Mrs. Byrnes Webpage

Darien High School

Syllabus

 

lbyrnes@darienps.org

 

website: www.darienps.org/teachers/lbyrnes/

 

American History 300

 

 

This course covers American history from the interaction between the continent’s earliest settlers and its established residents up through present day.  In each of the time periods we study we will look at various aspects of the society including: art and architecture, religion, politics, military actions, social interactions, economics, foreign policy, and others.  The study of these units will help us develop an understanding of what factors were involved in shaping the United States into what it is today.  While learning about the history of the United States we will build useful skills, including those of: analysis, research, presentation, time-management, note-taking, test taking, writing, and others.

 

This is an interdisciplinary course with the American Literature 300 course.  Our classes will stay in chronological sync which will allow us to look at different periods in America through a number of lenses.  Our classes will sometimes be joined and will require you to complete interdisciplinary assignments.  The largest of these interdisciplinary assignments are the quarter projects which you will have at the end of each quarter.  These assignments are a way for you to demonstrate your understanding of the material from our classes as well as the skills you learned. 

Homework

 

· Full credit will only be given to an assignment handed in the day it is due.

· Homework will be completed in a neat and legible manner and will include your name.

· If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed.

· All work must be made up within one (1) week of your absence.

· You are expected to ask me for assistance with homework if you cannot complete it due to not understanding the assignment (full credit will be given if the student asks for extra help the day the homework is due).

· Late homework will automatically receive a grade of  ½

 

ü = Full Credit or 100%—assignment is complete and on time.

 

1/2  = 1/2 credit or 50% - assignment is late or assignment is on time and              incomplete or incorrect.

 

· If you are absent on the day of a test or a quiz, you must be prepared to take the exam on the day of your return.   The only exception to this rule is if you have a letter from a parent stating that you need an extension due to an illness.

· Assignments or tests missed due to an unexcused absence may not be made up.

· Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped each quarter IF AND ONLY IF you have handed in all of your homework for that quarter.

If you are late to class without a pass your tardy is unexcused.

Each unexcused tardy = 1 detention. 

 

Tests                                            = 50% of quarter grade

Homework                                 = 25% of quarter grade

Quizzes                                      = 20% of quarter grade

Class Participation = 5% of quarter grade

Class participation includes class preparedness, binder check, participation in discussion, classroom behavior, attendance and tardiness.