United States History

Spring 2013: Course Syllabus

Coach Tilton

Room: 2311
Allatoona Phone: 770.975.6503

E-mail: johnny.tilton@cobbk12.org
coachtilton28@yahoo.com

*I will respond to all student emails and phone calls within 24 hours.

Description:
This class is designed to acquaint students with the major events and movements that have influenced our nations past. It
traces the political, social, economic and cultural forces that have shaped American History from the colonial era through
current day. Emphasis will be placed on selected topics such as the Age of Exploration, the American
Revolution, the Constitution period, Jacksonian Democracy, Westward Expansion, Slavery, the Civil War, Isolationism,
the Era of Big Business, the Roaring Twenties, World War I, the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, the
Korean Conflict, the Cold War, the Sixties, the Vietnam Era, the Gulf War, and the War on Terrorism.
Cobb County School Grading Scale:
A: 90%-100% B: 80%-89% C: 74%-79%
Grading System:
Unit Tests/Midterm
Projects/Classwork
Quizzes
Homework
EOCT

D: 70%-73%

F: 69% and below

40%
20%
15%
10%
15%
Total: 100%

Course Content:
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6
Unit 7
Unit 8
Unit 9
Unit 10

Origins of a New Nation

American Revolution
Creating the American Republic
Civil War and Reconstruction
Industrialization
Progressive Era and WWII
20s, Depression, and the New Deal
WWII
Post War America
Challenges, Changes, & Enduring Issues

EOCT: The State of Georgia issues an End of Course Test for the subject of U.S. History. This EOCT will be given
approximately two (2) weeks before the end of the year will count 15% of your final grade. This is a cumulative test over all
material in the course.
Instructional Strategies/Assessment: Teaching methods will include lectures, class discussions, films, oral presentations,
group projects, class work, creative exercises, and other student centered approaches. Information on projects will be given as
the semester progresses. Tests will consist of multiple choice, short answer, matching and essay questions. Quizzes and
notebook checks will be given throughout the semester.

Assignments
Required Reading The required reading for the chapter is from the recommended textbook.
Writing Assignments We will periodically do writing assignments in this class. Writing allows students to prove what they
know and support it with evidence in their learning. I expect that you will have materials (Pen, pencil, and paper) to do the
writing assignments.
Map Activities Each Chapter may include map activities designed to build your geographical understanding of the events
and processes in United States History.
Class Discussion Board You will be expected to participate in classroom discussions concerning the material that we are
covering.
Key Terms (Vocabulary) It is critical to know and understand the significance of key historical terms. Each Chapter
contains a list of these terms.
Class Participation Chapter Assessments There is a multiple-choice assessment for each Chapter. Make sure you have studied all the
material for the Chapter BEFORE attempting the test.
Late Work/Make-Up Work: Should a student miss work due to an excused absence, the student will be allowed to make up
class work without penalty. Make up work should be turned in promptly and students have the number of days they were
absent, plus one day to make up all work. Should a test need to be made up, it will be done before school and students must
make an appointment with me to ensure they have enough time to complete the test before schools starts.
Assignments including projects will be accepted late with 1 letter grade deduction per late day as a penalty. All other late work
will be accepted with the opportunity for a maximum grade of 50. Days begin on the 1 st day that your return to school and extra
days will not be added for absences during the make-up period.
1 Day Late
2 Days Late
3 Days Late
4 Days Late
5+ Days Late

Maximum Score 89
Maximum Score 79
Maximum Score 73
Maximum Score 69
Maximum Score 50

Academic Honesty
As members of Cobb County School District, students have a responsibility to conduct themselves with
the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Academic honesty is one of the most important
characteristics of any class. Through Cobb Virtual Academy, students are given the opportunity to achieve
academically through an online environment; therefore, it is very important that mutual trust exists
between instructors and students. Accordingly, honesty in all academic matters is expected from all
students. Any attempt to cheat, plagiarize, falsify information, or receive credit for work you did not do
will be considered dishonest behavior and will be dealt with accordingly by the instructor and
administration.
The following are examples of some, but not all, acts that are considered dishonest behavior:
1. Plagiarism (representing anothers ideas, words, expressions, or data in writing or presentation
without properly acknowledging the source).
2. Submitting work through the use of another person's password/login is considered
dishonest behavior. Student logins/passwords are confidential information that should not be
shared with others. Any assignments, work, or projects posted while using another student's login
will be considered plagiarism.
3. Cheating (intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized material, assistance, or study aids
in any academic work). Cheating includes copying another students work and submitting it as your
own.
4. Performing work or taking an examination for another student.

