World History Course Syllabus

Instructor:

Ms. Erica Pratt
Phone (925) 682-4030 ext. 2765
Email: epratt@digitalsafari.org

Course Description:

This course offers a study of world civilizations with an emphasis on cultures from the mid-eighteenth through the twentieth centuries.  It will also integrate trends from previous periods as a way of developing appropriate historical context.  Students will have opportunities to study significant historical developments and events during these periods; students will also demonstrate competency in thinking historically, understanding the relationship between the individual and community, and in applying the social science method.

Materials Required:

Every day students will need to come to class prepared with a 3 ring binder, with a section designated for history, his or her history spiral notebook, the World History textbook, a blue or black pen, notebook paper, and the student planner.

Course Objectives:

California content standards for tenth grade World Civilizations.

Major Study Units:

Roots of Democracy, Revolutions throughout Europe, -isms, the Imperial Legacy, World War I, World War II, Cold War, the Modern World.

Methods of Evaluation:

Classwork/Homework – 30%

Homework will be assigned on a weekly basis.  Some of these assignments will be done in class and some assignments will be given in homework.  Unless otherwise instructed, all homework is to be handed in at the beginning of the period.  No late work will be accepted.  If you have an excused absence, the assignment will be due the day you return to class.  It is the student’s responsibility to get the work that was missed during an absence.

Students will NOT receive credit for their work under the following conditions:

  • Homework is copied from another student (both students will receive a zero (0))
  • Any assignment that is copied or “cut and pasted” from the internet or other literary source.
  • Students caught cheating on tests and quizzes.
  • Homework will not be accepted from students who are tardy to class.
  • Homework that is turned in after the collection from the teacher at the beginning of the period.

Quizzes/Projects – 40%

Quizzes will be given on a regular basis.  They will cover lectures, reading assignments, movies and classwork assignments.  If you are absent on the day of the test, it can only be made up if the absence is excused.  You will be required to take the test the day that you return to class.

Additionally, projects will be assigned periodically.  These projects may be individual and/or group.  They will require outside work and preparation.  Some of these projects will be cross-curricular for which you will receive a grade in each class.

Final Assessment – 10%

At the end of each semester, students will be given a final exam that will cover all subject matter discussed for the semester.  The goal of the final exam is to demonstrate a mastery of the standards covered in the class.

Active Participation – 20%

Attendance and participation are very important factors in your success. 10 points will be earned for each day you are on time and actively involved in class. I like to hear from everyone at least once a day.   No points will be earned if you are absent or fail to participate.

Academic Integrity:

As a learning community of scholars, Mt. Diablo High School emphasizes the ethical responsibility of all its members to seek knowledge honestly and in good faith.  Students are responsible for doing their own work, and academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. If you use someone else’s idea or writing, be sure the source is clearly documented. Plagiarism means presenting someone else’s idea or writing as if it were your own. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or misrepresentation of information in oral or written form.  Such violations will be dealt with severely by instructors and the administration. Consequences of these actions will depend on the severity of the infraction, but will at minimum result in no credit for the assignment in question and may result in parent conferences and/or failure of the course for more severe, or repeated infractions.

Grading Scale:

Grades will be assigned using the following scale:
90% – 100% ……    A
80% – 89%………    B
70% – 79%………    C
60% – 69%………    D
Below 60%………    F

Scores will be recorded into my grade book, and most assignments will then be returned.  You must keep all assignments until final grades are issued.  Should work not be recorded for any reason, it will be the student’s responsibility to produce the work in question.  If the graded assignment in question cannot be provided, no credit will be given.

If you have a question or concern about your grade, you must make an appointment with me during lunch, or before or after school.  DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT YOUR GRADE DURING CLASS TIME.

Class Rules:

In order to maintain the classroom in a condition that will enable all students to succeed, the following rules apply to students when in class. The generally established rules and standards of Mount Diablo High School will be observed at all times.  Simply stated:  If the school forbids it, then I forbid it.

These are the general guidelines for my class:

  1. Treat everyone and everything respectfully, there is zero tolerance for acts of racism, sexism and homophobia.
  2. No swearing;  No put downs.
  3. Be on time (in your assigned seat when the bell rings) and be prepared.
  4. Listen actively and speak in turn.
  5. Support teaching and learning at all times.

Any student caught talking on or using any electronic device (including, but not limited to, cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, PSP, flip cameras) in class will lose that weeks participation points (50) and will have their device confiscated by me and held until the end of the day.

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior:

  • Warning by teacher (and loss of participation points)
  • Telephone call to parent/guardian
  • Conference
  • Referral to Vice-Principal