2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR

PERIODS 2 & 3

WORLD CULTURES
MR. NEIFFER/SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT/CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL

Welcome to
World Cultures
at CHS!
Hello and welcome to
World Cultures at Capital High
School! is is my 7th time
teaching World Cultures and you
will be the beneficiary of six
other groups successes and
failures.
World Cultures is a
required survey course that
details the world from several
different perspectives, including
geography, history, economics,
sociology and current events. About Mr. Neiffer
We will study eight units Mr. Jason Neiffer
throughout this year. Email: jneiffer@helena.k12.mt.us
First semester, we will WebPage: http://www.geekteach.com, http://moodle.hsd1.org
School Telephone: 406-324-2568
cover Geography and Cell Phone: 406-202-2761 (Use good judgement)
Technology 101, Africa, the Google Talk: neiffer@gmail.com
Middle East and East Asia. Skype: neiffer
Second Semester, we will AOLIM: OhHeyNeif
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CHWorldCultures
cover India, South America,
Europe and Russia.

Where is Mr. Neiffer located? My contract hours are
8:40pm-4:30pm. During that time, I will likely be located in
the Student Lounge (2nd, 3rd, 7th), Room 23 (4th, 5th, 6th)
or Room 6 (Lunch). Before and after school, I am usually
located in the Student Lounge or Room 23.
What is this document? This is a syllabus. It outlines my
expectations of you in this class. In exchange for keeping it
until the last day of this class, I’ll offer a “gift” to those that
bring their original syllabus to the second semester final. I
won’t remind you to bring it, nor mention this again!
How important are these expectations? I’ll be honest: I
have high expectations of freshmen. I believe you are
capable, bright and motivated individuals. You should rise to
the challenge! I am willing to work with you to help you
meet your goals, but you need to put the effort in first!.
 HOW IS Rules? Well, sort of...
WORLD Rules are something that I have a hard time enforcing, not because I don't have
expectations but because I really believe that mature, deliberately successful behavior is
CULTURES something I should be able to expect out of you.  In my humble opinion, no expectation
here is our of the ordinary but in case you need specific guidance, I have four simple
TAUGHT? rules.
I put a lot of time and
effort in planning each You are 100% responsible for all assignments in
unit for this class.  My this class at all times.
goal is to provide a
learning experience that
What this means:
starts with me sharing
with you the critical • When you are absent, you are to either check the Moodle or talk to me immediately
information that I think upon your return.  All assignments due and assessments completed during your
one needs to know about absence are due immediately upon return.  If something is assigned in your absence,
each region we study and you must speak with me each and every time and talk about a makeup date.  If you
ends with you exploring don't bother, don't expect me to help you do it later.
issues issues through
• If you will be absent at a future date for any reason, you must speak with me as soon as
writing, discussing,
you know about that absence to work out assignments.
debating and researching
answers to critical • All materials will be located on the Moodle.  If you need a copy, it is your responsibility
questions. Much of the to print it and have it available for you.
class will involve lecture,
however, based on your • You are to be mindful of deadlines.  All of them are absolute with no excuses.  Organize,
plan and get things done.
ability to handle more
freedom, I will work to
integrate other types of You are to be prepared for class each and every
learning into the day.
classroom.
What this means:

•You must bring all materials to with you to class each day, which usually
What supplies means a notebook, a writing utensil and any assignments or materials for the
will I need for day.

World Cultures? You are to mind community and society

rules and expectations.
Required
Notebook What this means:
Writing Instrument
Notebook Filler Paper
•No food or drink in class.

Optional, but useful! •Absolutely no cell phones out.  Don't even ask.  I will not handle this nicely so
Headphones be advised.  It is rude and inconsiderate to be texting during class activities. 
Microphone
Expect a stern lecture and other unpleasant consequences if you violate this
iPod/MP3 Player
Laptop or Network standard.

