American Social History

This semester we will examine some of the broad social and political trends in America over the 20th century. We will make connections between past and present, and use the past as way of understanding current controversies and debates.

Units

Immigration, Social Darwinism, and Biological Determinism
Clash of Cultures: 1910’s and 1920’s
Interpreting the New Deal
The Cultural Front during the Great Depression 
The Post-War Spatial Re-organization of America 
McCarthyism and the Cold War
Visions of Women’s Liberation
The Promise of Brown v. Board of Education
The Conservative Revolution and the New Right


Final Research Paper: Performance-based assessment

Materials for Class: You will need to buy a notebook with dividers so that you have two sections in the notebook: class notes and homework. You should also buy two folders: one for class handouts and the other for returned work. You will receive a textbook. You can leave the textbook at home until the end of the semester. I would like to provide you with many challenging primary and secondary readings throughout the semester, but the budget crisis has stripped us of our paper budget. I ask each of you to contribute a ream of paper and bring it to class on Monday, September 19, 2011.

Daily Expectations: Come to class on time and have your pen and notebook out and ready to go as soon as you get seated. Be ready to discuss the homework. Ask a good question or make an interesting connection about the homework readings every day. You should have read the homework thoughtfully and should come to class ready to discuss readings in depth. Passivity is not an option.

Homework Policy: I assign about an hour of homework for each class. The purpose of the homework is to prepare you for the discussions for the next class (so please read carefully and think about what you are reading). I will stamp your homework at the beginning of class (which means it is complete and on time). Late homework loses half credit. I collect your homework assignments after every ten assignments. Your grade is based on the thought and work put into your homework.

Discussion and Debate: The centerpiece of the class is good talk. I am interested in creating good habits of mind in our talk: use evidence to support your arguments, look at the validity of different arguments, and try to understand different perspectives on American socierty. That said, please participate actively in classroom discussions, be respectful of your classmates and their views, and be prepared to be challenged when you speak.

Grading Policy:

• 30% Participation and Homework: You are required to be in class every day, on time. If you are late or absent, you must bring a note from a parent/guardian. Your homework will be stamped every day to indicate that it is on time. Your homework notebook will be collected after every ten homework assignments.
• 10% Quizzes: There will be regular quizzes on the units that we study in class. Quizzes offer you an opportunity to review your notes. If you are late to class, you cannot take the quiz. You will receive a zero for that quiz. If you are absent, you are responsible for making up the quiz on the next day that you are in school.
• 30% Essays and Projects: There will be essays or projects assigned with each of the units. You will have the opportunity to revise the essays and projects.
• 30%: PBA

• Communication: I am here to help you. I am available for tutoring after school or at lunch time. You can also reach me at my email address at bfaithfu@beaconschool.org.