5. Falsification and/or misrepresentation of data (submitting made up data or sources).

6. Computer crimes (damaging computer programs, hacking, constructing viruses, introducing
viruses into a system, copying programs, etc.)
Academic dishonesty will result in one or more of the following actions:
Loss of grade points
ISS
Removal from the course
Failure to receive credit for the course
Loss of eligibility to earn credits through Cobb Virtual Academy
All Cobb Virtual Academy students are required to take their final exams/end of course tests in a face-toface setting with a proctor. The performance on the final exam should closely match the work on
assignments and other quizzes and tests. Cobb Virtual Academy teachers have the ability to require that
students perform other tasks or undergo additional assessments in proctored situations. If a Cobb Virtual
Academy teacher suspects that there is a problem with academic integrity, the local school administrator
will be informed.
Plagiarism Detection Technology
Students should be aware that Cobb Virtual Academy instructors use several technologies to check student work for
authenticity, including but not limited to the upload of student work to anti-plagiarism software. In order to maintain the
integrity of all Cobb Virtual Academy grades, instructors may choose to facilitate random oral assessments and/or face to face
exams. If an instructor confirms that a student has plagiarized work in any manner, the student will be subject to consequences
determined by Cobb Virtual Academy administration and may be removed from the course with a failing grade.

As members of Cobb County School District, students have a responsibility to conduct themselves with
the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Academic honesty is one of the most important
characteristics of any class. Through Cobb Virtual Academy, students are given the opportunity to achieve
academically through an online environment; therefore, it is very important that mutual trust exists
between instructors and students. Accordingly, honesty in all academic matters is expected from all
students. Any attempt to cheat, plagiarize, falsify information, or receive credit for work you did not do
will be considered dishonest behavior and will be dealt with accordingly by the instructor and
administration.
The following are examples of some, but not all, acts that are considered dishonest behavior:
1. Plagiarism (representing anothers ideas, words, expressions, or data in writing or presentation
without properly acknowledging the source).
2. Submitting work through the use of another person's password/login is considered
dishonest behavior. Student logins/passwords are confidential information that should not be
shared with others. Any assignments, work, or projects posted while using another student's login
will be considered plagiarism.
3. Cheating (intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized material, assistance, or study aids
in any academic work). Cheating includes copying another students work and submitting it as your
own.
4. Performing work or taking an examination for another student.
5. Falsification and/or misrepresentation of data (submitting made up data or sources).
6. Computer crimes (damaging computer programs, hacking, constructing viruses, introducing
viruses into a system, copying programs, etc.)

Academic dishonesty will result in one or more of the following actions:

Loss of grade points
ISS
Removal from the course
Failure to receive credit for the course
Loss of eligibility to earn credits through Cobb Virtual Academy
All Cobb Virtual Academy students are required to take their final exams/end of course tests in a face-toface setting with a proctor. The performance on the final exam should closely match the work on
assignments and other quizzes and tests. Cobb Virtual Academy teachers have the ability to require that
students perform other tasks or undergo additional assessments in proctored situations. If a Cobb Virtual
Academy teacher suspects that there is a problem with academic integrity, the local school administrator
will be informed.
Plagiarism Detection Technology
Students should be aware that Cobb Virtual Academy instructors use several technologies to check student work for
authenticity, including but not limited to the upload of student work to anti-plagiarism software. In order to maintain the
integrity of all Cobb Virtual Academy grades, instructors may choose to facilitate random oral assessments and/or face to face
exams. If an instructor confirms that a student has plagiarized work in any manner, the student will be subject to consequences
determined by Cobb Virtual Academy administration and may be removed from the course with a failing grade.
Online Student Expectations
Student Participation
Cobb Virtual Academy students are expected to attend and participate in their online education courses as fully as they would
attend and participate in a traditional classroom course. At a minimum, students are required to login and perform work in their
online education courses daily.
Students will need an inexpensive headset with microphone to use Wimba Classroom to communicate with their instructor and
classmates. During the mandatory online student orientation, students will complete a setup wizard that checks their computer
for all the components needed to participate in Wimba Classroom and use Voice Tools.
Students WILL BE EXPECTED to participate in synchronous Wimba Classroom sessions as part of their course work.
Students will be notified in advance of the dates and times of the Wimba Classroom sessions. Wimba Classroom sessions may
be considered assignments or assessments by the instructor. Students who do not participate in the Wimba Classroom sessions
may receive zeros for the assignment/assessment.
Course Work Policy
All course work is to be completed by assigned dates as given by the Cobb Virtual Academy instructor in the Course Schedule.
Course work submitted late may be subject to a deduction in grade.
Students MUST submit all course work electronically through Blackboard, Cobb's Learning Management System. Cobb Virtual
Academy will not accept any work not submitted through the course.
All coursework must be completed before the administration of the final exam or End of Course Tests.
Students are required to take final assessments at the date, time, and location posted on the CVA website. There are NO
makeup dates for EOCT or final exams.
Characteristics of Successful Cobb Virtual Academy Students
Research and experience indicates students taking online courses need regular computer and Internet access; basic technology
skills; good study skills and habits, including a willingness to communicate regularly with instructors and classmates; high
motivation to succeed; good writing skills; and strong time management skills. Students must also be willing to spend more time
to complete requirements of online courses, as they are not easier than face to face courses.
The University of Georgia's SORT, the Student Online Readiness Tool (http://www.alt.usg.edu/sort/), addresses areas that
research has found relate to student success in the online environment. Students and parents are encouraged to use SORT to
assess student readiness, goals, and learning preferences. Student responses to SORT questions and the feedback provided on
the personal readiness profile will assist students in making the right decision about enrolling in an online course.
A successful Cobb Virtual Academy student is:
Self-disciplined. You do not need to rely on your parents or teachers to keep you on-task and involved in the class.
Able to communicate through the computer. Remember that all your communication takes place through a written
format.
Well organized.
Willing to ask questions immediately if a problem occurs with either technology or the course content.

