World History

Course Syllabus

Title: World History

Length: 1 year                      Credit: 1                                Designation: Social Studies

Instructor: Branda Anderson, MA in Teaching, University of Washington

Website: http://schools.mukilteo.wednet.edu/staff/andersonbc/

Email: andersonbc@mukilteo.wednet.edu (this is the best way to contact me)

Voicemail: 425-356-6620 ex 5011  (I RARELY check my voicemail!)

Description: This is a true world history course in that its focus will be those topics and issues that are global or hemispheric in scope. It is the study of those aspects of human experience that relate to the experience of the larger grouping of humanity, like whole societies, civilizations, hemispheres, and humanity as a whole. This will be accomplished through a chronological comparative study of cultures from the year 1000 to the present.

Resources:

• Primary source documents as provided by instructor.
• World History: The Modern Era
• Outside reading material

Habits of Mind:

• Constructing and evaluating arguments: using evidence to make plausible arguments. (1.1.3b)
• Using documents and other primary data: developing the skills necessary to analyze point of view, context, and bias, and to understand and interpret information. (1.1.3b)
• Developing the ability to assess issues of change and continuity over time. (1.1.3, 2.1.3)
• Enhancing the capacity to handle diversity of interpretations through analysis of context, bias, and frame of reference.(1.1.3b,1.3.3)
• Seeing global patterns over time and space while also acquiring the ability to connect local developments to global ones and to move through levels of generalizations from the global to the particular. (1.1.3, 2.1.3)
• Developing the ability to compare within and among societies, including comparing societies’ reactions to global processes. (1.1.3b, 1.3.3, 2.1.3)
• Developing the ability to assess claims of universal standards yet remaining aware of human commonalities and differences; putting culturally diverse ideas and values in historical context, not suspending judgment but developing understanding.(1.1.3b, 1.3.3)

Themes:

• Impact of interaction among major societies (trade, systems of international exchange, war, and diplomacy). (1.3.3)
• The relationship of change and continuity across the world history periods covered in this course. (1.1.3, 2.1.3)
• Impact of technology and demography on people and the environment (population growth and decline, disease, manufacturing, migrations, agriculture, weaponry). (2.2.3)
• Systems of social structure and gender structure (comparing major features within and among societies and assessing change). (1.3.3)
• Cultural and intellectual developments and interactions among and within societies. (1.3.3)
• Changes in functions and structures of states and in attitudes toward states and political identities (political culture), including the emergence of the nation-state (types of political organization). (2.1.3)

Note: Numbers in parenthesis refer to the corresponding Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements in world history.

Required Supplies:  You must come to class prepared everyday! Failure to prepare, is preparing to fail!

• Blue or Black Pen (All work that is to be turned in MUST BE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK to receive credit.)
• A Binder or folder specifically for World History
• College Rule lined white paper

Other Resources:

Outside material such as videos, magazine articles, the Internet and library resources will be used quite frequently.  If you have any questions pertaining to any of these materials please contact me.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways including, but not limited to:

In class participation

Essays

Objective exams

Homework

Group and individual Projects

Although knowledge of the material is necessary, the ability to analyze and apply that knowledge will also be required.

Grading:

Test /Quizzes        35%

Homework             35%

In Class work        30%

• I do not round grades up (or down for that matter!) you will receive the grade you earn. Missing assignments will hurt your grade, make sure to do any and all assignments.
• You graded can be accessed through my website at any point. Please refer to the website to track your grade. Your password will be entered as your student ID number.
• Any questions related to your grade should be addressed outside of class time. Please bring a printed copy of your grade report when discussion grade related issues.

Attendance/Tardy Policy:

Regular attendance is extremely important for success in this class. 

• Students with excused or prearranged absences should turn work in upon their return to class. Students will have one day for every excused day to turn in any new assignments given during the student’s absences. I will not remind you to turn in your work, it is your responsibility to turn in any and all absent work to the basket on my desk.
• It is the student’s responsibility to obtain missed information and/or handouts from a classmate or the extra handout box in class upon their return.
• Homework is due at the beginning of class, if you are absent- submit your work promptly upon your return.
• Work will not be accepted from unexcused absences.
• If a student misses a test or quiz due to an excused absence, the student must schedule a time with me to make up the test or quiz. Tests and quizzes may not be made up during class time! Test or quizzes missed due to unexcused absences will not be made up.

Tardiness is defined as not being in the classroom before the bell rings. Class begins as soon as the bell rings, it is your responsibility to be in the classroom ready to begin when the bell rings.

• 1^st and 2^nd Tardy – verbal warning,
• 3^rd Tardy – Detention or other in class consequences
• 4 or more tardies will lead to a parent/student conference and further detentions. Please get to class on time!

Late Work/Make up work:

• All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period unless otherwise noted. Late work will not be accepted.*
• Any computer generated/typed material must be printed BEFORE class begins in order to be turned in.
  • If a student has computer related problems, it is the students responsibility to bring a note from their parents to class when the assignment is due, explaining the issues and why the student was not able to use one of the school provided printers to have the assignment ready for class.
• Homework will generally be due on the last day of the week, knowing this it is expected the students will plan accordingly to be prepared to turn work in each week.

*Each student will be given two late passes for the semester. These are non-transferable and applicable for most assignments (see Late Pass for details). Late passes must be attached to the assignment to receive credit.

Behavior expectations:

• Be an active participant in your own learning! Take responsibility  for yourself.
• Do not get in the way of other students learning.
• Respect anyone and everyone (including other students, teacher and or any guest in our class).
• Come to class prepared everyday.
• Profanity is the recourse of a weak mind and will not be tolerated.

• Cell Phones – Student use of cell phones in class is prohibited. Cell phones should be silenced and remain in students pockets or bags.
• Electronic devices of any kind are prohibited in class at all times. This includes but is not limited to: Video Game players of all types, CD players, MP3 Players, tape players, 8-tract players, record players, Morris code machines…etc!
• Playing cards of any type are also prohibited. This is not Vegas!
• Plagiarism – Copying or borrowing the words and/or ideas of others without proper citations will guarantee you a zero on the assignment in question.* No exception. Plagiarism will be treated according the policy outlined in the Student Handbook.
  • *As quoted from Ms. Patterson’s course syllabus.
• Please take care of any and all locker/bathroom related issues before class time.
• There is no eating or drinking allowed in my class. Water is the only beverage allowed (and encouraged) in class. Please keep any food or other beverage in your bags or lockers!
• If you wish to be treated like an adult, it is expected you will act like one.