HISTORY 2

Mr. West
AMERICA
smwest5@asu.edu
Phone: 602-555-5555
1860This 8 grade history course will be looking at what has happened in the United States from the
PRESENT
Civil War to present day. Students will look at various readings (primary documents, excerpts
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from historically important books, etc.), films, and music to discover and investigate our nations
history. History and film are two passions of mine and hope to share my enthusiasm for these
topics with all of my students. I have student taught and done some tutoring in the past which I
plan to put to use in this class to help each and every student do their best and do great things.
During this course there are several overarching themes that will be addressed, that will also
come up in your English courses. These themes include:
Social Class

Injustice

Conflict

Hope

Power

Oppression

Culture

Ideology

In my class I have high expectations for students. We are all capable of incredible things. I
expect students to strive for greatness and do their best possible work for every assignment.
Students should think critically and show their insights on content as often as possible and take
part in class discussions. Every day I expect students to be ready and prepared for class.
Late Work:
Assignments turned in late will be accepted but at reduced points. After a week the assignment
will be worth half the points, at two weeks it will be worth a quarter of the original point value.
Up until quarterly grades are due, students can turn in their late work with a 1-2 page paper
describing how the specific assignment and the material it covers relates to one of the above
themes for restored original point value. After quarterly grades have been given, any missing
assignments will be counted as zeroes. Exceptions will be made for specific circumstances that
students will meet with me to discuss.
Absences:
Valid excuses called in by parent/guardian and school related absences are the only absences that
will be tolerated. For these absences students will speak with me to decide how they will make
up work that they missed on the day of the absence.

Unexcused absences, unless later explained by parent/guardian as a valid absence, will result in
students earning zero points for participation and assignments missed on that day are
automatically set at half the point value.
Grading Scale:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 59% or below
Turning assignments in on time and class participation will be critical for success in this class.
There will be several opportunities for extra credit of varying amounts (from 1 to 15 points) that
can be used to improve grades. Over the course of the semester students will have 4
tests/quizzes, various writing and creative exercises, and 2 research papers. This is all subject to
change due to scheduling or teacher discretion.
Materials:

Pencils

Highlighters

Three ring binder

Note cards

Note paper

2 Folders

Rules:
Refer to your student handbook for the school rules. These rules are the primary structure for the
class. Additional rules will be created with input from each class period.

Syllabus Acknowledgement Form

(5 Points Signed)

I have read and understand everything in the syllabus for Mr. Wests
History 2 course. This syllabus along with my student handbook will be
a guide for how I should behave in class and how I will be academically
successful. I understand that items in the syllabus may change over the
course of the semester, and not everything is set in stone.

Student Name (Print) ____________________________________

Student Signature_______________________________________
Date_________________

Parent/Guardian Name (Print)_____________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature________________________________
Date_________________