AP World History Themes

WORLD STUDIES Syllabus 2015 -2016 Jill McCurdy and Cassie Skufca F201 E-Mail: [email protected] & [email protected] Phone: McCurdy (480) 224-2263 & Skufca (480) 224-2227

Hello and welcome to World Studies. We are pleased that you are in this class. We are sure you will find this year not only enlightening, but also rewarding. Our hope is that by June, not only will you be better historians with the ability to critically analyze historical events, but you will also learn the connections between literature and history as well as more about yourself.

Course Objective: World Studies is a combination of World History and English 9, which are both required courses for all freshmen here at BHS. Unlike other history/English classes in the past which have required you to memorize information, this course challenges you to draw your own conclusions regarding the past and apply what you've learned to current situations and events. No longer are the days when you just repeat facts, but instead you will learn how to explain why things are the way they are. Through each unit, you will gain deeper insight into important global patterns of social, political, cultural, and economic change across the world from 6000 B.C.E. to present. This course also emphasizes writing skills, literature, and vocabulary. Writing activities give students practice in organizing and developing narrative, cause and effect, and compare and contrast compositions as well as literary reviews and research papers. Mastery of the writing process is expected. Students will study short stories, novels, poetry, and plays.

Prerequisites: Teacher or Counselor recommendation No course prerequisite. Full Year: 2 credits

English Department Vision Statement: The English department is committed to enhancing student learning in Language Arts. One of the main goals is not only to create students who know the curriculum but who can also think for themselves. Critical thinking and analysis play a major role in every classroom. Each year, the critical thinking level builds; students are moving from recall of information to evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing of information.

Social Studies Vision Statement: Basha High School Social Studies seeks to create civic-minded students who endeavor to examine the complexities of issues from social, political, historical, geographical, and economic perspectives using higher order thinking, civic literacy, and analysis of primary sources, with an emphasis on life-long civic engagement, while placing the highest level of importance on guiding students to challenge their intellectual and academic abilities.

Upon completion of this course you should possess:  A stronger use of college-level vocabulary used appropriately and effectively  The ability to use a variety of sentence structures, especially related to grammar  The ability to use logical organization enhanced by specific detail  The ability to understand various uses of literary analysis  The ability to create and sustain arguments based on readings, research, and/or personal experience  The ability to use critical thinking skills when analyzing history and/or literature  The ability to research an author’s body of work critically and report your findings in a formal structure according to the Modern Language Association (MLA)  The ability to analyze different genres of material ranging from poetry, short stories, drama, novels and non-fiction, primary sources, and historical documents  The ability to move effectively through the stages of the writing process, with careful attention to inquiry and research, drafting, revising, editing, and review  The ability to avoid plagiarism.

Required Supplies:  3 ring binder (this will hold your work and handouts, as well as your journal)  Usable calendar/planner  Dividers for your binder (minimum of 15)  Notebook paper (loose leaf, NOT in a spiral or composition notebook)  70-100 page composition notebook ONLY for this class  Pens (blue or black ink ONLY) Pencils (with erasers), Highlighters, Colored pens  E-mail account (Gmail required; must use name) and computer access (free accounts are available and library computers can be used)  Flash Drive Course Expectations: 1. RESPECT for each other’s IDEAS, PERSON, and PROPERTY will be encouraged and rewarded in our classroom at all times.  Negative comments, profanity, and name-calling of any kind, or inappropriate words or language, will not be tolerated in our classroom at any time.  All individuals have a right to an educational environment free from bias, prejudice and bigotry. As members of the Basha High School educational community, students are expected to refrain from participating in acts of harassment that are designed to demean another student’s race, gender, ethnicity, religious preference, disability or sexual orientation. 2. Please come to class PREPARED to learn and participate every day. This includes bringing all necessary materials and a willingness to learn. 3. ACTIVE LISTENING will be encouraged in our classroom at all times, which means that students will be quiet and direct their attention to whomever “has the floor” until it is their turn to contribute to the discussion. No student may interfere with another student’s opportunity to successfully learn in our classroom. 4. Come to class with an open mind. 5. Engage in class discussions. They are meant to stimulate ideas, foster intellectual growth and provide confidence in all students involved. 6. Gum, food, and drink are PROHIBITED, except water, per school policy. Cell phones are permitted on campus; however, they are not to be used in the classroom. 7. Be RESPONSIBLE. Take responsibility for your actions and realize that the consequences are a result of those choices. 8. Be RESOURCEFUL. You have many resources available to you – use them!

Violation of any rule may result in the following consequences: First offense – Warning (this includes calling the student’s name during class or speaking privately in the hallway) Second and third offenses – Parent contact/meeting Fourth and fifth offenses – Referral and parent contact Sixth offense – Referral and student/teacher/parent/administrator conference

Grades/Notification: Quarter grades and semester grades will be based on a cumulative point total. Students will receive a print out of their classroom grades at least twice a quarter.

A= 90-100% Grades for the Honors English 9 portion of World Studies use a category system for grades which is as follows: B= 80-89% Practice 30% C=70-79% Writing Process 30% D=60-69% Assessment 40% F= 59%-0%

STI Access:  Description on STI availability/access o Parents can access their child’s grades and assignments by going to the school’s website and clicking on Parent Connect. Students’ information is only accessible by using an individualized password assigned by the school. Parents may contact office personnel/counselor for their child’s password.

