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HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS -- 2009- 2010 Instructor: Joshua Hamill (541) 790-6636 e-mail: hamill@4j.lane.edu Office Hours: IHS Alpha days, 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. (and by appointment) CLASS WEB PAGE: http://www.4j.lane.edu/~hamill/americas/ Welcome to the History of the Americas class! Over the next year we will be looking at not only the major events that have shaped the region's history, but also the peoples of the Americas and their struggles to achieve such goals as freedom, equality, and economic opportunity. Some of the many topics that we will study this year will include: wars of independence and revolution, the battle for equal citizenship and full political participation, domestic and foreign policy, shifting paradigms and demographic shifts, sports, music, and popular culture, the revolutions in industry, transportation, and communications...just to name a few. While the history of the United States (including the Constitution and key Supreme Court cases) will be a major emphasis, the class will also look extensively at Latin America. Social, political, and economic factors, change over time, and the relationship between things will all be consistent areas of focus. This is an IB class, and as such it is designed to successfully prepare students for paper 3 of the higher level IB History exam (papers 1 and 2 correspond to the 20th Century World History class, which is taught in the senior year). The curriculum for this class has been developed to correspond with the themes that are covered on the IB history exam...in other words, what we study in this class will definitely be on the IB exam. All students, whether they take the examination or not, will do the same assignments and be graded on the same basis. Also, everyone in the class will be given credit on their transcript for being in an IB course, which is an important consideration when applying to most colleges. We will use a variety of primary and secondary reading materials. When you receive a reading packet, please feel free to underline/highlight in it or to make notes in the margins. Packets that are kept in pristine condition can be turned in at the end of the year and can be reused. Important: there will almost always be a significant reading assignment to be completed before the next class...it is essential to keep up with the assigned readings and study questions in order to be able to participate in graded class discussions, and to be ready for "knowledge checks" and other quizzes to demonstrate what you have learned. We will also make extensive use of such source material as videos and films, historical fiction and political cartoons, song lyrics and paintings, and the wealth of information available on the Internet. Be sure to check the web page if you are absent so that you can keep up with the assignments.
Democracy in the Americas will be a central theme throughout this year. This will include an exploration of the evolution of democratic ideals and governments, as well as the quest for political, social, and economic equality and empowerment throughout the Americas.
Attendance, Participation, and Academic Integrity: Punctual attendance and active participation are both key ingredients for success in the History of the Americas class. Students who are more than 10 minutes late will be marked absent. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EXCUSING ABSENCES THROUGH THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE. Students with more than five absences per term will face the possibility of reduced credit. Your participation in class discussions is absolutely essential! It not only makes the class more interesting, but it also constitutes part of your grade for the course. Speaking of grades, copying from others or plagiarizing directly from the textbook and other readings is often a strong temptation...please be advised that whether you copy work or let someone else copy your work you will receive a "0" (zip, zilch, nada) for the assignment in question. ***Cell phone and iPod use is not allowed during class. Cell phones must be turned off and put away at all times. Visible or ringing cell phones will be confiscated until the end of the school day, so be sure to text/check your messages before class begins.
Grades: Grades are earned based on points from exams and quizzes, homework assignments, and informed participation in class discussions (include paying attention and being a respectful, active listener). You should be able to demonstrate that you have read the assigned readings prior to coming to class Grades are earned based on the following percentages: UNIT EXAMS, QUIZZES AND KNOWLEDGE CHECKS.............50% PARTICIPATION/DISCUSSION/IN-CLASS WORK .....................25% HOMEWORK AND CREATIVE ASSIGNMENTS..........................25% (note: I will make modifications for any students with identifiable special needs).
Make Up Work: It is the student's responsibility to ask about any missed assignments that result from excused absences. Students with unexcused absences will not receive credit for that day's assignment and/or homework. All work must be turned in on the due date in order to receive credit...in other words, no late homework will be accepted for class credit. If you miss an exam for any reason you will need to arrange a time to make up the exam as soon as possible (in order to receive full credit), and it must be on the day that I am here. LETTER GRADES WILL BE EARNED AS FOLLOWS: 90 - 100%..............................A 80 - 89%................................B 70 - 79%................................C 55 - 69%................................D 00 - 54%................................F
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