Instructor: Curt Minton

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.

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).

Course Description:

Mississippi Studies is a course designed to foster appreciation for the state and its culture. The content will include the geographic, historic, economic, political, and social events that have contributed to the stateís development. This course will trace Mississippiís transition from agriculture to industry and its effort to expand participation in the political process. The course will include the study of the diverse contributions of the citizens of the state.

Required Textbook:

A Place Called Mississippi. David G. Sansing, PhD.

ISBN#: 9781567332445 or 1567332447 Copyright © 2013 by Clairmont Press, Inc.

NOTE: this text is only available through school offices. Contact the UMHS office to buy or rent the book. Each purchase comes with free access to the online textbook.

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.

Course Objectives include (but are not limited to):

This course follows the Mississippi Department of Education Curriculum Framework for Social Studies. After completing this course, you will:

1. Understand how geography, history, and politics have influenced the development of Mississippi.
2. Understand the major responsibilities of state and local government and how they are executed.
3. Understand the role that Mississippi has played in international, political, and economic affairs.
4. Understand and describe the historical circumstances and conditions that necessitated the development of civil rights and human rights protections and/or activism for various minority groups in Mississippi.
5. Understand the importance of how geography, history, and politics affect the economic life of Mississippi from the past to the present.
6. Understand the trends, ideologies, and artistic expressions in Mississippi over time and place.

Course Outline:

Grading Scale:

93 - 100% = A
85 - 92% = B
75 - 84% = C
70 - 74% = D
Below 69% = F

The grading format is as follows:

Lesson quizzes = 20%
Unit projects and written assignments = 25%
Unit tests = 20%
Proctored exams = 35%