Civil War

Course Requirements

Course Description

This course is a detailed study of America’s history during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Discussion, study and research will concentrate on military, political,economic, social and diplomatic aspects of the conflict. Secondary as well as primary scholarship will be used in student examination and analysis of events.

Required Materials

1. Battle Cry of Freedom
2. The Killer Angels
3. Notebook
4. Folder with pockets
5. Colored pencils
6. 3x5 lined index cards
7. Second semester outside reading (book) may be required

Course Objectives

1. To demonstrate an understanding of the impact of geographical, social, economic, and political factors on the development of sectionalism and the resulting crisis of disunion.
2. To examine the contributions to the war effort of various groups of Americans, including women, blacks, and immigrants.
3. To encourage students to express their knowledge-based views on controversial issues that produced division, as well as controversial issues of the war itself.
4. To examine the crucial role of foreign policy for both the North and South.
5. To learn to assess historical materials – their relevance to a given interpretative problem, their reliability, and their importance – and to weigh the evidence in interpretations presented in historical scholarship
6. To strengthen students’ critical thinking, writing, and study skills.
7. To promote an understanding as to why the North prevailed over the South in the War.
8. To analyze the impact of the home front upon the war effort for both sides.
9. To analyze and evaluate the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation upon the war effort for both the Confederacy and the Union.
10. To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both sides militarily, politically, socially, and economically.
11. To promote an understanding of the reasons the average American fought in this conflict.
12. To provide an opportunity for students to identify and describe the major turning points of the war.
13. To analyze the major battles and military campaigns as to objectives, leadership of commanders, success, and results.
14. To provide an opportunity for the students to read and analyze military maps and other various data.
15. To develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgement and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format.

Student Expectations

• To adhere to all SMR House Rules and to refrain from chewing gum in class.
• To actively participate in group discussions and cooperative group activities.
• To complete assignments given in and outside of class on time. No late work will be accepted.
• To uphold criteria established in the student-parent handbook on attendance, cheating/plagiarism, and Internet use. To abide by the SMR Honor Code.
• To complete writing assignments as directed by teacher.
• To type all assignments as requested.
• To bring all required and necessary materials to class each day.
• To complete the assigned reading prior to class and to prepare to participate in class discussions and activities. Class time is not used to go over assigned readings. Instead text and supplemental readings are intended to serve as the point of departure for class sessions and discussions.
• To adhere to the SMR dress code as stated in the SMR Handbook.
• To attend class regularly. This is necessary to be successful in this course.
• To arrive to class on time. Late students receive a zero for their quality points for the day.
• To keep all communication devices, such as cell phones, in your locker or car, as required by the SMR Handbook.

Evaluation and Grading

As already stated, all assignments are due by the date given. No late work will be accepted unless a student is absent due to a verified illness. Assignments must be submitted on the 1^st day back to class. Missed quizzes will be taken on the day of the student’s return.  If a student misses a test, arrangements must be made with the teacher for a makeup immediately upon the student’s return to school. Make-up tests may be different from the original test missed.

Written homework will not be collected on a regular basis, but it is fully expected that all of it will be completed on time. Homework will be needed for class participation, quizzes, and tests. Completed homework and assign readings are not only mandatory, but essential to be successful in this advanced course!

Advice to all:  Keep up with what is going on in class and what is due and when. This is your responsibility 

Quarter grades are based on a points possible system.  Averages will be a reflection of the student’s grades on tests, quizzes, homework assignments, research projects (which will include the use of computers and the internet), group work, class participation/discussion, and attitude. The grading scale is stated in the student-parent handbook. In addition, everyday you will be expected to earn 5 Quality Points (participation grade). Failure to earn these points or earning negative points will obviously hurt your quarter average. Q Points will be discussed in detail during the first few days of class. Students will be given a description of what is expected during class. This description will be posted on my webpage for future reference.

No individual extra credit will be given – no exceptions!

All students will receive quality points (participation grade) each quarter. It is expected that students earn 5 Q Points each class. These points will be based upon daily observations that I shall note. Participation grades cannot be negotiated.

