World History

“In a world with nuclear weapons and ecological problems that cross all national borders, we desperately need to see humanity as a whole.

David Christian
Maps of Time: An Introduction to Big History

Course Overview:

In the first quarter, we will be studying geography, chronology and the beginnings of Western Civilization. Through the next three quarters we will uncover the lessons of Western history as revealed through the Semitic religions, the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, Absolute Monarchy, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and World War I.

Grading:

Attendance and Participation: 25%

Homework: 15%

Quizzes: 10%

Unit Tests: 25%

Projects: 25%

Requirements concerning grading:

You are required to attend classes on time with necessary materials and actively participate in discussions/projects. Coming prepared to class means bringing your homework on the day it is due. Late homework will not be accepted. Homework will be checked at the beginning of class. Please feel free to email me with homework questions if you have been absent or if you are having difficulty with the assignment.

Callback Passes:

Block 3 is a school-wide study hall which allows students needing extra time with teachers to spend an entire period with a teacher. All Callbacks require yellow callback passes to be given before the Block 3 you need to attend. Do not ask me for a callback pass for that day during Block 3. I will say no. Do not waste Block 3. It is a unique opportunity for our school to improve academic performance.

Technology:

http://www.socialstudiesncuhs.wikispaces.com

You will be required to access my wiki page in order to get weekly assignments. You will also be required to create a wiki of your own and post assignments from our class on that wiki. If you do not have access to the Internet at home, it will be your responsibility to come to me for a Block 3 Callback pass before Block 3 that day.

Classroom Conduct/Expectations:

We will follow the school wide PBIS rubric for classroom behavioral expectations as outlined below, in addition to a few other rules.

Respect
Self & Others / ·  Follow and respond appropriately to adult directions.
·  Use appropriate language and tone with self, teachers, and others.
·  Respect others’ personal space and property.
·  Accept positive and negative consequences.
·  Arrive on time and be ready to work.
·  Be prepared with assignments and materials.
·  Remove/Limit distractions that you control.
Respect
Learning / ·  Remove/Limit distractions that disrupt learning.
·  Know and follow classroom rules.
·  Set achievable goals.
·  Take an active, positive role in classroom activities.
·  Use appropriate non-verbal communication that shows you are on task.
Respect
Environment / ·  Be aware of your surroundings.
·  Clean up your space.

Other rules:

1.  No cell phone. If someone needs to contact you, they are to call the main office and the main office should call you down. Any cell phone appearances will result in cell phone being taken until the end of the day and returned at the completion of the school day.

2.  No food/drinks other than water in my class. If there is an ingredient other than water, it is not water. All food and drink will be disposed of immediately in the trash.

3.  Sign in and out. If you leave my class, use the sign out book. I keep track of how long you are out of the class. Excessive time out of class will be reported to administration/or parents.

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I have reviewed this syllabus with my student ______and we agree to the academic and behavior expectations for Mr. Szymanski’s class.

______

(Please print guardian name)

X

(Please sign)