World+History+Syllabus

2010-2011 Course Expectations
Welcome to World History! This is a two-semester course required to graduate from Grossmont Union High School District. This class provides an essential and rewarding experience in global discovery and will help you understand the complex issues we face in this modern world. We will look critically at different global issues and the countries that are affected by them. Over the next year we will examine significant events, movements, and patterns that have helped shape the modern world. The plight of the individual, the impact of revolutions, and the reasons for and the consequences of war will guide us through the school year. While our emphasis will be on the 19th and 20th centuries, we will delve deeper into history to connect modern forms of democracy, culture, and conflict to their historical roots. The study of history from an international perspective is increasingly important today. In the contemporary context, one of globalization and technological development, different cultures and societies are increasingly in contact and interdependence. Now, more than ever, there is a need for an understanding of the present as well as the past.

**I Course Outline:**
Semester One Semester Two
 * Unit 1: An Introduction to History
 * Unit 2: Foundations of Democratic Thought
 * Unit 3: Revolutions
 * Unit 4: The Industrial Revolution
 * Unit 5: Age of Imperialism
 * Unit 6: World War I
 * Unit 7: Rise of Totalitarianism
 * Unit 8: World War II
 * Unit 9: Holocaust and the Genocide
 * Unit 10: The Post-War World (The Cold War, China, Decolonization, and the Middle East)

**A) Unit collection- 60%**
Every two weeks all the student's work is turned in (in their composition book) and they receive a detailed rubric for self-assessing their performance in the following three categories: 1) Writing reflections. (20%) These are written responses to daily questions about a primary document. The documents are the "openers" to a brief time for writing before the discussion. During the discussion, students may add notes, refine their writing, or make corrections as necessary. Often these are to be polished for homework assignments as they seek to delve into the critical thinking questions (a chart glued into the back of their composition book). 2) The various writing activities performed both at home and in class (20%) These may include essays, articles, graphs, time-lines, poems, drawings, homework, charts or diagrams. 3) Participation (20%) The participation portion of this grade is based on their performance according to a rubric (in the back of their composition book), which categorizes their attitude, preparedness, behavior, active classroom interaction, and reflection writing.
 * Once the students have assessed their work and made comments accordingly, the packets are collected by the teacher and evaluated for accuracy and honesty.

**B) Other Scores assessed by the teacher alone include:- 40%**
Quizzes and Tests (20%) Every Friday, there is either a short quiz or a unit test. If a student is absent on a Friday, it is their responsibility to come in on the following Monday at lunch to make it up. At the end of each semester there will be a final exam. Simulations, projects, and presentations (20%) During many of the units we study, students are given a role of a historical character or and event to dramatize with a group. These may involve major or minor roles but should always be guided by a quest to understand the event from various points of view. Students will also be expected to present to the class (often in pairs) about a given topic. Active participation, effort and preparation are necessary, especially when working with group on a given project. These activities are graded according to both participation and presentation rubrics.

**The grading scale:**
A= 90%-100% B= 80%-89% C= 70%-79% D= 60%-69% F= 0-59%

III Organization- (What you need to have daily!):
Materials needed daily in class include: 1. At least 2 pencils 2. A teacher-provided compostition book. All work is to be kept in here and glued in upon request (see above V- Grading Policy Unit collection). 3. Colored pencils or crayons. 4. Glue sticks 5. Must have teacher-provided composition book daily!

IV Absences/Make Up Work:

 * Many assignments are completed in class only and cannot be made up if you are absent. BE IN CLASS! Excessive absences will affect your grade.
 * If absent, you are responsible for finding out what you missed. Ask another student, the teacher, or check the web page to find out what you missed!
 * Make up work is for excused absences only! It is your responsibility to find out what you missed and to make it up on your time.
 * You are responsible for any large projects/assignments or tests/quizzes that you knew about before you were absent. If you are absent the day a project is due, you must have it ready on the day of your return or you will receive 50% (F) of the grade you would have received by turning it in on time. For example, if you would have received 80 points out of 100 on a project, you would receive 40 points if it was turned in late.
 * If you are absent on the day of a group presentation, you will receive 50% of the group’s project grade.

