WORLD HISTORY CLASS SYLLABUS

SKYLINE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Instructor - Mr. John Giacobbe, MA, RPA

Contacts - voice: 480.763.8425

email: jgiacobbe_skyline@cox.net

webpage:http://www.nakedscience.org/skyline/index.html

Grades Based On: Grading Scale:

Class Work and Projects: 800 Points A = 90 – 100%

Class Participation: 200 Points B = 80 – 89%

Weekly Assessments: 800 Points C = 70 – 79%

Final Exam: 200 Points D = 60 – 69%

F = 59% and below

Total Points: 2000 Points

Course Goals and Objectives:

By the end of the course each student will:

1. Understand the culture concept and appreciate cultural values
2. Understand how geography impacts the development of culture
3. Have an understanding of the origins of civilization
4. Have a basic knowledge of the important civilizations of our world

Course Themes:

Ø Culture as an Adaptive Mechanism

Ø The Evolution of Human Societies

Ø The Chronology of the Great Civilizations

Ø The Impact of History on Individual Lives

Ø The Role of the Individual in History

Assessments:

You will have an assessment, most Fridays, based upon the subject of the previous unit. These will include group and individual quizzes, as well as task-oriented activities, all discussed in advance. Grades will also be based on class participation and behavior. All classes require paying attention and taking detailed notes, which you can use on all assessments, quizzes, and tests. Keeping accurate and complete notes is the key to doing well in all of my classes.

G While you can always use your notes, on the day of the exam or assessment you must come into class prepared. You will not be able to use the computer, print or access notes or any additional materials, or leave the class once the period starts. In addition, while you can share your notes prior to class starting, you will not be able to do so once the exam or assessment begins.

Course Outline:

Unit # Title Allotted Time Subunits

Unit 1 Culture, History, & Geography One Week 1.1 Culture concept

1.2 Social structure and cultural traditions

1.3 Geographical perspectives

1.4 Human ecology

Unit 2 Foundations of Civilization Two Weeks 2.1 Early agricultural societies and the rise of civilization

8,000 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. (Mesopotamia, Mesoamerica)

2.2 Birth and diffusion of major belief systems

(Polytheism, Hinduism, Judaism, Confucianism,

Buddhism, Christianity, Amerindian Religions)

2.3 The rise and fall of classical civilizations

(Greece, Rome, China, Mexico, Peru)

2.4 Networks of communication and exchange

2.5 New World Cultures

(Hohokam, Anasazi, and Mogollon)

Unit 3 Consolidation and Interaction One Week 3.1 The rise and spread of Islam

600 C.E. - 1450 C.E. 3.1 The crusades and the spread of Christianity

3.2 The dynasties of China

3.3 The Amerindian world

3.4 Interregional patterns of culture and contact

Unit 4 The World in Transition Two Weeks 4.1 Transformation of Europe:

1450 C.E. -1750 C.E. Renaissance and Reformation; Exploration

4.2 Diversity of American colonial societies

4.3 Continued encounters and exchanges:

the Atlantic system and Africa;

Southwest Asia and the Indian Ocean

4.4 Native New World Cultures

(Navajo, Hopi, Apache, Pima, and Papago)

Unit 5 Revolutions and Change Two Weeks 5.1 Enlightenment and revolution

1750 C.E. -1914 C.E. (Europe and the Americas)

5.2 Napoleon; Latin American revolutions

5.3 Industrial Revolution: Britain and the New

Imperialism in India and Egypt

5.4 Reactions to Industrial Revolution and modernization

5.5 Nationalism and imperialism; reactions and movements

Unit 6 The Changing World Two Weeks 6.1 World War I and the Russian Revolution

1914 C.E. - Present 6.2 Depression and the rise of dictators

6.3 World War II and the aftermath

6.4 New Alliances (The Cold War)

6.5 Legacies of colonialism in Africa, Asia, and

Latin America

6.6 Inputs and outcomes of a global economy

Classroom Rules and Procedures:

Classroom Procedures

• Each day, please enter the classroom, take your assigned seat, and begin working on the bellwork assignment, which will be written on the board.
• If you need assistance for any reason, raise your hand and wait to be called on.
• Do not interrupt another student when they are speaking, unless called upon to contribute.
• If you need to leave the classroom for any reason, you must get my permission.
• At the end of class, please put your chairs back, throw your trash away, replace your text book and any materials used, and wait for me to dismiss you.

Miscellaneous Items

Honesty: Cheating is unethical and unacceptable. Plagiarism is using information or original wording in a paper without giving credit to the source; it is also unacceptable. Truly dreadful things will happen to you if I find you cheating. Plagiarism may be a new concept for you. We will discuss plagiarism and how to avoid it.

Sharing: I will listen to all comments, complaints, and suggestions regarding our class. If you learn nothing else from me, I want it to be that humans do best when we work together. The best way for you to have a good class is for us to work together. I believe in sharing experiences that relate to the class, and if you participate, the class will be more rewarding.

Cell Phones: Please do not even think of having your cell phone visible during class. I reserve the right to answer the phone if it rings, and I just might say something extremely wicked. Even if I’m not in the mood to chat, I will have to take the phone and give it to one of my dogs, they always eat theirs.

Classroom Consequences:

1^st Offense – Verbal Warning

2^nd Offense – Loss of Participation Points for the Day and a Phone Call Home

3^rd Offense – Visit with the Vice Principal or Principal, Possible Loss of Break Period or Suspension