World Studies
World History/World Geography
Miss La Coy
Course Description
The course surveys the cultural and historical development of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and Latin America. Instruction focuses on the interaction of physical geography, culture and values, political structures, economic structures, and history in the development of each of these areas, culminating in the understanding of the growth and development in each world region. Students are expected to be able to debate topics and complete individual and collaborative assignments/projects.
Class Expectations
Charity-- Charity is the root of all virtue and the foundation of the Christian life. It encompasses both a love for God and a love for one’s neighbor. The spirit of charity is expected to be present in the classroom in the relationships between students and in the relationships between students and faculty and staff. Growth in charity requires openness to living in virtue. Every student is expected to strive for charity in his or her actions. This includes saying only positive things about each other; we are a family!
Respect-- At the most basic level, this will include respect for the content of the course (although open dialogue is encouraged), respect for the authority of all teachers and staff, respect for fellow classmates, respect for self, and respect for the classroom. Please raise your hand if you wish to contribute to the class; please do not talk unless called upon. Listen to one another. When someone is speaking, his or her words are important and should be listened to just as you want to be when you are speaking. Respect for the classroom includes no food, drinks, gum, or operating cell phones in the classroom.
Responsibility-- Students are expected to take responsibility for their assigned tasks, completing them fully and on time. Each student is expected to arrive on time and be prepared for each class, equipped with writing material for note taking, a World Studies notebook, a folder, their assigned textbook, and a heart and mind ready to learn!
Grading Policy
o Your quarterly grade will be determined by the following: tests and quizzes, class participation [note taking, participation in classroom discussion and in class assignments], homework/journals, and projects. Grades will be based upon the grading scale outlined in the handbook.
o All work is due on assigned day. Late work can be turned in at any time during the quarter for ½ credit.
o If you are absent from class on the day an assignment is due, you are expected to turn in that assignment the day you return unless an illness or another emergency should prevent you.
o If you are absent for a class on a day an assignment is given, you are expected to see me BEFORE school begins on the day you return to get your assignments. One day will be allotted for each day you are absent.
o Students’ notes will be graded as participation points. I will collect your notebooks to award points; so you must have one notebook for World Studies! If you are absent it is your responsibility to get a copy of those notes taken for the day.
o My website will be updated frequently with weekly lessons and assignments. Students will also be able to find study guides for tests on my website as well.
o Cheating is never acceptable. Any student caught cheating on a test or home work will receive an automatic zero!
o Please see me if you ever need extra help; I am available before and after school. I want you to do well, succeed, and most importantly grow in your faith in this class!
Materials Needed
1. Pens or Pencils
2. Folder and loose-leaf paper
3. 1 Notebook (for World Studies only)
4. Daily Planner
5. Note cards
Current Events
Students will be required to read the front page of The Pantagraph Newspaper in class. Each Friday will be devoted to current events in relation to our curriculum. Throughout the week, students will take notes from the front page (just a sentence or two about each of the articles) to use on a short answer quiz each Friday.
PowerPoint Projects
Each student will be assigned a 100 point PowerPoint project throughout the course of the year (this grade will be attached to the 4th quarter). The student will be required to write an outline on the main points of their presentation to the class which will be handed out to the students of the class.
Geography Fair
All World Studies Students will participate in the Geography Fair on December 5th, 2008. Students will draw a country and be responsible for that country. The project will consist of an oral and written report, and attendance at the fair. The student should be creative and include history, costumes, food, artwork. The teacher will set target dates for each part of the project.
Contact Information
E-mail: llacoy@blmcchs.org
Phone Number: (309) 661-7000, ext. 1234
Website: http://www.blmcchs.org/sites/llacoy/
World Studies
First Quarter Syllabus
*This is tentative!*
I. Unit 1:
a. Pretest
b. Who’s Who in Current Events
c. Latitude and Longitude
d. Landforms and Bodies of Water
e. Scale
f. Southeast Asia Map
g. Geographic features of Southeast Asia
i. Climates
ii. Monsoons
iii. Mountain range effects
II. Unit 2: Ancient India and China
a. Indus Civilization Rises and Falls
b. Aryan Class System and Mahabharata
c. Hinduism and Buddhism
d. Mauryan Empire
e. Shang, Zhou, Ch’in, Han Dynasties
f. Rulers of China
III. Unit 3:
a. Europe Map
b. Climate
c. PowerPoint 1: Aztecs and Mayans
IV. Unit 4: Greek Empire
V. Unit 5: Roman Empire