EPPING HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:
Course
Description
District
Competencies
for Learning
District Skills
Competencies
for Learning
United States History
This required course is designed to highlight major historical events from precolonial times to events of the 20th Century. Students will explore these events
through themes that will emphasize: conflict and cooperation through wars; civic
ideals and practices through the establishment of the Constitution. Social political
and economic change through slavery and the Industrial Revolution; equality and
authority through civil rights and how Science and technology have shaped the
United States today. Further development of writing skills and critical thinking will
be required to master the competencies of this course.
Students will understand concepts and demonstrate ability to transfer skills across
content areas and apply concepts and skills to real-life situation.
People, Places & Environment – Students will understand that individuals, groups
and societies interact with each other, their social and physical environments such
that cultures evolve over time.
Conflict & Cooperation – Students will understand that conflict and cooperation
together shape the development of society.
Global Connections – Students will understand that society is impacted by its
history, the arts, literature, language and technological advances.
Citizenship – Students will understand the role of citizens as members of national
and global communities and their responsibilities as individual members of a group.
Students will become a:
Collaborator – Students will understand that respect, collaboration, and leadership
are critical to interacting and working effectively with others.
Communicator – Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly using
the most appropriate and effective means.
Contributor – Students will demonstrate the ability to contribute toward a better
world through community service, acceptance and tolerance of diverse people, and
responsibility for the environment.
Evaluator – Students will demonstrate the ability to access, evaluate, use, and
manage information.
Learner – Students will demonstrate the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and
accountable throughout the learning process.
Producer – Students will demonstrate the ability to manage projects, produce
results, and create media products.
Technology User – Students will demonstrate the ability to use technology
respectfully and apply it effectively.
Thinker – Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively, and
systemically to define and solve problems.
The Epping High School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to
become Respectful, Involved, and Knowledgeable citizens.
EPPING HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
School Based
Course
Competency
Statements
(CCS linked to
DCL)
Units of Study
Course Unit
Content and
Skills
Instructional
1.
2.
3.
4.
1. Conflict and cooperation together shape the development of the United
States.( People, Places, Environment)
2. In the history of the United States the people and the environment impact
each other. (People, Places Environment)
3. Decisions by individuals have driven forms of production, distribution and
consumption of goods and services over time. (Global Connections)
4. As various cultures interact or collide on the American continent, each
culture is impacted. (Conflict and Cooperation)
5. Technological advancements have both positive and negative impacts on the
development of American society. (Global Connections)
6. Americans have expressed an ongoing tension between freedom and
security, liberty and equality, and individualism and the common good.
(Citizenship)
7. American identity has been influenced by changing patterns of class,
ethnicity, race and gender. ( Citizenship, Global Connections)
8. Americans express their values and beliefs in art, literature, music and
philosophy. ( Global Connections)
American Identity
Political Foundations and developments
Economic Systems and Technology
Social and Political Interactions.
World Views and Value Systems.
1. Connect in writing the question, How have conflicts during Reconstruction
shaped America today?
2. Explain the connection between Industrialization, urban America and the
Progressive movement.
3. Evaluate the contribution made by immigrants to the United States and the
impact of the United States on immigrants.
4. Explore attitudes towards diversity.
5. Analyze hoe individuals have developed ideas that have profoundly affected
American life.
6. Study the process of urbanization.
Class Projects. Individual and group learning through lecture, discussions,
The Epping High School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to
become Respectful, Involved, and Knowledgeable citizens.
EPPING HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
Strategies
Assessment
Strategies
demonstrations, research and investigation, role playing.
Remembering
Understanding
Applying
Analyzing
Evaluating
Creating
1. Assume the role of a “muckraker” and select a problem in 19th Century
America. They will compose a persuasive essay with a headline,
photograph that exposes a particular problem in America.
2. Evaluate and interpret the political cartoons of Thomas Nast and how
they contributed to the down fall of Boss Tweed.
3. Students will create a poster/metaphor illustrating the perceptions
Americans had of colonized regions and the colonized region’s
perception of America.
4. Debate, should the U.S. engage in isolationism or imperialism?
5. Understand the causes for rise and fall of political parties.
6. Formulate an opinion on the extent democratic ideals have influenced
U.S. foreign policy.
Economic Systems and Technology
1. Create a Depression era travel journal in which people from around America
are “interview”. The scrapbook/journal will include photographs, quotes,
“thought bubbles” and two quotes per page.
2. The students will learn about the philosophical differences between
conservatives, liberals and radicals.
3. Identify the structure and function of government at various levels.
4. Analyze various systems of distributing wealth.
5. Evaluate how different ethnic groups express themselves through art and
music.
Social and Political Interactions
1. Debate President Truman’s decision to use the Atomic Bomb.
2. Write a response to the question; Could the Cold War been avoided?
3. Create a 1950’s scrapbook which looks at the growth of suburbia and the
counterculture.
4. Compare and contrast the various musical styles of the 1950’s.
The Epping High School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to
become Respectful, Involved, and Knowledgeable citizens.
EPPING HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
5. Evaluate how individual rights have been extended in the United States.
6. Examine how institutions and individuals make, apply and enforce rules and
laws.
7. Understand how individuals have developed ideas that have profoundly
affected American lives.
8. Analyze how the arts and science often reflect or influence major ideas,
values and conflicts of particular time periods.
Approved
Revised
February 2012
August 2013
The Epping High School community educates and empowers students within a safe environment to
become Respectful, Involved, and Knowledgeable citizens.