Honors United States History Spring Semester 2012 Instructors: Ms. Emily Diggs & Ms.

Susan Szczepanik Location: Room F 105 Meeting Times: 3rd Period, Monday Friday

Office Location/ Office Hours: Room F 105, before or after school & during 6th period Email: msemilydiggs@gmail.com Course Website: http://msdiggshonorsus.weebly.com Course Description: The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of United States history from Reconstruction to the present day. Students will be exposed to the historical, geographic, political, economic, and sociological events which influenced the development of the United States and the resulting impact on world history. So that students can clearly see the relationship between cause and effect in historical events, students should have the opportunity to review those fundamental ideas and events which occurred before the end of Reconstruction. Methods of Instruction: Instructional methods for this course include, but are not limited to, interactive lectures, group work and collaboration, DVDs/videos, reading of text, and classroom discussions, along with multimedia projects. Course Requirements and Methods of Assessment: 1. Current Events (10%): Students will bring in a current event article (relating to events happening in the world today or primary source documents that are from the time we are currently studying) and a one page summary of this event that also includes their thoughts on the article. More details to follow. 2. Examinations (40%): These are announced examinations, all of which will be weighed equally. These demonstrations of knowledge will be over a number of chapters (the dates and chapters covered in said chapters can be found in the course outline), and students are responsible to be in class the day of the test. Make-up exams will only be given to a student if their absence the day of the exam is excused by the front office. 3. Projects (25%): Students will be given project prompts throughout the course of the semester. These projects will be due on dates that are forthcoming. Rubrics and writing suggestions for these will be given at a later date. There will be a 10 point deduction for each day that the project is late, and after 5 days the project is then a zero. 4. Quizzes (15%): Students will be given a quiz over the reading material and the lectures that will help them prepare for their tests. More information will be given on the quizzes as they approach.

5. In - Class Assignments (5%): Students will be given a number of in class assignments that they will complete in class. 6. Student Engagement (5%): Active participation is extremely important. Students should be responding to questions, and discussing the material we cover in class and in our readings. Along with this, students should be actively listening during class as well. *Detailed assignment descriptions and rubrics will be provided well in advance of the due dates and study guides will be distributed before examinations to help students prepare for tests* Grading Standards/ Scale: Grades will be based on a total point scale as described below. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Current Event - 10% Examinations - 40% Projects - 25% Quizzes - 15% In-Class Assignments - 5% Student Engagement - 5% A = 90-100 B = 89-80 C = 79-70 D = 69-60 F = 59-0

Grading Scale:

Electronic Devices: As per school policy, cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices will not be allowed in class. Laptops are also not allowed in class. Note taking is a skill that can only improve over time with practice, practice which will be done in class during lectures. Class Attendance Policy: Students are expected to meet all of the deadlines indicated in the syllabus. Should an assignment be turned in after the due date, a loss of ten (10) points per day will be deducted from the final assignment grade. All late assignments are to be turned in to the professor in hard copy form, with the date of submission at the top of the front page. Should a student choose to be absent on a day when an assignment is due, the assignment will be automatically be counted as late. If students do not come to class, that will be reflected in their grade. Academic Honesty: Please be advised that plagiarism and/or cheating is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. All citations must be cited properly according to MLA guidelines and referenced as necessary. Failure to provide proper credit to or omit citations will result in a score of zero (0) or Fail (F) being assigned for the assignment and further disciplinary action will be taken at the discretion of the instructor.

Technology in the Classroom: This semester we will be trying to incorporate some new technology in the classroom. One of the websites that will be available to students is Remind101s services. This website allows instructors to send a text to the class to remind them about upcoming assignments. Students are given the opportunity to text a phone number that is generated via the website (that is not the instructors) and the instructor texts the class without ever receiving students phone numbers. If you do not want to be included in this that is perfectly fine. This program acts solely as a reminder system for students and is not a requirement. Please feel free to look at the website at Remind101.com. *Instructor reserves the right to change or alter the syllabus and course outline. *

Student Contract I, __________________________, have read and understand the requirements of this course. I will do all of my work to the best of my ability and I will respect the work of others. I understand that plagiarism is unacceptable, and I will not turn in or take credit for the ideas of others. I will come to class prepared and I will respect my fellow classmates and their ideas.

________________________________________ (Students Signature)

Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment and Contact Info I/We have read and understand the course requirements and student expectations. Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________________________________ (Please Print) Email: _______________________________________ Phone: _________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________________________________