10th Grade AP World History
Course Syllabus
2016-2017 School Year
Teacher: Mr. Walters
Email:

I.COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The AP history courses seek to apprentice students to the practice of history by explicitly stressing the development of historical thinking skills while learning historical content. Students best develop historical thinking skills by investigating the past in ways that reflect the discipline of history, most particularly through the exploration and interpretation of a rich array of primary sources and secondary texts and through the regular development of historical argumentation in writing. (From College Board)

II. MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED:

  1. You will be provided with the following: a textbook entitled Ways of the World, a course calendar, and a packet for all handouts
  2. You will need to bring a 2 inch binder to class each day that will contain notes and handouts

III. CLASSROOM POLICIES: This classroom will abide by the policies set forth in the student handbook.

  1. Everyone will be treated with respect.
  2. Everyone will take responsibility for themselves and their actions.
  3. The learning process will be maintained at all times

IV. COURSE GRADING PROCEDURE: The semester grades will be put into three categories: Major, Minor and Semester test

  1. Major: This category will be made up exclusively of test grades. (100 points each) It will count for 50% of the students’ overall grade. One test will be given at the end of each unit of study. The tests will be composed of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. The test will cover information from class notes, reading assignments, and class assignments.
  2. Minor: This category will contain four different types of grades. It will count for 40% of the students’ overall grade.

Independent Assignments (10 to 70 points each) -This includes Article Reviews, analysis worksheets, prewrites, or any activity assigned by the teacher to review or reinforce a lesson. Students will know the value and the due date of each assignment when it is given.

Group Projects (10 to 20 points each) - Various activities will be assigned to student work groups. Typically, the group will be graded on the basis of group achievement, though efforts will be made to grade individual members within the group for their contributions. Cooperative learning is not only a sound, research-supported approach to learning but also a means to teach valuable “people skills” that will serve you in the workplace and community.

Binder (10 to 20 points each binder check) - The students will maintain a binder that will include: notes, quizzes, tests, and additional materials. The binder will be graded throughout the semester.

Quizzes and Note Grades (20 to 30 points each) - Quizzes and note grades will be given to show that a student is keeping up with their reading from the textbook. Quizzes are weighted to be worth than any assignment in the minor grade category.

Debates/Discussions/Seminars (20 points each) – Students will be given a grading rubric for debate and discussions before the activity.

  1. Semester Test: This category will only contain the semester test which will be 10% of the students overall grade per district policy.
  2. Bonus Points: Students can gain bonus points by making insightful comments during a class discussion or on the class blog. To receive bonus comments and/or postings must provide comprehensive insight, understanding, reflective thought, and spur discussion about the topic by:

Building a focused argument around a specific issue or

Asking a new related question or

Adding a new component or position on a previous comment.

Grading Scales: 93-100% = H 85-92% = A 78-84% = B 70-77 = C 60-69 D < 60% = F

V. TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments will be turned into the basket no later than the start of class. Some assignments will have the option to be emailed.

VI. CHEATING AND/OR COPYING MATERIAL: Should a student be found cheating OR copying material on any assignment or test, NO POINTS will be awarded for that particular assignment to any student involved. Allowing your paper to be copied or plagiarized by another student constitutes cheating and will be dealt with in the same way.SPECIAL CAUTION on computerized work: it is essential that your work represent your own analysis. Plagiarized or copied work will be given NO CREDIT. You may be written up for disciplinary action and your parents may be contacted if cheating occurs.

VII. ATTENDANCE:Attendance is required to be successful. According to school policy, unexcused absences beginning with absence 10 will result in a NG (no grade) for the course. When the tardy bell rings you should be in your seat and started on the day’s activity. If you fail to do so, you will be required to get a tardy from the office. According to school policy, after 5 tardies for a course, you will receive a consequence from the office.

IIX. MAKE-UP WORK: It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to make-up missed work. A student must ask me about the work missed the day the student returns to class. A student will have the number of days to make-up the work equal to the number of excused days absent. (Two days absent = two days to complete assignments.) Students with an unexcused absence will receive a zero on the work missed.

IX. CELL PHONE POLICY: There are times when you will be able to use your cell phones in class; however, they are to be used for educational purposes only.Should you abuse this privilege at any time, I will take your cell phone and it will be in the office for pick up after school. Headphones and listening to music are not to be used unless you have been given permission.

X. AP EXAM:At the end of the year students can receive college credit for a passing score on the AP Exam. The exam will be given at McAlester High School.