Modern American History

Course Description

Modern American History traces the history of the United States from the beginning of the 20th Century to the present. We will examine a number of major social, cultural, and political events that occurred during this time period. 

Goals

Students will:

• Examine the impacts of Reconstruction and Western Expansion.

• Explain the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on Immigration and Urbanization.

• Evaluate major political and social issues resulting from changes during the Industrial Revolution and analyze the solutions developed and their impact.

• Investigate major changes in U.S. foreign policy and its impact (1890-1920).

• Evaluate key events and decisions surrounding the causes and consequences of the Global Depression (1920-1930).

• Examine the causes and development of World War II and the effects of the war on U.S. society, culture, and involvement on world affairs.

• Identify, analyze, and explain the causes, conditions, and impact of the Cold War on the United States (1945-1989).

• Examine, analyze, and explain demographic changes, domestic policies, conflicts, and tensions in post-World War II America (1945-Present)

• Examine and analyze the Civil Rights Movement using key events, people, and organizations.

• Explain the impact of Globalization on the U.S. economy, politics, society, and role in the world (1970-Present).

Course Requirements:

• Tests and Quizzes

• Papers and Projects

• Participation

• Homework

• Comprehensive Semester Exam

Text used and other recommended materials: 

• American History: Reconstruction to the Present. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co. 2018. 

• Various Articles, Text Excerpts, and Primary Sources

Evaluation

At the end of the marking period, the teacher will calculate students’ grades from tests, daily quizzes, specific assignments, etc.  Letter grades will be assigned by the scale below.  

Student scores that result in .05 or higher should be rounded up.  The following percentage scale applies.

100 - 91.5  = A

91.4 - 89.5 = A-

89.4 - 87.5 = B+

87.4 - 81.5 = B

81.4 - 79.5 = B-

79.4 - 77.5 = C+

77.4 - 71.5 = C 

71.4 - 69.5 = C-

69.4 - 67.5 = D+

67.4 - 61.5 = D

61.4 - 59.5 = D-

59.4 - 0      = E

Grades will be rounded up only to the tenth place during this calculation.  Students will only earn a passing grade for a marking period if they achieve at or above 59.45%, which rounds to 59.5%.

TO CALCULATE FINAL SEMESTER GRADE

The final semester grade is based on a composite of two nine-weeks’ grades and the final examination/culminating assessment/project.  Each nine weeks is worth approximately 43%, and the semester exam/project or District Culminating Activity assessment is worth approximately 14%.