11th Grade US History South Torrance High

Instructor: Rochelle VanTil

Contact: (310) 533-4352 X7470
Classroom: M-25
vantil.rochelle@tusd.org

Course Overview:
This two semester course studies the development of the United States from the
Colonial period to the present. Major turning points will be emphasized through a look
at cultural, political, judicial, economic, and technological triggers or outcomes. This
class will emphasize the use of primary sources to investigate cause and effect
relationships. Connections to current events will be part of the discussions every week
and there will be a current event assignment due each Friday.

Goals for this class include: understanding the history of regions within in the US
and the legacy & influence today of the diverse issues, actions and attitudes across the
nation; developing an awareness of the role the United States has played over time in
the world & the complexity of the 21st century; and the use of primary sources as
evidence.

Course Content:

· First Semester
· Colonial Era / Founding Fathers / American Revolution / Constitution
· Manifest Destiny
· Civil War/Reconstruction
· Western Frontier
· New Industrial Age
· Progressive Era
· WWI
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· Second Semester
· Roaring Twenties
· Great Depression / New Deal
· WWII
· Civil Rights movement
· American Society: Era of Social Change
· Cold War
· America and war abroad
· Post Cold War
· New Global Economy
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· Textbook: The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century
· (class set in the classroom - textbook should be left at home … so you’ll always have access to it)
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· Research Paper ~ Students will complete one small formal paper that
focuses on MLA format & a guided research paper process.
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· Independent Reading ~ Students will read one outside reading book per
semester.
· • Fall semester ~ famous American (biography)
· • Spring semester ~ Current controversial issue
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· Current events will be discussed every Friday to keep connected to issues
facing the United States today. Various themes will be covered & students will
choose an article and prepare an analysis each week.
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· GRADES:
· 15% Classwork/Homework/Current Events
· 70% Assessment: Quiz/Test/Writing/Projects
· 15% Final
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·  NO LATE homework is accepted – unless a full day “legal” absence is
recorded (partial day absence and athletic excuses will not exempt you from turning in
homework)
·  LATE projects and essays will lose 10% a day (one letter grade a day)
·  Zero points if you are absent for a group presentation (there are few group
projects but keep this in mind when scheduling presentation dates & selecting group
members)
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· BASIC RULES:
·  NO electronics: music, phones, games on calculators, etc.
· I WILL TAKE IT up to the office ... no 1st chance, 2nd chance, etc.
·  When going to use the restroom, leave your phone on teacher’s desk
·  NO covering your head with a sweatshirt hoodie in class; we want to see your
ears!
·  NO eating in class
·  SHS tardy policy will be followed: 1st & 2nd = verbal warning; 3rd = U in
citizenship
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· FINAL EXAM BONUS incentive for good citizenship ...
· 20 points extra credit (a letter grade bump) on Final!
· For every tardy & each cell phone/electronics confiscation, 5 points off the 20
extra credit points ... think about this, it can save your borderline grade.
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· After you have read and understood this syllabus, ask your parent (the primary
contact who will receive the occasional email from me regarding projects, due dates,
etc.) to email me vantil.rochelle@tusd.org the following:
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· Subject line: Period 6 William Dennis
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· Message: Please tell me that that you have read the course syllabus & ask any
questions. This is also a good opportunity to say anything I should know about your
son or daughter.
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