World History

Syllabus: World History
Chattahoochee High School

COURSE DESCRIPTION: World History will contain coverage of the earliest civilizations and world events through the time of European exploration. Students will identify the basic elements of all civilizations and trace the transition from the ancient to the advanced. Students will gain knowledge of important geography skills, recognizing patterns and connections, and will practice critical thinking skills. Throughout the school year students will gain a global perspective of the events that helped create the society they live in today.

UNITS:
Unit 1: Rise of Civilizations in Asia, Africa, and Europe (5 weeks)
Unit 2: New Empires Emerge (2 weeks)
Unit 3: Transition to the Modern World (5 weeks)
Unit 4: Worlds Collide (4 weeks)

TEXT: World History; Patterns of Interaction, McDougal Littell
Cost of Book: $64.98

Suggested Resource: Elements of Style

GRADE BREAKDOWN
Homework/Class work (15%): Homework will be assigned on a daily basis and all written work should be handed in at the beginning of class. Late homework will only be accepted up to one day late and only half credit will be given.

Major Assessments (60%): Major tests will be given approximately every other week. Test format will combine multiple choice, geography and information processing skill questions, and essay questions. Also included in major assessments will be a project.

Quizzes (10%): These may be announced or pop quizzes.

Final Exam (15%): The Final will be comprehensive.


GRADING SCALE
90-100 =A
80-89 =B
70-79 =C
BELOW 70 =F


MAKE-UP POLICY
It is the student's responsibility to see the teacher about work missed during an excused absence. You will find all missed work on the make-up board.

Homework: All missed assignments are due the day after a student returns. Work that was due on the day of the absence must be turned in the day the student returns.

Quizzes: Missed quizzes are to be made up the day a student returns to class.

Tests: Tests are to be made up the day a student returns from an absence. If the student has been absent for several days, then the make-up will be scheduled for a morning, lunch period, or afternoon. If you are absent the day before a test, you will still take the test on that day. I reserve the option to change make-up tests to 100% essay format.

Projects: Projects are due the day assigned whether you are in school or not.

***If you are in school but miss my class, you are still responsible for turning in any work due and picking up the homework assignment. This includes late or early check-outs, TAG classes, or field trips.

EXPECTATIONS
I expect a serious approach to your work in this class. All materials necessary should be brought to class, as you will not be allowed to return to your locker. Each student will be required to keep a three ring binder for their notes and handouts.

CLASSROOM POLICIES
1. Respect everyone and everything.
2. Student must be seated when the tardy bell rings.
3. Students should come with notebook, paper, and writing utensils everyday.
4. Three hall passes will be issued for each semester and only in an agenda!
5. It is a student’s responsibility to approach the teacher about make-up work missed during an absence.
6. No food or drink, except water.
7. Student will not sit on desks, touch other peoples’ belongings, or throw anything within the classroom.
8. Private detention will be assigned at the teacher’s discretion.
9. Students can get extra help by either coming in before school (I’m here at 7:00 AM) or setting up an appointment with the teacher.
10. ABSOLUTELY no one should ever be behind the teacher’s desk or in the teacher’s personal belongings.
11. Groups for group work will often be chosen at random by the teacher without complaint of the students.
12. Our books are new so damage to the book will result in a costly book fine, so take care of them.
13. Test days are absolutely silent. The teacher reserves the right to take points off of the exam score for talking or being disruptive during an exam period.
14. Cell phones, iPods, graphing calculators, and other electronic devices will to confiscated and the student will receive school mandated consequences.
15. Do not touch, mark on, or damage anything on my walls (including posters, maps, and bulletin board material).

DISCIPLINE
I will abide by and enforce the guidelines as set forth by the Fulton County Board of Education. The most important thing to remember is to respect the rights and sensitivities of others. BE AWARE: I will strictly enforce the tardy policy. THERE IS NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN THE HALLS OR CLASSROOM. You may have a water bottle as long as the bottle is made of clear plastic.


CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM:
The Social Studies Department considers academic integrity a top priority. Any copying or sharing of answers on homework, class work, assignments, tests or projects is cheating. The only exception to this rule is if the teacher has explicitly stated that the work is a “cooperative learning” experience. If in doubt, ask the teacher.

Plagiarism is also a form of cheating. Plagiarism is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language as the “act of stealing and using the ideas or writings of another as one’s own.” Although the direct copying of another’s work is the most blatant example, any time a student takes another’s ideas and passes them off as their own it is plagiarism. A student must note the source even if he or she “rephrases” the material.

The consequences for cheating or plagiarism on any assignment are the awarding of a zero grade and an honor code referral for all parties involved. Allowing one’s work to be copied is also considered cheating.


FULTON COUNTY RECOVERY POLICY:
(High School version)
Provision for Improving Grades
1. Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low
or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required
to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated
a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including
attendance.

Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery
opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable
time period for recovery work to be completed during the
semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course
objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the
end of the semester.

2. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating
circumstances may improve their grades.


CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDELINES:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is 70%. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMENT/TEST.

Contact Information: I prefer to be contacted by email.

Email: Pitt@fultonschools.org

Political Science

Political Science Syllabus


Course Description:

This course focuses on the political structure and decision-making process in the United States at the national level. It will also address citizenship and help develop the students’ problem-solving skills. The course will include specific facts, basic concepts, analytical questions and generalizations associated with the U.S. Constitution, federal government, democracy, politics, laws, international affairs, and rights and responsibilities of citizens. Students will be required to gain a working knowledge of the political system in the United States and to understand their role as active participants in the formation of public policy.

Unit Names:

I. Foundations of American Government
II. The United States Constitution
III. Civic Responsibility
IV. The Legislative Branch
V. The Executive Branch
VI. The Judicial Branch
VII. State and Local Government
VIII. Criminal Justice

Grading Policy: Grading Scale:

Major Assessments 60% 90-100 A
(Includes tests and projects)
Final Exam (cumulative) 15% 80-89 B
Classwork/Homework 15%% 70-79 C
Quizzes 10% Below 70 F


Homework will be accepted one day late for half credit. After that it will be entered as a zero.


Textbook:
United States Government, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2006 edition.
Cost: $62.97