Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
PREREQUISITE: Above average academic achievement as indicated by a grade of “A” or “B” in both 10 th
grade World History and 10th grade English; recommendation for student enrollment in Honors U.S. History
by the student’s 10th grade World History teacher, the 10th grade English teacher, or both. Students/parents
who wish to challenge this policy must attend a student-parent conference with the teacher & counselor and
sign a commitment agreement.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Designed for the college bound, the GATE qualified, or for the student who
seeks a challenging academic curriculum in U.S. History. In this course, students will acquire knowledge of
American history from the colonial period to present day, with major emphasis on the development of
American ideals and institutions. Students will use original source documents and other resources to
supplement the text as they study the social, cultural, intellectual, economic, political, and diplomatic history
of our country. This will require all students who take this course to possess good reading, essay writing and
critical thinking skills, and to continually improve theses skills as the school year progresses.
COURSE METHODS:
Reading from textbook, literature and other material ~ Lectures and note taking ~
Class discussions relating to assigned readings ~ Films, slide shows & PowerPoint presentations ~
Homework including both assigned readings and written responses ~ Term projects ~ Current events
assignments ~ Small group activities ~ Independent research ~ Written essays.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Throughout the school year, students will:
Master a broad body of historical knowledge ~ Demonstrate knowledge of historical chronology ~ Use
historical data to support an argument or position ~ Differentiate between historiographical schools of
thought ~ Interpret and apply data from original documents ~ Effectively use analytical skills of evaluation,
cause and effect, compare and contrast ~ Work effectively with others to produce products and solve
problems ~ Prepare for and attempt to successfully pass the SDCS semester examinations.
1
CLASSROOM RULES AND POLICIES:
1. The student is to be on time, in assigned seat and beginning work by the time the bell rings.
2. The student will come to class prepared to work by bringing all needed materials such as notebook,
paper, pencil, pen, textbook and any other material that may be required.
3. Respect the authority of the teacher and the rights of all students to learn.
4. Obtain teacher recognition before speaking; do not talk when the teacher or an acknowledged student is
speaking.
5. Electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, iPods, other MP3 players, CD players, accessories to
these devices, or similar items are to be kept turned off and stored out of sight, in purse or backpack.
6. Obey and follow all school rules, respect others and their material and property.
HOMEWORK:
Daily/Weekly homework assignments, which will include reading and written work, will be given. Students
are expected to complete all homework, and to manage their time in such a way as to meet all homework due
dates. No Late Work Will Be Accepted!!!
MAKE-UP WORK:
Since the student will be in class every day, except for legitimate reasons such as a serious illness, there
should be very few instances in which a student needs to make up work. All assignments will be posted on
the class website so that students remain informed about their assignments and due dates. As the result,
students will be expected to turn in legitimately missed work on the day of their return or at the latest, within
24 hours of their return. Legitimately missed tests must be made up by appointment after school, within the
next five class days. The teacher reserves the right to use alternative tests for make-up purposes. Failure to
make up missed assignments, including tests, in the manner described, will result in a grade of “zero” for the
missed assignment or test.
2
LEARNING EXPECTATION:
The state of California has adopted educational standards that describe the knowledge and skill sets that the
student is expected to acquire as the result of this course of study. I will plan lessons that address these
standards and will deliver a curriculum that meets the California Standards. In order to acquire the proper
knowledge and skill sets mentioned, the student must make the effort to learn, by accepting
responsibility for all work assigned and by self-managing the reading/homework load each week.
Properly executed, each student will exit this course with solid knowledge of all aspects of U.S. History.
CHEATING:
UCHS has an academic honesty policy that will be adhered to. Student behavior involving any form of
cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. This includes cheating on tests or quizzes, using “canned”
essays, copying another student’s homework, and/or any other form of dishonesty. Evidence of violation of
the UCHS honesty policy will result in a grade of zero for the assignment, no make up opportunity, a referral,
a call home to parents and the lowering of the student’s citizenship grade to “U”. Repeat offenders will be
subject to more severe consequences that can include reporting the offense on the student’s high school
transcript, receiving an “F” for the semester, and being dropped from Honors U.S. History.
3
PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED & SIGNED PAGE TO MR. IRWIN:
I have read the course syllabus, and I understand the course description, the teaching methods that will be
employed and how the grades will be calculated. I understand that the student is responsible for all class
work and homework, and that the student is expected to follow all school and class rules. I understand the
consequences for violating school or class rules, including honesty, tardiness, truancy, as well as poor
citizenship in class.
________________________________ ___________________________________
Student Printed Name Student Signature Date:
________________________________ ___________________________________
Parent Printed Name (Required) Parent Signature (Required) Date:
________________________________ ___________________________________
Parent Daytime Telephone Number Parent Evening Telephone Number
__________________________________________
Parent Email Address