US History through Film

UNITED STATES HISTORY THROUGH FILM
SYLLABUS
SPRING 2021

Some notes are the same as those used in earlier semesters, while some are updated more frequently. Be sure to check the date on each page.

* Recently updated or uploaded items are marked with a red asterisk. *

Instructor:    Dr. Jerry Alan Sayers
E-mail:        School: sayersd@jcschools.org
               Home:    dusty@sayersnet.com

Course Web Page:    http://www.sayersnet.com/history

Textbook: None assigned; printed or on-line reading assignments will be provided throughout the semester.

Objective: The purpose of this course is to use theatrical and documentary films to illustrate important or interesting topics in United States History, in order to supplement the United States History class curriculum.

Fee: The Social Studies Department collects a $5 fee payable in cash or a check made out to Science Hill High School.

Evaluation:

1. Objective Tests
2. Essay Tests
3. Long-Term Research Projects and Presentations (test grade)
4. Quizzes, Homework, Classwork and other Daily Grades (20% of a test grade)
5. Short-Term research Projects and Presentations (20% of a test grade)
6. The final exam will count as 15% of the semester grade.

The standard grading scale will be used:

A: 93-100
B: 85-92
C: 75-84
D: 70-74
F: Below 70

Extra credit will not be assigned to improve a grade.

Work is late if it is not ready to be handed in at the beginning of class (unless otherwise instructed). Late work will receive a penalty of 5 points per day, and must be submitted within five days of the due date. Missed tests must be made up within three days of a student’s return to school. Tests may require an hour and a half, so always be present on test days!

Classroom Rules:

1. Be in assigned seat when bell rings.
2. Have class materials ready and personal items put away when the bell rings.
3. Only speak with permission.
4. Be respectful of others.
5. Turn in work on time.
6. Keep the room tidy.
7. Only leave the room with a hall pass.
8. Quid pro quo

2021 Spring Session
—subject to change based on health and other conditions

In case of inclement weather, classes will still be held on-line and on-line assignments should be completed at home, unless otherwise announced. If you miss a lesson or assignment due to illness or other issues, please contact Dr. Sayers as soon as possible to discuss how to make up the missing work.

Video lectures for some topics can be found on the YouTube playlist Dr Sayers Teaches US History through Film.

JAN 4    NO SCHOOL
JAN 5    Introduction; Colonizing America; The Natives and the English; The Quakers, the Dutch, and the Ladies
JAN 6    The French and Indian War (The Last of the Mohicans) (Introduction)
JAN 7    The French and Indian War (The Last of the Mohicans) (Worksheet)
JAN 8    The French and Indian War (The Last of the Mohicans) (Worksheet Discussion and Afterward)

JAN 11    Taxation Without Representation (John Adams) (Introduction) (Worksheet)
JAN 12    Taxation Without Representation (John Adams) (Worksheet Discussion and Afterward)
JAN 13    The Declaration of Independence (1776) (Introduction) (Worksheet)
JAN 14    The Declaration of Independence (1776) (Worksheet)
JAN 15    The Declaration of Independence (1776) (Worksheet)

JAN 18    NO SCHOOL
JAN 19    The Declaration of Independence (1776) (Worksheet Discussion)
JAN 20    Washington Crossing the Delaware (The Crossing) (Introduction) (Worksheet)
JAN 21    Washington Crossing the Delaware (The Crossing) (Worksheet Discussion and Afterward)
JAN 22    The Saratoga Campaign (The Revolution) (Introduction, Worksheet Discussion, and Afterward) (Workseet)

JAN 25    The World Turned Upside Down (The Revolution and other selections) (Introduction part 1, part 2, part 3) (Worksheet)
JAN 26    The World Turned Upside Down (The Revolution and other selections) (Worksheet Discussion and Afterward)
JAN 27    Test 1: The American Revolution / Slavery and the Anti-Slavery Movement (Amistad) (Introduction part 1, part 2) (Worksheet)
JAN 28    Slavery and the Anti-Slavery Movement (Amistad) (Introduction part 1, part 2) (Worksheet) / Test 1: The American Revolution
JAN 29    Slavery and the Anti-Slavery Movement (Amistad) (Worksheet)

FEB 1   Slavery and the Anti-Slavery Movement (Amistad) (Worksheet)
FEB 2     Slavery and the Anti-Slavery Movement (Amistad) (Worksheet Discussion and Afterward)
FEB 3     The War Between the States (Antietam) (Introduction part 1, part 2)
FEB 4     The War Between the States (Antietam) (Worksheet) (Afterward)
FEB 5     A New Birth of Freedom (Glory ) (Introduction) (Worksheet)

FEB 8     A New Birth of Freedom (Glory) (Worksheet Discussion and Afterward) (Worksheet)
FEB 9     Abolishing Slavery (Lincoln ) (Introduction) (Worksheet)
FEB 10    Abolishing Slavery (Lincoln ) (Worksheet)
FEB 11    Abolishing Slavery (Lincoln ) (Worksheet Discussion part 1, part 2, and Afterward); Reconstruction (Worksheet)
FEB 12    NO SCHOOL

FEB 15    NO SCHOOL
FEB 16    American Imperialism (Rough Riders) (Introduction) (Worksheet) / Test 2: Slavery and the Civil War
FEB 17    Test 2: Slavery and the Civil War / American Imperialism (Rough Riders) (Introduction) (Worksheet)
FEB 18    American Imperialism (Rough Riders) (Introduction) (Worksheet)
FEB 19    American Imperialism (Rough Riders) (Introduction) (Worksheet)

FEB 22    American Imperialism (Rough Riders) (Video Worksheet Discussion and Afterward)
FEB 23    The Kingdom of Hawai'i (Princess Ka'iulani) (Introduction) (Worksheet)
FEB 24    The Kingdom of Hawai'i (Princess Ka'iulani) (Video Worksheet Discussion)
FEB 25    Big Stick Diplomacy (A Man, a Plan, a Canal, Panama) (In troduction) (Video Worksheet)
FEB 26    Big Stick Diplomacy (A Man, a Plan, a Canal, Panama) (Video Worksheet Discussion and Afterward)

MAR 1     The War to End All Wars (Sergeant York) (Introduction) (Video Worksheet)
MAR 2    The War to End All Wars (Sergeant York) (Video Worksheet Discussion)
MAR 3     The War to End All Wars (Sergeant York) (Afterward)
MAR 4     Test 3: America Becomes a World Power
MAR 5     Test 3: America Becomes a World Power
End of Term 3

SPRING BREAK

MAR 15
MAR 16
MAR 17
MAR 18
MAR 19

MAR 22
MAR 23
MAR 24
MAR 25
MAR 26

MAR 29
MAR 30
MAR 31
APR 1
APR 2    NO SCHOOL

APR 5    NO SCHOOL
APR 6
APR 7
APR 8
APR 9

APR 12
APR 13
APR 14
APR 15
APR 16

APR 19
APR 20
APR 21
APR 22
APR 23

APR 26
APR 27
APR 28
APR 29
APR 30

MAY 3
MAY 4
MAY 5
MAY 6
MAY 7

MAY 10
MAY 11
MAY 12
MAY 13
MAY 14

MAY 17
MAY 18
MAY 19
MAY 20
MAY 21

MAY 24
MAY 25    Final Exams
MAY 26    Final Exams

This page last updated 7 January, 2021.