Course Name:

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Name: World History I

Year: 2001-2002

Teacher Name: Mr. McDowell

Course Overview:

The development of ancient civilizations in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe is the focus of this one-year survey course. We’ll examine geography, religion and philosophy, politics, the family, and society in these areas, and we will fast-forward through the ages to discuss how the past affect’s today.

The objectives of this course are for students

To learn what real historians do and development an appreciation of history;
To study major themes of world history from the rise of early civilization to the Renaissance;
To develop competent skills in geography;
To create a greater awareness of both the role of nations and empires and the individual role of a responsible citizen;
To have a greater understanding of self and culture by looking through different perspectives;
To learn to use a wide variety of secondary and primary sources including computer software and the Internet for information;
To be able to synthesize, analyze, and make connections with information;
To have a better understanding of change and the living present by a study of the past.

Outline of Topics:

Trimester I	Trimester II	Trimester III
Pre-History — 3000 BCE Early Civilizations Egypt Mesopotamia and Middle East India China	Flowering of Civilizations Greece Rome Africa	India China Japan The Rise of Islam Medieval Europe

This course is the first year of a two year survey course. World History II will continue the study the issues World History from the Renaissance to the present.

Textbook:

World History: The Human Perspective (Glencoe, 1999)

Newsweek or other news magazines

Handouts from various primary and secondary sources

News sources, journals, electronic and visual sources as needed

Supplementary Materials:

Student Planner

Notebook with rings, dividers, and paper

Spiral notebook

Writing utensils

Course Policies:

Expectations

I expect you to

BE CURIOUS!
Bring a positive attitude and enthusiasm to class
Respect the teacher, yourself, each other
Listen to the ideas of others
Challenge ideas, not people
Participate in class discussions and activities
Review the day’s activities at night whether reminded to do so or not
Make notes, explanations, or summaries on what you have heard or written
Write down any questions you still may have
Come to Teacher Available for extra help

Attendance

Good attendance is an important part of academic success. Absence policies are explained in the Student Handbook pp. 24-29. It is the student’s responsibility to inform her teachers, to obtain any missed assignments and notes, and to make up any missed work. Any absence not specifically determined by the school to be "excused" will be considered "unexcused." An unexcused absence (planned or unplanned) will result in a deduction of two percentage points off the trimester grade for this course.

Lateness

It is the student’s responsibility to arrive on time, and she is expected not leave early. For every three unexcused tardies, two percentage points will be deducted from the trimester grade. The teacher will notify the advisor. After six unexcused tardies, the student will be placed in detention on Saturday and the advisor will notify the parents.

Missed Assignments

It is your responsibility to inform her teachers, to obtain any missed assignments and notes and to make up any late work. It is preferable to do this ahead of time if your absence is planned. I expect that if you are at school the day you miss class, any work should be turned in. Late work may be deducted 5-10% each day it is late.

Grading: (Components and Weighting)

Assessment each trimester will be based on tests, quizzes, projects, and papers, homework, class participation, attendance, and a final assessment.

1^st Trimester

The final assessment will be an examination during Exam week in November, which will be weighted as 25% of the Trimester grade

2^nd Trimester

The final assessment will comprise of a research project and a 1½ hour exam, to be combined and weighted as 25% of the Trimester grade.

3^rd Trimester

The final assessment will be an examination during Exam week in May, which will be weighted as 25% of the Trimester grade

Other Information/Suggestions:

Support Services

I expect that students will come to Teacher Available to improve their own learning. This time is dedicated for each to come for help, encouragement and suggestions. Take advantage of this unique aspect of St. Margaret's School. World History Teacher Available will take place in CTC or my office in the CTC

Homework Tips

Participate in class discussions and activities
Make notes, explanations, or summaries on what you have heard or written
Review the day’s activities at night whether reminded to do so or not
Write down any questions you still may have and bring them up in class or Teacher Available.

I expect that all work will be completed independently unless otherwise directed by me.

Honor Code:

On my honor I will not lie, cheat, or steal. In addition I will take responsibility for those in the community who do so.

Honor Pledge:

On every project and test, I expect the following pledge to be written you and signed with your full name.

On my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized help on this exam/paper/project.

St. Margaret’s School has a strong honor system. It is assumed that any work submitted is the student’s own unless proper credit is given. This applies to material from the Internet, from other people, as well as printed material. Whether you use direct quotation, summarize, or paraphrase, you must give your sources. Only if the thought is your original one or is common knowledge available, in almost all sources should the citation be omitted. A simple working definition for plagiarism might be, "If you didn’t think of it and write it all on your own, and you didn’t cite (or write down) the sources were you found the ideas or the words, it’s probably plagiarism." You are plagiarizing if you use someone else’s words or ideas and present them as your own. Be sure you know on which assignments you may collaborate and which assignments must be done on your own. Know the difference between helping someone when they are stuck and giving them the answers. Be sure all tests, projects, and papers are your own and write out the full pledge and sign you name. Your word is your bond.

9/3/99 10:57 AM