Wor l d H i stor y Syl l a bus 2010 - 2011
Truman High School Teacher: Mr. Byrne Contact Information: Phone (Truman) 816.521.5350 Email: jared_byrne@indep.k12.mo.us
COURSE DESCRIPTI ON: The aim of this course is to encourage thoughtful examination of World History. This aim will be accomplished by focusing on the visions, documents, practices, decisions and accomplishments of particular individuals and groups as they shaped the world we live in today.
COURSE COMPETENCIES: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
Through research, using primary and secondary sources support your position regarding an event in world history. Evaluate key political, economic military, religious, and geographical forces that shaped, and still shape our world. Demonstrate chronological knowledge of world history by relating key influencesbefore and after major events. Create and analyze maps, charts, and graphs to identify events in world history. Compare and contrast various viewpoints as they relate to world events.
UNITS COVERED: I.) Early Civilizations II.) Ancient Greeceand Roman Empire III.) Muslim World and Byzantine Empire IV.) Middle Ages V.) Renaissanceand Reformation VI.) Exploration and American Cultures VII.) Absolute Monarchies VIII.) Age of Revolutions IX.) World At War X.) Post War
EXPECTATIO NS: First and foremost, be courteous. Treat your fellow classmates as you would want them to treat you. Be respectful of their opinions, and listen to their viewpoints. That doesnot mean you have to agree with them, but every individual in this classroom will have an equal opportunity to expresstheir beliefs. Cometo class on time. Truman’s tardy policy will be strictly followed in this classroom. We are here to learn first, which means we have to build a safe learning environment for each and every student. What you can expect from me is respect, honesty, my complete attention, courtesy, and my absolute best effort to ensure a successful learning experience. If you are working on homework from another class, I will take it and you will not get it back. Additionally, I will talk to the teacher about it as well. Likewise, regardlessof how much homework I may assign, do not work on World History in other classes.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. Each student is expected to do her/his own work. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the assignment, quiz, or test. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
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copying another student’s work
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allowing another student to copy
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plagiarism – taking another person’s ideas and presenting them as one’s own – this includes copying and pasting information for a paper from another publication or the Internet failing to cite sources of information in a bibliography and/or within the text of a paper paraphrasing ideas from another work without citing that work Obtaining exam questions prior to the exam without the teacher’s knowledge.
QUIZZES: Everyday a section of notes are due, you will have a quiz that you may ONLY use your notes on. If your notes are not done, you may not do the quiz until they are. We will go over them the next day, so you CANNOTmake up points lost on a quiz. It will be ZERO points. Therefore, not having your notes hurts you in 3 ways 1. You lose points for not having your notes 2. You lose points on the quiz (and can NEVERmake these points up) 3. You will have a POI detention and will eventually have to do the notes anyway
TESTS: Any talking or distractive behavior DURING AND AFTER the test will result in a ZERO . The student’s overall grade will heavily depend on how well she/he doeson each test. Since the test will be assessing the overall knowledge of the students, the tests overall point values will be more than any other assignment.
SUPPLIES: For this class you will need your textbook (everyday – habitually forgetting your textbooks will result in detentions), a three-ring binder, pen/pencil, and 3x5 index cards. You also need an EMAIL ACCOUNT;this will be used to set up an account on turnitin.com. Any other supplies that may be used throughout the semester will be announced prior to that class period.
ASSESSMENT: The Grade: I follow a standard grading scale – 100-90 = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, 69-60 = D, 59-0 = F. Nothing hurts your grade like zeroes, so turn in everything, follow directions and always give your best effort. I EXPECT ALL STUDENTSTO TURN ASSIGNMENTSIN BEFOREANY PRE-EXCUSEDABSENCEFORANY SCHOOLFUNCTION, IN SCHOOLSUSPENSION,COLLEGEVISITY ORFAMILY PLANNEDACTIVITY. I EXPECT ALL STUDENTSTO PICKUP ALL ASSIGNMENTSON THE FIRSTDAY IN CLASS. AFTERAN EXCUSEDABSENCEAND TURN THAT WORKIN FORCREDIT WITHIN ONEWEEKOFTHE ABSENCE. I WILL NOT GIVE CREDIT FORWORKMISSEDFORANY OFTHE FOLLOWINGREASONS:UNEXCUSEDABSENCEORTRUANCY. OUT OFSCHOOLSUSPENSIONWORKMAY BECOMPLETEDFORA MAXIMUM OF70%CREDIT.