V Attendance Policy:
Students who miss more than ten days of class will receive no credit for the class unless these days are made up. No attendance make-up will be allowed for truancy. If you are absent, you are responsible for missed assignments. The student may be dropped from the class if the teacher determines that the absences, in combination with lack of effort, lack of academic success, or poor attitude results in disruptive behavior. The parent and student must realize there is a direct relationship between attendance and grades/ credits earned. The only opportunity for make up of these unexcused absence hours will be the student’s participation in Saturday School. Saturday Schools will be available during the last four Saturdays of each semester; check with the attendance office for specific dates and times. (Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to, truancy, leaving campus without permission, car problems, or oversleeping.) Upon the accumulation of 10 tardies to the same class, and pursuant to a teacher request, the student will be dropped.

VI Behavior Expectations
1. DO NOT talk while the teacher or another student is speaking. Become intellectually curious! Ask questions about the topic and try to make connections to your everyday experiences. 2. No food, drinks, cell phones, iPods or GUM permitted in class. 3. DO NOT pack up your things before the bell rings. 4. BATHROOM- Every student will receive three passes per semester using the bathroom. If they are not used, they count as extra credit towards any assignment at the end of the semester. Any objections must be by the parent. Please note on signature sheet. 5. Any work that is copied (homework, reflections, projects or tests) will result in a zero on the assignment and a referral for both the copier and the person who gave them the assignment to be copied. 6. I expect you to act appropriately and maturely. Know that I am not here to pick on you nor do I have time to nag you unnecessarily. If I give you a direction, I expect you to follow it without argument. Rather than engage in an argument about the above expectations, I will note the disruption and warn the student. If it persists, I call home and submit a referral to the office. Any questions or problems can be discussed privately before or after class.

The 3 R’s: Responsibility – each student has the ability to succeed in this class as well as life. I will teach you the skills you need to succeed at El Capitan and in college, but it is YOUR responsibility to put this information to good use (be present, attentive, and prepared.) Respect – all students will show respect towards other’s person, opinion, and property. This means LISTENING to ideas and opinions that are different from your own and accepting the right of others to voice that idea or opinion. Remember, just because something is different does not mean it is wrong. Rights – each student that enters my classroom has the right to expect my full attention to the lesson at hand in addition to working in a safe classroom atmosphere that encourages learning. If any student chooses to interfere with my teaching or another student’s learning, I reserve the right to ask that student to leave my classroom (followed by an appropriate consequence).

VII Discipline Policy:
1. Warning 2. Seat change 3. Ask to leave classroom 4. Call home and/or referral on record. Depending on the severity of the disruption and teacher discretion, may be removed from class with no credit.


 * Three referrals constitute removal from course with no credit

PART TO RESUBMIT TO TEACHER:
LAST NAME FIRST NAME PERIOD_

INFORMATION SHEET AND UNDERSTANDING FORM

“I have carefully read and understood the course requirements outlined in this syllabus and will do my best to fulfill them. The first step I will take is to collect all the necessary materials as soon as possible. I will come in and see Ms. Anders at lunch when I feel like I am falling behind and need help.”

Student Signature:

PARENTS/ GUARDIANS: “I have reviewed and understand the course requirements and syllabus for this course with my child.” Signature: Print Name: Phone Number:

Email: (slash all zero numbers, please)

Students: This is the first homework assignment of the year! I hope you have read this all carefully!

IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS ABOUT THIS PACKET: The first page of this syllabus packet is for the parent to keep! It contatains the grading policy, materials requirements, and absence policy. The second page is for the student to rip off (after both have signed it) and returned to Ms. Anders by 9/10/2010. A ny questions or concerns? Please write below (or on reverse.) Thank- you!