International Studies

Course Information, Classroom Rules, Classroom Procedures, Calendar

Mrs. Echard

Welcome to International Studies!

This class is a semester long course designed to increase your knowledge of sociopolitical issues that are international in scope. Students in this course will examine global issues and trace their historical roots with special consideration given to the role of the United States in these issues. Major topics of this course will be globalization and the international system, the development of nations, and causes and consequences of conflict. We will also spend considerable time learning about the make up and workings of the United Nations.

Grading Policy:

In accordance with district guidelines concerning grading, the following grading scale will be used:

90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, 0-59%=F

Student’s percentage grades will be determined by a weighted system as follows:

Daily Assignments and Homework = 60%

Unit Exams and Essays = 20%

Nine Weeks Exam = 5%

Semester Exam = 15%

Late Work: Assignments turned in one day late will receive only 75% of the earned credit for that assignment. Assignments turned in two or more days late will not be accepted.

Extra Credit: Extra Credit may be earned once for the semester by completing an independent study project or paper. Please see Mrs. Echard personally to discuss ideas for such a project. Extra Credit will be due one week before the end of the semester. Extra Credit shall not exceed 5% of your semester grade.

Class Materials:

Students will need to bring the following to class everyday:

1. Pen and/or pencil

2. Textbook: “It’s All Connected”

3. Notebook (3-ring/ ½ -1” binder with 4 dividers, one for each unit)

4. Notebook paper

Mrs. Echard’s Wish List: I do not require students to bring any other supplies for our

class, but a donation of a cubed shaped box of Kleenex, red grading pens, and/or colored copy paper would be greatly appreciated.

Classroom Rules:

Student Responsibilities

1. Be on time for class.

2. Be prepared and have all materials for class.

3. Respect the rights, property, and person of all your classmates and the teacher.

4. Expect the best!

Student Consequences

1. Verbal warning

2. Student/teacher conference

3. Fifteen minutes of morning detention or 500 word essay and parent contact.

4. Thirty minutes of morning detention or 1000 word essay and parent contact.

5. Office referral

Tardiness and Absences:

School policy will be followed concerning tardiness and absences. District policy requires a failing grade to be given to any student upon his/her eleventh absence. Two unexempt tardies equals one absence. If a student is five minutes or more tardy to class, the student is counted absent. Also, please remember in the event of an absence it is the student’s responsibility to get any make-up work. You will find make-up assignments written on the agenda and in the make-up trays.

A few classroom procedures to help maintain a climate of mutual respect and order:

  1. Each student must keep a notebook. Your notebook should be divided by Unit.
  2. Students should put their first and last name, their hour, and the date in the upper right-hand corner of each assignment.
  3. No hall passes will be given. Don’t even ask.
  4. There is to be absolutely no talking during announcements.
  5. Students need to raise their hands to be recognized in class. Please form your questions or answers in complete sentences.
  6. Students should always monitor their voice levels and match them to the activity at hand. When I give you a quieting cue or ask you to be quiet, you are to stop talking immediately.
  7. During group learning activities all desks must be touching.
  1. All assignments will be written in complete sentences unless other directions are given.
  2. The teacher, not the bell, dismisses the class. We will not exit the room until all trash has been disposed.

*A special note about plagiarism: Copying someone else’s work and passing it off as one’s own is wrong. It is stealing and is obviously not permitted. Any student caught “cheating” on an assignment, exam, or essay will receive a zero for that assignment. I will be greatly disappointed to witness this in our class. Respect yourself enough not to do it.

If you need to contact me, you can reach me

by phone at Southmoore at 735-4900

by e-mail at

or visit my website through the SouthmooreHigh School homepage.

Please keep this course syllabus in your notebook.

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE

Unit / Instruction Time/Dates
Course Introduction/Syllabus / January 8
Unit #1
Globalization & the International System / January 9- February 1
Unit 1 Exam: February 1
Unit #2
Development / February 4-March 8
Unit 2 Exam: March 8
Nine Weeks Review and Exam / Review: March 11-14
Exam: March 14
Unit #3
Causes and Consequences of Conflict / March 25- April 30
Unit 3 Exam: April 30
Unit #4
United Nations / May 1- May 14
Unit 4 Exam: May 14
Semester Review and Exam / Review: May 15-20
Exam: May 21

Dear parent or guardian,

I would like to take this opportunity to my class for the 2013 spring semester. I have great expectations for an exciting year. I hope all of my students find this International Studies course to be a wonderful learning experience. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s academic progress or behavior, please contact me by phone at 735-4900 before or after school or during my planning period, 8:10 a.m.-9:07 a.m., or e-mail me at . Additional information and announcements regarding this class can also be found weekly at my webpage. Go to go to the Southmoore High School Page, and then click on School Staff. I am looking forward to an excellent year.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Lana Echard

Thank you for taking the time to read this course information. Please return this signature page by Friday, January 11th.

I have read and understand the course information, classroom procedures, and classroom rules for this International Studies class. I also understand the consequences if I choose to disobey the rules.

______

Student signature

I have read and understand the course information, classroom procedures, and classroom rules for this International Studies class. I understand the consequences my son/daughter will face should he/she choose to disobey the rules. I also understand that Parent Portal is available for me to check my child’s grade at any time via the internet.

______

Parent/Guardian signature