Syllabus


The Lighthouse Christian Academy
United States History
Mr. Josh Young
lcaushistory.blogspot.com
Spring 2013

"My God! How little do my country-men know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!" Thomas Jefferson

Class Overview:
Students in grade eleven study the major turning points in American history in the twentieth century. Following a review of the nation’s beginnings and the impact of the Enlightenment on U.S. democratic ideals, students build upon the tenth grade study of global industrialization to understand the emergence and impact of new technology and a corporate economy, including the social and cultural effects. They trace the change in the ethnic composition of American society; the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the United States as a major world power. An emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts as well as the continuing tension between the individual and the state. Students consider the major social problems of our time and trace their causes in historical events. They learn that the United States has served as a model for other nations and that the rights and freedoms we enjoy are not accidents, but the results of a defined set of political principles that are not always basic to citizens of other countries. Students understand that our rights under the U.S. Constitution are a precious inheritance that depends on an educated citizenry for their preservation and protection.

Course Description (Provided by the California History Standards):
1.     Students analyze the significant events in the founding of the nation and its attempts to realize the philosophy of government described in the Declaration of Independence.
2.     Students analyze the relationship among the rise of industrialization, large-scale rural-to-urban migration, and massive immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.
3.     Students analyze the role religion played in the founding of America, its lasting moral, social, and political impacts, and issues regarding religious liberty.
4.     Students trace the rise of the United States to its role as a world power in the twentieth century.
5.     Students analyze the major political, social, economic, technological, and cultural developments of the 1920s.
6.     Students analyze the different explanations for the Great Depression and how the New Deal fundamentally changed the role of the federal government.
7.     Students analyze America’s participation in World War II.
8.     Students analyze the economic boom and social transformation of post-World War II America.
9.     Students analyze U.S. foreign policy since World War II.
10.  Students analyze the development of federal civil rights and voting rights.
11.  Students analyze the major social problems and domestic policy issues in contemporary American society.

Required Textbook:
United States History in Christian Perspective: Heritage of Freedom (Third Edition) by Michael Lowman (Abeka Book, 2009)   It is found on www.classbook.com and www.abeka.com

Materials:
Three-ring binder
Dividers for homework and quizzes, Discovery period,  Revolutionary Period, Civil War Period, Reagoan Period, tests
Lined notebook paper (paper from spiral notebooks must have “neat sheet” pages)

Please keep this syllabus at the front of your binder.  Tests must be in the notebook and corrected.

Class Schedule:

Week #
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Weekly Goal
1 (Feb 4)

 No Class


No School
Discovery
2 (Feb 11)





Discovery
3 (Feb 18)
No School: Utah Ski Trip

4 (Feb 25)




Test
Discovery
5 (Mar 4)
 Assembly




1700s
6 (Mar 11)





1700s
7 (Mar 18)





1700s
8 (Mar 25)




Test / Paper 1
1700s
9 (Apr 1)
No School: Easter Break

10 (Apr 8)
No School: East Coast Trip

11 (Apr 15)
 Assembly




1800s
12 (Apr 22)





1800s
13 (Apr 29)



Ntl Day of Pryr
Test
1800s
14 (May 6)
 Assembly




1900s
15 (May 13)





1900s
16 (May 20)





1900s
17 (May 27)
No School



Test
1900s
18 (Jun 3)
 Assembly



Paper 2
2000
19 (Jun 10)


Final Exam




Course Evaluation:

Class work – 15%
Homework – 25%
Tests – 30% (7.5% each)
Research Papers – 20% (10% each)
Final Exam – 10%


Research Papers: (20%)
There will be a total of 2 papers due throughout the semester.  The papers MUST be written in Chicago Manual Style (CMS) and be between 5-7 pages long.  The papers will be written on any aspect of the period that we are currently studying.  Every 24 hours after the paper is due, the grade will drop by 20%.  Any paper turned in after the fifth day will not be accepted, as the maximum grade will then be at 0%.  There will be no extra credit offered throughout the semester (NONE), so it will be important that you do not miss any of the papers.  Paper topics will be discussed in class.  Each student must have his/her paper topic approved by me beforehand.  Any paper topics not approved by me will not be accepted and considered incomplete.  I have decided to allow each student to choose his/her own topic of choice.  I recommend choosing something that you are interested in, to make the paper enjoyable to research and write on.  Papers must be submitted at the beginning of class on the date that is due.  Papers must also be submitted to me via email.  The only way that I will not deduct for papers brought later is if the emailed copy was emailed before the start of class. 

Homework: (25%)
You will have assigned readings from Textbook, Lectures and other sources and will need to turn in assignments when they are due.  Some of the assignments will be weekly assigned chapter questions that will need to be answered and submitted.   Assignments will be posted on the class blog: LCAushistory.blogspot.com

Class work: (15%)
You will need to take notes in class, participate with pertinent questions to the material and lectures and do in-class assignments as directed.  Tardies, absences and classroom conduct will affect the class work grade.  Class work could also include an occasional pop-quiz.  You will be given a weekly class work grade, which is about equivalent to each week’s conduct and work being worth 1% of your total grade.  Attendance will be taken daily.  Unexcused absences will result in a No Credit for that day’s homework.  Assignments missed must be turned in upon your first day back.  Make-up tests will only be given if notification is given prior to the absence.  Be on time to class and participate effectively and you will earn full credit for participation.

Period Tests: (30%)
Throughout the Semester we will have four tests, one on each of the periods that we cover throughout the semester.  Each test will be worth 7.5% for a total of 30% of the total grade.  Tests will not be able to be made up unless there is an emergency approved by the office.  Missed tests will result in a 0% for the test.  I want this semester to be enjoyable, but I have to have some way to assess your progress in the material.  Test material will come from lectures and readings. 

Final Exam: (10%)
The final exam is cumulative of the semester’s material.  To bless the hardworking students, any student that maintains an A in the class prior to the final will not have to take the final. A comprehensive final exam will be made up of multiple choices, matching, true/false, chronological sequences of events and/or persons, short answer and short essays.

 
Class Goals and Expectations

1.     Pursue EXCELLENCE through LOVE
a.     Enjoy learning
b.     Learn to think
c.     Take responsibility
d.     Consider others
2.     No food or drinks (with the exception of water) are allowed

Discipline

If you aren’t pursuing excellence then the following measures will be taken to help.

1.  Warning – Student will be asked to improve their behavior.
2.  Discipline Essay – Student will be assigned to copy a discipline paper provided by the teacher, which they must turn in the following day.  Essay must be neat or it will have to be recopied.  Teacher will call home to inform the parents of the issue.
3.  Discipline Essay x3  – Student must copy the discipline essay 3 times.  Teacher will call home to inform the parent of their misconduct.
4.  In-School Suspension – If a student reaches step 4, they will be sent to the ISP classroom to complete their work independently.  Student will be eligible for reinstatement after meeting with student and parents.

Uniform and Materials

Students are expected to wear the appropriate uniform and bring all necessary materials to class each day.  Non-compliance could result in a discipline.  Come prepared.

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