Modern World History: 1450 – Present
Mr. Dunsavage
Room C242
Website: http://www.donegal.k12.pa.us//Domain/623
Email:
Phone: (717) 653-1871 x53242
Course Description
This course is designed for students to explore the major world events that have occurred since 1450 to increase and deepen their understanding of the current geopolitical state of the world. This course will cover the following topics in modern world history:
§ Unit 1: Feudalism, Renaissance, & Reformation
§ Unit 2: Scientific Revolution, Age of Discovery, & Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
§ Unit 3: Enlightenment, French Revolution, & Napoleon
§ Unit 4: Industrial Revolution & Economic Systems
§ Unit 5: Imperialism, World War I, & Russian Revolution
§ Unit 6: Great Depression, Totalitarianism, Fascism, & Rise of Dictators
§ Unit 7: World War II
§ Unit 8: Decolonization & The Cold War
§ Unit 9: Perspective on the Present - Global Security, Technology, Human Rights, etc.
Required Readings
§ Textbook – Holt McDougal’s Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction
§ Novel – Moying Li’s Snow Falling in Spring: Coming of Age in China During the Cultural Revolution
§ Primary and secondary sources (as deemed appropriate and necessary by the teacher)
Expectations
My expectations for the class can be summed up as follows: “My Job - Your Job - Our Job”
§ My Job – As your teacher, it is my job to come to class prepared with active, engaging, and educational lessons that will allow you to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this course.
§ Your Job – As a student, it is your job to come to class prepared with all necessary items and materials (textbook, notebook, pens/pencils, etc.), completed homework (including reading), a positive attitude, appropriate behavior, and an enthusiasm for learning.
§ Our Job – As a class, it is our job to create and maintain a supportive learning environment where all students can thrive both academically and behaviorally as members of our classroom community.
Discipline
In order to be successful in this school, a student must first adhere to both the rules and guidelines of the school district as well as the expectations set within a given classroom. Failure to follow the rules, including those outlined in Mr. Dunsavage’s Classroom Behavior Plan will result in the following consequences:
1st Offense / 2nd Offense / 3rd or Serious OffenseIndividual Warning &
Conversation with Teacher / Phone Call Home &
Student Meeting with Teacher / Phone Call Home &
Discipline Referral
Grading
Academic Grades will be based on Summative Assessments (tests, quizzes, essays, projects, etc.) that will occur at the conclusion of a class, chapter, or unit. Formative Assessments (worksheets, in-class assignments, homework, etc.) will not count towards your academic grade; however, failure to complete such assignments will result in (a) disciplinary consequences, (b) low Citizenship (work ethic) grade, and (c) a lower likelihood of success on Summative Assessments.
Additional information related to Grading can be found below:
§ Late Work – Assignments turned in late as a result of a student’s failure to complete the work on time; Student may be given a new due date with a -10% penalty; Failure to meet new due date results in 0%
§ Make Up Work – If a student is absent from school on the day an assignment is due, that assignment will be due the day the student returns to school; If a student misses class due to an appointment (whether in-school or out of school), the assignment is still due that day and must be submitted; It is the responsibility of the student to meet with the teacher and make up all missed in-class work.
§ Extra Credit – While opportunities for extra credit (bonus questions, etc.) may be part of some Summative Assessments, extra credit assignments are not a part of this course.
§ 2nd Chance Assessments – Students receiving a lower grade than expected on a test, essay, or other Summative Assessment may attempt to earn a higher grade through taking a second, more rigorous version of the Summative Assessment. The process to earn such an opportunity is outlined as follows:
1. If a student is interested in attempting a 2nd Chance Assessment, the student must make the teacher aware of their interest within 24 hours of receiving their grade for the original Summative Assessment. They student should see the teacher after class or contact via email.
2. The teacher will then put forth requirements the student must meet to earn such an opportunity. These requirements will at minimum include corrected their mistakes and/or providing evidence that the student consistently completes their Formative Assessments.
3. If the student meets these requirements, the student and teacher will jointly determine a date and time to complete the 2nd Chance Assessment as soon as possible.
