Syllabus
Course: US History:A Multicultural Perspective (US History & Washington State History equivalent)
Edmonds School District: 1.0 high school credit meeting the US/Washington History requirements.
Edmonds College: Optionally, students may earn up to 10 quarter credits from Edmonds College through the College in the High School (CHS) program. Application, registration, and fees may be required.
Enduring Understandings
This course is a thematic study of the period between 1789 to the present, of the culturally diverse 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 discussed in several units. This course meets both US and Washington State requirements for graduation. Unit assessments (tests) will provide multiple opportunities for students to complete state mandated in-course assessments on constitutional issues. The focus of this course is an examination of the rich cultural diversity of Washington State and the United States.
Unit name |
Description |
Approximate timelines |
| Opening and basics |
|
2 weeks |
| Race, culture & the US Constitution |
|
2-3 weeks |
| Expansion: The American Empire |
|
3-4 weeks |
| Rebuilding the US post-war |
|
3-4 weeks |
| Reforms |
|
3-4 weeks |
| US as an Imperial Power |
|
4-5 weeks |
| Civil Rights |
|
3-4 weeks |
| Final project |
|
4-6 weeks (actually the entire year) |
Content
- Which historic events, people, and periods helped shape US History through today?
- How have different groups in the US interacted? How do we improve these interactions?
- What factors lead to, and result from, individual and group conflict and interdependence?
- What are the effects of race, conflict, science and the arts on the US today?
Thinking
- How do you identify bias and personal points view in yourself and others?
- What makes an issue significant in our history and how do you critically analyze those issue?
- What is the role of the resident in the American democratic system?
Skills
- How do you distinguish between fact and opinion?
- Researching historical topics using question-based strategies and methods.
- Understanding the uses of primary and secondary materials in doing research and understanding history.
- Effective communication of your ideas about the US and Washington State.
Grading
- Assignments – (50%) Readings, assignments, and other activities.
- Assessments – (50%) These are essays, major presentations, and other summative assessments.
- Ungraded – (00%) Activities that help learning such as exam reviews and practice quizzes that are checked for completion, and perhaps scored, but do not count towards the final grade. Completion of these activities may be used as a condition to retaking an assessment.
Late Work/Make-Up Policy
Late work may be graded at half the value of earned points. All paper assignments are due at the beginning of class. Assignments and participatory work may not be re-done. Only selected assessments may be redone, and only if all work (both graded and ungraded) relating to that work have been successfully completed.
Copying, Cheating, and Plagiarism
Students are expected to do their own work. The definition of cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying or lending assignments; communicating, in any way, during a test; using notes in a situation where notes are not acceptable; plagiarism (the intentional or unintentional failure to give clear credit to the author of any word/ideas not your own) in any form (individual/group work). Because these types of behavior involve submitting others work, credit cannot be given for copied or plagiarized work. Also, because almost all assignments, participatory activities, and exams may not be re-submitted, copying, cheating, and plagiarism usually result in loss of credit for those assignments, activities, projects, and/or exams.
Attendance
All school attendance policies apply in this class. Show up promptly during scheduled class periods and stay in class until you are dismissed. If errors are noted by students or parents, they must be reported promptly (1-2 days).
Classroom Disruptions (The Rules)
We are here to learn. Behavior that distracts from the learning of any student are not acceptable. It is necessary to demonstrate respect for other students, teachers, and the classroom space. If we all demonstrate this respect for each other and our classroom, there will be no problems. All school wide rules (such as mobile phones) apply to this room. Most of these rules are covered in your student handbook. Others, such as masking and social distancing requirements are still rapidly changing and evolving. Please make every effort to keep up with these changes.
Mobile phones MUST be stored in in the lock case at the front of the room during class. Note, other mobile devices such as earphones, and/or smart watches are included with this but must be kept in your pockets or backpack. While there are no restrictions on headwear, I may ask to see your ears to check for electronic earbuds. This applies to wrists (watches) as well.