Cody Owens 

Email: cody_owens@fuhsd.org 

Classroom Website: codyowens.wix.com/codyowens 

2020-21 Course Syllabus

 

United States History Syllabus

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Course Description:

Welcome to United State History! This class will devote much time to learning the skills that are associated with the study of US history and of becoming a successful writer. These skills are used in daily life and will be needed for college courses. Additionally, they align with the new Common Core Standards. The class will also give students a better understanding of the past, geography, culture, and economics as it relates to US History. The purpose of studying such material is so students can link the past with the present in order to grasp why events occurred the way they did and why things are the way they are today.

 

Class Expectations

Although we will be holding class virtually, these expectations still apply.

 

1. PARTICIPATION-claim your education; be present, think deeply, and take risks.

2. RESPECT-toward Mr. Owens, your classmates, and yourself; consider all of your actions.

3. SUPPORT-from me to you, from you to me, and between you and your peers.

4. QUALITY-turn in presentable work of which you can be proud.

5. POSITIVITY-maintain a positive attitude, even when class is challenging.

6. PREPARATION-arrive on time with the necessary materials and assignments completed.

Please also read and remain familiar with the school rules and policies regarding academic honesty, expected behaviors, etc.  You are expected to abide by the rules and policies outlined in the Student Planner.

 

SCHOOLOGY

We will be using Schoology as the main hub for getting class assignments, announcements, materials (like readings and videos), and turning in work.

 

Virtual/Online Class Procedures

Because we will be having class online for the foreseeable future(through Zoom, Schoology or some other platform), it is important that you meet the following class expectations.

 

1. Be On Time- Make sure you log into the virtual class meeting on time using your actual name.  I will be taking attendance once at the beginning of class and again at the end of class.

2. Stay on Mute- We will have discussions in class and you will be expected to participate.  But as a general rule, keep yourself on mute during full class meetings to make it easier for me to facilitate the lesson.

3. Keep Your Camera On- Please keep your camera on during class.  If you have to turn it off to get up and move, that’s fine, but please turn it back on when you are finished (if you have a serious concern about this please contact me). 

4. Stay Engaged- it will be incredibly easy to get distracted by your phone or something else on your computer during class time.

 

Respectful Use of Technology

 

Learning to pay attention for a sustained period without checking your phone is a valuable element of social and professional etiquette.  Most importantly, you cannot learn if you are distracted by some other technology.  Simply put, you should not be using your cell phone or other technology during class. 

 

Grading Policy (Distance Learning is subject to change within first couple of weeks)  

Your grades will also be determined by the following categories:

1. Homework and Classwork                                     (30%)

2. Tests and quizzes                                                  (30%)

3. Long term projects and writing assignments          (30%)

4. Final                                                                        (10%)

 

Homestead Social Studies Writing Project- Junior Year

The Homestead Social Studies Writing Project is a three-year commitment to incorporate academic writing into your social studies curriculum at Homestead. The goals of this project are to learn to better evaluate evidence, create effective academic arguments, and to exercise research and analysis skills that will allow you to continue as a lifelong learner and critical thinker. In your United States History class you will practice these skills by exploring recent issues and topics related to groups that have historically been underrepresented in the traditional social studies curriculum. We acknowledge that this task is far too monumental to cover all underrepresented persons in history, and in the present, in just one year; but our hope is that we can teach and reinforce the skills that will allow you to continue to educate yourself and improve our collective understanding of the contributions of all Americans in the history of our nation. 

 

Late Work

Unexcused late work will receive an adjusted score and will not be accepted after three days.  Excused late work will receive full points as long as you have checked in with me and explained the reason for the work being late.

 

Office Hours

I will be holding regular office hours during remote learning.  Please attend office hours if you need help!

 

Tuesday 1:15-2:00pm        (45 minutes)

Wednesday 1:00-1:45pm

(45 minutes)

Friday 1:15-2:00pm

(45 minutes)

 

Course Overview

The sequence and content listed here is based on a regular, in person school year.  As such, we won’t be able to cover all of this material.

US History Curriculum Guide 2020-2021

Units

Topics of Study

(including many other topics at teacher discretion) 

Unit 1, 

American Beginnings

Duration: 

• Early British Colonies

• The Colonies Come of Age

• Revolution and Early Republic

• Launching a New Nation

 

Unit 1/Part 2

American Beginnings

Duration:

• The Jeffersonian & Jacksonian Era

• Manifest Destiny

• Politics of Slavery

• Civil War

• Reconstruction

 

Unit 2

Immigration

Duration:

• Industrial Age

• Immigrants

• Urbanization

• Progressive Era

 

Unit 3

Modern America

Duration:

• Imperialism and America

• America as a World Power

• The First World War

• The War at Home/Wilson

Second Semester

Units

Topics of Study

Unit 4

The Twenties and the Great Depression

Unit 4 Part 2

The New Deal

Duration: Six weeks

• Politics of the Twenties

• The Roaring Life of the Twenties

• Causes of the Great Depression

• The New Deal

 

Unit 5

World War II

Duration: Four weeks

• World War II

• American Home Front

• Japanese Int

• Atomic Bomb

• Origins of the Cold War

• Korean War

 

Unit 6

Civil Rights/The Cold War

Duration: Six to eight weeks

• 1950s

• McCarthyism

• Bay of Pigs/Cuban Missile Crisis/Cold War Events 

• Civil Rights Movement

• Vietnam War

 

Unit 7

A New Century

Duration: Three to four weeks

• Civil Rights for Minority Groups

• Women’s Movement

• Counterculture

• Watergate

• Environmentalism

• Conservative Movement

• The End of the Cold War

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Permission Slip from parents:  

The slip you are signing also acts as a permission slip for an IN-CLASS viewing of parts of the movie Saving Private Ryan during our WWII unit. 

The films rated “R” and contains explicit violence. The violence is meant to show realistic recreations of the actual, historic landing at Omaha Beach. Additionally we will be covering topics of war and genocide throughout the year. We will be analyzing photographic evidence and personal accounts of these events in history. While these sources are not overtly explicit they will not stray away from showing how damaging these events were. 

 

Digital Signatures

 

Student Signature: 

 

Parent Signature: