Wednesday, September 4th

Advanced American Studies -- 9/4/13

After an initial overview of the course syllabus, we will begin a discussion of what attributes define America and Americans.  After a class discussion, we will consult an excerpt from a work of the same name from author John Steinbeck.

Assignment:  Complete questions with Steinbeck Reading

Tuesday, September 3rd

Advanced American Studies

Welcome Back! In our abbreviated schedule today, my hope is to simply help you become familiar with both myself and the work we will embark upon over the next nine months.  I am really looking forward to working with each of you!

Back to school!......

Friday, March 1st

Advanced American History

Exam on the Second World War -- If absent, be sure to make this up within three class days.

Wednesday Feb 6th - Friday Feb 8th

Advanced American History

Wednesday -- Great Depression Unit Exam

Thursday -- Introduction to WWII / The Rise of Hitler  (see slideshow below)
Assignment:  Read text pages 436-442 (chart on 436)




Friday -- Documentary regarding the rise of Hitler, the path to war in Europe, and the debate between isolationists and interventionists in America.
Assignment:  Read text 444-450 (4,5,6 on 450)

Thursday Jan 17th - Tuesday Jan 22nd

Advanced American Studies

After a number of days working on NHD research and taking field trips to that end, we return to class content Thursday January 17th with a discussion of the causes of the Great Depression and an analysis of the failed response of Herbert Hoover.  Please consult Chapter 12 in your textbook (p. 366-388) and the information on the presentations below:

Wednesday, Jan 2nd - Tuesday Jan 8th

Advanced American History

During the first week back from break, you will have the opportunity to let your creativity run wild with the 20's exhibition project.  You will make an aspect of 20's America come to life by becoming a star of stage or screen.  Here is the timetable of activities:

Wednesday:  Introduce project and begin work
Thursday:  Project Work
Friday:  Project Work / Rehearsals
Monday/Tuesday:  Presentations

Tues Dec. 11th - Fri Dec 21st -- The Roaring Twenties

Advanced American History

Tuesday Dec 11th:  Introduction to the Roaring Twenties.  Assignment--Read Ch. 11.1

Wednesday Dec 12th:  Discussion of Booming Economy.  Assignment--Read Ch. 11.3

Thursday Dec 13th:  Discussion of Social Backlash in the 20's.  Assignment:  Demon Rum Questions

Friday/Monday Dec 14-17:  Scopes Monkey Trial Video

Tuesday Dec 18th:  Contrast of Progressivism & Conservatism / Social Advancement and Intolerance (Essay Prep)

Wednesday Dec 19th:  DBQ Essay

Friday Dec 21st:  Roaring Twenties Exam

**some selected unit notes are found below**

Tuesday, December 4th

Advanced American History

On December 4th, 1918 (94 years ago today), Woodrow Wilson set sail for Paris to attend the Versailles Peace Conference.  With his Fourteen Points for Peace in hand, he sought to build a lasting peace that would truly make the Great War the "war to end all wars."  Where did Wilson fall short?  What was the European reaction to his ideals?  What was ultimately decided in 1919 in Paris, and what impact would this have on future events?  Be sure to understand the response to all of these questions for tomorrow's exam.

Monday, December 3rd

Advanced American History

The First World War had unprecedented effects on American Society.  In the name of the war effort, government organizations like the WIB or the Food Administration exerted control over the entire economy, and organizations like the CPI bombarded the nation with never before seen levels of propaganda.  Moreover, the war had a chilling effect on civil liberties with the passage of laws like the Espionage and Sedition Acts.

image courtesy worldwar1.dbc.com

Assignment:  Read text pages 301-09

Thursday/Friday November 29-30

Advanced American History

To further our study of the First World War, we are currently viewing The Lost Battalion.  This film is an account of the 77th Division 308th Battalion and their exploits in the Argonne forest in October of 1918.  If absent, please review the following links for an overview of their story.

http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/whitt.htm

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287535/

Wednesday, November 28th

Advanced American History

Please complete the following questions utilizing the website www.firstworldwar.com.

Tuesday, November 27th

Advanced American History

After taking World War I Quiz #1, today we reviewed the rationale behind Woodrow Wilson's plea for Americans to remain neutral "in thought as well as deed,"  and what ultimately changed to thrust America into the Great War.

Monday, November 26th

Advanced American History

Today's introduction to the First World War focused on three topics:

1.  Basic WWI facts --  1914-18, Central v. Allied Powers, Assassination of Ferdinand, etc.
2.  How the outcome of WWI shaped world events to follow.
3.  The causes of war.

Please refer to the slideshow below to review these items, as well as pages 282-291 in your textbook.

Assignment:  NHD Contracts due tomorrow.  WWI quiz #1-Tuesday

Week of November 12th - 16th

Advanced American History

This week is largely dedicated to selecting topics and beginning research for National History Day.  Please understand the following process when beginning topic selection and starting your project, and consult the following slideshow for research suggestions.

1.  Topic Selection (Must relate to NHD theme of turning point in history)
2.  Preliminary research with a reliance on secondary sources (understand context, background related to person or event, etc.)
3.  Develop a Thesis Statement
4.  Advanced Research with a reliance on primary sources.
5.  Construction of project.

Be sure you develop a system of organization and a method of recording all sources used along the way to build your annotated bibliography.

Slideshow courtesy Wisconsin Historical Society

Monday, November 5th

Advanced American History

To finish our study of the Gilded Age, we discussed the Progressive movement.  As a reaction to the perceived excesses of the Gilded Age, many demanded government reforms in the early 20th century.  Progressive leaders like Bob LaFollette in Wisconsin or Teddy Roosevelt on a national scale sought to build a more fair, equitable and safe society through government action.  On the contrast, many felt this increased government activity was too intrusive and expensive, and this balancing act has been a central theme to American life ever since.

Friday, November 2nd

Advanced American History 

 Today, Sarah Michele Klentz from the Wisconsin Historical Society is here to discuss National History Day.

Tuesday/Wednesday, October 23rd - 24th

Advanced American History

The first quarter project for both Advanced History and Literature and Composition was introduced today.  The timetable for work is as follows:

Wednesday 10/24 -- Work Day
Thursday 10/25 -- No School
Friday 10/26 -- No School
Monday 10/29 -- Work Day / Rehearsals
Tuesday 10/30 -- Presentations
Wednesday 10/31 -- Presentation

Monday, October 22nd

Advanced American History

The essay for this unit was composed in class today on the topic of Populism.  During the course of the period, you should respond the the following prompt, citing at least three documents for support:

Identify the reasons for agrarian discontent in the 1890's.  Explain the key arguments of both the farmers (Populists/Democrats) and those opposed to the demands made by the Populists (Republicans) in this era.  What is the legacy of this debate?

Friday, October 19th

Advanced American History

Today we begin the most substantial project of the year, one that will be due in March and will be worth 25% of your semester grade.  Within the next few weeks I encourage you to do some exploration and investigation into potential topics and working partners.

Thursday, October 18th

Advanced American History

Today we viewed the A&E Biography of Teddy Roosevelt.  Be sure to understand his spirit of reform, and understand the problems his administration worked to deal with.

Click here for further information on Teddy Roosevelt.