Mr.

Van Gundy’s
US History Adv. Standard & Honors Course
Syllabus
First Coast High School

2019-2020
Email: vangundye@duvalschools.org
Phone: (904)757-0080 Ext: 220
Course Title: Advanced Standard US History

Teacher: Eric Van Gundy

Course Website: www.vangundyhistory.weebly.com

Class vision statement: The learning community of First Coast High School will challenge ALL students to
be engaged, learn something, & share your ideas to better your learning experience in this class.

Course Description:

United States History focuses on the study of modern American history, in accordance with the Florida
state framework. This is an 11th grade social science course. The primary focus of the course will be
1900 America to the present. Students will participate in the examination of; the Progressive Era, The
Jazz Age, world wars and cold wars, depression, civil rights, Watergate, and America today. An in-depth
investigation of historical events and periods, the fostering of multicultural awareness, the recognition of
ethical, civic, and democratic values present in American history, and the development of a historical
perspective in relation to contemporary events represent the major aspects of the course. Literature,
music art, primary readings, videos, simulations and other activities will be used to enhance the subject.

Units of Study

First Semester Second Semester

 1800’s Compromises  1930’s American Foreign Policy
 Antebellum South  The Holocaust
 Westward Expansion  World War II
 Civil War/Reconstruction  1950’s America
 The Gilded Age  The Second Red Scare
 American Imperialism  John F. Kennedy Presidency
 Progressive Era  Lyndon B. Johnson & The Great Society
 World War I  The Vietnam War
 The First Red Scare  The Nixon Presidency
 The Roaring 20’s  1970’s Presidents (Ford & Carter)
 The Great Depression  Reagan Presidency
 The Modern Age (1990’s – present)
In all classroom Be Respectful Be Responsible Be Safe
situations…
Topic/ Situation Expectations & Routines
Attendance IF you are absent “Students who are absent shall receive a grade of zero (0) for work missed for the
Policy day(s) in which the absence(s) occur. Students shall be responsible for making up missed work for
Absences each absence. Students shall receive appropriate grades for the make-up work to replace the zero (0).
Make Up Work
The make-up work must be made up within a specific time period equaling one-day make-up per
Late Work
one-day absence, counting from the first day the student returns to school.” (1003.33(2) F.S.)

*Missing assignments will be given an M in the gradebook which is equal to a zero until the work is
made up. If the student fails to make up the work before the 9 weeks is over the M becomes an F for
that particular assignment on their final grade for the grading period.

Food and drink Please enjoy your food and drink outside of class. No water, sodas, vitamin water, Propel or flavored
waters are allowed.
Academic Cheating and plagiarism WILL NOT be tolerated and possible consequences include being asked to re-
Honesty do the assignment, losing partial credit, and/or receiving a zero. I will dedicate significant class time
to educating you regarding what academic honesty is and how you can avoid being dishonest, but
please keep in mind that it is ultimately your responsibility to act with integrity.
Technology in the Cell Phones & other electronic devices will be confiscated if seen in class at any time (before, during,
Classroom and after class). This includes all cell phones, mp3 / music players / i-pods, and ear buds /
headphones. If out during a test or quiz you will receive a zero on that test/quiz even if you are
finished.
Personality You will potentially be asked to work with classmates with whom you do not get along. Regardless,
conflicts/ be respectful. Keep in mind that this is usually for a limited duration. Working effectively with those
difference of whom you may differ is an essential skill for your future! If the situation is intolerable, please see me
opinions privately and be ready with some alternative ideas/ solutions.
Restroom Whenever possible, use the restroom and get items from your locker between classes. If you must
use the restroom, please wait until instructions/ whole-class activity such as note-taking or example
problems are completed. Be sure to ask for permission, use a pass, and do specifically what you
asked in as quick a manner as possible.
Required Students are required to bring their own paper, pencils, pens (black or blue ink is fine) along with
Materials their class notebook to class each and every day
Homework Students are expected to use the course website to help them complete their homework. ALL
Homework assignments and instructions for the homework can be found under the Homework tab
on the website. ALL Homework assignments must be turned in by the due date which will also be
listed next to the assignment. Any late homework will receive a one grade deduction for every day it
is turned in late. Homework can be submitted electronically via email.
Grading Procedures: The grades are determined on a total point system. Each assignment is given a total point
value. At the end of the nine weeks a student’s points are added and then divided by the total points possible for the
final average. The following is an example:

Student X’s grades: 5/10, 20/20, 67/100, 95/10 = 187/230 = 81.3% = 81%

Grading Scale: 100 – 90% A, 89 – 80% B, 79 – 70% C, 69 – 60% D, 59% or lower F

State End of Course Exam (very important!)

Students are required to take and pass the end of course exam in order to receive full credit for the course. This
exam will cover every aspect of US History that the students have studied throughout the year. Your child’s
attendance (being present) and completing regularly assigned work are things that a student can do to better
their chance for success on the state end of course assessment.