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This year we will be studying American history. Topics will include life and thought in colonial America, revolutionary ideology, Constitutional development and US government, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy, and Manifest Destiny (expansion of the country from coast to coast). Other topics will include the Civil War, Reconstruction, immigration, industrialism, Populism, progressivism, The Jazz Age, the Great Depression, The New Deal, the Cold War, Post Cold War and current events. I have chosen to leave out the World Wars and other international events that will be covered in greater depth in other courses to be able to better focus on more modern American history. This course will cover key events and people in America’s transformation from a English colony to a political, economic, and cultural superpower.
In addition to the topics above, I will focus on key themes that will help unravel what it is to be American. These themes will include discussion on American diversity, the development of a unique American identity, the evolution of culture, economic trends and transformations, the role of religion and its role in a multicultural society and Americas place in the modern globalized world. The themes will be traced throughout the year, emphasizing their interconnectedness and how they shape the changes over times that are so important to understanding United States history.
While the topics and themes will ensure an understanding of history we will also continue to work on skills that will be useful in academic and professional careers. This will mean practicing public speaking, writing, working with primary sources, taking standardized tests and being kept well read on international current events. This year my main focus in regards to skills will be to push you to be independent. You will be asked to read news articles and understand information with less help than in middle school and report it to the class. As you grow as adults you will need to be more and more self sufficient and responsible-something we will be working on in class.
Materials:
Students are required to bring a pen and or pencil and a notebook to class everyday. Students will also need to have a folder for Model United Nations handouts.
Grading:
40% Assignment (essays, maps, MUN work, oral reports etc…)
30% Chapter Tests (generally 2 per trimester)
15% Homework (small assignments, book work, readings)
15% Behavior (punctuality, being prepared for class, respecting students and teachers, participation, use of time)
Expectations:
I expect students to make a conscious effort to better themselves during the year. By the last day of school students will understand history better and should be able to write, debate, and speak in public better than when they entered the class.
I expect social studies class to be enjoyable for the class and for myself. To achieve this we must progress in the areas mentioned above and respect one another. This requires students to try their best in their studies and make an effort to be polite.
Feel free to contact me at
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Check out my cartoons at http://sites.google.com/a/bfischool.org/bfis-social-studies-image-bank/Home/rugs-cartoons
Sincerely,
Youth Assembly information at http://sites.google.com/a/bfischool.org/youth-assembly-2008/
Habitat for Humanity Information http://sites.google.com/a/bfischool.org/habitat4humanity/parent-letter
Sincerely,
Adam Rugnetta
MUN Podcasts:
Extra credit Podcasts:
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