Comfortable reading information. Remember that you must read all coursework and communications from your
instructor.
Willing and able to work in their Cobb Virtual Academy course for 5 to 7 hours per week for each .5 unit course and
10 to 15 hours a week for each 1.0 unit course during Fall and Spring Terms.
Willing and able to work in their Cobb Virtual Academy course 10 to 15 hours a week for each .5 unit course and 20 to
30 hours a week for each 1.0 unit course during Summer Term.
Prepared to participate in their Cobb Virtual Academy course at least four days a week Fall and Spring Terms and daily
during Summer Term.
Be able to complete assignments on time.
Aware that an online course is not easier than a traditional course. In fact, many students say it requires more time and
commitment. The successful student views online courses as a convenient way to learn - not an easier way.
Comfortable working alone without daily teacher and student interaction.

Technical Requirements
Component
Operating
System

Required
PC Windows XP, Vista, or 7*
MAC OS 10.5 - 10.7

Recommended
PC Win XP - 7 (32-Bit)

Mobile devices are not supported

*Click Here To See Special Computer Requirements for the
Personal Fitness Course
Internet Speed
Component
Word Processor
Browser

Email Address
Software (free
downloads)

Peripherals

56K modem with Internet Access

Cable or DSL
Required
Microsoft Word or compatible (OpenOffice is a free alternative to MS Word)
PC - Firefox (Final Release Channel)*, Internet Explorer 9, IE 8, Chrome (Stable Channel)
Mac - Firefox (Final Release Channel)*, Safari 4.0 - 5.1, Chrome (Stable Channel)
*Preferred
The email account must accept attachments and blind copied emails.
Latest version of the Java JRE plug-in (very important so that everything in the system works properly!)
Microsoft Office Viewers (for viewing and printing Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio files)
Adobe Acrobat Reader (for viewing and printing PDF files)
Flash Player (for viewing animations or using interactive content)
QuickTime (for viewing QuickTime video)
Shockwave Player (for viewing animations or using interactive content)
Windows Media Player (for viewing streaming video or listening to streaming audio clips)
Windows Media Player Plugin for Firefox (for vieweing WMV files in firefox)
Flip4Mac (for viewing windows media files on your mac)
Real Player (for viewing streaming video or listening to streaming audio clips)
Wimba Classroom and Voice Tools require students to have an inexpensive headset with microphone (approx
$15). During the student tutorial, students will complete a wizard that checks their computer for all the
components needed to participate in Wimba Classroom and use Voice Tools.

Rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents/guardians and students over 18 years of age (eligible
students) certain rights with respect to the students education records. They are:
(1) ACCESSING STUDENT RECORDS:
The right to inspect and review the students education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for
access.
Parents/guardians or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records
they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of
the time and place where the records may be inspected.
(2) AMENDING STUDENT RECORDS:

The right to request the amendment of the students education records that the parent/guardian or eligible student believes
are inaccurate or misleading.
Parents/guardians or eligible students may ask Cobb County School District (District) to amend a record that they believe
is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want
changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent/guardian or eligible student, the District will
notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the
request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent/guardian
or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
(3) DISCLOSING STUDENT RECORDS:
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the students education records,
except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational
interests. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff
member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the Board of
Education; a school or District approved volunteer; a person or company that is under the direct control of the District
with respect to the use and maintenance of education records and with whom the District has contracted or who
volunteers to perform a service or function for which the District would otherwise use employees (such as an attorney,
auditor, medical consultant, therapist, insurance adjuster); or a parent/guardian or student serving on an official committee,
such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his/her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill
his/her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the District discloses educational records without consent to officials of another school in which a student
seeks or intends to enroll.
(4) COMPLAINT PROCEDURE:
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District
to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-592011 (5) DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The District may disclose appropriately designated directory information without written consent, unless you
have advised the District to the contrary in accordance with District procedures. Directory information is
information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released. Directory information
includes a students name, address, email addresses, phone number, date and place of birth, grade level, dates of
attendance and most recent previous school attended, degrees/honors/awards received, photograph,
participation in school activities and sports, as well as weight and height of members of athletic teams; and
.student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used to communicate in electronic systems
that cannot be used to access education records without a PIN, password, etc. (A students Social Security
Number, in whole or in part, cannot be used for this purpose.)
The District may include personally identifiable information in school publications such as a playbill, showing your students role in a drama production; the annual yearbook; honor roll or other recognition lists; graduation programs; and
sports event publications, such as a football game program.
Directory information may also be released without prior written parental/guardian consent to only the following: law
enforcement agencies, State and Federal Child Welfare Agencies, District Attorney and Solicitors Offices, the Professional
Standards Commission, PTA and other school support organizations, U.S. Armed Forces recruitment agencies, and schools
and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (AdvancEd) for non-political purposes.
District teachers, District schools and the District may also display a students name, most recent previous school attended,
awards received, participation in school activities and sports, as well as weight and height of members of athletic teams on
District school, District classroom or District websites or blogs for the purposes of recognizing student achievement,
instructional purposes or informing the community about school events.
The District also records and maintains audio recordings and video or photographic footage (including accompanying
audio) of students on school property and at school events in locations including, but not limited to, parking lots, school
buses, lunchrooms, classrooms and hallways. Such information is used and maintained for security and other purposes,
including yearbooks, video yearbooks, and school publications and Websites. In many cases, videos contain peripheral
video or photographic footage of students engaged in day-to-day activities including, but not limited to, walking to class,

riding the school bus, attending to classroom or school activities, eating lunch, participating in club or performance activities, accepting awards and/or engaging in academic activities. Audio recordings of students may also include day-to-day
peripheral recordings of noises or voices related to students, including but not limited to, student voices or noises in
hallways, classrooms, at public performances, class presentations and/or during class participation.
Peripheral video footage, photographic images, or audio recordings of day-to-day student activities do not include footage
of a student or students committing or being involved in a violation of law or District or School Rule, Procedure, or Policy.
The District may also determine that other activities do not qualify as peripheral images, footage, or recordings on a caseby-case basis. Peripheral or day-to-day recordings, images or video footage (including accompanying audio) of students may
be released without prior written parental/guardian consent, subpoena and court order to only the following: law
enforcement agencies, State and Federal Child Welfare Agencies, District Attorney and Solicitors Offices, the Professional
Standards Commission, PTA and other school support organizations, U.S. Armed Forces recruitment agencies, and schools
and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (AdvancEd) for non-political purposes.
District teachers, District schools and the District may also post these images or recordings on District school, District
classroom or District Websites or blogs.
A student or the parent/guardian of a student involved in any prohibited conduct may review a recording of prohibited
conduct, which may contain other students peripheral video or audio information. This review may be allowed without
obtaining the consent of the peripheral student(s) or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s). However, if any other students are involved
in the recorded prohibited conduct, the school will require compulsory process or appropriate written consent from those
parents/guardians/eligible students prior to the review of the recording. (See District Administrative Rule CFIA [MonitoringRecording Staff and Students] for more information.)

OBJECTION PROCEDURE:Parents/Guardians of students under 18 years of age or a student 18

years of age or older objecting to the release of this information should notify the Principal of their
school in writing by September 10, 2012 or within 10 days of enrollment.

Cobb County ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

Cobb County Board of Commissioners complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336 (ADA).
This act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and requires that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the
basis of that disability, be denied the benefits of Cobb County services, programs, activities or employment with Cobb County.
If you have a specific physical or service accessibility need (wheelchair or other mobility access, sign language interpretation,
Braille or audio cassette, assisted-listening device, etc.), please notify the staff who work with the program or facility that you
plan to use, so that we can reasonably accommodate you.
In compliance with Section 35, 106 of the ADAs Title II regulations, all applicants, participants, beneficiaries and other
interested individuals may obtain more information at www.ada.gov
***Please have your parents read, initial pages, and sign this course syllabus and rules sheet.
If at any time you are having difficulties with the course content, assignments, or have other questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me. To leave a message, you may call the high school main office or by sending me an email (preferable) to the address
at the top of the syllabi

Student Name
Parent/Guardian Signature

Parent Primary E-mail

Student Signature
Date

Parent Primary Cell Phone