Look at the World Around You Through New Eyes
Advanced World History
Course Description & Syllabus
9th Grade
Mr. Entz
"Look at the world around you through new eyes."
Students in this course will survey the cultures and history of the Western and Non-Western World. Regions studied include: Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, the Americas, and India. Topics studied include: The First Civilizations and Empires, The Silk Road, The World of Islam, and The Byzantine and Middle Ages. Topics include geography, history, the arts, intellectual, social, and economic forces, religion, customs, and traditions. The time period covered in this course begins with Prehistory through 1500 A.D. However, current situations as they relate to the world today are also stressed.
The specific aims of this course are: (1) to introduce you to a wide variety of peoples and cultures around the world and to help you to understand how they live and sometimes why they live that way; (2) to develop an attitude of respect toward peoples and cultures very different from our own; (3) to analyze our own culture and its beliefs, values, and lifeways, as well as its relationship to other cultures; (4) to examine a few contemporary global issues which affect the future of humanity; (5) to gain an understanding of the historic and contemporary relationships between cultures; (6) to prepare you to meet people and cultures different from your own with greater acceptance and understanding, and to prepare you to deal with other cultures in your future personal and professional life.
Throughout the year, students participate in a wide variety of individual and cooperative learning activities including: class work, homework, reading assignments, discussions, mini-lectures, research projects, analytical and evaluative writing assignments, group projects, oral presentations, video evaluations, etc. Our class text World History (Glencoe 2003) will be supplemented with various readings and primary sources.
Classroom Expectations:
The following expectations have been carefully planned in order to present the student(s) with the best atmosphere for thinking and learning:
When you are assigned a textbook, you must cover it by the end of the first week of class. Your textbook, notebook, and writing instruments must accompany you to class each day. Carry your book to every class, you will not be allowed to go to your locker after the bell rings.
A notebook and three ring binder are REQUIRED for this course. Your notebook and three ring binder must be for this class only. This will be periodically checked throughout the nine-week marking periods. It pays healthy dividends to keep a neat and organized notebook.
It is imperative that you take every assignment seriously. In order for us to have a fun and exciting classroom, you must come prepared to learn. Therefore, the nightly writing and reading assignments are designed to prepare you for the next day’s discussions as well as for quizzes and exams. Please commit to memory that reading assignments are just as important as writing assignments.
It can’t be expressed often enough how important it is for you to participate in class. As a matter of fact, class participation is required! Learning is a social and active process; therefore you must use your voice to express your thoughts, concerns, issues, and views regarding the course material. This class demands that all discussions will be carried out in a THOUGHTFUL and RESPECTFUL manner.
Never be embarrassed to ask for help, as there is no shame in seeking advice or guidance. Those who seek extra help or an explanation on a topic are seldom lost or confused. IF YOU NEED HELP SEE ME IMMEDIATELY. I am available before school, during my planning period, after school, or by appointment. One of my favorite proverbs: The only dumb question is the one that is not asked!
I require you to have an assigned seat from the first day of class to the last. Your seat may change at any time under my authority. You must always sit in your assigned seat.
Classroom Rules and Procedures:
The following rules and procedures have been carefully planned in order to present the student(s) with the best atmosphere for thinking and learning:
Once you enter the classroom, go to your assigned seat. Remain quiet and begin the daily activity found at the front of the room.
Do not hang out in the hallway or doorway.
If you are not in your seat when the second bell rings, you will be marked late.
If you are late to class because you have been delayed by another teacher, please make sure that they give you a PASS. No pass = a tardy mark in the attendance book.
Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated and will result in a call home and an office referral.
Cell phones may NOT be used in class. NO talking or texting on cell phones.
DO NOT LINE-UP AT THE DOOR NEAR THE END OF THE CLASS!!!! Students will not be excuse until everyone is seated in their assigned seat.
Disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated in my classroom. Side discussions, improper language, disrespectful comments, and inappropriate touching/physical contact, will be dealt with in a serious manner.
Sexual Harassment. Respect, courtesy, and tolerance towards your fellow classmates, schoolmates, and me are expected at ALL times. Any inappropriate comments, actions, etc. will be IMMEDIATELY reported to the principal’s office in compliance with SCASD guidelines. DO NOT UNDERESTIMANTE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE.
Academic Dishonesty (a.k.a cheating) of any kind will not be tolerated. Any student(s) found cheating will be given a zero for that particular assignment, your parents/guardians will be notified, and a referral will be written. Any subsequent offenses will be handled according to the SCASD guidelines.
Absenteeism – When you miss a class check with a reliable classmate and/or me for the assignment and notes that you missed. If you are absent for an extended period of time due to illness, educational and/or family business, please make arrangements with me AHEAD OF TIME concerning the work you will miss. Remember, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make up the missed work in a timely manner. For example: If you are absent for two days, you have two days to make up the work, etc. Unexcused absences or "cuts" will result in a ZERO for all assignments on that particular day. If you have the dreaded "exam fever" and miss class the day of an announced exam, quiz or project you must make up the missed exam, quiz or project the day you return to school.
Grading:
The grade you earn in this class will be based upon your hard work, unrelenting effort, willingness and desire to learn, and total dedication. Following are a few examples of gradable elements and behaviors:
-Unit Exams
-Chapter Quizzes
-Pop Quizzes
-Daily In-Class Assignments
-HOMEWORK
-Notebook
-Current Events
-Research Papers and Projects
-Individual and Group Presentations
-Class Participation
-EFFORT
Daily Lessons:
Each day, class begins as you enter the room. You will find, at the front of the room, a daily assignment(s) in which to begin the moment you take your assigned seat. Typically, these assignments will vary from day to day. For example, you may be assigned a bell-ringer, worksheet, individual or group assignment, etc.
You will have a small amount of daily homework for this class. It is extremely important that you complete the assignments in preparation for the next class. Use the homework to learn from, it is not just busy work.
Completing the homework assignments and participating in classroom discussions and question/answer session is essential to earning a good grade in this class. It would be very wise of you to start the year off strong. Every student has great potential in my class.
Guidelines and Standards:
In preparation for the reading and writing portion of the PSSA testing that occurs for the students in their junior year, this course includes the following evaluation techniques: essay writing, opinion papers, current events critiques, cause and effect analysis, guided reading activities, individual presentations, research paper projects, and the use of timelines. In addition, the subject material correlates to the Pennsylvania State Standards as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Please sign this syllabus indicating that you have read and understand the contents. The signed syllabus will be included as part of the first week’s homework grade.
Thank You and Let’s have a GREAT school year!
Parent/Guardian signature______
Student signature______
Date:______
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