Homework, Late Work, Make-Up Work:

Homework: Assignments will be due at the beginning of the class period.

Late Work: All assignments should be turned in on the due date BECAUSE the assignments are typically tied to activities and discussions on that date. However, if you foresee having to submit something late, please speak with McCurdy or Skufca to arrange new due date and any consequences that might insue.

Make-Up Work for Excused Absences: Make-up work must be completed in a timely manner. Students are expected to take responsibility for getting their own make-up work. Students will have one class period per one day of excused absence to hand in homework assigned during the time absent. -If you are absent on the day of an assessment (test, quiz, in-class writing, etc.), you are responsible for setting up a make-up date within one week of the absence. Major Assignments: A major assignment, such as an essay or other project which is given 5 or more days prior to the due date, is due on the date assigned. If you are absent, someone must hand it in on that day (in our mailbox, via e-mail, or www.turnitin.com).

Per BHS English Department policy, all typed assignments must use Times New Roman font (12 point). Please do not make the font smaller (it’s hard too read) or larger (points will be deducted for format). All formal assignments should be in MLA format.

For most formal writing assignments, students will be required to submit final drafts to a website which will help Basha teachers combat plagiarism. Introductions for use of the website will be given in class. Essays must be submitted online prior to the class in which the assignment is due. If a student does not have Internet access at home, he/she will need to make arrangements to use the library computers before school, during lunch, or after school. Students will not be given passes to the library during class time or conference per school and library policy.

Plagiarism/Cheating: Please refer to the student handbook for the definition of plagiarism. Any type of plagiarism or cheating is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action including parental notification.

Attendance/Tardy Policy: The Basha High School attendance policy will be strictly enforced (see handbook). In short, excessive absences may result in the student being dropped from the class with an “F.” Parents have 24 hours to excuse an absence. Students who arrive late to class will be given 3 tardies without consequence; parents will be notified on the 3rd tardy. On tardy 4, students will be referred to administration. Students are considered “on time” only if they are physically in their desk working at the time of the bell.

School-wide Conference Statement: Conference period will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:19 - 9:44. During this time students are only allowed out of the classroom if they have a signed pass from a teacher or a designated club pass. The library is not available during conference. Students should use this time to study or read.

English Research: During the next four years you will be working on completing a research project. Each year builds on the previous year’s work and continues the process to the eventual completion of a significant project.

The schedule is as follows: 9th grade will choose an issue and create a research proposal. 10th grade will create an annotated bibliography and revisit the proposal. 11th grade will create the research paper using the bibliography and proposal. 12th grade will take action on their issue by implementing their research through individual projects.

Student should understand that they are keeping the same issue for the full four years and will be expected to maintain their records and products electronically. They will need to be able to access and add to them each year throughout their high school career. Should students lose their work, be unable to access their work, or change their issue, they still must complete all portions of the research assignments from previous years.

Students should choose their issue carefully so that they can build each year on the previous year’s work. It is highly suggested that students choose an issue with personal significance or relevance. Although it is not impossible for students to change their research issue, it does involve considerable effort and commitment on their part. Please understand that this is a 4-year research project and should be taken seriously as it will affect the English grade each year.

AP EXAM – ALL World Studies students are highly encouraged to complete the AP Exam Requirements. The AP Exam will be on Thursday, May 12th 2015, here at Basha High School @ 8am. We take great pride in the number of AP Exams that we offer and distribute each spring. The World History AP exam is the only AP test offered to freshman which is a true testimony of your dedication to the course and your continual pursuit of academic excellence.

What are the benefits of taking the World History AP Exam?

 Provides insight on college level course work and assessment  Provides an opportunity to earn college credit for a 100 level college course  Gives you experience with AP style test for future AP tests you will take  Deepens the understanding of the material learned throughout the year Exam Expectations - The three-hour-and-five-minute exam includes a 55-minute multiple-choice section and a 130-minute free- response section.

Section I: Multiple-Choice - The 70 multiple-choice questions cover world history from the Foundations period up to the present. Several questions are cross-chronological but, for the most part, the subject breakdown is:

 Foundations period: c. 8000 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. -- 19–20 percent  600 C.E. to 1450 -- 22 percent  1450 to 1750 -- 19–20 percent  1750 to 1914 -- 19–20 percent  1914 to the present -- 19–20 percent

Section II: Free-Response - There are three free-response questions. You'll write a document-based essay (DBQ), a change-over- time essay, and a comparative essay. Each essay is counted equally toward your final grade.

Tutorial Requirements – In the spring, students taking the exam will be expected to complete at least 6 after school tutorials to help prepare for the exam in May. Each tutorial will last one hour. In addition, students are expected to attend one Saturday practice exam prior to the test.

Good luck. I hope that you leave the year feeling enlightened and ready to take on new challenges in future BHS classes Keep in mind that learning is a life long process and we should reflect on our successes and mistakes, and in doing so, always strive to better ourselves. Also, remember we’re here to help you be successful; so ask for help if you need it! World Studies- Course Information and Syllabus Signature Page

Student I have read and understand the course syllabus and the school/class expectations and policies.

______Student’s Printed Name Student’s ID #

______Student’s Signature Date

______Student’s e-mail address (g-mail – this is free and required; remember to use your name)

Parent/Guardian I have read the course syllabus, expectations, and policies.

______Printed Name Signature Date

______Parent Email Address (feel free to write more than one) Best phone # to reach you

Additional Comments/Concerns/Questions: