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Honors U.S. History II Syllabus (Fall 2011-2012)
BCIT-Medford
Mr. Bodnar
Room D105
E-mail: jbodnar@bcit.cc
Phone: (609) 654-0200, EXT. 568
Outline: This course will cover United States history primarily from the year 1890 to the present
day. It will be generally organized chronologically and include topics such as wars (Spanish-
American, World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Cold, Iraq), social movements
(Progressive, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights), economics (Great Depression and New Deal, our
current recession), leaders (The Roosevelts, The Kennedys, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm
X) and technology (radio, television, iPhone).
In our studies, we will focus on trying to understand how the past has affected the
present, and how we can learn from history. For example: How is our current recession similar
to and different from the Great Depression? Why do we fight wars? Where does our tax money
go, and why?
In our textbook, we’ll be starting at Chapter 12 and moving through the rest of the book,
spending more time on some topics than others. However, the textbook will only be one
resource. We’ll also use plenty of other materials in our studies (articles, Internet resources,
video clips, etc.).
Other purposes of class: Yes, this is a history class, but learning the whos, whats, whens,
wheres, whys and hows is only part of what we will aim to do this semester. Our other goals will
be to hone skills you will use for the remainder of your lives. The two most important of those
skills are thinking and writing.
By thinking, we mean critical thinking. We don’t want to just memorize names and dates
and notes. We want to ask questions, to draw conclusions, and most of all, to analyze the
sources of information. If you read something on the Internet, how do you know it’s true?
And by writing, we mean proper English writing. Not OMG LOL. But the way you need
to write in the real world, whether in college, in a formal e-mail, on a resume, or creating a work
order as a mechanic.
In addition, we will try to have fun in class. Expect to learn about some crazy (and
occasionally gross) stuff. Expect to laugh, draw, debate, create and hear some embarrassingly
corny Mr. Bodnar-created songs about history.
Course workload:
Since this is an honors class (and one where you can earn college credit), expect to be
challenged. The workload will be greater and the pace faster than a non-honors course.
On average, you will have several shorter homework assignments per week. Most of these
assignments are designed to prepare you for the next day’s lesson.
You will have a weekly current events assignment (2 paragraphs).
You will generally have several larger assignments per unit, including essays and projects.
Some will be completed in class, some at home, others a combination of both.
Most units will also include an objective test. A study guide will always be provided.
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You will have a semester-long research project on a topic that you will choose. This project
will be broken down into many smaller steps, and you will have significant class time and
teacher guidance available.
College credit: You can earn college credit (at Burlington County College, among other
schools) for this course. See your guidance counselor for details.
Requirements:
1. All students must have a three-ring binder (at least 1 inch think) to keep EVERY handout and
assignment for this class. Do not throw anything out; some materials will be needed again later
(either for studying or as part of other lessons), and a portion of your grade will be based on the
completeness of your binder.
2. Students must bring their binders, textbooks and a pen or pencil to class every day.
3. Students should be in class each day.
Mr. Bodnar’s general classroom rules:
1. Be Respectful
2. Be Prepared
3. Be Following School Rules
Grading:
Marking period grades will be assigned using the following breakdown:
Tests: 25 percent
Will include essays and projects, as well as in-class examinations
Quizzes: 25 percent
Note: Binder-check quizzes will count as quiz grades
Mid-term or final exam: 25 percent
Will include both an in-class and take-home portion
Participation: 25 percent
Includes both classwork and homework assignments
All quiz, test and binder grades will be numeric. However, most homework and classwork
grades will be graded using checks. The equivalent numerical grades for those checks are listed
below:
√++ = 110 (given only very rarely for certain assignments)
√+ = 100
√ = 85
√- = 70
√-- = 50
My philosophy on extra credit: it should be supplemental, and a way for someone who has
done all the required assignments to improve his/her grade by learning extra material or
demonstrating his/her knowledge in a different way. It is not a way to “make up” missed
assignments.
Students will be given grade report sheets at least once every two weeks.
Grading rubrics/expectations will be given when projects, essays or other larger assignments
are given.
