Text (supplied by school)

There is no text for this class

Supplemental Materials (Supplied by school)

“PBS Home Video” The Civil War: A Film By Ken Burns.  Prod. Ken Burns and Ric Burns. PBS, WETA-TV.  Florentine Films, 1990. 

Watkins, Sam. Co. Aytch: A Side Show of the Big Show. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1962.

Rhodes, Elisha H. All for the Union.  New York, NY: Vintage Books, 1985.

Supplemental Materials (supplied by student)

• 3 ring binder (at least ½ inch)
• Loose leaf paper- NO SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS
• 5 Dividers- Labeled as follows
  • Notes
  • Maps
  • Ken Burns
  • FOW/VFT
  • Journals

Students will keep up with all that we do in their notebooks.  This notebook is to be used for War Between the States ONLY and must be kept neat.  Points will be deducted for messy notebooks as well as for using the notebook for any other class.  Students do not have to keep returned papers in them.  Students must have all sections up to date as there will be periodic notebook checks at least once every chapter.  This syllabus and the parent signed copy of the class rules, guidelines, and procedures must be kept in the front and will also be checked periodically.

I.  Course Description and Objective

War Between the States is a comprehensive look at the greatest watershed event in American History.  It will examine the origins and economic impact of slavery.  Students will decipher and understand the politics and compromises that paved the way to the war.  The course will examine the art of war, Ft. Sumter, and every major confrontation that occurred between 1861-1865.  The class will also incorporate the local aspect and engagements of the war.  An express emphasis will be given to vocabulary and geography skills as well.  The course will address skills that students will need for upper level high school courses, college, and life beyond school such as:

1.      Written expression

2.      Oral communication

3.      Comparing and contrasting

4.      Critical reading analysis including primary and secondary sources and literary and historical works,

5.      Develop the ability to decipher and explore history while drawing their own conclusions about historical events 

6.      Time Management skills

7.      Organizational skills

8.      Prepare students for college style classes (AP & College)

II.  Course Format

The structure of this course is formatted around a system to prepare students for college level history courses.  The primary mode of delivering information will be lecture/discussion.  Students will be responsible for readings and expected to engage in discussion as a part of their participation grade.  This course will also rely heavily on a technology component that features multiple trips to the computer labs for multimedia exploration.  Other forms of instruction include, but are not limited to collaborative learning teams, independent outside exploration, and various multimedia uses.

III.  Tests and Quizzes

Tests- Students will be tested regularly in this class.  These tests, not to exceed one (1) per week, will consist of several combinations of the following:

1.      Matching

2.      Fill in the Blank

3.      Multiple Choice

4.      True/False

5.      Short Answer

6.      Essay- classic 5 paragraph style

Quizzes- Students will be taking a series of map quizzes that will familiarize them with the geography of the time period.  These will be based on maps and map activities given during the course of a chapter.  Quizzes may also be utilized in other forms to assess comprehension of material other than maps.  These may be presented in auditory, written, and/or PowerPoint format.

IV.  Nine Weeks and Final Exam

This course will have a nine weeks exam.  The nine weeks test grade will be a comprehensive look at the first nine-week term.  The final examination is a comprehensive exam that consists of 100 multiple choice and matching questions.  This exam covers the entirety of the class with a focus on the latter half material.

V.  Other Required Assignments

Essays-  Essays will be a key part of daily assignments during this class.  Improving the students written expression and ability to write is essential for success at the college level.  These essays will be standard 5 paragraph essays most of the time, however, the instructor reserves the right to change the format at any time.

VI.  Sources and Materials

Much of the material of this course will be derived from outside research done by the instructor.  There will be, however, supplemental readings required.  Some of these readings will take place in the classroom, but other readings, will take place outside of class.  Much of the readings will be excerpted, however, a complete work may be assigned.  Many of these excerpts will be taken from the Internet and may consist of more than are listed in the syllabus.

