Course: 710 : General Level

Credits: 5

I. Course Description:

This full year required course surveys the late Nineteenth and Twentieth Century American History. Special emphasis is placed on America’s emergence as a world leader and her involvement in armed conflicts and the Cold War, as well as the social, economic and cultural themes of the century. Stress will be placed on critical analysis of primary source documents as well as specific content understanding. Students will be expected to read with comprehension, and to complete projects, written and oral reports, and essays which reinforce the concepts and the historical and cultural themes taught in the course.

II. Core Content Standards:

This course meets the following New Jersey Core Content Standards:

Standard 6.1 U.S. History: America in the World. All students will acquire the knowledge and skills to think analytically about how past and present interactions of people, cultures, and the environment shape the American heritage. Such knowledge and skills enable students to make informed decisions that reflect fundamental rights and core democratic values as productive citizens in local, national, and global communities.

III. The Role of Essential Questions

Key essential questions recur throughout the study of history. They provoke inquiry and lead to deeper understanding of the big ideas that enable students to better comprehend how the past connects to the present. The essential questions created for this project, which follow, were used to frame content goals and to inform the development of the cumulative progress indicators.

A. Civics, Government, and Human Rights	How do citizens, civic ideals, and government institutions interact to balance the needs of individuals and the common good? How have economic, political, and cultural decisions promoted or prevented the growth of personal freedom, individual responsibility, equality, and respect for human dignity?
B. Geography, People, and the Environment	How do physical geography, human geography, and the human environment interact to influence or determine the development of cultures, societies, and nations?
C. Economics, Innovation, and Technology	How can individuals, groups, and societies apply economic reasoning to make difficult choices about scarce resources? What are the possible consequences of these decisions for individuals, groups, and societies? How have scientific and technological developments over the course of history changed the way people live and economies and governments function?
D. History, Culture, and Perspectives	How do our interpretations of past events inform our understanding of cause and effect, and continuity and change, and how do they influence our beliefs and decisions about current public policy issues? How can the study of multiple perspectives, beliefs systems, and cultures provide a context for understanding and challenging public actions and decisions in a diverse and interdependent world?

IV. Course Content Outline:

MP 1

Content Statement 5. Immigration, Urbanization, and Industrialization

Technological developments and unregulated business practices revolutionized transportation, manufacturing, and consumption and changed the daily lives of Americans.

The Industrial Revolution and immigration had a powerful impact on labor relations, urbanization, the environment, and cultural values and created tensions between ethnic and social groups.

Content Statement 6. The Emergence of Modern America: Progressive Reforms
Progressive reform movements promoted government efforts to address problems created by rapid industrialization, immigration, and unfair treatment of women, children, and minority groups.
An expanding market for international trade promoted policies that resulted in America emerging as a world power.

Content Statement 7. The Emergence of Modern America: World War I
United States involvement in World War I affected politics, the economy, and geopolitical relations following the war.

MP 2

Content Statement 8. The Emergence of Modern America: Roaring Twenties

The 1920s is characterized as a time of social, economic, technological, and political change, as well as a time of emerging isolationism, racial and social tensions, and economic problems.

Content Statement 9. The Great Depression and World War II: The Great Depression

The Great Depression resulted from government economic policies, business practices, and individual decisions, and it impacted business and society.

Content Statement 10. The Great Depression and World War II: New Deal

Aimed at recovery, relief, and reform, New Deal programs had a lasting impact on the expansion of the role of the national government in the economy.

MP 3

Content Statement 11. The Great Depression and World War II: World War II

The United States participated in World War II as an Allied force to prevent military conquests by Germany, Italy, and Japan. Domestic and military policies during World War II continued to deny equal rights to African Americans, Asian Americans, and women.

Content Statement 12. Postwar United States: Cold War

Cold War tensions between the United States and communist countries resulted in conflict that influenced domestic and foreign policy for over forty years.

Content Statement 13. Postwar United States: Civil Rights and Social Change

The Civil Rights movement marked a period of social turmoil and political reform, resulting in the expansion of rights and opportunities for individuals and groups previously discriminated against. Unit Topic In unit 16 students will learn about the African American struggle for civil rights during the 1950s and 1960s.

MP 4

Content Statement 14. Contemporary United States: Domestic Policies

Differing views on government’s role in social and economic issues led to greater partisanship in government decision making. The increased economic prosperity and opportunities experienced by many masked growing tensions and disparities experienced by some individuals and groups. Immigration, educational opportunities, and social interaction have led to the growth of a multicultural society with varying values and perspectives.

Content Statement 15. Contemporary United States (1970-Today): International Policies

The United States has used various methods to achieve foreign policy goals that affect the global balance of power, national security, other national interests, and the development of democratic societies.

Content Statement 16. Contemporary United States (1970-Today): Interconnected Global Society

Scientific and technological changes have dramatically affected the economy, the nature of work, education, and social interactions.

VI. Instructional Strategies:

Classroom presentation and explanation of topics

Classroom discussion of topics

Completion of group projects

Completion of:

- assigned readings

- basic skills worksheets

- geography skill worksheets

- outline maps

- study guides

- re-teaching worksheets

- chapter summaries

- vocabulary worksheets

- critical thinking worksheets

- teacher made worksheets

- textbook review questions

Reading:

- primary source textbook

- stories from history

- issues of the modern age

- history and literature readings

- current events

Writing:

- teacher assigned essays

- current events related to the modern age

VII. Methods for Evaluation of Students:

1.0 Completion and quality of homework assignments, worksheets, maps and review sheets.

2.0 Grades on professionally prepared and teacher prepared quizzes, tests, mid-term exam, and final exam.

3.0 Grades on teacher assigned projects.

4.0 Grades on teacher assigned writing assignments.

5.0 Classroom participation, productivity, and the ability to work with others.

VII. Instructional Materials:

Although various sources will be utilized throughout the course, the basic texts will be:

United States History by Emma J. Lapansky-Werner, Peter B. Levy, Randy Roberts, and Alan Taylor (Prentice Hall)

Or The Americans by Gerald A. Danzer, J.Jorge Klor de Alva, Larry S. Krieger, Louis E. Wilson (McDougall-Littell)

Supplemental Materials:

Teacher Resource Book for America – Pathways to the Present.

Teacher Resource Materials for –The Americans

Movies (See attached Section)