American Studies Mr. Franklin & Mrs. Green ENG 135/136 & HIST 235/236 2010-2011
Welcome to American Studies! We are glad you are here and look forward to working with you this year as we examine the history and contemporary issues of the United States through projects, primary source documents, film studies, cultural research and a study of American Literature.
This year in American Studies we will examine the American experience beginning with the Constitutional period and proceed into the 20th century. Team-taught and student-centered, the course integrates American History and American literature as we explore the larger theme of the American Dream. More importantly, American Studies is a community of learners that questions assumptions and considers issues deeply.
Interdisciplinary: This means that students will learn both U.S. History and American Literature in the same class. Students will: Receive ONE GRADE for both U.S. History and American Literature Use history to understand literature and literature to understand history Integrate music, art, architecture, belief systems, philosophy and aspects of culture to understand thematic concepts. Continue their pursuit of academic inquiry outside of the classroom through selected events in the community. Meet in one classroom with two teachers daily
Community: This means that the class will do many activities, projects, and assignments that require students to work with, get to know, and depend on other people. Students will: Be expected to listen, question, and communicate respectfully. Be responsible for his/her own learning. Be proactive and engaged in the learning process. Keep and open mind and heart Respect all members of our learning community
American Studies will meet every day for 94 minutes. Each day, students will: Confront social issues by becoming aware, critically examining the facts, and thinking about how to be involved in positive change. Critically examine and celebrate what freedom, justice, hope, democracy, and liberty mean in the context of the American experience. Openly question what has happened, and what is currently happening in the United States. Work individually, within small- groups and or the larger class community. Work on projects and long-term assignments. Understand the rubrics for each assignment
Policies
Academic Honesty- All students are expected to conduct themselves in an honest and ethical manner at all times. A first offense of cheating (plagiarizing, copying another student’s work, etc.) will result in zero credit for the given assignment/test/quiz/paper. Any subsequent offense will result in a failing grade for the entire term. The student will also be dealt with according with SHS Policies. By signing our class contract, you fully accept the class policy on Academic Honesty. Lateness- Arrive on time to class. Unexcused lateness will lower your grade in this class and may result in a detention. If another teacher or administrator prevents you from arriving to class on time, ask them politely for a pass. You will not be admitted into class without one.
Class Components
Participation & Responsibility- This is your class, as well as our class. You are responsible for taking an ACTIVE role in your learning. You will be responsible for contributing to class discussions, asking questions, working cooperatively, and teaching your peers. Don’t miss class! By being absent, you are not only hindering your own learning but also the learning of others who benefit from your class contributions. The following list describes how you can earn a good Attendance & Participation grade: Actively participate in class discussions & activities - this means talking and listening Follow rules and procedures Arrive to class prepared and on time Don’t abuse out-of-class pass privileges Make up work when absent Keep your binder organized Complete homework on time Work constructively with your learning partner
Tests & Projects- There will be several tests each quarter. Tests will always be announced well in advance to allow enough preparation time. If you are absent on the day of a test you must be prepared to take it the day you return. You can also expect to participate in debates, projects, speeches, and presentations. Typically, they are weighted as 2 tests. WE generally do NOT accept late projects or papers. If a paper is accepted late, then a significant number of points will be automatically deducted. If you are absent from school you are still responsible for submitting your work to us on that day. If your absence is unexcused, the assignment will not be accepted by us and will result in a zero.
Written Work- American Studies emphasizes and encourages the writing process. There will be papers or essays addressing the literature we are reading and the history we are studying in class. Additionally, each quarter you will write reflections on enrichment work you do outside of class. These reflections will be based on outside reading, attending lectures, poetry readings, watching films, etc. You will be given a separate handout each quarter explaining what the reflection requirements for that quarter are as well as the due date.
Journals- Your journal will be used in class almost daily. The writing prompts will vary; sometimes they will be directly related to a homework assignment or previous lesson, other times they may be related to current events, or just totally random. The journal is a space for you to reflect and respond privately. The journal that will only be seen by you and your teachers. In your journal, you will not be judged on grammar or level of writing, but rather on the effort and thoughtfulness you put into your work. Good use of in class journaling time will also contribute toward a good journal grade.
Quizzes- You can expect announced quizzes covering all content, as well as “pop” quizzes on assigned reading or current events. You will also be quizzed on usage and vocabulary. * Vocabulary- quizzes using Shostak workbook, Level G & H * Usage- Participation in the school-wide exam each term: http://highschool.swampscott.k12.ma.us/Pages/SwampscottHS_English/index
Assessment: This is a tentative outline of how your grade will be determined. It is subject to change from quarter to quarter depending on the work assigned.
Tests/Project/Presentations - 20% Journal -10% Attendance and Participation - 20% Written Work - 20% Research Paper - 20% Quizzes - 10% Major Papers:
American Author/History Research Paper (Semester Two)- A term paper in which students develop a thesis based on primary document analysis and research. This paper is a comparative analysis of several works by one American author combined with a germane history topic. You will develop a topic after thorough investigation based on your primary readings and others’ scholarly literary criticism. Work on the paper begins in the fall, and is due in Q4.
Required History Texts: American Studies Reader A History of the United States- Daniel Boorstin
Required Summer Reading:
The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien A Raisin In The Sun, Lorraine Hansberry House of Sand and Fog, Andre Dubus III Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safran Foer
Possible Texts/ Films we will study: Civil Disobedience Inherit the Wind The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Great Gatsby The Narrative of Frederick Douglass Lakota Woman Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl Fast Food Nation Amistad Supersize Me Black Elk Speaks On the Waterfront Death of A Salesman The Awakening Raisin in the Sun Beloved The Grapes of Wrath The Sun Also Rises The Red Badge of Courage Hiroshima ** We will give you copies of each text we The Crucible study; however, we suggest you purchase your American Tragedy own text so that you may write in it. The Lace Reader Extra Help We are always available after school to work with students who desire extra help. Students should make appointments with us. ***If there are any further questions or concerns about the class we would be more than pleased to discuss them with you. We are always available for extra help*** ------
I have read the American Studies’ requirements and policies and agree to fulfill them.
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I have read the class requirements and policies and agree to support these expectations.
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