CP World History BerendtKimball H.S 2012-13
World History, Culture, & Geography: The Modern World
Mrs. Berendt
Office Hours: Wed and Thurs 3:45-4:30 p.m. and by appointment
Room G-6 (209) 832-6600 ext.4136
Course Expectations
Welcome to World History! This is a year-long social science coursedesigned to prepare students for college-level work. Modern World History examines events, people, cultures, concepts of government, and places around the world from the time of Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic to the present. Topics trace the origin of democratic ideas in the ancient world as well as other political systems in the modern worldto provide a basis for understanding the historical roots of current world issues as well as connections between the past and present in historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Students will demonstrate their understandingvia note taking, primary source analysis, critical thinking, research, essay writing, oral and group projects, and map creation. Specific units to be covered in this course in sequence include:
Foundations of Democratic IdealsThe Russian RevolutionTotalitarianism
Ideological and Political RevolutionsWorld War II
The Industrial RevolutionThe Cold War
Nationalism and the New ImperialismGenocide in the 20th and 21st centuries
World War IThe Developing World & Globalization
Teacher Philosophy
My philosophy about education reflects the same expectations that are required in the professional workplace. Students are expected to arrive on time (before the bell) and be polite, respectful of authority, prepared with necessary materials (including assignments due that day), good listeners, and motivated to learn. Students should plan to take an active role in class, asking questions and sharing knowledge about the topics we are studying. Individual performance is the basis for grading in this course. Students should view school as their job.
Students will know what is expected of them for every assignment and exam; if unclear, please ask. Project instructions will be clearly outlined in writing and reviewed orally. This is a college-preparatory course and it is taught at that level. Every student can pass the course if they apply themselves; the choice is up to you.
Supplies
An assignment book (or agenda) and a notebook (70 sheets +) for note taking are required and must be brought to class every day. Class work and homework may be done in pencil or blue or black ink only. Red (or other color) pens (for correcting) and highlighters are recommended, along with a set (12) of colored pencils for map and illustration work. All assignments should be kept well organized in a binder. Do not throw away assignments! A 3-ring binder containing assigned work will be due and graded each semester. Note: Constant borrowing of pencils, pens or paper from other students in class shows a lack of preparedness and will result in consequences that will affect your grade.
Class Rules
No gum, food, or drinks! Water is the only exception.
Electronic devices (including IPODs and cell phones) must be turned OFF and put away*. No skateboards.
No grooming in class, period. Remove and put away hats – they do not belong on desks, knees, or laps.
Be in class, in your seat, before the bell rings and come prepared to learn every day.
Respect others – classmates, teachers (including substitutes), staff, and yourself.
The teacher, not the bell, dismisses the class.
Disruptive behavior in class will result in consequences, starting with a verbal warning and moving to student-teacher
discussion in private, parent contact, administrative referral, detention, and/or other appropriate discipline.
*Any electronic device that goes off accidentally or is used in class without the teacher’s permission will be taken for the day; thestudent may pick it up at the attendance window after school.
Attendance (and Tardy) Policy
All attendance and tardy policies outlined in the KHS student handbook will be enforced. Consequences for the first 4 tardies are as follows. The 5th absence in any quarter will result in administrative detention.
1st: notification of tardy to student; student must write a ½ page essay * due before class the next day**.
2nd: written notification to student; student must write a 1-page essay * due before class the next day**.
3rd: written notification to student; parent contact; student must write a 1-page essay * due before class the next day**
4th: written notification to student; parent contact; student must write two 1-page essays* due before class the next day**
* the essay(s) will be on a history topic selected by the teacher
** the student is responsible for turning in the assignment the next instructional day; NO EXCEPTIONS.
Academic Guidelines
• Classwork
Class work on any given day will vary. Participation in all assignments is required.
Quizzes, tests, unit exams, and final exams are given each semester.
In addition to work from the textbook, assignments will be given from online resources, including
Occasionally movies rated PG or PG-13 or portions thereof, or videos will be shown in class to enhance the curriculum. A
signed parent permission slip will be required for the viewing of any movie with a rating above “G”.
