World History Course Syllabus
Dear Students,
I am very excited to have you in my class this year. I would like to start this year with a positive tone. In order for this to continue throughout the year, it is very important that you as students learn your expectations, academically and behaviorally, in this class. If you ever have any problems or concerns, please feel free to contact me. I will be available to work with you on an individual basis before or after school.
Ms. Brynaert’s Goal:
I believe “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” Therefore, my goal is to develop active citizens who can critically think and use analytical skills to explain and wonder about the way the world is today. I challenge students to ask the question “why” and use their individual strengths to make the world a better place.
Course Description:
In World History, students will develop a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contact including interactions over time. The course highlights the nature of changes in the international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies.
The five World History Themes will be used throughout the course of identify the broad patterns and processes that explain change and continuity over time.
The Five World History Themes:
Thematic Questions:
Expectations:
I expect you to show up to class ready to work. That means bring your materials and homework to class everyday and be ready to participate. Use the bathroom between classes or on your lunch break. You will only be allowed 5 hallway passes for the entire year. If you run out of your passes and request to leave the classroom, you may do so for a 30 minute detention after school.
I expect you to utilize your class time efficiently; do not waste my time or the time of your classmates by acting rude and immature. Remember… there is a time and a place for messing around (not during class). Classroom rules will be discussed in more detail during class:
Participation:
Participation is required. Students are expected to come to class each day prepared with their binder and a writing utensil. It is also expected that all students will participate during all class discussions, class projects, group work and activities. YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR OWN LEARNING! The more you participate, the more actively involved you are with your own learning!
Attendance:
World History is not just a body of “facts”. It is a discipline that takes skill and creativity to master. I believe that the best way to learn World History is to "do World History." This means that we will spend much of our time interrogating the sources through class discussions. To succeed, it is in your best interests to attend class every day, complete all assignments on time, and come prepared to share your ideas with your peers. Constant absences can influence your grade.
Make-Up Work/Late Work Policy:
If absent, all work assigned prior to an absence is due upon day of return, provided the absence is excused. If you are absent, check the “While You Were Out” clip board. It explains the agenda everyday. If work was collected or assigned on a day you were absent, turn in the assignment in the allotted time and complete an absent slip. Please place absent work in the “In” box.
Positive work ethic and organization should help you from ever having work turned in late. However, I know everyone has their days and mistakes happen. You may turn in late work one day late for 50% off. Each additional day it is late, 10% will be marked off. If it is turned in more than 5 days late, it will receive one point credit. When homework is collected during class and you turn your assignment in late, complete a late slip. Please place late work in the “In” box.
Assignments and Assessments:
“Homework teaches our students that learning does not stop when the bell rings.” Homework will be assigned throughout the course. Although it will not be always collected and graded, it is to your benefit to complete the homework. Throughout this course, you will be assigned a variety of assignments and assessments.
Assignments
Assessments
All of these methods will be used to evaluate student progress.
Cheating:
Whatever the cause, (ie stress, overwork, desperation, etc) cheating is still against school policy. In most colleges, the immediate consequence is expulsion from the University and permanent notation on your transcript. Cheating is the ultimate disrespect to the teacher as well as your peers who work hard and manage to do well legitimately. Cheating includes overt acts like cheat sheets, writing on hands, looking on someone else’s paper, as well as acts of misrepresentation. These acts include handing in someone else’s work as your own, copying directly from another person, etc. When in doubt, do not do it. If you are caught in an overt act of cheating or misrepresenting your own work, you will not only receive a zero on that assignment, but you will also be docked an equal number of points from your overall grade. Cheating should not be considered a “calculated risk.” It is against school and classroom policy and so expect consequences. In addition, I reserve the right in overt acts of cheating to seek additional consequences from administration.
In short, DON’T CHEAT! DO YOUR OWN WORK!
Grading Criteria:
All grades in World History are decided based on point basis. Obviously, those assignment that I feel are greater important and evaluation will receive high numerical values. The points, generally, fall as follows.
Unit/Chapter Tests 100 Points each
Outlines, Identifications and other assignments 20-40 Points each
ID/Map Quizzes 25-80 Points each
Essays and Document Based Questions Approx 50-100 Points each
Unit Projects Approximately 100 points each
I am required to follow Concord’s grading scale.
Required Materials:
Every student is required to be organized. If you start the year organized you will thank yourself come May/June when you must sort through copious amounts of information. It should go without saying that in addition to your notebook and binder, you must bring your textbooks and writing utensils to class everyday.
To be brought to class everyday:
Habits of the Mind and Skills:
In World History students will learn skills which will empower them to act like historians:
Also students should
CLASS BREAKDOWN
The World History course uses periodization to divide historical periods between 8000BCE and the Present. Using the full-year schedule, these periods have been divided into 7 units of instruction.
Year Schedule:
Unit 1: FOUNDATIONS: Rise of Human Society 8000 BCE to 600 BCE (About 2 weeks)
This introductory unit will concentrate on the themes of migrations, religions, empires, and trade. The habits of mind emphasized will be using evidence to make an argument, evaluating primary sources, making comparisons, assessing issues of continuity and change, looking for global patterns over time and space.
Topics in this unit include:
Unit 2: CLASSICAL: Organization and Reorganization of Human Society 600 BCE to 600 CE (About 3 weeks)
Content topics in the unit will include
Unit 3 and 4: POST CLASSICAL (I AND II): Developing Regional and Trans-Regional Interaction 600 CE to 1450 CE (About 6 weeks)
Content topics in the unit will include
Unit 5: GLOBAL INTERACTIONS: World societies and interactions 1450 CE to 1750 CE (About 6 weeks)
The following questions will be explored as this unit is investigated:
Unit 6: INDUSTRIALIZATION: Global Interaction and Industrialization 1750 to 1900 CE (About 6 weeks)
The following questions will be explored as this unit is investigated:
Unit 7: GLOBAL REALIGNMENT: Global Fragmentation and Realignment 1900 CE to Present (About 6 weeks)
Content will include discussion of the following topics:
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you need help, need to ask a question, etc. I can be reached by phone or e-mail. I will be available to meet before and after school for extra help or further questions.
I have read the syllabus and understand Miss Brynaert’s procedures, rules and expectations.
Please have this signed and shown to Miss Brynaert by Thursday, September 8, 2011. Once Ms. Brynaert checks this in, place in the very front of your binder for this class. Thank you!
Ms. Brynaert
Student Signature: Date:
Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:
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