CLASS PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIO NS: Be respectful toward your peers, your teacher, and yourself. Watch the language, be considerate, listen, and participate. Tardies: I expect you to be in your seat when the bell rings. That doesnot mean sliding into the room while the bell is ringing (no matter how much you complain). I will follow the school procedure, so if you are tardy, just hand over your agenda before I ask for it. Nothing makes me grumpier than having to wait on you to get your agenda after you are tardy to my class. Pleasekeep in mind as well that asking permission to be tardy doesnot absolve you of tardiness. Use your passing time wisely.
Unexcused Absences: I do not anticipate this being a problem; however, if unexcused absencesbecomean issue I will issue Wednesday Schools for missing my class, as your student handbook clearly outlines. I will not accept any assignments due the day you were unexcused, nor can you make up the class work, but you will still want to find out what you missed, as you will be responsible for that information later.
Make-up work for excused absences: Make-up work is due within two class periods of your return to school. Exceptions can be made for extended absences,but you should discuss that with me on an individual basis. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, I will expect the assignment the next time I seeyou in class. It is your
responsibility to find out what you have missed (I will not approach you).
Homework: DONOT work on homework from other classesthat you forgot to do the night before. I will take the work and throw it away for the first offense. For the second offense I will take it back to the teacher it is for. Trust me, this makes all teachers grumpy.
Electronic Devices: Have all electronic devices put away prior
to entering the room. This includes, but is not limited to CELLPHONES,video games, and mp3 players. If I seethem, they becomemine. “I was just checking the time” is not an excuse(we have a clock). Mp3 players will be returned at the end of school. Your failure to follow rules doesnot constitute an emergency on my part. Confiscated cell phones have to be picked up by parents at the school.
Language: There will be absolutely no swearing in the classroom or as you enter the room. If I hear you swearing it is an automatic detention or worse depending on the severity.
NEED HELP?: Pleasemake an appointment with me to discuss any disability or deficiency that may hinder your learning experience. For example, not being able to seethe overhead clearly. Every student has the right to an equal education opportunity, and I will always be here to provide that opportunity for you. Of course, any and everything discussed will be confidential from other students.
WAYS TO SUCCEED: Of course, it will be to your great advantage to use class time as productively as possible as many of the activities and assignments cannot be duplicated outside of class. If you are not already, become organized so that preparing for class, a quiz, an essay, or other assignment will not be as difficult. The best way to succeed in this class (as with most classes) is by working hard, staying organized, contributing to class discussion, and having fun. However, following these guidelines will help you earn an A: 1.) Have your textbook with you each and every day. 2.) Complete all projects. 3.) Turn in all study guides. 4.) Take notes during lectures. 5.) Check and re-check essaysprior to turning them in. 6.) DONOT PROCRASTINATE. 7.) Find a study partner to quiz each other before quizzesand tests. 8.) If you get behind early, seeme IMMEDIATELY. It will be easier to catch up the sooner we addressthe problem as opposed to waiting until the last minute. How to reach me: If you need to meet with me before or after school pleasemake arrangements with me to do so. My Extra help time is Tuesday morning from 6:45-7:15.
"(Please detach and return to Mr. Byrne) The World History course syllabus outlines the expectations and procedures of the class. Students will be responsible for knowing these procedures and following them all semester. Please sign below to indicate you have read and understood the course policies. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns.
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