COURSE DESCRIPTION: This year-long course will trace our nations history from pre-Columbian societies

through late 20th century America. Students will learn how to interpret maps, analyze primary source
documents, and how to write historical essays.

EVALUATION: 45% - 1st Quarter 45% - 2nd Quarter 10% - Semester Final
1. Unit Exams: Each unit exam will have a mixed format that may include, but is not limited to matching,
identication, multiple choice, short answer, and essay. There will be one exam per unit. ***Make up
tests will consist exclusively of short answer and essay questions.***
2. Quizzes: At the end of each chapter, a quiz will be administered and will contain a mixed format of
questions including, but not limited to, multiple choice, matching, and short answer.
3. Finals: At the end of each semester a comprehensive semester nal will be given to every student.
4. Notebooks: Each student is REQUIRED to keep a U.S. History notebook. Students should have a 1
1/2 or 2 inch three-ring binder with 5 dividers. Notebooks will be graded once per quarter on the
following criteria: quality of notes, completion, order, and neatness.
5. Other Assignments: This will consist of unit reviews, map assignments, reading, analytical
worksheets, cooperative learning assignments, document analysis, essays, and other written
assignments. Throughout the year, students will complete projects such as oral presentations, research
papers, and in-class debates.

SUPPLIES:
4 red folders with fasteners (1 per quarter)
Notebook paper
Black pens or pencils

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:
1. Class Participation: Be present (You cant learn if you arent here!) and on time (You dont want to go to
ISS.) and participate in appropriate class discussion.
2. Assignments: Your name, date, and class period should appear in the top right-hand corner of each
page of an assignment. Please use only a pencil or a blue or black pen. Please do not turn in
assignments completed on torn out spiral notebook paper. Every student is expected to do every
assignment. If you miss a deadline, come see me, and we will talk.
3. Absences: It is YOUR responsibility to ask me for your make up work when you are absent for any
reason. If you missed class notes, get them from a neighbor.
4. Behavior: No food or drinks (other than water) are allowed in class. You are expected to do your own
work. If you are caught cheating, copying work, or allowing others to cheat off of you and/or copy your
work, you will receive a zero on the assignment/test

CONSEQUENCES: Anything that disrupts the learning process is a discipline problem.
1. First violation-warning, discipline form lled out.
2. Second violation-school discipline form and a trip to the ofce.
3. Some violations may be so severe that the rst offense may require removal to the ofce.
4. Students who refuse to conform to the rules, commit acts of vandalism, or who are incoherent will be
removed immediately from class by an administrator.
!"#$%&'( *%+,-$.
Course Syllabus
Danielle Trent
Van Buren High School

COURSE OUTLINE:
Fall Semester Spring Semester
1st Quarter: August to October

1. Unit #1 Origins of a New Nation
Many Cultures Meet (Prehistory-1550)
Europeans Establish Colonies (1492-1752)
The American Colonies Take Shape
(1607-1765)

2. Unit #2 Creating the American Republic
The American Revolution (1765-1783)
Creating the Constitution (1781-1789)
The New Republic (1789-1816)

3. Unit #3 Expansion & Reform Part 1
Nationalism & Sectionalism (1812-1855)

2nd Quarter: October to December

3. Unit #3 Expansion & Reform Part II
Religion & Reform (1812-1860)
Manifest Destiny (1800-1850)

4. Unit #4 Civil War & Reconstruction
The Union in Crisis (1846-1861)
The Civil War (1861-1865)
The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)

5. Unit #5 Industrialization of the United States
The Triumph of Industry (1865-1914)
Immigration & Urbanization (1865-1914)
The South & West Transformed (1865-1900)
Issues of the Gilded Age (1877-1900)
3rd Quarter: January to March

6. Unit #6 Emergence of the Modern United States
The Progressive Era (1890-1920)
An Emerging World Power (1890-1917)
World War I and Beyond (1914-1920)

7. Unit #7 Prosperity of Depression
The Twenties (1919-1929)
The Great Depression (1928-1932)
The New Deal (1932-1941)

8. Unit #8 World War II & Postwar America Part I
The Coming of War (1931-1942)
World War II (1941-1945)

4th Quarter: March to June

8. Unit #8 World War II & Postwar America Pt. II
The Cold War (1945-1960)
Postwar Condence & Anxiety (1945-1960)

9. Unit #9 Challenges & Change
The Civil Rights Movement (1945-1975)
The Kennedy & Johnson Years (1960-1968)
The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975)
An Era of Protest & Change (1960-1980)
A Crisis in Condence (1968-1980)
10. Unit #10 Changing & Enduring Issues
The Conservative Resurgence (1980-1993)
Into a New Century (1992-Present)
*This syllabus is a tentative schedule and proposed method of evaluation. The schedule and proposed
method of evaluation may change depending upon the progress of the class.*
CONTACT INFORMATION: My planning period is 5
th
hour. I am usually available from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30
p.m. every school day. The school phone number is 474-6821, and my extension is 1703. I can also be
reached by email at danielle.trent@vbsd.us.

!"#$%&'( *%+,-$.
Mrs. Danielle Trent
Van Buren High School
Fall 2014Spring 2015
I agree that I received a copy of the course syllabus for the class mentioned above.
I understand the course requirements and that I am expected to attend class meetings.
Student Name: ______________________________________________________ Date: _______________
Student Signature: ________________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature: ________________________________________________________________________
Parent e-mail: ________________________________________________________________________