This is a projects-based, hybrid course that utilizes aspects of the humanities, history, and literature to enrich student learning in the area of World History (from prehistory to the Age of Revolutions). Taking place both in class and online, students will be introduced to the benefits of web-based learning. Through both mediums, students will consistently examine primary and secondary sources to analyze cultures, religions, laws, and the evolution of the development of “modern” society across hemispheres. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and writing in coordination with a thematic view of history.
~Teacher/Student Contact: You can contact me using the information on the course site at any time. All teacher contact will be made via your school email and/or within class annoucements. Important online module announcements will be posted to the "Peg Board" on the student forum.
~Student/Student Contact: Students are encouraged to contact classmates for additional help and/or troubleshooting issues via email, in class, and/or the student forum. Weekly postings and responses will only be given credit once publically posted on the forum.
~Technical difficulties? Don't forget to submit a "Trouble Ticket" in the high school office!!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Required Text(s) and Readings: World History: Elizabeth Gaynor Ellis & Anthony Esler
All other reading materials will be provided and/or available online.
1. School issued laptop or other computer 2. Microsoft Office, Open Office, Microsoft Works, or other word processor 3. Reliable internet connection 4. PowerPoint 5. Microsoft Media Player or Quicktime
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ *Class Procedures and Requirements:
As a blended course, all units will include both an in-class and online element to them which must be completed in order to receive full credit. Each unit (see “units of study”) is broken down by a 5-day week in which students must read the required texts, watch imbedded video clips, read and take notes through PowerPoint lectures, respond to forum posting prompts (and reply to at least 2 classmates’ posts), and complete a cumulative weekly assessment.
All notes and written assignments will be turned into the appropriate classroom assignment basket. Forum postings are to be added via the forum on the course website; only publically posted responses are given credit. Any assignments completed in a word processor, PowerPoint, or other file are expected to be emailed to the teacher by the deadline indicated. Files saved and sent via email must follow the naming protocol: yourlastname.assignmentname
Please also see the "Acceptable Usage Policies and Procedures" page for specific information regarding your use of technology in World History--both on and offline!
*Students will be required to keep all completed assignments in a binder/folder to be turned in at the end of the semester. Students should keep all of their assignments in their binders a these will be turned in on the last day of the semester and will become part of the student’s final grade. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ *Grading Scale:
Grades will be determined by dividing the total points earned by the total points possible to obtain a percentage from the following scale:
93-100 A 74-76 C 90-92 A- 70-73 C- 87-89 B+ 67-69 D+ 84-86 B 64-66 D 80-83 B- 60-63 D- 77-79 C+ 0-59 E
______________________________________________________________________________________________ *Late Assignments or Projects:
ASSIGNMENTS: Late work will only be accepted by the instructor with deductions to the grade earned as follows: ~ 1 day late = 50% off * ~ 2 + days late = not acceptable unless pre-approved
* Absent students will be allowed the same amount of days missed to complete assignments for full credit.
PROJECTS: Due to the nature of the final projects given in the course, there is a separate policy for these. Typically, students will be given time in class to work on their assignments. Then the projects students create will be used for group collaboration on the day they are due. Thus, any final project turned in late WILL NOT be accepted.
Formal Tests: Unless otherwise noted, all units will have a final project associated with them. Each student has the opportunity to opt out of only one project with the understanding that a test will be taken instead. Students will have 2 days after a project has been formally assigned to notify the teacher of their decision to replace the project with a unit test.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Units of Study:
Unit One: Rise of Civilizations [prehistory – 500 B.C.] ~Chapter 1: Foundations of Civilization ~Chapter 2: Ancient Middle East & Egypt
Unit Two: Eastern Civilizations [2600 B.C. – 550A.D.] ~Chapter 3: Ancient India & China
Unit Three: The Rise of Greece [1750 B.C. – 133 B.C.] ~Chapter 4: Ancient Greece
Unit Four: The Legacy of Rome [509 B.C. – 476 A.D.] ~Chapter 5: Rome & the Rise of Christianity
Unit Five: The Rise of Islam [622 A.D. – 1629] ~Chapter 10: Muslim Civilizations