American Studies
Ms. Cronin & Ms. Hickey
Room 234 - 236
CLASS SYLLABUS
Course Description
The objective of the American Studies course is to develop students who are creative and analytical thinkers by challenging them to piece together multiple perspectives to gain a greater understanding of American History and American Literature. This course integrates the study of history, literature, music, the visual arts, philosophaw3y, and the law to enrich students’ understanding of modern America. Students apply their understanding of the past to the complexities of contemporary society using primary and secondary sources. Students acquire and communicate an understanding of the growth and development of America its people and influences, as they develop their own critical and creative skills through reading, writing, debating, listening, viewing, and hands-on learning experiences.
Students explore the experience of individuals and groups from the post WWI period through the present. Emphasis is placed on analyzing American history and literature through the lens of four themes that are developed throughout the course of the year. Students question motives, influences, and consequences as they explore history, culture, and literature through various genres. Students develop their ability to weigh evidence, reason deductively, and approach current problems from multiple perspectives in order to become productive citizens within a democratic and global society.
Course Themes & Essential Questions
Illusion: How and why do people/groups develop illusions and why are some illusions maintained while others are broken down?
Perception: What role does perception play in shaping the truths of an individual, a community and a country?
Conformity: To what extent is conformity a right, a burden, a responsibility? What is the relationship between the conformist and the non-conformist?
Power: What role does power play in shaping the existence, experiences and opportunities of an individual, a community and a country?
Potential Course Readings
Chapter readings from America's History 8th Edition
Historical primary source document text sets
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (text excerpts)
Fences by August Wilson
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail by Robert E. Lee & Jerome Lawrence
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (book excerpts & film study)
The Color of Water by James McBride
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Additional full length texts, supplemental readings, media, and films appropriate to each unit of study
Historical Topics
World War I
The Roaring 20s
Prohibition
The Great Migration
The Harlem Renaissance
The 1930s
The Great Depression
The Dust Bowl
World War II
The Rise of Dictators
Presidential Power and Imagery
America as a "just" nation
The 1950s
The Red Scare & McCarthyism
The Early Cold War
Rise of surburban culture
The 1960s & Civil Rights
Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X & the Black Panthers
LBJ Great Society
American Indian Movement
Women’s Rights Movement
Latino Movement
LGBTQ movement
The 1970s & 1980s
The Vietnam War
Watergate
The Reagan Era
Class Expectations
come prepared to class with a charged device, headphones, and other materials/assignments
be respectful and consider the impact of your comments/ behavior on others both in person and online
communicate your needs and reach out to us directly to resolve any confusion or misunderstanding
listen and follow directions for assignments and activities
be accountable for your work and responsibilities as a high school student
be patient when it comes to technology-- we're all in this together!
Grading Policy
Gradebook:
You will have at least ten (10) opportunities to earn points in each marking period. The points earned/points possible will determine your marking period average.
Assignment Categories:
Class Participation (general participation 2x/mp; graded discussion, debate, presentations)
Assessments (formal and informal writing assignments; quizzes; tests)
Projects (individual and small group; the Junior Research Paper process/product)
Homework (includes both graded and "checked" assignments)
Formal midterm and final exam for this course.
Late Work:
Homework/Classwork: 50% credit, if submitted late. No credit will be earned one week past the original due date.
Essays/Projects: 10% credit deduction every day after the assignment's original due date.
Academic Integrity.
Any work that violates the Academic Integrity Standards set forth in the student handbook will not be eligible to earn credit
Absences:
If you are absent for a presentation, graded discussion, or other formal activity, we expect to be notified before class begins so we can make accommodations.
Check out Google Classroom for what you missed in class and ask a classmate, before emailing us.
Absent for the day due to illness, family emergency, religious event, etc?
You will have one school day per day absent to make up the work.
Absent from class due to a school field trip, chorus/band event, sport or activity?
Please email us of your absence prior to class and make up the missed work. You are still accountable for the night's homework and upcoming deadlines.
Absent for 3 or more days in a row?
Please email us to check in, if you can, and please feel free to set up a time to review what you missed in class with us and set up a schedule for submitting missed work.