•You are to avoid being out of class.  Take care of the bathroom needs, watering
 needs and others between class. WHAT
• You are to adopt the expectations of polite society.  Say please.  Say thank you.  Be HAPPENS
nice.  Act as though you honestly want to have a pleasant relationship with me and
your classmates. IF YOU
• You are to be respectful of your classmates, teacher, alternative points of view, other VIOLATE
cultures, this room and other items of value.
A RULE?
You are to put effort in this class that matches
So, what happens if you
your expectation for learning and success. violate a rule?  Excellent
What this means: question.  ANY of the
following punishments are
• If you expect to pass and excel in this class, I expect you read materials and complete possible for any offense. 
assignments without excuses. Avoid these punishments:
• Ask for Help!  A mark of mature learner is the ability to ask for help when you need it. 
• Grumpy Teacher: I have
If you are behind, don't understand instructions or a concept or are just plain lost, ask
a temper and I can be a
for help.
grump.  I am good at
checking my temper at
• Play Like a Champion!  I believe that success is largely a choice.  Every choice you the door but if you
make regarding this class will impact the eventual outcome.  Make choice that take challenge me, you might
the easy or minimal path?  Expect poor performance.  Make choices like a champion?  get a slice.
Expect success. • Grumpy Classmates: 
Seriously... for every
• Take Responsibility for Your Learning!  Don't wait for me to chase you down for classmate you think you
makeup, advanced assignments or to make you do anything.  I am your #1 fan and will are impressing with
encourage you along the way, but the ball is completely in your court.  Good news!  No your antics, you are
nagging from me!  Bad news!  No nagging from me! likely causing someone
to mentally write you off
of their "Would Like to
Get to Know Better"
High grades, success and list.
• Detention: at's right! 
30 minutes with me for
learning do NOT take place by some reeducation.  I'll
give you 24 hours notice
and tell you when and
accident.  I can't care for you: if where you have to serve. 
No excuses, including

