Download Honors World History and Cultures Academic Year: 2012

Honors World History and Cultures
Academic Year: 2012-2013
Instructor: Robert Lee
Email: [email protected]
Conference & Tutoring: By appointment in Room 318
Course Objectives
1. Make you a knowledgeable, active member of society by studying key themes in history.
2. Learn and appreciate your culture and the culture of others.
3. Appreciate the contributions of people in the past and draw conclusions about how it shaped
the world today.
4. Teach you life skills that will help you succeed in college and beyond including how to read
critically, write effectively, and work cooperatively on a variety of topics.
Course Description:
In the first semester students will study man’s prehistoric past, emergence of the world’s earliest
civilizations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and the important contribution of Greek and
Roman civilizations. A special emphasis is placed on the world’s great religious traditions in the
shaping of human history.
The second semester will focus on the relationship between Christianity and Islam; the
development of feudal societies in Japan and Europe; and the early peoples of Africa and the
Americas. In later European history particular attention will be given to the Renaissance and
Reformation periods and the relationship between Europe and other world cultures.
First Semester Overview
Prehistory Human Origins; Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic Periods; Bronze Age.
Ancient Egypt: Old, Middle and New Kingdoms; Egyptian culture.
Ancient Mesopotamia: City States, Sumerians, Hebrews, Persians.
Ancient Greece: Minoan Civilization, Athens & Sparta, Greek Mythology, Persian Wars,
Alexander the Great, Greek Culture.
5. Ancient Rome: Roman Republic, Punic Wars, Roman Empire, Roman Culture.
6. Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Indo-Aryans, Hinduism, Buddhism, Early
Empires.
7. Ancient China: Chinese Dynasties from Chou to Tang, Confucianism, Taoism, Chinese
Culture.
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Second Semester Overview
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Medieval Europe: Early and High Middle Ages
Byzantine Empire
Rise of Islam
European Renaissance
European Reformation
Cultures of Native Peoples in the Americas and Africa
7.
Age of Exploration
Course Materials- students are required to have these items everyday
Textbook:
A History of World Societies Vol. 1 (McKay) (Either 7th Edition)
Notebook:
One spiral notebook (dedicated for this class)
Pens:
Pencil, Black/blue pen, and a red pen
Grading Procedure
Your grade is determined by the total points you earn according to the standard scale:
A= 90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
D=60-69%
F=0%-59%
*Please note that UC and CSU do not accept a “D” as a passing grade.
Approximate grade percentage per category:
40% Test/Quizzes
40% Homework/Notebook
10% Research Project, Presentation, and Paper
10% Semester Final
Student Expectations
1. Students are expected to be on time in their seats everyday and come prepared to engage in
class activities. This means having all books, paper, and pens.
2. Pay attention! When the instructor speaks, everyone listens. This also extends to fellow
students. Students will wait to be called on before speaking. Participation in class discussions and
small groups will be factored into the final grade.
3. Have a positive attitude and give 100% on all assignments.
4. During regular class meetings, I will explain new and old material in depth by asking
questions, leading class discussions, having small group discussions, and giving writing
assignments (to be done at home or in class).
5. Students are expected to complete all assignments by the due date. Some assignments may be
turned in one day late with a 10% drop. After the second day, the assignment will become a zero.
6. Test and quizzes will be given periodically to ensure that students are keeping up with the
readings and coursework. All tests and most quizzes will be announced before the class period.
Pop quizzes will be conducted by the instructor at any time on the readings, class discussion, etc.
7. I WELCOME ALL QUESTIONS. If there are any questions regarding the material covered in
the course, please ASK during class time, after class, after school, or e-mail me on the school
website. I want you to understand all the material. Do not wait until the day before a test/quiz to
ask me!
8. Make-up tests and quizzes must be scheduled and taken within one week of the date missed. It
is YOUR responsibility to schedule make-up tests and quizzes. Homework and in-class
assignments missed because of an excused absence will be due the next class meeting.
Homework missed because of an unexcused absence will not be accepted.
Any student who chooses to do something else at that time hurts his own education and creates a
distraction for others. All of the rules in the BMHS Student Handbook apply to students in my
classroom.
Failure to observe these rules will result in disciplinary procedures outlined in the Student
Handbook.
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Parent/Student Verification (worth 10 points due __________________________)
After you read and understand the following policies please sign below.
I have read and understood all policies listed in this syllabus for Mr. Lee's class:
____________________________
Parent Signature
_____________________________
Student Signature