdom from the Teacher

Grades are earned by students, and not given by teachers.  I will give you everything you need in order to be successful.  Ultimately it will be your choice as to whether or not you wish to succeed.

Instructional Methods

I will strive to meet a variety of student learning styles.  To accomplish this, we will use critical thinking skills to explain and apply different methods to interpret the history, culture and environmental challenges around the world.  Some of the teaching strategies may include:

Lecture/Discussion               Student projects                       Primary document interpretation  

Research                                Content videos                          Historical simulation

Group activities                    Analysis of historical art            Analyze maps, charts, graphs

Course Objective

Students will gain an understanding of historical content that focuses on the political, economic, and social events and issues related to:

• Developing America’s identity

• Industrialization and Urbanization

• Major wars/conflicts

• Reform movements

• Causes and effects of the Great Depression

• Domestic and foreign policies of the Cold War and post-Cold War eras

• Impact of Constitutional issues on American society

• Evaluate the dynamic relationships of the three branches of the federal government

• Analyze efforts to expand the democratic process

• Relationship between the arts and times during which they were created

• Impact of technological innovations

Units of Study

Unit 1: Thinking Like a Historian

Unit 2: Growing Pains- the Gilded Age / 2^nd Industrial Revolution1877-1898

Unit 3: Reforming America- the Progressive Era 1898-1920

Unit 4: Emergence as a World Power- Spanish-American War and WWI 1898-1920

Unit 5: Boom Time- 1920s America 1920-1929

Unit 6: Economic Bust- the Great Depression 1929-1939 

Unit 7: Total War- World War 2 1939-1945

Unit 8: Differing Ideologies- The Cold War 1945-1970s (Korean & Vietnam Wars, Anti-War Movement, Arms Race, Space Race, Cuban Missile Crisis, etc.)

Unit 9: Liberty and Justice for All- Civil Rights Movement 1900-1970s (Women’s, African American, Chicano/Latino, Native American Civil Rights Movements)

Unit 10: A Growing World Presence- New National Directions 1970-1990 (Conservative Revolution)

Unit 11: A New Century Turns- History During Our Own Lives 1990-Present Day

Unit 12: Ever-Changing America- Yesterday's Challenges and Today's Opportunities 

Evaluation/Assessment

Student learning will be assessed in a variety of ways, including writing assignments, presentations, homework, class participation, projects, tests, quizzes, and others.

Unit assessments will be given upon completion of each unit of study.  These assessments may include multiple choice questions, open ended items, and interpretation of maps, charts/graphs, or other graphics.  The cumulative average of these unit assessments will count as 15% of the students nine weeks average.