4. If the student earns a higher grade on the 2nd Chance Assessment than on the original Summative Assessment, it will now replace that grade; however, if the student receives a lower grade on the 2nd Chance Assessment, the higher grade for the original Summative Assessment will remain in the grade book. Thus, there is no penalty in attempting it.
· The opportunity for a 2nd Chance Assessment is at the discretion of the teacher.
· 2nd Chance Assessments are a student-earned opportunity, not a guaranteed right.
Teacher Availability
In addition to daily Tribe Time, the teacher will be available on the following days and times to meet with students if needed for tutoring, remediation, or any other reason:
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / FridayMorning / 7:20am – 7:50am / 7:20am – 7:50am / 7:20am – 7:50am / 7:20am – 7:50am / 7:20am – 7:50am
Afternoon / By Appointment / By Appointment / By Appointment / By Appointment / By Appointment
If a student and/or parent/guardian would like to meet with the teacher outside of these times, alternate arrangements could be made by contacting the teacher directly either via phone call or email.
Mr. Dunsavage’s
Classroom Behavior Plan
Rules
1. Do not do anything to negatively affect your education or that of any of your classmates. Bullying will not be tolerated. (Serious Offense)
2. Cheating or claiming another’s work as your own is considered academic dishonesty and is strictly prohibited. (Serious Offense)
3. Disrespect of any kind is unacceptable. Students should respect themselves, others, and all property they encounter.
4. To that point, do not address any adult solely by their last name. As your teacher, my name is Mr. Dunsavage. Address me only as such.
5. Use of cell/smart phones, iPods/MP3 players, etc. are not allowed unless told differently by Mr. Dunsavage. Keep them put away and do not ask about them.
6. The bell signals the start of class. You are expected to be seated with all required materials (books, handouts, etc.) out on your desk by the start of class.
7. Be active and engaged in your education. Come to class prepared to participate in group discussion and all other activities during class.
8. You are responsible for your desk and the space around it. Keep it clean and junk-free. Food and drink are not allowed in class. (Exception: Water)
9. Your book and all provided class materials (handouts, etc.) are solely your responsibility. Do not damage, misuse, or lose them. Come to class prepared.
10. If absent, it is your responsibility to contact the teacher about what you missed and create a plan to make up missed work.
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STUDENT-PARENT SIGNATURE
By signing this, I confirm that both I and my parent/guardian have read, understand, and accept the information outlined in Mr. Dunsavage’s Syllabus and Classroom Behavior Plan. Additionally, your parent/guardian gives permission for you to view on media on the Video Clip List (except for those listed on the back of this form):
Student Name (Print) / Student Signature (Sign) / DateParent/Guardian Name (Print) / Parent/Guardian Signature (Sign) / Date
Modern World History Video Clip List
Excerpts and video clips from the following films may be shown during the semester to reinforce course content that we examine in our course of study.
The movies below were chosen for their historically accurate portrayal of people and events.
Amistad (1997, TV-MA)Argo (2012, R)
Band of Brothers (2001, TV-MA)
Countdown to Zero (2010, PG)
Enemy at the Gates (2001, R)
Far and Away (1992, PG-13)
Flags of Our Fathers (2006, R)
Flight 93 (2006, PG-13)
Flyboys (2006, PG-13)
French Revolution (2005, NR)
Gandhi (1982, PG)
Hitler: The Rise of Evil (2003, TV-14) / Hotel Rwanda (2004, PG-13)
Les Miserables (2012, PG-13)
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006, R)
Luther (2003, PG-13)
Pearl Harbor (2001, PG-13)
Saving Private Ryan (1998, R)
Schindler’s List (1993, R)
Thirteen Days (2000, PG-13)
United 93 (2006, R)
War Horse (2011, PG-13)
WWII in HD (2009, NR)
Zero Dark Thirty (2012, R)
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VIDEO CLIP EXEMPTION
If you do not wish your student to see scenes from a certain movie on the list above, please write it below: