UMHS: Course Syllabus
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to important questions.
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Problems in American Democracy, v1
0.5 Carnegie Unit
Instructor: Curt Minton |
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Instructor Information: My name is Curt Minton. I am a teacher at Oxford Middle School. For the past 8 years, I have taught sixth grade English but will begin teaching seventh and eighth grade Social Studies (ancient World History and U.S. History from colonization through the beginnings of Reconstruction, respectively). I graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in Political Science. I am lifelong resident of Oxford, and I am married to a seventh grade science teacher. We have three cats and two dogs at home. In my spare time, I love to read, watch movies, and play golf and video games (huge fan of the Uncharted series). If I wasn't a teacher, I would love to have my own show on the Food Network. |
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Contact Information: If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the email link in the "Communications & Tools" tab. NOTE: Whenever sending an email, please be sure to indicate your Course title and number in the subject line (ie, AP Art History).
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Course Description: Problems in American Democracy is a one-semester course designed to give students a greater awareness of the problems facing the United States today. The content of the course should focus on the arena of geography, politics, society, and science and technology. The emphasis should be placed on analysis of issues, situations, and problems with the goal of fostering positive appreciation and desired resolution. |
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Required Textbook: Animal Farm by George Orwell All other readings are either linked or provided in the course itself. It is the student's responsibility to order his or her textbook. Online textbook retailers such as Amazon.com, ABEbooks.com, or Half.com usually provide used textbooks at economical prices. You must make sure you are ordering the exact book required in this syllabus. |
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Course Objectives include (but are not limited to): Skill development will include, but is not limited to, the interpretation and application of maps, graphs, charts, political cartoons, primary documents, and other social studies tools. Click this Course Standards link for a full list of the standards covered in this course. |
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Course Outline: |
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Units |
LESSON | Learning Assignments | Due for Grades |
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Start Here |
Syllabus and Orientation folder: complete the syllabus quiz for your lesson folders to appear | Syllabus quiz |
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1 |
Democracy In Action |
Animal Farm by George Orwell, lesson videos, powerpoints, and notes | Quizzes, written assignments, test |
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1 |
Unit 1 Exam |
Proctored exam covering the US Government and the Constitution | Proctored test to be scheduled and completed before progressing
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2 |
Changing Geography | Lesson video, powerpoints, and article | Quiz, written assignments |
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3 |
Rights | Lesson video, powerpoints, and timelines | Written assignment, photo essay, quizzes |
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4 |
Economy | Lesson video, powerpoints, and timelines | Written assignments, quiz |
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5 |
Technology | Lesson video, powerpoints, and timeline | Written assignments, quiz |
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6 |
Social Studies Tools | Lesson powerpoint and timeline | Written assignment, quiz |
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6 |
Unit 6 Exam |
Proctored exam covering Unit 6 | Proctored test to be scheduled and completed before progressing |
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Final Exam |
This exam covers the whole course. NOTE: Be sure to complete ALL unfinished assignments before you take this test! Any assignments not completed before the final is taken will receive a grade of zero. | Proctored test to be completed before a final grade can be issued. |
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Grading Scale: 93 - 100% = A The grading format is as follows: Quizzes 25% |
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