World Studies Syllabus
COURSE DESCRIPTION
World Studies is a World History course. We will be examining major periods in our study of throughout history. This class will be handled as a survey course with the expectation to make it from the foundations of civilization to modern times. A connection to modern times will be a main focus for many of the units that we will be discussing in the class. Understanding major religions is also the main focus for this course. All student assignments can be found on this website.
Topics to be covered include:
Beginnings of Civilization
Government and Society
Age of Exchange and Encounters
Connecting Hemispheres
Revolution
Industrialism
The World at War
GRADING
POLICY
A 93 - 100%
A- 90 - 92%
B+ 88 - 89%
B 83 - 87%
B- 80 - 82%
C+ 78 - 79%
C 73 - 77%
C- 70 - 72%
D+ 68 - 69%
D 63 - 67%
D- 60 - 62%
F 59 and below
*All percentages will be
rounded to the nearest whole
percent*
Learning Targets
- Students will be able to explain the meaning of culture.
- Students will have an appreciation for other cultures.
- Students will have an understanding of the major world religions.
- Students will understand the overall development of civilization.
- Students will be able to make connections from previous civilizations to modern times.
Assignments/Grades
Students may be assigned daily work and it will not be put in the grade book. They are still expected to complete the work that has been assigned. If they do not they will be required to attend chief time, spend time before or after school and/or academic lunch to get caught up on work. The majority of the students grades will becoming from test grades this year. Students will be allowed to retake exams.
Exam Retakes
All students who earn a F or D on an exam will be required to retake an exam. Students will be allowed to take an exam up to a total of 3 times. The original time with two retakes. Before a student can take a re-take they will be required to make corrections on the first exam and prove that they have spent time remastering the material on the exam. The student will have 5 days to retake the exam from the day it was put in the grade book.
Grade Book
While homework will not be counting towards the students final grade it will appear in the grade book. In the grade book it will be graded on a 3 point scale.
3 = assignment completely done.
2 = three-quarters of assignment completed
1 = half or less of the assignment is completed
0 = the assignment was not done
Students will be getting a 10-15 point homework quiz each week on the assignments from the week. The majority of the students grade will come from test scores.
Text books
All textbooks are required to be covered by the beginning of the second week of school.
Technology
students are encouraged to bring in their own technology into the classroom. There are a multitude of times where we will be using a technology component in the classroom. When students are using their own devices they are expected to be on task and using the device only for the assigned purpose. If a student is not using the device for approved purposes it will be taken and they will be referred to the office.
Cellphones
Cellphones are not to be the classroom at all. They are to remain in the students locker. If a student is seen with a phone or in possession of a phone they will be written up for a violation of the student handbook.
Absences
If students have a prearranged absence they are expected to pick up their assignments before leaving. The assignments will be expected to be turned in on the day of return to school unless stated otherwise. If a student misses a day of school due to illness or other reason that is not pre-excused they will be given as many days they were gone to complete missing assignments. So if they miss two days of school they will get two days to complete their missing assignments.
Unexcused absences
All unexcused absences will result in a 0 for daily work on that day of school. The student will be allowed to make up all missed projects and tests that would be missed on the unexcused day.
Current events
Current events are an important part of becoming an actively engaged citizen. Students will be discussing current events from time to time. Every Friday Students will also be watching CNN Student News. CNN Student News is a ten-minute, commercial-free, daily news program designed for middle and high school classes. It is produced by the journalists at CNN. This award-winning show and its companion website are available free of charge throughout the school year.
CLASSROOM RULES
In addition to the policies listed in the Cornell Student Handbook, I have five general classroom rules.
1. Come to class each day fully prepared and ready to learn
2. Respect other people, their rights and property
3. Treat others the way you want to be treated
4. Be seated, quiet and ready when the bell rings
5.No food or drink in the classroom
How to be successful in this class
Follow the rules
Have a positive attitude
Put forth full effort in all tasks, do your best in all activities
Have an open mind and be willing to hear others opinions
Rules for Life and School
- Play
- Be There
- Choose Your Attitude
- Make Someone’s Day
All of this information as well as lesson plans and homework assignments can be found on my teacher
website located on the school district website.
If you have any questions about anything, you can usually find me in Room 405. My email address is [email protected] and the school phone number is 715-861-6947. (ext 1118)
I hope everyone has a fun and rewarding school year.
World Studies
Mr. Leland