World History and Geography Course Syllabus
Welcome to World History. Prepare yourself for a year of discovery about exciting historical periods and far away places. The following information will be useful to your success in this class. I look forward to a great semester!
This class is about thinking. Memorizing important facts is a crucial component of studying World History, but it is only a start. What you do with the information you gather is what really matters. Therefore, my role as your teacher is to guide you in becoming a powerful thinker who can understand and act on the information that you learn in this World History class.
History is the story of ideas, people and events that have changed our world. You will uncover these stories by looking through the eyes of children and adults who risked and triumphed, wept, and laughed centuries ago. You will dig into letters, lyrics, poems, novels, photographs, political cartoons, and even really tough philosophical documents that these people left behind. In doing so you will step into different shoes for a moment. Expect a tight fit sometimes. Expect to be stretched and pushed in this class. Such intellectual stretching can be scary. Knowing that, I promise this will be a safe place to take such risks. If you rise to the challenge of looking through someone else's eyes and taking risks, your capacity to think critically will expand exponentially as you master World History and your educational career. Remember, you can look at school in one of three ways: As a chore, as an opportunity, or as an adventure!
During the course of the year, we will be studying the following units:
First Semester
Fall of the Roman Empire
The Rise of Islam
Empires and Kingdoms in Africa
Second Semester
Imperial China and Feudal Japan
Medieval and Renaissance Europe
Civilizations of the Americas
Also look for various on-going social studies activities in geography, history skills, current events and community service.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS: Because I care about you and your education, you will find that I am strict and approachable. The main foundation of appropriate behavior for my classroom includes these principles.
1. Be positive and respectful
2. Be punctual. On time= seated, silent, agenda and all materials ready to go.
3. Be prepared. Bring homework, notebook, paper, pen/pencils at minimum each and everyday.
4. Be polite. No disruptions of the learning process will be tolerated. Do not interrupt learning by talking out of turn or while the teacher is speaking. Please raise your hand to speak or engage the class. Remain in your seat unless otherwise instructed and do not engage in any disruptive behavior.
5. Absolutely no food, drinks, gum, or candy will be allowed in class. Make-up, grooming, electronics, toys, and hats are also not appropriate for the classroom.
BEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCES:
1. First offense: Warning (Name recorded on board or clipboard)
2. Second offense: Detention
3. Third offense: Phone call to parent and/or class suspension/lowered citizenship grade.
4. Fourth offense: Referral to Assistant Principal and Meeting
GRADES:
Grades are standard: 90-100% A; 80-89% B; 70-79% C; 60-69% D; 59% or lower F. Projects, tests, and quizzes will account for 60% of your grade, notebook and homework will account for 40%.
Citizenship grades will be based upon being a respectful individual, active participation in class, and exhibiting a positive/good attitude.
Grades will be posted periodically in the classroom. You and /or your parents may request a progress notice whenever needed (Please allow 24-hour notice). It is your responsibility to keep an eye on your grades, including that you know when your grades are slipping!
STUDENT WORK: Assignments are due on the assigned date. Late work will not be accepted. Student work must be completed in blue/black pen or typed. Students must also use the correct heading on their work, including full name, period #, date, and assignment title. Points may be deducted from the work if any or all of these components are missing.
ABSENCES: Try not to be absent. It is so difficult to make up work. If you are absent, please find out the assignment from the message board or fellow student. Your teacher will not keep track of this for you. Homework missed due to an absence is due the day after you return to school. (Special circumstances can be made only if you experience a prolonged absence.) Always discuss it with your teacher before or after class. If your absence is due to a trip, please speak to your teachers prior to leaving to make arrangements for that make-up work. This will ensure that you do not fall too far behind.
TEST MAKE-UPS: Students must speak to me to reschedule a make-up exam. It is the student's responsibility to schedule a new testing time within one week from the original testing date. If this is not made up one week after the test/quiz, students will receive a zero. No exceptions please.
CHEATING: The History department is in full support of the school's policy that cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Students who copy another's work or students who allow their work to be copied will receive a zero on that assignment or test and will be referred to administration.
I hope this helps you to have a wonderfully rewarding year in World History. I can be reached at school by calling or via email:
To Parent/Guardians and Students:
Please sign here to acknowledge that you have read and understand the above information.
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