Course+Outline

=US History II- Honors Mrs. Fusarelli =  US  II is a survey course intended to complete your study of American History. This course focuses on the 20th century and topics to be discussed include World Wars I and II, the Depression, the Cold War, the War on Terror, as well as social and cultural developments such as the 20’s, the 50’s and 60’s, and the civil rights movement.  Your main textbook for the course is __A History of the United States__ by Boorstin and Kelley. However, we will supplement the text with updated articles and outside readings.  You will need a three ring binder specifically for this course. You are expected to keep materials organized by unit, including unit outlines, notes, classwork, homework, quizzes, and tests. I recommend you use loose-leaf paper because it helps keep your notebook cleaner and more organized. It will be to your benefit to maintain this notebook.  Class time will be used as time to present new information, expand upon that information with different types of activities, and as time to review. Activities include powerpoint lecture, discussion, cooperative learning activities, informal and formal presentations, debates, video clips, researching, reading, individualized student explorations, current events, and the traditional quizzes and tests.  You will have homework assigned to you as a review and preview of the vocab and historical concepts you need to know. Homework is an easy way for you to earn points. I keep homework folders in a clear “Yaffa” block next to the windows. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to pick up what you missed. Assignments are expected to be turned in the day they are due, which means before or during class; however, I will accept homework for half credit the following day. This does not apply to projects/papers/presentations! These are 10% daily deductions. Extended, __excused__ illnesses are the only reason to not have all work turned in before the unit exam. Unexcused illnesses/absences are automatic 0's! Get your notes in and show them to me.  My expectations focus on RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, COMMUNITY, and COMMON SENSE! Learning is an ongoing, interactive process that I expect you to engage in when in the classroom. Action will be taken if the learning process is disrupted.  It is a very simple policy. If you are not physically in class, you are not getting your money’s worth! <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Students can have one “out” a week, be it locker, bathroom, drink, nurse etc. You are required to use your assignment book “passport” to leave the room and sign out and in on the classroom clipboard. No passport, no pass! This is a school-wide policy. Only one person is allowed out of the room at a time, and again, you still need my permission to leave. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">As a high school and college student athlete, I understand that several of you are involved in sports and other activities that will cause you to miss class occasionally and put extra demands upon your time. This is fine with me, but having been in that position myself I know I worked extremely hard to keep up with my academics and I will expect the same effort from you. Extracurriculars are an opportunity to learn valuable time management skills as well as responsibility, they are not an excuse for being late with homework or long term assignments. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">You will have a long-term project to complete each marking period. You will receive specific assignment sheets, organizers, and rubrics later. In addition, the assignments have been posted on the class wiki. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> __<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Current Events Portfolio __<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">- You will first research a current issue hot from either President Obama's agenda or the public agenda. You will then write a persuasive letter to a public official that will identify and advise them of your position or ask them to vote in a specific manner. Finally, you will create a current events portfolio in which you will trace this issue through articles, editorials, and political cartoons from 1980 to the present. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> __<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Film Analysis __<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">- Last year in Honors US I students analyzed a historical novel. This year students will choose one of the plethora of films that portray US History and analyze its accuracy and director motivation among other things. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> __<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Foreign Policy Reports __<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">- In preparation for Global Studies, students will complete Congressional reports on any area of foreign policy. They may choose our relations with a particular nation, they may choose to address the global economy, or perhaps nuclear weapons. They will formulate and defend a thesis based recommendation for future policy. This assignment is dependent upon time constraints. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">US History Wiki: Students will be invited to join the class wiki where they will be able to plan and discuss unit and marking period projects, evaluate student work, keep an ongoing vocabulary list, and review unit content. **<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> Grading Policy- ** <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Student grades are accessible online. I use a cumulative points total, with major projects and assignments worth more points. I have found this system to be the most accurate reflection of a students participation in and understanding of the course. I will stress that you must put in good, independent effort and complete all assignments on time and to the best of your ability if you wish to be successful. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">I firmly believe in open lines of communication between home and school. I encourage you to seek the assistance of your classmates, your parents, and your teacher (me) when you encounter a problem and I will stress the sooner you do so the better! As my AP English teacher once told me, "Failure to adequately prepare on your part does not constitute an emergency on my mine." The quickest, easiest, and most sure way to contact me (if you’re outside the building) is by email! Best of luck and I look forward to learning with you this semester!
 * <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Course Content: **
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 * <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Hall ****<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> Pass ****<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';"> Policy- **
 * <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Marking Period Projects: **
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 * Please note, extra credit always shows up as 0% because assignments are out of 0 points.
 * <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">Contact Information – **

ashley_fusarelli @ sdst.org **
 * <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Bell MT','serif';">voicemail: 233-6030 x2674