World History Syllabus, 2015-2016

Mr. Driskill, Room G-111

E-mail:

Leave phone message at MHS, 376-2404

Course Description:

This course is a year-long survey of world history from the Renaissance to the Cold War. The course curriculum is based on the Oklahoma Academic Standards for the Social Studies. Students will study selected periods of the past, analyzing cause and effect, and apply the knowledge they gain to life today and the future. The overall process goal of the course is for students to continually develop skills as analytical thinkers and writers.

Prentice Hall Textbook: World History: Modern Times, 2014.

Every student can receive a take-home textbook from the school for homework and study. Also, there is an eTextbook site, but there is no guarantee your Internet connection will be working when you need access to the site. The Pearson eTextbook site is www.pearsonsuccessnet.com.

Supplies Needed:

· A binder to keep your papers organized.

· Loose-leaf paper for the binder.

· Pencils/pens (black or blue).

· #2 pencils for scantron tests.

· Colored pencils for maps.

Grade Calculation:

Course grades will be calculated using a weighted points system (60% Assessments; & 40% for Daily Grades – classwork, homework & writing assignments). The final semester grade will be rounded up. For example, an 89.5 will be rounded up to a 90. The district grading scale will be used in this course.

A= 90-100% B= 80-89% C= 70-79% D= 60-69% F= 0-59%

Assignments:

· Use your agenda/planners to write down your weekly assignments and upcoming graded events.

· Be sure you use your best handwriting (or printing) on your assignments. Your answers must be readable or you will lose points.

· Your name, period, and the date must be in a prominent place on any assignment you turn in.

Late Policy:

· Avoid zeros like they were the plague.

· Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the designated date.

· Unless there are unusual circumstances, I will not accept a late assignment once I have graded & returned an assignment to the class.

Class Notes:

· On days I lecture, I will use Power Point lessons. You should take notes to prepare for chapter tests and the semester final test.

· I will load these lessons on my website where you can also copy them if you need extra time or are absent.

Chapter Tests:

· Chapter tests will be a combination of multiple-choice and short answer/essay questions.

· Chapter test make-ups will be before or after school, not during class. If you were absent, you need to coordinate with your parents and be here at those times the first day you are back from school. If you do not make up your test within the first two days back, you will receive a zero on the test.

Semester Exam:

· It will be comprehensive. These tests will be a combination of multiple-choice and short answer/essay questions. There will be review session prior to this test.

· Refer to your student handbook on final test exemption policy.

Absences:

· Attendance is crucial to your grade. It is your responsibility to check for missed notes, assignments or tests.

· For an excused absence, you will be given 1 day for every day you missed to make up the missing work.

· For unexcused absences (truancy), you will receive a zero for what you missed in class.

· If you get a “13th Absence” through a combination of absences and tardies, I will assign you a grade of “No Credit.” This counts the same as an F on your GPA. If there are unusual circumstances associated with your absences, you will have to go through an appeal process outlined in the student handbook in order to receive credit if you have an A-D grade.

Tardies:

· If you are late to class without a note from the school staff, you will receive a tardy.

· 3 tardies equal an absence.

· School policy: detentions after the 6th tardy, the 9th tardy, and every 3rd tardy thereafter.

Academic Dishonesty Policy:

· You are expected to do your own work on assignments, tests, and homework.

· Copying off others is dishonest.

· Students who contribute to the dishonesty of others by intentionally making their classwork, homework, or test available will be considered as guilty as the student using the work.

· Both situations will result in a zero grade & parent contact.

Classroom Policies:

· Take care of all personal needs during the time before or after class.

· If I allow you to leave the classroom for personal needs, you will leave your cell phone on my desk.

· Only bottled water is allowed in the classroom.

· Do not have out or use cell phones or any electronic devices in my classroom.

· The bell doesn’t dismiss the class, I do, and only after everything is ready for the next class – books put up, trash picked up, etc.

Course Attitudes:

If you adopt these attitudes, you will be successful in this course and in all your future endeavors. You will also be in compliance with the rules & policies of the MHS student handbook which I support & enforce.

· Integrity.

· Responsibility.

· Excellence.

· Respect.

XXX