Welcome to American Studies!

2006-07

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: 2 & 7 Free Periods: 3 & 7

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.

FIRST SEMESTER ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING - U.S. HISTORY

Examinations

During each semester, there will be THREE mid-term examinations and the semester final examination. Exams may consist of a mixture of different types of questions, but will usually contain an objective part and an essay. All mid-term exams will be worth 100 points each and the semester final exams will be worth 300 points each.

MIDTERM # 1 - THE 1990’S and BEYOND - 100 points

Text - Chapter 26 & Fast Food Nation

MIDTERM # 2 - RECONSTRUCTION, THE WEST, THE GILDED AGE - 100 points

Text - Chapters 4.4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & Devil in the White City

MIDTERM # 3 - PROGRESSIVE ERA, IMPERIALISM, WORLD WAR I - 100 points

Text - Chapters 9, 10, 11

SEM 1 FINAL - All Above plus 1920s, GREAT DEPRESSION, NEW DEAL - 300 points

Text - Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15

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 While reading a historical document, it is important to consider the document’s Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, and Significance. During the semester, you will be required to analyze FIVE historical documents. Directions for these papers are attached to this course description. 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.

Reading Quizzes

Each unit will be accompanied by a calendar of assigned readings for history. To ensure that reading is being completed, periodic reading quizzes will be given. There will be a total of 12 unannounced history reading quizzes, of which the best 8 will count towards your grade. 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.

Class Participation and Homework

Throughout the semester a short number of “minor assignments” and readings will be assigned. Such assignments may include Internet research and presentation of research, synthesizing historical documents or articles, and/or production of a short paragraph. These assignments, as well as continual positive participation in the classroom environment can contribute up to 200 points to your semester grade.

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.

Integrated Projects (History & English)

During each semester, three integrated projects on cultural and popular culture in U.S. History will be assigned that involve oral presentations and the use of multi-media. These projects will usually be done in groups and grades will count for both history and English.

Exciting Historical Museum Visit Option (U.S. History)

You have ONE opportunity to earn extra credit each semester. During the first semester, you can earn 20 points by visiting a historical museum or a state/national historic site, and sending me a postcard from the site. In order to receive credit for this assignment, it must meet the following criteria:

it must be dated (postmarks suffice as dated)
it absolutely must list two significant details that you learned about the history of the nation, state, or region that you found interesting
it must contain a sentence of no more than 50 words linking what you learned at the museum or site to larger themes you have learned in American Studies

During the second semester, you can earn 20 points by writing a review of a Hollywood motion picture that depicts an event of significance in U.S. History. See Mr. Thorburn for suggested movies, for approval of a movie you would like to review, and for a copy of the assignment required to earn credit.

Grading

To review, your first semester history grade will be determined by your grades on the following:

Three Midterm Exams (100 pts. each) 300 points

USA Map Test 100 points

Summer Reading Test 50 points

Five SOAPS Analysis papers (50 pts. each) 250 points

Eight Pop Reading Quizzes (25 pts. each) 200 points

Three formal Essays (100 pts. each) 300 points

Three Integrated Projects (100 pts. each) 300 points

Participation 200 points

Final Exam 300 points

TOTAL 2000 POINTS

FIRST SEMESTER ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING - LITERATURE & WRITING

Examinations

MIDTERM # 1 - CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE - 100 points

Text - Handouts & Fast Food Nation

MIDTERM # 2 - REGIONALISM, REALISM, NATURALISM - 50 points

Text - Short Stories & Devil in the White City

MIDTERM # 3 - HEMINGWAY ERA AND MODERN POETRY - 50 points

Text - Short Stories & Poems

MIDTERM # 4 - THE GREAT GATSBY - 50 points

Text - The Great Gatsby

SEM 1 FINAL - All Above plus Literature of the 1930’s - 300 points

Text - Short Stories, excerpts from The Grapes of Wrath

Reading Quizzes

Each unit will be accompanied by a calendar of assigned readings for literature. To ensure that reading is being completed, periodic reading quizzes will be given. There will be a total of 12 unannounced reading quizzes, of which the best 8 will count towards your grade. 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.

Homework & Participation

Throughout the semester a short number of “minor assignments” and readings will be assigned. Such assignments may include Internet research and presentation of research, analysis of literature, synthesizing historical documents or articles, and/or production of a short paragraph. These assignments, as well as continual positive participation in the classroom environment can contribute up to 200 points to your semester grade.

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.

Exciting Extra Credit Option

You have ONE opportunity to earn extra credit each semester. During the first semester, you can earn 20 points by writing bad Hemingway. This assignment will be explained during the appropriate unit.

Your first semester Literature & Writing grade will be determined by your grades on the following:

Contemporary Lit Test/FF Nation SOAP 100 points

Regionalism, Realism, Naturalism EXAM 50 points

Hemingway/Modern Poetry EXAM 50 points

Lit of the 1930s EXAM 50 points

Great Gatsby EXAM 50 points

Eight Pop Reading Quizzes (25 pts. each) 200 points

Muckraker Essay (& Revisions) 100 points

Research Paper PREP 150 points

Research Paper 500 points

Three Integrated Projects (100 pts. each) 300 points

Eight Pop Reading Quizzes 200 points

Participation 200 points

Final Exam 300 points

TOTAL 2000 POINTS

Grades will be assigned based on the number of points earned, as shown below:

1800 or more points earned A

1600-1799 points earned B

1400-1599 points earned C

1200-1399 points earned D

less than 1200 points earned 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 a mid-term examination will be expected to see Mr. Thorburn or Mrs. Woollen immediately upon their return to schedule a make-up examination 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 would really appreciate if we never have to invoke these consequences.
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.