AMERICAN CULTURES I SYLLABUS

Course Rationale - Required Materials - Classroom Procedures / Expectations - Class Participation - Grading Policy - Grading Breakdown - Communication & Contact Information - Home

Course Rationale:

American Cultures I

American Cultures I is a basic course designed to help students understand the early history, culture, and geography of the United States, North America, and the world. Emphasis is placed upon developing the students' awareness of American Cultures and how those relationships continue to change and mold the United States today, both at home and abroad.

American Cultures II

Students will analyze and discuss America's achievements and mistakes in both foreign and domestic policy from the Western movement through World War II. A major goal of this course is to develop within students a working knowledge and appreciation of our past and present American culture. While achieving this goal, students will also become aware of the evolution of their individual rights and freedoms as American citizens.

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Required Materials:

1. Notebook (MANDATORY)
2. Pencil or Pen. (MANDATORY)
3. Complete assignments when due.
4. Textbook - which can be signed-out as needed (For example: after absences).

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Classroom Procedures/ Expectations:

1.    Each student is expected to come to class everyday and with all materials required for that day.

• Failure to do so will result in detentions according to the Titusville High School (THS) policy.

2.    Each student is expected to act to the code of conduct (found in the front of the THS Handbook).

• Failure to do so will result in discipline from administrative staff.

3.    Each student will be held responsible for Mr. Tenney’s personal classroom rules.

1. Be Respectful               to classmates, staff, and the school.
2. Be Prepared                by bringing a notebook, a writing utensil, and any assignments.
3. Be Patient                    there is a certain time to ask questions and use the restroom.
4. Be Positive                   about the subject, classroom, and learning.
5. Be on Task                   by participating in class.

• Failure to follow these rules will result in the student failing to meet trained expectations. The student will be issued a “retraining pass” The student will place his/her name on the “Retraining Log” near my door.

• The student will be retrained on the proper behavior on his/her own time. If the student complains about retraining, they should be reminded: “please take a moment to make a good decision, you and I can resolve this without involving the administration and making things worse.”

• If the student becomes insubordinate, contact the administration immediately.

• Once retraining is completed, the event will be logged in the GoogleDoc log for record keeping purposes.

4.    Students are required to turn material in on time. Only excused absences will allow for make-up assignments or tests as per the THS Handbook.

5.    Students will be held responsible for damage to the textbooks, classroom, etc… and thus fined.

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Class Participation:

Each student will receive 50 points per quarter to be used or misused for class participation. This is in an initiative to get students to become more responsible and efficient. USE THESE POINTS WISELY!

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Grading Policy: Each student will EARN their grade based upon the following: Homework, participation, quizzes, tests, projects, and map work. This course will adhere to the grading scale below:

• In American Cultures I, the students are expected to perform at a grade level which merits a “C” or better on the report card.  Any student who does not meet this expectation will receive an “I,” which stands for “insufficient.” Students who has earned an "I" will have the opportunity to achieve a grade of “C” or better. It is important to note that “I’s” will automatically revert back to the original insufficient grade earned if the student does not complete all make-up requirements within a certain period of time.   

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Grading Breakdown: Determing your grade is easy. All you need to do is add all the points you have earned and divide it by the total possible points. For example, Joe Shmoe earned 50 out of 50 points on a test, 10 out of 30 on a geography quiz, and 15 out of 20 on a homework assignment. So, Joe has 75 points out of the 100 points possible. Using the Grading Policy above, it is determined that Joe currently has a "C."

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Communication & Contact Information:

• If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me at stenney@gorockets.org. E-mail is definitely the best way to get a hold of me. I will respond as soon as possible.
• You may also call me at (814) 827-2715 Ext. 1212 and leave a voicemail message. I am in the building some mornings as early as 7:00 A.M. and stay to 4:00 P.M. Again, I will respond as soon as possible.
• I will often contact parents/guardians for various reasons throughout the school year.
  • For example, I have a "Student of the Week" program where once a week a student is elected by his/her peers for demonstrating excellent leadership in the classroom.

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Mr. Tenney reserves the right to modify and amend the syllabus as necessary.