U.S.

History Course Syllabus

Orangewood Academy 2015-2016

Instructor: Mr. WhiteRoom 201

Email: dwhite@orangewoodacademy.com
Website: www.whiteoa.com
The Big Questions: What does it mean to be American?
How did America come to be what it is
today?
Course Description
During this course the students will chronologically study U.S. history with a
focus on the major political, social, economic, and cultural developments that
have led to the current role of the United States in world affairs. There will be
a specific focus on foreign policy as well as domestic events and
developments that have shaped and contributed to the major social policy
issues in contemporary American society.

Course Objectives
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

Students will compare the present with the past evaluating the
consequences of past events and decisions and determining the
lessons that were learned.
Students will use a variety of maps and documents to interpret
human movement, including major patterns of domestic and
international migration, changing environmental preferences and
settlement patterns, the frictions that develop between population
groups, and the diffusion of ideas, technological innovations, and
goods.
Students will distinguish valid arguments from fallacious arguments
in historical interpretations.
Students will identify bias and prejudice in historical interpretations.
Students will construct hypotheses; collect, evaluate and employ
information from multiple primary and secondary sources; and
apply it in oral and written presentations.

Required Materials
Danzer, Gerald A. The Americans. New York: Holt McDougal, 2012.
Paper
Writing Utensils

Class Website

Homework assignments for the week will be posted on Mondays at

www.whiteoa.com. Unit schedules and other class information are also
available on the history website.

Participation
Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared with a writing
utensil and textbook/notebook/homework (as assigned). Participation
also includes active in-class discussion and/or other class activities. Students
will receive participation points for actively participating in class activities.
Failure to come to class prepared and/or failure to participate in class
activities may result in the loss of 5 daily points per class period.

Daily Work
Daily reading and written assignments are given from the textbook or other
supplementary materials. Students are expected to turn in homework by the
end of the day that is the homework is due.

Projects/Research Paper
Various projects and/or research papers will be assigned during the year.
Papers may vary from 1-8 pages in length and will range in topics.

Quizzes/Tests
Quizzes will require reading outside of the classroom. This reading will be
crucial for success on quizzes, and essentially for success in the class. Tests
will be given at the end of each unit unless announced otherwise in class by
the instructor. If a student earns less than 70% on any test, the student may
retake the test but cannot earn any grade higher than a 70% on any retake.
Quizzes CANNOT be retaken.

Late Work
Late work will not be accepted. Any student missing class for an excused
medical absence or school sponsored activity will have up to 1 week from
the day of the absence to make up quizzes or tests or turn in homework.
Any exception to this policy will be made at Mr. Whites discretion.

Semester Final
A comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of each semester.

Extra Credit

Various opportunities for extra credit will be given at the instructors

discretion.

Movie Nights
On certain Sundays throughout the year, movies will be shown that
supplement the unit material. As attendance at these events is not required,
attendance at these movie nights will result in credit for 2 additional
assignments.

Grades
Homework
Quizzes
Tests
Projects/Papers
Semester final

A
AB+
B
BC+

10%
35%
20%
20%

94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%

15%

C
CD+
D
DF

73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
0-59%

Expectations (as specified in the Orangewood Academy student

handbook)

Spirituality: Each student will identify and demonstrate components of a

Christian lifestyle including moral and ethical behavior based on biblical
principles and founded on a grace orientation.
Scholarship: Each student will acquire skills in studying, critical thinking,
practical living, goal-setting, and personal assessment.
Sportsmanship: Each student will demonstrate fitness, self-control, teamwork,
and honesty by modeling respect, courtesy, and consideration.
Service: Each student will recognize membership in the world community and
an inherent ability to positively impact the environment and society.

Honesty Policy
See OA Student Handbook for policy.

Attendance Policy
If the number of absences exceeds 15% of the class, credit will not be
issued for the class. All school-related activities do not count against the
15%. Student is responsible for bringing a note signed by a parent/guardian
in order to obtain an excused absence for class purposes.

Discipline Policy
In general this is the process that will be followed in the case of behavior or
activity that is distracting to the education process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Verbal warning
Loss of participation point(s)
Out-of-class meeting between instructor and student to address
issue. Parent/guardian will be contacted and informed on issue.
Out-of-class meeting between instructor, parent, and student .
Referral will be given and issue will be presented to the principal.

I have read and understand the above information

and class policies.
_______________________________________
___________________________________
Parent
Date

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Student