U.S. History in Film – Zuehlke 2025-2026
Course goal: to analyze key aspects of U.S. history in various films made in the past ~100 years.
Teacher contact: Bruce Zuehlke; Room 1001; bruce.zuehlke@ccboe.net
Grades:
Multiple-choice & writing tests: 60%
*Other assignments: 40%
*History vs. Hollywood, Movie summaries, Addressing the standards, and other assignments
Textbook: None
Website: https://sites.google.com/ccboe.net/coach-zuehlke-website/home
Google classroom: 2nd: isr7doy6
3rd: 5rm4pmpd
6th: uhg55qsa
Supplies: normal school supplies like pen, pencil, paper.
*1st Semester Movies:
Unit 1 & 2
Pocahontas (1995)
The New World (2005)
Unit 3
1776 (1972)
John Adams, Part II, III, & IV (2008)
Unit 4
The Buccaneer (1958)
How The West Was Won, Part I & II (1962)
The Alamo (2004)
Unit 5
Roots, Part I & II (1977)
Gettysburg (1993)
Hatfields & McCoys (2013)
*2nd Semester Movies:
Unit 6
High Noon (1952)
Dances With Wolves (1990)
The Lost Battalion (2001)
Flyboys (2006)
Far and Away (1992)
Unit 7
The Artist (2011)
Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Unit 8
Tuskegee Airmen (1995)
A League of Their Own (1992)
Unbroken (2014)
42 (2013)
Unit 9
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Thirteen Days (2000)
The Help (2011)
Back to the Future (1987)
Unit 10
Miracle (2004)
The Right Stuff (1983)
*We may not get to all the movies.
Responsibilities for course: It is extremely important to be present for class in this course, due to the fact we will be watching these movies in class. When you are absent, you are responsible for watching the portions of the movie(s) you missed by doing one of the following:
Set up a time after school, or my Warrior Period (C Lunch) to watch the portion(s) missed.
Watch the portion(s) on your own time by accessing the movie via an online platform (Netflix, Amazon, etc.) or renting the DVD. Depending on the movie, this could involve a monetary purchase.
U.S. History in Film Reassessment policy
In order to retake a test, students must do the following:
Must have all work for that Unit turned in.
Deadline to complete retake is 5 school days after the original test grade was posted to infinite campus.
Reassessments must be taken after school or my Warrior Period (C Lunch)
Rules
Be Respectful to others
Be Prepared for school (supplies, homework, be on time, etc)
Follow directions
No profanity
Abide by the Student Code of Conduct
No eating or drinking in classroom, unless student has a documented medical condition.
Consequences
Verbal warning 1
Verbal warning 2 & parent contact
Lunch Detention
Referral to Assistant Principal
All incidents of misbehavior will be recorded in a Student Conduct log. When teacher is absent, you must follow the above class rules for the substitute. If you do not, the same consequences will apply.
Cell Phone Policy
Per the CCBOE Code of Conduct,No electronic devices (Phones, Tablets, headphones and/or earbuds, etc. will be allowed anywhere on campus).
First Offense: Lunch Detention
Second Offense and more: Referral to AP
If child needs to contact parents, it will be done from the Main Office.
*As with any policy, exceptions can be made to this one. If a student must have his/her cell phone on their person due to an accommodation, health issue, family emergency, or any other reason, that student needs to communicate this to Coach Zuehlke, and it must be confirmed with a guardian and Administration.
*Please note: The receipt and review of this syllabus demonstrates a student’s acknowledgement of all class rules and policies. If a student or parent disagrees with or does not understand any policy or rule outlined in this syllabus, he/she should submit a verbal or written request for clarification with the teacher or administration.