Office Hours: I will be available Tuesdays after school from 3:05 to 4:05 in South 260 or by appointment. Outside of these times the best way to reach me with any questions or concerns is through email () or feel free to leave a message on my voice mail (303-453-4742).
Course Description: Welcome to World Geography and International Relations! The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the essential knowledge, skills, and perspectives of geography. We will investigate concepts of physical geography (location, climate, landforms, water resources, etc.), population (migration of people, population distribution, demographics), political relationships (the balance of power in the world), economic influences (the inequities that exist today), and the environment (the need for development versus its effect on ecosystems). For a more detailed elaboration, please reference the Peak to Peak Geography Standards, which can be accessed through our school’s website (www.peaktopeak.org). While both courses cover the same topics, World Geography/IR Honors is a more rigorous course than World Geography/IR, designed for the student who wants an extra challenge and is ready to accept significant responsibility for the learning process.
Over the course of the year, you will learn about each region of the world by investigating one of the major issues it faces. Units include:
You in the World: The Role of Demographics
Antarctica & The Themes and Tools of Geography
Western Europe: International Organizations
Russia & Neighbors: Economic Systems
Sub-Saharan Africa: Sustainable Development
North Africa & West Asia: Conflict & Cooperation
South Asia: Population
East Asia: Globalization
Southeast Asia & Oceania: Governance & International Crime
The Americas: International Trade & Human Rights
Philosophy: In addition to gaining a fundamental understanding of our interdependent world, you will acquire knowledge and skills in writing, researching, presenting, debating, and critical thinking necessary for high school honors-level and AP courses.
Expectations: We will be exploring world geography largely through simulations, activities, discussions, current events, presentations, and projects. Specific guidelines for each of these will be provided as they arise. In order for you to get the most out of these learning opportunities, it is essential that you put forth your best effort and come to class prepared and ready to participate. Critical thinking is perhaps the most important skill we develop in this class. You are encouraged to study the material, ask questions, and form opinions as well as respectfully challenge opinions. Finally, I expect everyone to contribute to a positive, active, supportive, and respectful classroom climate consistent with Peak to Peak’s vision of Character Education. For specific information on plagiarism, dress code, and other school policies please refer to your student handbook.
Policies: Most initial violations of the aforementioned expectations or school policies (see student handbook) will result in a warning. Subsequent violations of policy (including unexcused tardies and gum chewing) will result in a lunch detention or community service and your parents will be notified. For more information about specific behaviors and consequences please reference the handout that you received in Access class entitled “P2P Middle School Discipline Philosophy and Procedures.”
Late Assignments:
In addition to going over homework assignments in class, they will be posted on my homework page (linked to the school website) every Monday. Late daily homework assignments will receive a minimum of 50% credit except in the case of an excused absence (see below). A blank in the grade book means the assignment has not yet been graded. An “M” in the gradebook means the assignment is missing/overdue and calculates as a zero in the gradebook. Any work not turned in on time will receive an “M” until the assignment is made up.
For each day you are absent, you have two days to make up classwork and homework. You are responsible for picking up missed work (corner shelving) and turning it in to me during this time. You will be paired with two homework buddies in your class with whom you will exchange telephone numbers and email addresses. Ask them for directions and clarification on the assignments you miss. If you have spoken with them and are still unclear on missed assignments, please arrange a meeting with me. If you miss a test or a quiz, make sure to notify me during your next day back in class so that we can arrange a time for you to make it up.
Any student with an unexcused absence will be assigned to mandatory office hours for an ongoing period of time, and will be referred to the dean for disciplinary action. In the interest of striving for academic mastery, work missed as a result of the unexcused absence must be turned in, although academic credit will not be given. Multiple unexcused absences will result in disciplinary action and loss of course credit.
Grading: One of your responsibilities in this class is to keep track of your grades on Infinite Campus and let me know when you have questions or concerns. Grades will be updated at least every two weeks. We will arrange office hours if you need assistance outside of class time.
A 90-100% Assessments (tests, quizzes, papers, projects) 70%
B 80-89 Daily Work (classwork, homework, IN) 30%
C 70-79 D 60-69
F 59 and below
Materials:
Bring with you to school every day (or keep in your locker): Keep in locker (provided by P2P):
ü pencil World Geography by Prentice Hall
ü blue or black ink pen
ü binder (or a section of one) and 3 dividers – see below
ü looseleaf paper
ü colored pencils
ü P2P Writers Handbook
Organization of Materials:
You will need a one-inch binder or a section in a multi-subject binder for class each day. This binder will be graded
for organization, completeness, and quality as part of the daily work component of your grade.
Binder Organization:
Front of Binder
Syllabus (this packet)
Materials that need to stay in binder throughout the year
I. Divider for Interactive Notebook
All class handouts, classwork, and homework will be compiled in the Interactive Notebook that you will
be creating in class (see explanation below). This section will be taken out and stored periodically
throughout the year. Please do not throw out any of your work!
II. Divider for Country of Expertise
Throughout the year you will compile information on a country of your choice.
III. Divider for Current Events
Current Events Requirements
Notes & participation guides
Interactive Notebook: The Peak to Peak Social Studies Department has integrated the Interactive Notebook into all of its courses in order to maintain consistency in the organizational structures and skills that students acquire as they move from pre-AP into Advanced Placement courses. Each right-hand page is teacher-directed input and consists of factual information. The left-hand page is where students process and apply the information. See the example below.
Left-hand Page: “Output”
(what comes out of your brain)Ø Student-Processing
Ø Written or visual (it’s up to you!)
Ø Your interpretation of the information on the right side
/
Right-hand Page: “Input”
(what goes in your brain)
Ø Teacher-DirectedØ Written text or a inserted document
Ø The information you would expect to be tested on
(1 full page)
You will complete assigned activities on this side after first
completing the notes on the right side------à
Example of Activities:
· Reflective homework writing assignments
· Brainstorming
· Paraphrase or clarify items
· Enter a drawing, photo, sketch, cartoon, or magazine picture that illustrates the concept, ideas, or facts
· Paste and evaluate a current newspaper article that relates to the information
· Pose questions about the information
· Form and express an opinion
· Predict outcomes or next steps
· Create a metaphor/analogy that captures the essence of the information/issue
· Formulate and record a contradictory perspective
· Write a reflection on the information or experience
· Find a quote that connects to the concept; record it and explain your rationale
· Make connections between the information/text and your own life, another text, and/or the world
· Etc. / (1/3 of page)
· Vocabulary
terms
· Teacher-
directed
questions
Levels of
Questions
1-4
· People
· Places
· Events / (2/3 of page)
1) Notes on a:
· mini-lesson
· lecture
· class activity
· reading
· film/video/documentary
· small group or large group discussion
· collaborative group process
· a copied excerpt of a text
2) Handouts, newspaper clips, etc.
Hole-punched and inserted