Download Sophomore World History - Brownell Talbot School

Brownell-Talbot School
Mr. Dorsey’s Sophomore World History Syllabus
Room 405
402-556-3772 ext 1112
[email protected]
Course Description and Rationale
This course is a detailed survey of world history from the Age of Exploration to the present. The focus will be
on Western history, but cultures from all over the world and current events will be discussed and studied. The
study of history, it has been rightly said, does not make one smart for the next time, but wise forever.
Course Goals
 To identify and recognize various cultural practices from around the world
 To understand the practices of societies through the analysis of their histories
 To identify people and events central to world history
 To analyze current national and global events using historical perspective
 To increase vocabulary, preparing students for more advanced reading and writing
 To increase oral, listening, and writing skills
Course Objectives
 Students will participate in projects, class discussions, quizzes, tests, essay writing, and readings that
are designed to help them grasp the concepts of historical perspective, cultural differences, and history’s
impact on global society. Students will demonstrate a respect for and appreciation of the world’s
cultures.
 Students will participate in class activities such as silent reading, reading aloud, project development,
research, and discussion to help in their learning of the material.
Teaching Methods
 Lecture, discussion of reading assignment, note-taking, project based learning
 Question and answer on reading material and homework
 Projects for individual work and group collaboration
 Power Points and videos of topics covered
Course Materials
Textbook: World History. Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor and Esler, Anthony. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2007.
Students are required to bring a pen or pencil, laptop, notebook, and textbook with them to class each day.
Assessment Criteria
 Students will complete weekly quizzes based on the reading and homework.
 Quizzes will be administered when the teacher needs to check the students’ progress.
 Test dates will be announced in class, and class time will be used for test preparation.
 Class participation counts for 15% of the student’s grade, therefore, tardiness and absences can
negatively affect this assessment component.
 Group work is graded as such: the student receives an individual grade based on their work, and the
group receives a grade for its performance and cooperation. The two grades are averaged.
 Students will receive at least two writing assignments a week assessing comprehension of reading
material and class discussion.
 There will be one major paper assigned second semester.
Grades
The grading scale matches that set forth in the Brownell-Talbot Student Handbook. Grades are posted weekly
for assignments and assessments on Veracross. All grades are based on a point system. Evaluation is done
through oral and written quizzes, tests, assignments, projects, a paper, and class discussions. Extra credit
questions are offered throughout the year on tests and quizzes. The final exam is NOT cumulative, and both
semester exams are worth 13% of your semester grade.
Discussion: 10%, Homework: 35%, Projects: 15%, Exams 40%
Behavior Policy
Students are expected to respect themselves, each other, me, and property. Students are expected to participate
positively in class; behavior policies are outlined in the Handbook and will be enforced.
Tardiness/Attendance
Students are tardy when they are not in the room when the bell rings. Students are expected to take their seats
as soon as the tardy bell rings. Regular attendance is crucial for success. Keep in mind that part of your grade
centers on class participation and discussions. Please make every effort to be at school. Please let me know if
you are going to be leaving early or absent for multiple days so we can work out an arrangement.
Absent Work
Students have one extra day for every day they are absent to make up work. However, absent students are
expected to approach me and set up an acceptable timetable for completion of work when gone for more than
two days in a row or three days in a week. These agreements will be a compromise agreed to by both parties. If
the work is not turned in by the agreed-upon date, it will suffer late penalties.
Late Work Policy
Work is considered late if it is not submitted electronically or in writing by the beginning of class on the due
date. Any assignment suffers a 10% penalty for every day it is late. After 5 school days, the grade becomes a
zero.
Activities Policy
It is your responsibility to balance academics and extra-curricular activities. If you are a member of a sport or
activity and miss class, you are responsible for getting the work in on time. If you know you will be gone from
school for any reason, contact me via email or in person and we’ll work something out. Leaving school early
for an event means you must turn in the assignment before you leave or it is late. Coming in the next day
without your homework for that day will suffer a late penalty. Please see me with questions or concerns.
Technology Policy
Students signed an acceptable use policy at the beginning of the year. The laptop is a tool used for success in
the classroom. Violation of this policy in my classroom will result in possible restrictions of its usage,
including loss of laptop privileges for a quarter or a semester.
Course Outline
Fall Semester
Unit 1 – The Age of Exploration and Colonization
Unit 2 – The Age of Absolutism
Unit 3 – The Enlightenment and the American Revolution
Unit 4 – The French Revolution and Napoleon
Unit 5 – The Industrial Revolution Begins
Unit 6 – Revolutions in Europe and Latin America
Unit 7 – Nationalism Triumphs in Europe
Unit 8 – Growth of Western Democracies
Spring Semester
Unit 9 – The New Imperialism and Changing Global Patterns
Unit 10 – World War I and the Russian Revolution
Unit 11 – Nationalism and Revolution Around the World
Unit 12 – The World Between the Wars
Unit 13 – The Rise of Totalitarianism
Unit 14 – World War II
Unit 15 – The Cold War
Unit 16 – Modern Conflicts Divide Nations
Unit 17 – The War on Terror and the World Today