“A” Student

Students who receive an “A” in participation always take a voluntary, thoughtful, and active role in their own learning, challenging themselves on a daily basis. Through participation and inquiry, they consistently demonstrate a genuine desire to learn and share ideas with the teacher and their classmates. They initiate discussions, ask significant questions, and act as leaders within the class and in groups. They are willing to take risks, to assert an opinion and support it, and to listen actively to others. Having thoughtfully completed assignments, these students are always well prepared and always make positive contributions to the classroom environment; the thoroughness of their work demonstrates the high regard they hold for learning. These students are never late and never offer excuses; these students accept responsibility for their own actions and are willing to take risks and to rise to any challenge they confront. These students never attempt to hold other people or circumstances responsible. Even when offering suggestions for improvement to other classmates or to the teacher, these students are always respectful and courteous, demonstrating an understanding of the demands and sacrifices necessary for a group of people to learn. These students are always sitting silently when class begins, have their books and appropriate materials out, and are ready to learn. These students always follow classroom procedures and SMR rules without any cues from the teacher.

“B” Student

Students who receive a “B” in participation take an active role in their own learning. They participate regularly in class discussions and frequently volunteer their ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and defend opinions. They listen respectfully to their classmates and are willing to share ideas as a result of having completed assignments. Though never causing disruption to the class, these students do not always demonstrate a consistent commitment to make the most out of the class time each and every day. Sometimes they are more content to sit quietly and stare rather than join in discussions; sometimes they are willing to let other class members bear the burden of keeping a conversation going or of responding to questions. These students are always respectful and courteous, demonstrating an understanding of the demands and sacrifices necessary for a group of people to learn together. These students are always sitting quietly when class starts, have their books and appropriate materials out, and are ready to learn. These students always follow classroom procedures and SMR rules without any cues from the teacher.

“C” Student

Students who receive a “C” in participation take an active role in their own learning, sharing relevant ideas and asking appropriate questions. Although reluctant to take risks, they contribute regularly to class discussions. These students listen to their classmates and respect their opinions. As a result of having completed assignments, these students are prepared to answer questions when called upon. They may need occasional reminders to stay on task, make the most of our class time, and to increase their level of commitment to the course. These students are always sitting silently when class starts, have their books and appropriate materials out, and are ready to learn.

“D” Student

Students who receive a “D” in participation occasionally take an active role in their own learning. They participate and ask questions infrequently. They hesitate to share their ideas or to take risks, and they may not always listen to or respect the opinions of others. These students usually participate only when called upon. As a result of assignments being sometimes incomplete or missing, they may not be prepared to answer thoughtfully with detail or substance. Sometimes these students continue to talk after class begins; occasionally they are still standing when class is ready to begin and need to be prompted to stop talking and to get ready to learn. These students need regular reminders to stay on task and sometimes need to multiple cues to follow classroom procedures and SMR rules. Whiles these students demonstrate a general understanding of class procedures and school rules, they occupy a good bit of the teacher’s time, slowing down the learning process and keeping the class from having a clear sense of focus and forward motion. They sometimes draw attention to themselves and do not respect the learning needs of others. These students sometimes raise their voice with the teacher and other classmates, or refuse to follow procedures and rules. When working in groups, these students sometimes do not stay on task and instead use the time to talk about other things or engage in games or horseplay.

“F” Student

Students who receive an “F” in participation rarely take an active role in their own learning. They often do not participate and rarely share ideas or ask questions. These students display weak listening skills; they may be intolerant of the opinions of others. As a result of being unprepared for or disengaged from class, these students often refuse to offer ideas even when called upon. These students are more of a liability than an asset to the overall progress of the class. Sometimes these students continue to talk after class begins; occasionally that are still standing when class is ready to begin and need to be prompted to stop talking, take a seat, and get ready to learn. These students need constant reminders to stay on task and often need multiple cues to follow classroom procedures and or school rules. These students demonstrate a general disrespect for the class procedures; they occupy a disproportionate amount of the teacher’s time, impeding the learning process. They often draw attention to themselves and do not respect the learning needs of others. These students raise their voice with the teacher and other classmates, and refuse to follow procedures and school rules. Often direct interventions are needed; these interventions stop the learning process. When working in groups, these students often do not stay on task and instead use the time to talk about other things or to engage in games, horseplay or inappropriate discussions.