Welcome to American Studies!

2007-2008

Instructors

Mr. Thorburn (U.S. History) Mrs. Woollen (Literature/Writing)

Seminar: A211 Seminar: A113

e-mail: pat.thorburn@d214.org email: joy.woollen@d214.org;

Free Periods: 4 & 7 Free Periods: 4 & 8

This course is dedicated to the propositions that those who forget the past tend to repeat it; that those who have never learned about it do not even know enough to forget it before they repeat it; and that those who, through either obliviousness or ignorance do not come to grips with it, will be at history’s mercy on the day when it takes them by surprise and knocks them on their rear. Class activities, presentations, and readings have been designed in a desperate effort to remedy their plight.

FYI

• A separate grade will be given for each subject.

• In some instances, assignments will count for both a grade in history and a grade in English.

• Extra credit may be offered by an individual teacher. Guidelines will apply to that specific assignment and teacher.

• District 214 policy allows for an alternative assignment should you or your parent object to the content of text material. See your teacher for an alternative assignment form if these objections exist.

Reading Quizzes

American Studies is a college preparatory course and, to that end, reading will be assigned almost every night. It is important to keep up with the reading as it is assigned. To ensure that reading is being completed, periodic reading quizzes will be given. There will be a total of 12 unannounced history reading quizzes and 12 unannounced literature quizzes. In each course, your best 8 reading quiz scores will count towards your grade. (The four lowest scores will be dropped). However, please note that under this policy there will be no make up quizzes for any reason, even in the case of excused absences. Therefore don’t skip a number of early readings with the thought that you can make it up later, because if later you are sick and you miss a quiz, a score of 0 will be recorded and there will be no make up. Each reading quiz will be worth 25 points. Therefore, your best 8 will contribute up to 200 points to your semester grade in each subject. That is the equivalent of two examinations.

Class Participation and Homework

American Studies does night assign nightly homework per se. Your main assignment will be to read every night. In addition to ensuring successful performance in American Studies, reading a minimum of 30 minutes per day has been proven to significantly increase your ACT score. In addition to reading, a short number of “minor assignments” may be assigned. Such assignments may include Internet research and presentation of research, synthesizing historical documents or articles, and/or production of a short paragraph.

Active class participation is strongly encouraged. You are not limited to participating only when called on. Regular participation is encouraged. Students who participate in a positive manner in a way that is above and beyond class expectations will be eligible for up to a 2% bonus added to their semester grade in the applicable course.

Integrated Projects (History & English)

During each semester, up to three integrated projects will be assigned. Some projects will require an oral presentation. These projects may be done individually or in groups and grades will count for both history and English.

SOAPS Papers

A major focus of American Studies will be the use of primary documents. A good deal of the historian’s work revolves around such documents. While reading a historical document, it is important to consider the document’s Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, and Significance. During the semester, you will be required to analyze FOUR historical documents. Directions for these papers are attached to this course description. You must turn in at least one paper during each of the four grading periods of the semester. SOAPS papers are limited to 350 words. SOAPS papers must be turned in on the date indicated on the unit calendar and late papers will not be accepted.

Research Paper

By district policy, a research paper is required of all juniors in American Studies. It is essential preparation for college-bound students. In order to receive credit for the course, the paper MUST be completed. A significant amount of course time will be devoted to the research unit and the writing of the term paper. Students should be aware that points will be assigned to pre-writing activities and that no revisions of the final paper will be accepted.

Grades

Your grade for each course will be based on points earned on reading quizzes, projects, essays, exams, and homework assignments. The total number of points may vary from semester to semester. Your grade will be determined by dividing the total number of points possible to date by the total number of points you have earned and multiplying by 100. Grades will be assigned according to the following schedule:

89.1 % and above = A

79.1% - 89.0% = B

69.1% - 79.0% = C

59.1% -69.0% = D

59.0% and below = F

Attendance & Classroom Policies

Your regular attendance is vital to success in this course as even just one absence can cause you to fall behind considerably. While attendance does not make up part of your course grade - ie, there is no penalty for unexcused absences - irregular attendance will certainly lead to a lower grade. Students absent on the day of an examination will be expected to see Mr. Thorburn or Mrs. Woollen immediately upon their return to schedule a make-up exam as soon as possible. Make-up examinations may be different than the ones taken in class.

Since this is a junior level class, we do not anticipate problems. We intend to treat you like upperclassmen.

Because of the large number of the students in American Studies, we will be assigning seats. Please sit in your assigned seat.

Regular tardiness that causes disruption to the classroom environment will be dealt with according to the RMHS Attendance Policy. We will deal with tardiness on a daily basis (ie, we will not keep track separately of gold tardies and purple tardies.) We will allow FOUR (4) tardies (of less than 10 minutes) without penalty per semester. After the 4^th tardy, a phone call home will be made and a referral to the administration will be submitted.
Food & drink is allowed in the classroom as long as no remnants of your nourishment are left on the desks/floor/radiator/classroom furniture/chalkboard ledge/Mr. Thorburn’s backpack after class.
Cell phones are now prohibited in the classroom per a new Board of Education policy. However, we do not plan on conducting search and seizure exercises to enforce this new Board policy 4.30.1. But please be warned, if a cell phone rings during class, we reserve the right to answer the phone and publicly embarrass you. If this is not a possibility you relish, please don’t bring your cell phone to class, or at the very least, make sure it is turned off. Cell phones that ring during an examination are grounds for a 10% penalty to your score on the first offense and a 50% penalty on any and all subsequent offenses.
Finally, during class presentations and discussions, your full attention (or at least the appearance of your full attention) is expected. Please do not read, do homework, sleep, or hold side conversations with others. These actions will be taken as a serious sign of disrespect and result in the complete ostracism and humiliation of the parties involved and may even prevent them from graduating, marrying, or obtaining a night host position at Denny’s.

Academic Integrity Policy

All students in American Studies are expected to be familiar with and agree in writing to abide by the attached Township High School District 214 Board of Education’s Academic Integrity policy, which states that students are expected to abide by standards of academic honesty in all work which demonstrates their knowledge and for which credit is awarded. Failure to abide by these standards will result in loss of credit for the assignment in question, and no opportunities for alternative credit will be provided. Students found to be in violation of the Academic Integrity policy in American Studies will be ineligible to receive a letter of recommendation from Mr. Thorburn or Mrs. Woollen in the future.