• Homework
Homework (reading, writing assignments, research projects, etc.) will be assigned regularly throughout the course,
following District homework guidelines (BP 6154 & AR 6154). Homework is due in class(no exceptions)on the due
date andmust containa full heading in the upper right-hand corner. Homework will sometimes be assigned over weekends
and holidays to meet course objectives and skill acquisition. Unfinished class work may be assigned as homework.
• Late work policy
Assigned work may be turned in one instructional day late for up to ½ credit. However, projects, including group work, and
extra credit work will NOT be accepted late under any circumstances. If you are absent (for an excused absence) from
school on the day anassignment is due, itcan be turned in for full credit before or in class the day you return to school.
• Make-up Work [Notify the teacher at least 24 hoursbefore an excused absence to request ‘make-up’ work]
Students are allowed to make up most work missed because of an excused absence. You areallowed one day to make
up the work for each day of absence. Whether you miss a full class or a partial period, it is your responsibility to get the
assignment from me. Tests and quizzes must be made up within 1 week of a student’s return to school after an excused
absence and only on days designated for make up exams. It’s not always possible to make up warm-up or other opening
activities. Students suspended from class must obtain the make up work before the suspension; students suspended from
school may not be able to make up work – you must contact me as soon as you are suspended to determine what is
allowed. (Note: If you are on a field trip or other school event and will miss class, the assignment is due on the
original due date – turn it in before schoolto the office (ask that it be put in my box). No work will be accepted late
for full credit under these circumstances.)
• Cheating, Plagiarism
Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated. They are against school rules and are bad choices, period.
Plagiarism is defined as taking someone else’s ideas, writings, etc. and passing them off as your own. You must produce
your own work (and appropriately cite sources as required). The 1st instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero
for that assignment for all participating students, parent notification, and further disciplinary action as appropriate.
Subsequent instances will result in more serious consequences.
• Textbook Management
Each student will be issued a copy of World History-The Modern World (Prentice Hall, 2007) for home use. You are
expectedto take excellent care of the textbookthroughout the school year. Cover it to avoid damage. Lost or damaged
textbooks will incur a fine. Copies of the textbook for class use must be treated equally well. Do not write on or tear the
covers, and report textbook damage (writing, torn pages) to the teacher as soon as you notice it.
Teaching Assistant Expectations
TA’s must follow all rules and be model students. Misconduct and/or misuse of TA privileges will result in consequences.
Grading Policy
Grades are based on the total number of points earned over the course of a semester on class and homework assignments, including projects, quizzes, exams, current events, the history binders, extra credit work, and participation. A comprehensive final exam at the end of each semester will be worth 20% of the semester grade. Grades are updated frequently and available on the TUSD Parent Portal. Students and their parents are expected to check grades regularly. If you are concerned about your grade in the course, it is important to talk with me (or schedule a conference) as soon as possible – NOT wait until near the end of a grading period.
Note: I will not be able to check your grade during class. Access to Parent Portal is easy and quick – obtain the access code for first time access from the KHS office.
The quality of your work should reflect your best effort. Take pride in your work and show it. Points may be taken off for mistakes in mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization) depending on the assignment; Points will be deducted for messy or unreadable papers, as well as for incomplete or incorrect answers.
Grades: 89.5 – 100% = A 79.5 – 89.49% = B 69.5 – 79.49% = C 59.5 – 69.49% = D 0 – 59.49% = F
Please sign and return THIS PAGE ONLY by Friday, August 17. (This is a graded homework assignment.)
Parents/Guardians,
Thank you for reading the World History course syllabus so that you are clear about my expectations. Students are my main focus. I will work with you and your child in every way possible to ensure a positive, challenging and successful year. Please contact me (email is best) with any questions or concerns. You can expect a prompt reply.
Students,
Each of you is responsible for your own learning. I am here to facilitate your learning, but I cannot learn for you. Strive to be successful so when you leave the classroom each day, you experience a sense of accomplishment and pride in your work. History can be a fascinating subject. Peak your interest – find a topic in world history that you want to explore further – by engaging with the reading, assignments, and your studies.
I have read this syllabus and understand your classroom policies and procedures.
Student name(PLEASE PRINT)______World History Period ______
Student signature ______Date ______
Parent/guardian name (PLEASE PRINT) ______
Parent/guardian signature ______Date ______
Parent/guardian e-mail (for teacher contact) (PLEASE PRINT)______
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