United States History Bosque School 2013-2014 Kelena Reid Maxwell Ph.D. Kelena.maxwell@bosqueschool.

org Course Description: This course is an exploration of the history and culture of the people of the Americas and of the development of the United States from the first contact between Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans, through the history of enslavement, and the early colonies. From there we will examine the American Revolution, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the history of the twentieth Century including World War I and World War II. Much of this course will look at American history through the eyes of those who lived it. Therefore, we will use a primary source approach to the study of the United States. As much as possible we will make the history of this country relevant to the issues we face in our everyday lives. In our approach to history we will adopt the Pueblo peoples concept of circular time. In other words we will focus on the interrelationship of events, the past as connected to the present, and the notion that history is not a series of inevitable events, but a dynamic process of unfolding, creation and re-creation. The course is organized around a series of essential questions such as: Who is an American, and who decides? Who and what are we fighting for? So we call ourselves a democracy? What are the costs and benefits of becoming a modern nation? Work with Primary Sources: This course will include an emphasis on working with primary source documents. The majority of readings are primary sources that emerged from the time period we are covering. In addition we will be viewing visual primary sources. Students will be guided through an analyses of the primary sources, but ultimately I will be asking them to develop their own unique questions and perspectives on the material. Research and Writing Skills: The year will include a series of short and long term research projects (essays and group projects) that will develop strong research, writing, and presentation skills. In addition, students will learn the mechanics of research and writing, including proper paraphrase and citation. Students will learn how to conduct historical research and how to present it in an original and engaging form. The culminating assignment will be the Junior Thesis.

Class Discussion: A primary focus of the year will be on class discussion. Students are expected to come to class ready to engage with the texts and with each other in a respectful way. Class discussions foster strong verbal communication skills as well as analytical skills. There will be opportunities for students to engage in silent discussions as well. In these exercises the less vocal students will have an opportunity to have their voices heard and responded to. Ultimately, this process is where the learning occurs. Class Texts: Geraldine Brooks, Calebs Crossing Franklin Folsom, The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Benjamin Franklin, Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States of America, Bill of Rights and Constitutional Amendments An addition Spring text which is TBD In addition to these texts there is a bound class reader for the year. Assessment: Grading Scale: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-70=C, 60-69=D, and 0-59=F 55% will be in class discussions, reading quizzes, short essays, and group projects 45% will be tests, long essays (including Junior Thesis) and final exams Content: Fall Semester Native American Populations before Columbus/First Contact The early Colonies and the Atlantic Slave Trade Growth and Development of the Colonies The American Revolution and the early Republic The Civil War Reconstruction: Radical Reconstruction and Redemption Spring Semester The meaning of freedom The development of the West The Progressive Era World War I World War II Class Policies 1. Class attendance: Class attendance is mandatory. If you know in advance that you will be missing a class, it is the students responsibility to see me in advance to find out what class work will be missed. It is also the students responsibility to get class notes for the missed classes from another student. If you miss class due to an illness or other un-planned event the policy is much the

same. Try to email me to let me know why you were absent and find out what was missed. Communication around absences is the key to making sure you do not fall behind in assignments. 2. Late Work: Assignments must be turned in the day and class period they are due. Late assignments will be accepted, but for each late day 5% will be subtracted from the grade you earned on the assignment. This does include the weekend. So if an assignment is due on Friday and its turned in on Monday, that is three days late. Computer problems are not a legitimate excuse for not completing homework on time. Make sure you save your work to the hard drive as well as to another source and print a copy as a back- up. Of course, some problems cant be avoided and I will consider the exceptional cases accordingly. (These would include major issues like my family had to leave town b/c of a funeral, not I had a soccer tournament all weekend). 3. Extra credit: There will be no special extra credit given to individual students. Occasionally there will be extra credit opportunities available to the whole class. 4. Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: Cell phone use is prohibited during class time, with the exception of my asking students to use their personal devices to look up information. Laptop computers and tablets are for note-taking purposes only, unless expressly instructed by myself. If students are found web surfing or checking email during class time I will ask them to put away their device. If this happens on multiple occasions I will notify the Assistant Head of the Upper School. Bosque Academic Integrity Bosque School is a learning community dedicated to fostering intellectual growth and development and a sense of responsibility in each child. For students, academic integrity means that they are absolutely honest in their intellectual efforts. Violations of academic integrity, in any form, are, therefore, contrary to the values of Bosque School and detrimental to the students own development as young scholars and responsible members of this community. Upper School consequence: If a student is not honest in his or her academic efforts, the student will serve a one-day in-school detention and fail the assignment or exam. Depending on the circumstances of the incident, other consequences may be imposed. Any subsequent example of academic dishonesty will result in a more severe penalty and may result in dismissal. For a comprehensive explanation of the Bosque School policy of Academic Integrity please see the Student Handbook.