Course Description and Expectations: World History Through Film
Instructor: Jeremiah Johnson
Telephone: 520-760-0801 ext. 1603
Email:
The best way to contact Mr. Johnson is by email. The most effective way to set up a phone conversation or a meeting would be to email Mr. Johnson directly.
Class Structure:
American History Through Film is a semester-long course during which we will watch 9 historical films, each dedicated to an event, person, or era of world history. Prior to watching the films, students will learn about the geographic and historic factors that combined to create the historical topic of the film. They will use maps, and primary and secondary source documents, to create a framework for understanding the area and time period before watching the film. After watching the film, students will participate in activities that require research, writing, and presentation skills to evaluate the film in comparison to actual events.Each film, and assignments and activities that accompany it, will make up a two-week unit. In addition to completing a video guide while watching the films, students can expect to do some or all of the following:
●Read and Annotate selected readings
●Complete Map and Geography assignments
●Work with Partners and/or small groups
●Research events or historical figures (individually or with small groups)
●Complete Vocabulary Assignments
●Write Film Critiques and other short essay/paragraphs
Supplies:
●3 ring binder
●Students will need a notebook for this class (one that will go in their 3 ring binder that they will bring each day)
●Paper and writing utensils
●2 folders to go in their 3 ring binder. They will keep all homework papers, returned assignments, study guides, readings, etc. in these folders. 1 folder for handouts, 1 folder for returned materials.
Grading Policy:
All assignments will be graded on a total point system, with larger assignments and tests being worth more points than smaller assignments and quizzes. There will be a final exam at the end of each semester. Work that is not handed in when it was due will be considered late. Late work will be accepted up to one week from the original due date, and the assignment will receive half credit. Projects or larger assignments that are turned in late will receive a deduction based on the number of days since the original due date.
If you are absent and miss a test, quiz, or other assessment administered in class, please see the teacher upon your return to schedule a time for making up the missed work. It is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make a plan for make ups. Also if you were absent the day an assignment was due, you are expected to turn in that assignment the day you return to school. Students that miss multiple days must coordinate with the teacher to arrange make up work. If you are absent, you may always contact the teacher by email or check the class website to find out what you need to know.
Classroom Policies:
●Come to class.
●Be on time.
●Come to class prepared (this means bring paper and a writing utensil to class every day)
●Respect yourself and others.
●Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
●Follow directions the first time.
●Do your own work.
● Passes are a privilege, not a right.
●Cell phones and headphones are not essential for your education.
All rules of the Tanque Verde High School Student Handbook will be enforced
Cheating:
Cheating on examinations, tests, quizzes, assignments, etc. is forbidden.
Prohibited student behavior is as follows:
●Talking of any kind without permission is prohibited during tests or quizzes;
●Glances that are directed away from a student’s own paper during tests or quizzes;
●Sharing tests, etc. with another student;
●Possessing an answer sheet, quiz, test, etc. not belonging to the student;
●Changing grades on report card or grade sheet;
●Taking or using a teacher’s book without permission;
●Leaving the testing site with the test still in the possession of the student;
●Submitting work in any format that has been copied from another student or a published work.
Plagiarism:
Using another’s original words or ideas as though they were your own is plagiarism. Borrowing from a source without putting the quoted words or ideas in quotation marks or failing to cite properly is a violation of U.S. copyright laws. These definitions apply to all types of documents and presentation formats.
Consequences for cheating/plagiarizing may range from loss of credit on the assignment for the first offense to a 3-day suspension on subsequent offenses. In addition, student’s parent/guardian and all of the student’s teachers will be notified of the violation. The school utilizes Turnitin.com which notifies staff of possible plagiarism when it occurs in a word processing document.
We understand that there is a certain level of maturity expected when watching historical films. While all of the movies shown in this course are rated PG or PG13, some of them present mature content in an effort to obtain historical accuracy. Some of the films include drug/alcohol abuse, minor nudity, or sexual content. Each of the films, their ratings, and the dates the units will be taught are listed below.
Film Units:
1492 Conquest of Paradise PG-13 (Monday, January 8- Friday, January 19)
Gone With the Wind G (Monday, January 22- Friday, February 2)
Wyatt Earp PG-13 (Monday, February 5- Friday, February 16)
Far and Away PG-13 (Monday, February 19- Friday, March 2)
Cinderella Man PG-13 (Monday, March 5- Thursday, March 15)
Thirteen Days PG-13 (Monday, March 19- Friday, April 6) with Spring Break in the Middle
Hidden Figures PG (Monday, April 9- Friday, April 20)
Remember the Titans PG (Monday, April 23- Friday, May 4)
Forrest Gump PG-13 (Monday, May 7- Friday, May 18)
Late Work and Make-up Work:
Work that is not handed in when due will be considered late (ex. an assignment handed in at the end of the period when it was collected at the beginning of the period). Assignments will be accepted one day late for half credit. Work turned in after that will be accepted for no credit but will allow you to be eligible for extra credit.
Make-up work from absences is due no later than three days after you return to school. Work that was assigned prior to the absence is due upon return. It is your responsibility to get make-up work. Students must visit the website or see the teacher before or after school for make-up work.
In the case of extended absences (more than a week) the student will need to see the teacher to work out a schedule for make-up work.
This page of the syllabus must be signed by both the student and the parent and turned in to the teacher by Monday, August 7, 2017
American History Through Film Student Agreement
I, ______(student’s name) have read the syllabus in its entirety and understand my responsibilities for this course. One of my responsibilities is to approach the movies and the historical topics with maturity and respect. I also agree to uphold the rules of this class, as well as the school rules, and agree to follow through with my responsibilities.
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student signature date
American History Through Film Parent Agreement
I, ______(parent’s name) have read the syllabus in its entirety and understand what is expected of my child in this course. I also give approval for my child to watch each of the films in this course in their entirety. By signing this syllabus, I affirm that I will support my student to approach each movie and the historical topics with maturity and respect.
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parent signature date
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parent phone number parent alternate phone number
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parent email address