Sunnydale Adventist Academy

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Sunnydale Adventist Academy
Syllabus for American History
2007-2008

 
Instructor:     Randy Ferguson
Office:          Ad Building 208
Phone:          573-682-2164 ext. 204
Email:           rferguson@sunnydale.org

I.    Textbook: America: Pathways to the Present

II.   Course Description: Students will examine our nation’s history from its founding, through the circumstances that led to its becoming a super power, to the current issues it faces today.
Prerequisite- Junior class standing

III.   Course Policies:
            A. Assignments are due in class when requested. Assignments that come in after the
            deadline will receive an automatic 50% reduction in grade. No late assignments will be
            accepted after the test for that chapter has been taken.
            B. Students are expected to show respect to each other and the teacher at all times.
            C. One homework and quiz score will be dropped per semester.
            D. Grade Scale:
               
 A+  99-100    C  73-76
 A  93-98    C-  70-72
 A-  90-92    D+  67-69
 B+  87-89    D  63-66
 B  83-86    D-  60-62
 B-  80-82    F  59 or lower
 C+  77-79      

         
                 Grades are composed of the following:
                            Daily Assignments & Participation        10%                 
                            Projects/Reports                                   20%                       
                            Quizzes                                                15%       
                            Tests                                                    30%       
                            Mid-Term & Final Tests                        25%                               

            E. Attendance is expected to all class periods. If you are absent or tardy to class, you are
            responsible for information you missed. Check with the teacher or classmates for class
            notes, changes in assignment, special announcements, ets.
            F. Attendance quizzes may not be made up.

IV.   Projects/Reports

A. Current Event Summary
These summaries are to be in MLA style: 1 page typed double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-font, 1 inch margins. Look up your information on the Internet, magazines, or newspapers. Then write a summary in your own words what the article was about and do you agree or disagree with it. Give examples.

B. Projects
Two posters will be required this semester. You may purchase the poster board from the business office. Be creative and unique.
                    1. Topic:                 Due:
                    2. Topic:                 Due:

C. Book Report
One book report is due for the semester. The book report is due . The book needs to be 250-300 pages long and it  must be approved by the teacher BEFORE you read it. Due date

            Topic:        1.
                               2.
                               3.

Book Report Requirements:
1. The book report must be MLA style, 2 pages in length, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-font, and 1-inch margins

2. Book Report Body:
I. Introduction: Here you want to provide basic information about the book, and a sense of what your report will be about. You should include: 1. Title (underlined) and Author, 2. Publication information: Publisher, year, number of pages, 3. a brief (2-3 sentences) introduction to the book.

II. Explanation and Opinion: Provide a general overview of the author’s topic, main points, and argument. What is the thesis? What are the important conclusions? Do not try to summarize each chapter or every angle. Choose the ones that are most significant and interesting to you.

III. Analysis and Evaluation: In this section you will analyze or critique the book. You can write about your opinions; just be sure that you explain and support them with examples. Some questions you might consider: did the author achieve his or her purpose? IS the writing effective, powerful, or difficult? What are the strengths and weakness of the book? What are the author’s qualifications to write about the subject? Do you agree with the author’s arguments and conclusions? What is your overall response to the book? Did you find it interesting, moving, or dull? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

IV. Conclusion: Briefly conclude by pulling your thoughts together. You may want to say what impression of the book left you with or emphasize what you want your reader to know about.


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6818 Audrain Road 9139 • Centralia, MO, 65240 • 573-682-2164