VII.  Grading Policy
Grades are based on a point system.  Each assignment will have a point value.  At the end of each 9 weeks, points achieved will be divided by the number of points possible for each student and a grade is determined.  The grading scale is as follows:
                                    A:  93-100
                                    B:  85-92
                                    C:  75-84
                                    D:  70-74       
                                    F:  69 and below

Participation Grade- Each student will receive a participation grade.  This grade is a 100 given to the student at the beginning of each 9 weeks.  From that 100, points can be deducted for several different things over the course of the grading period.  Some of them are, but not limited to:

§         Tardy to class:  -1 point

§         Sleeping in class: -5 points

§         Not having book/materials: -2 points

§         Not completing readings: -3 points


 

VIII.  Classroom Website:

There is a class website that goes along with this course.  The use of this website is REQUIRED.  I do realize that access to the internet may be limited in some cases, however, access to the site is available at school in one of the computer labs.  These labs are open for access before school, during lunch, and after school.  There is a computer available in my classroom as well.  If internet access is a problem please indicate this on the signed class guidelines sheet that is sent home.

IX.  Extra Credit:

Extra credit is offered for this class.  It is obtained through the class website with complete instructions.  No one may earn more than 100 points extra credit during the SEMESTER.  The extra credit is offered only to get students to explore historical places in the country, it is not there to replace the work students should have completed during the semester.

X.  Course Content:

Chapter 1- All Night Forever

• This chapter will cover the origins of slavery.  It will demonstrate life on a plantation, the differences between geographical regions of the south, and how slavery impacted the economy of the south and the rest of the United States.

Chapter 2- Power and Compromise

• This chapter covers the beginning expansion of the United States frontier as new states begin to form throughout the Union.  It will talk about the terms and ramifications of the Missouri Compromise, the outcome of the Mexican War, and the terms of the Compromise of 1850.  The chapter will make and in-depth analysis of how western expansion contributed to the volatile situation in the United States.  It will conclude with a look at the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin and how Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel gave a face to the “peculiar institution”

Chapter 3- Gateway to War

• This chapter chronicles the events that took place in Kansas just before the war.  The first real fighting began in 1850 in the state of Kansas as settlers fought over making Kansas a free state or slave state.  This chapter also follows the struggle as violence spills over into the capitol and major political reforms are made as well as the landmark case of Scott v. Sanford.

Chapter 4- Secession

• This chapter begins with the political event responsible for causing the secession crisis, the election of 1860.  It then follows the southern path to secession and the arguments presented for and against the legality of the issue.  It establishes the Confederate Constitution and cabinet, as well as the crisis at Ft. Sumter.  This chapter ends with the firing of the first shots of the American Civil War.

Chapter 5- Preparing for Battle: Tactics, Strategy, Weapons, and Camp Life

• This chapter covers the basics of war, as the students will learn fundamental tactics and strategies of war.  It will encompass a look at training, camp life, drill, and lifestyles of the everyday soldier.  It will be accompanied by presentations of the gear and take an in depth look at the weaponry that made this the bloodiest war in American History.

Chapter 6- War Beginnings: The Valley of the Shadow of Death

• This chapter begins the struggle that defines our nation.  It begins with the first real battle of the war at Manassas, VA and continues to cover conflicts at Shiloh, the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, the Peninsula Campaign, and the Seven Days Battle.  It finishes with the naval exploits of Adm. Farragut and the Battle of New Orleans along with the battle of the Ironclads at Hampton Roads.

Chapter 7- And the Blood Pours

• This chapter follows the war from the 2^nd battle of Manassas and carries through the single bloodiest day in the conflict, Antietam.  It then covers one of the most important and controversial political decisions made by a president- the Emancipation Proclamation.  It then takes us into the most pivotal year of the war, 1863.  The chapter concludes with the costly death of one of the Confederacy’s top commanders.

Chapter 8- The Tide Turns

• In the spring of ’63, the CSA decides to invade the north for a second time.  Even without their top subordinate, Lee believes his army to be invincible and crosses the Potomac.  This chapter leads us to the battle of Gettysburg followed by the Union victory at Vicksburg.  The war focus then shifts to the Tennessee/Georgia border in the battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga.  The chapter concludes with battle of Knoxville and Longstreet’s campaign back east through Jefferson County.

Chapter 9- The Beginning of the End

• As 1863 comes to an end, the Confederacy finds itself in shaken, but not defeated.  This changes, however, as this chapter chronicles the historic and fateful voyages of the CSS Hunley, the unraveling of CSA army, and its ultimate defeat at Appomattox.  The chapter concludes with the Assassination of, arguably, the greatest president in the history of our country as the nation truly becomes united.