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Class Web site:
To access Mr. Bodnar’s Web site:
1. Go to http://www.bcit.cc
2. At the top right portion of the site, click on “Medford Campus”
3. Click on “Staff Web Sites” (you’ll see this just above the big picture in the middle of the page)
4. Click on “Bodnar, Jason”
A direct URL for the site is below:
http://www.bcit.cc/132820724124051127
The site includes information for all of Mr. Bodnar’s classes. Homework and assignments will
be posted on the site. We will also use the site in other ways (Web-based lessons, research,
links, etc.).
MR. BODNAR’S CLASSROOM PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
Late Work Policy:
No late homework or classwork assignments will be accepted.
25-point deduction for each day an assignment counting as a quiz or test is turned in
late.
Incomplete work will not be accepted.
All homework assignments are due at the START of class.
Absence Policy:
If you are absent from school, you are responsible for acquiring and making up any
work missed. “But you didn’t tell me I missed anything!” is not an acceptable excuse.
Handouts and assignments from previous days will be available in the rear of the
classroom; you can pick up those handouts and assignments before or after class.
If you are absent from school, you will be allowed the number of days you were absent
to complete work that was assigned while you were absent.
If an assignment you missed (such as homework) was already reviewed in class, you
cannot get credit for doing that same assignment. See Mr. Bodnar for an alternate
assignment.
If an assignment is due on a day you are absent, you must turn it in on the day you
return.
If a quiz/test is scheduled for a day you are absent, be prepared to take it on the day
you return.
If you are in school but not in class (due to lateness, a field trip, etc.), it is your
responsibility to hand in any work that is due and/or pick up any work you missed.
Otherwise, all work will be considered late.
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Dress Code and School Rules:
You must be in dress code at all times or you will be written up. ***NOTE: D105
tends to be a colder-than-normal room. You may need an extra layer of clothing to be
comfortable; just make sure it’s dress-code-appropriate.***
No electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, cameras, etc.) should be used in the
classroom without permission from Mr. Bodnar.
If you would like to leave the classroom for a non-emergency (i.e. to use the
bathroom), please be respectful in your request. Avoid interrupting the class when
seeking permission, exiting, and returning, and don’t make leaving the classroom a daily
habit. Also, you will not be permitted to leave the room without a signed agenda.
Plagiarism:
Any student caught plagiarizing will receive a zero for the plagiarized assignment.
Lateness to class:
If you are late a third time in a marking period, you will be written up and your
parent/guardian will be contacted. Each subsequent late will also result in a write-up.
Any lateness of more than five minutes will be treated as cutting class.
Arriving and leaving class:
Your time and mine are both precious, so we don’t want to waste it. When you enter
the classroom, look to the board for your “Do Now” assignment(s). You should be
working on that as soon as the bell rings.
Expect class to be a full 80 minutes, and expect the last 5 minutes to be spent wrapping
up the day’s lesson. In other words, packing up early or waiting by the door before the
bell will not be tolerated.
Other:
All property in the room belongs to the school or Mr. Bodnar. Please treat it with
respect. If you break it, you bought it.
No food or drink is allowed in the classroom, except for bottled water.
All assignments may be typed or handwritten.
Technology problems should not be an excuse for missing work. Make sure you save
work on your computer often, and if you are not able to print a typed assignment, you
may save it on a portable disk or drive and give it to me, or you may e-mail it to me. You
will also be encouraged to use Google Docs, since it can avoid most of the technological
issues you may face.
Please feel free to see me about any questions or concerns, or if you need extra help, or
if you have a suggestion to improve our learning experience in this class. I can make
myself available before or after school by appointment. In addition, my lunch is ______
and my prep period is _____ block; you can often find me in D105 during those times.
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Honors U.S. History II Syllabus and Mr. Bodnar’s Classroom Procedures
By signing below, you acknowledge the following:
“I have read and understand the syllabus and classroom procedures for Mr. Bodnar’s
History class, and I agree to follow the listed rules and procedures.”
Student signature:
Printed name: _____________________________________________
Signed name:______________________________________________
Date:_____________________
Parent or guardian signature:
Printed name: _____________________________________________
Signed name:______________________________________________
Date:_____________________