William Van Wyck
Social Studies Teacher
Edmonds Woodway High School 		EWHS Edmonds SD

Syllabus

Instructor: William Van Wyck
EWHS Credit: US History 1.0 (year long)
School Phone: (425) 431 - 6098
E-mail:vanwyckw@edmonds.wednet.edu
Office Location: E100

Enduring Understandings – This course is a chronological and thematic study, from roughly 1870 to the present, of the people and events that have shaped the course of the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. Specific connections to Washington State history will be emphasized in several units. This course meets Washington State requirements for graduation. Each teacher will provide opportunities for students to complete state mandated CBAs on constitutional issues.

Semester 1

Constitution and the New Nation

  • Social and economic unrest lead to political upheaval and change.
  • New ideas about political and economic structures, rights and responsibilities shaped political change.
  • Possible CBA/Anchor Task: Reflection of American Values in the Constitution

Manifest Destiny and the Move West

  • Expansion west led to the end of the frontier and a new democratic US society.
  • Government response to race, gender and equality has reshaped economic and political policies and institutions

Gilded Age/Industrial America

  • Technological innovations transformed the country politically, socially, and economically
  • As a result, the US emerged as a major economic power.
  • Immigration changes the nature of American society affecting its politics, economy and culture.

Imperialism and the Progressives

  • Survival and prosperity depend upon the strength of economic systems.
  • Individuals and institutions are deeply affected by economic cycles and government actions
  • An economic and/or social crisis can alter the role of government
  • Cultural values and economic interests guide US foreign policy decisions.
  • Possible CBA/Anchor Task: American Values in US Foreign Policy.

Semester 2

Wars of the 20th century

  • International and domestic conflicts can be addressed economically, politically, and socially.
  • Since WWII the US has taken a leadership role in the global politics.
  • Perceptions of human rights differ based on cultural, social, economic, and political identities.
  • Possible CBA/Anchor TasK: American Values and Constitution during war.

Prosperity to Despair/ New Deal

  • Social and economic unrest lead to political upheaval and change
  • New ideas about political and economic structures, rights and responsibilities, shape political identities.

Civil Rights Movement

  • Groups of people acting together can bring about change.
  • The increasing empowerment of minorities has affected American politics, economics, culture, and society.
  • Government response to race, gender and equality has reshaped economic and political policies and institutions.

Contemporary America

  • Cultural values and economic interests guide US foreign policy decisions.
  • Globalization has affected US in both positive and negative ways. Fundamental values shift in relation to economic, social and political changes
  • There is continuing debate regarding what the role of government should be in addressing social and economic issues.

                                          

Essential Questions and/or Learning Targets

  • What is the role of the citizen in the American democratic system?
  • Which historical events, people and periods helped shape US History through the 1980’s?
  • What factors lead to, and result from, individual and group conflict and interdependence?
  • What are the effects of technology, science and the arts on US history?
  • How do you distinguish between fact from opinion, bias and personal points of view?
  • How does history help in reaching conclusions, solving problems and making decisions?
  • What is a significant issue in US history and how do you research that topic.
  • What are the differences between primary and secondary materials in research?
  • What is the best method in reporting the results of historical research?

Grading and Final Exams

A

100% - 93%

B+

89% - 87%

C+

79% - 77%

D+

69% - 67%

A-

92% - 90%

B

86% - 83%

C

76% - 73%

D

66% - 60%

 

 

B-

82% - 80%

C-

72% - 70%

F

Below 60%

Final grades will be a compilation of the following criteria:

  • Exams – (40%) These are unit tests, quizzes and other formative and summative assessments.
  • Participation – (20%) Grades are earned through attending and participating and by completing homework, projects, in class activities, tests and quizzes for points. The EWHS Social Studies department adheres to the philosophy that all courses will promote citizenship and active participation in a democratic society; therefore students are expected to be present and perform in class regularly. It is often difficult to re-create active learning experiences (debates, presentations, simulations, etc) missed in class. Therefore we have agreed that in-class participation will comprise 20% of each student’s grade.
  • Other – (40%) Homework, Class work, and other activities

Each student is required to complete a state mandated Classroom Based Assessment on Constitutional Issues by the end of they course. Additionally Each student is required to complete a common departmental final exam each semester.

Materials
In addition to the textbook, students must have all the following items in class each day:

  • A 2” or larger 3-ring binder. Assignments and handouts will be kept for the semester.
  • 2 pencils
  • 2 blue or black pens
  • notebook paper

Attendance
The EWHS Social Studies department adheres to the philosophy that all courses will promote citizenship and active participation in a democratic society; therefore students are expected to be present and perform in class regularly. It is often difficult to re-create active learning experiences (debates, presentations, simulations, etc) missed in class.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and see if it is possible to make up the credit.  Please come find me before or after school or consult my webpage.  If you have an unexcused absence the work cannot be made up.

Late Work/Make-Up Policy
Late work is accepted at half the value of earned points. Late work is not accepted after deadlines established for school wide progress reports during the semester. Students must arrange to make-up tests within two days of returning from an excused absence. Test make-ups are not possible after graded tests have been returned to other students.

Common School Expectations
Students are expected to follow all school rules which are stated in the EWHS student planner and online at our school website at http://school.edmonds.wednet.edu/ewhs.

Classroom Rules (those that are not school wide)
We are here to learn. Behavior and actions that distract from the learning of any student are not acceptable in this class. It is necessary to demonstrate respect for other students, teachers, the classroom space, and yourself. If we all demonstrate this respect for each other and our classroom, disruptions disappear.
Headphones, electronic music players, sunglasses, as well as food and drink in the classroom are all ways of showing disrespect for our learning environment and each other. These items will not be allowed in the classroom.

Pagers and Mobile Phones are discouraged, but if you must have one, set it to silent mode and ignore it during class. If a pager or phone does sound audibly in class or you appear distracted by it, it will be confiscated and given to the dean of students. Telephones are to be used during your own time.