GalliaAcademyMiddle School

Course Syllabus for PO Social Studies

Teacher: Mr. Hall

2nd Quarter of 2011-2012

Contact Information:

GalliaAcademy: 446-3214 ext. 2104

Email:

Education Connection: 446-4320 # 1601

Online Classroom: Can access from

Course Description:

This course is the study of ancient world civilizations. The course will begin with ancient Greece and conclude with the First Global Age. Students will examine the geography, culture, history, and enduring impacts of the civilizations studied as well as other aspects. This course will allow students to work independently and collaboratively to achieve their learning goals and prepare for future social studies classes. The class will be designed to assist students’ individual needs.

Materials:

  • 1½’’ three ring binder for class notebook (can keep them in the classroom)
  • Dividers (one set, they are cheap)
  • Loose leaf paper
  • Pencils
  • Texts provided

Grading:

  • All assignments will be graded as points earned out of points possible
  • This class will follow the grading scale as defined by the student handbook.
  • Bell ringers will be given every day and will be worth 5 points every week.
  • Tests and quizzes will be given throughout the nine weeks grading period.
  • During every 9 weeks students will be required to do a small project. Information regarding this will be provided as the time gets closer.
  • Notebooks will be examined during every interim. It will count as a test grade.

Homework

Students will be required to submit three current event articles throughout the nine weeks and tell the class about their article.

Attendance/Missed Assignments:

  • It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to make up missed assignments after any excused absences as defined in the student handbook.
  • This class will follow the attendance policy defined in the student handbook that each student signs for on the first day of school.
  • Students can call the Education Connection for daily/weekly assignments.
  • Assignments will be placed in the letter trays labeled for each day. If a student is absent it is his or her responsibility get the work. I will place the previous day’s work in the letter tray of that day.

Classroom Procedures:

  • At the beginning of class an assigned student is to go to the shelf and pick up the class folders to distribute to the rest of the class.
  • Students must be in their seat working on the bell ringer when the bell rings.
  • Students will receive 3 bathroom passes per month. They can be used at anytime except during testing. Unused passes will NOT roll over to the next month. Students will have the opportunity to win passes throughout the 9 weeks.
  • Students are to come to class prepared, however, everyone forgets sometimes so students will be given pencil and paper if they forget up to 3 times in a 9 weeks period after that there may be consequences.

Classroom Expectations:

  • You are to be on time
  • Be respectful
  • Come to class ready to learn (always give your best)
  • Stay awake 

Primary Textbook

  • World History Journey Across Time: The Early Ages
  • America’s Story The Complete Edition
  • Other texts to be determined.

Ohio Content Standards

Describe the enduring impact of early civilizations in Egypt, Greece, and India after 1000 B.C. including:

  1. The development of concepts of government and citizenship;
  2. Scientific and cultural advancements;
  3. The spread of religions;
  4. Slavery and systems of labor

Compare the endowment of productive resources in world regions and explain how this endowment contributed to specialization, trade, and interdependence in ancient times.

Compare direct and representative democracy using examples of ancient Athens, the Roman republic and the United States today.

Describe the essential characteristics of the systems of government found in city-states, kingdoms and empires from ancient times through the Middle Ages.

Explain how the participation of citizens differs under monarchy, direct democracy and representative democracy.

Describe historical events and issues from the perspectives of people living at the time in order to avoid evaluating the past in terms of today’s norms and values.

Establish guidelines, rules and time lines for group work.

Reflect on the performance of a classroom group in which one has participated including the contribution of each member in reaching group goals.

Analyze the relationships among cultural practices, products and perspectives of early civilizations.

Describe the scientific and cultural legacies of African and Greek civilizations.

For each of the societies studied, identify the location of significant physical and human characteristics on a map of the relevant region.

On a map, identify places related to the historical events being studied and explain their significance.

Describe the geographic features and processes that contribute to and impede the diffusion of people, products and ideas from place to place including:

a. physical features;b. culture;

c. war;d. trade;

Tentative Course Schedule: Second Quarter:

  • Greek Civilization: Will focus on Greek study of science, philosophy, mathematics, and the arts. Will discuss Alexander the Great and how he conquered the Persian Empire and spread Greek culture. Will emphasize; the culture of ancient Greece, Greek philosophy and history, Alexander the Great, and the spread of Greek culture.
  • Early Indian: Will relate with Greece in that the early history of India a land of warriors existed along with thinkers and scientists. Will emphasize; India’s first civilization, Hinduism and Buddhism, and India’s first empires.
  • Early China: Will discuss ancient China and how they were similar to the Egyptians in regards to establishing long-ruling dynasties. Will also discuss the three great philosophies: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. Will emphasize; China’s First Civilizations, Life in Ancient China, and the Qin and Han Dynasties.
  • The Rise of Rome: Will discuss the rise of Rome and how they created an empire that covered much of the Mediterranean world. Will study how they were able to win control of such a large area. Will emphasize Rome’s Beginnings, The Roman Republic, The Fall of the Roman Empire, and the Early Empire.

Support Services:

  • R.O.C.K.S. after-school program (beginning in October)
  • Education Connection