Mr. Paul Bennis                                          U.S. History and Government  Participation in Government   Modern U.S. Military History Contact Information: pbennis@gcsny.org    (845) 615-6100 ***Students who need or want extra help should stay 10th period, there is a late bus that leaves the school following 10th period, 2:55

U.S. History and Government

U.S.  History and Government is a full year, Regents level, required course that is usually taken in a student's junior year.  This course is a combination of history, politics and current events and how each is a cause or effect of the other.  Early in the school year, there is a concentration on the Constitution which will come into discussions during the rest of the year.  Throughout the school year, students will be required to take quizzes and tests, as well as create projects in cooperative groups.  The final assessment at the end of the school year is the New York State U.S. History and Government Regents Exam.  Below are the major units of American history that we study throughout the year.

-Colonial Society  and the American Revolution/The Constitution of the United States/1800 to 1861: The Constitution Tested, Slavery, Westward Expansion/The Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow South/Industrial Revolution, Imperialism/Populist Movement, Progressive Era/WWI, Roaring 20s/Depression, WWII/Cold War, 1950s thru the present, culturally and politically

http://www.history.com/     History Channel Website

http://regentsprep.org/         Regent Review Website

http://www.crcs.k12.ny.us/regents.ht  Regent Review Website

Participation in Government

Participation in Government is a 1/2 year course for seniors that follows U.S. History and Government which is a full year course for juniors.  Participation in Government reviews what was taught in the junior year with an emphasis upon the working relationships of the three branches, political parties, lobbyists, big business, people, etc.  Much of this class will be presentations and debates which are researched primarily in class.  Supreme Court cases and the Constitution will be major reference points for most lessons in this course.  The assessment at the end of this class is a local final exam.

http://www.usconstitution.net/

http://www.constitution.org/

http://www.archives.gov/

                                        “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; 

                                         for he today that sheds his blood with me shall

                                          be my brother; be he near so vile, this day shall

                                                              gentle his condition.” 

                                                              Shakespeare, Henry V

                           Modern United States Military HistoryCourse Overview

     United States Military History is a one semester (half year) course, which is offered as an elective.  The objective of this course is to objectively inform students of past and present military conflicts and the cause and affect of those conflicts.  Students will be able to analyze past, present and future responsibilities of the United States military.  Modern United States Military History will also teach students about modern United States military culture and the influences that create that culture.

     Students will understand that the United States military was created as a nonpolitical entity by our government under the direction of the United States Congress and the President/Commander in Chief.  Students will also realize their responsibility and privilege as a citizen in our democracy to influence the role of our military.