you don't care about learning, sports, activities, buses

or jobs.  Don't get
detention.
your grade and ultimate • Zero on Assignment:
Sounds like fun, does it
not?
success, it would be impossible • Visit with Principals:
Sounds like fun, does it
not?
for me to care on your behalf. • Call to Parents: Sounds
like fun, does it not?
What is homework, anyway?
You may or may not have traditional "homework" in this class.  I will avoid endless packets of mindless
worksheets and other stuff that I consider to be waste of our time.  at means that you will be assess more
heavily on your performance on class assessments, discussions, examinations and projects.  at means that
you will be required to complete assignments each night that may or may not look like homework,
including:
• Reading... reading assigned class readings.  I may choose to assess these with a quiz, test, essay, discussion
or other means.  If I assign something to read, I expect you to be ready to discuss the reading when it is
due or have questions ready to help me help you understand.
• Consuming... listening to or watching assigned class media.  I may choose to assess these with a quiz, test,
essay, discussion or other means.  If I assign something to listen to or watch, I expect you to be ready to
discuss the audio or video clip when it is due or have questions ready to help me help you understand.
• Researching... using available resources to help answer questions.  I may choose to assess these with a
quiz, test, essay, discussion or other means.  If I ask a question or make a problem available to the class, I
expect you to be ready to answer the question or propose a solution when it is due or have questions ready
to help me help you understand.
• Producing... using tools to produce a product.  I may choose to assess these with a presentation, sharing
time or publishing medium.  If I ask you to construct a diagram, audio response or other product, I expect
you to be ready with your product when it is due.
A class innovation: the paperless classroom!
is class is different in that we are
assigned each day to a room that is also a
computer lab.  We will take advantage of
the computers to the greatest extent
possible.
You current have in your hands a copy of
the paper syllabus.  is represents the last
paper I intend to hand out this year.  ere
might be minor exceptions, however, I
generally will put everything in class on
one of three places:
• GeekTeach ... my classroom homepage
(http://www.geekteach.com)
• Moodle ... the district's Moodle system
(http://moodle.hsd1.org)
• e World Cultures Wiki ... the class
wiki (http://
eworldcultures.wikispaces.com)
I will attempt to be VERY CLEAR where
materials are located so you don't have to
hunt for them.
What does the paperless classroom
mean?
For all students...
• e computers in this classroom are
available all day, every day.  You are more
than welcome to read any assigned
materials on those computers and take
notes via one of the methods that I will
teach you about as the class year begins.
• e computers in the library are
available from 7:00am to 5:00pm,
Monday-ursday and from
7:00am-3:30pm on Friday.
• e computers at the public library are
available throughout the week,
depending on the season.  For more
information, go to http://
www.lewisandclarklibrary.org/
For students with internet access at home... lost or misplaced.
• Your computer at home can access all
class information, all the time.  Feel free
to use it.
What behavior expectations are different
because of the paperless classroom?
Assignments are only accepted digitally,
unless otherwise noted.
• e class will be designed so that all
assignments will be accepted via the
classroom Moodle.  is is the ONLY
method that assignments will be
accepted, period.
• Assignments will be graded via the
Moodle and returned in the same way.
All quizzes, tests and other assessments
will be digital.
• Using Moodle, this classroom will utilize
only digital assessments.  In many cases,
grading will be instantly available after
you have completed them.
All grades will be available via digital
means only.
Using PowerSchool, you will have access to
your updated grade.  is is the only grade
information I will give out.  If you are
curious about your current status, check in. 
If your parents asks you for a grade update,
check from home or print out a digital
copy.
Mr. Neiffer will hand NO materials out
on paper.
• All materials will be available in the class
texts or available digitally.
• If you anticipate that you will need a
paper copy, IT IS YOUR responsibility
to print a copy in time to complete
assignments.  You should take great care
to use the least amount of paper
necessary by sharing copies, printing 2-
pages-per-page and other methods
discussed in class.
Planning will be required on your part to
make this happen.  is is a completely
different way of looking at things but it
does have rewards.  You will have a digital
record of all of your materials throughout
the year.  No paper assignment will ever be
Plagiarism Information
A student must always submit work that
represents his or her original words or
ideas. If any words or ideas are used that
do not represent the student's original
words or ideas, the student must cite all
relevant sources. A student should also
make clear the extent to which such
sources were used. Words or ideas that
require citations include, but are not
limited to, all hardcopy or electronic
publications, whether copyrighted or not,
and all verbal or visual communication
when the content of such communication
clearly originates from an identifiable
source.
Academic dishonesty in an online learning
environment could involve:
• Having a tutor or friend complete any
portion of your assignments;
• Copying work submitted by another
student to a public class meeting;
• Using information from online
information services without proper
citation.
I do not tolerate plagiarism. Should you
violate these expectations, I will give you a
zero from that assignment without the
opportunity for makeup. If you do it a
second time, you will fail the quarter in
which the violation takes place in. If you
do it a third time, you will fail the semester.
ese are no tolerance rules because I take
plagiarism seriously.
Also, I do not tolerate contributing to
plagiarism. If you allow another student to
copy your work, I consider you guilty of
plagiarism as well and the above rules
apply.
Flexibility
Last, I would ask you a favor. In exchange
for my respect for you and your learning
environment, I ask you do the same for me.
Part of that respect is offering me the
opportunity to try new stuff. Your flexible
attitude makes me want to try harder to
make the class interesting and informative.
anks.
 Other FIRST UNITS
questions Our first weeks will be spend with
answered... technology and geography lessons. We’ll
spend most of our time in the computer
lab!
I was sick yesterday, do I have
to take the test?

Yup. Tests are announced well

ahead of time, as are most
quizzes and deadlines to major
assignments. If you are sick the
day before, you will be expected
to complete quizzes and tests or
hand in projects. Occasionally, I
may offer an alternative for
Our first content unit is Africa. We’ll
quizzes, but don’t expect it.
study geography, history and current
events in through the topics of South
I'm behind! I'm confused! Africa, Nigeria and public health.
What do I do?

Ask for help. I am here for you! current events). If there is a

unique cultural opportunity in
Do you offer extra credit? I have a sad story about why I
Helena, our fair city, I may be
didn't finish an assignment!
extra credit to those that attend.
I do not give extra credit in the Will you let go of a deadline?
However, PLEASE don't expect
form of extra work, extra
me to give you extra credit if you Maybe. Don't abuse my good
projects, etc. I do give extra
didn't do any work in the first
credit in the form of tests and nature.
place.
quiz questions (hint: know your

WHAT ABOUT GRADES? WORLD CULTURES GRADING

Learning is only partially measured by grades due to the very nature of the
concept, however, I believe grades are critical to not only functioning learning
communities but critical for teaching the nature of external evaluation. That
said, I have a few words of wisdom on grading.
A 90%
• I have adopted the district grading scale. I am asked alllllll the time "ah, do you B 80%
round up?" The answer is yes, but I don't do it often and never at the student's
request. In other words, if you ask or beg, I won't. Period.
C 70%
• Capital High School is adopting PowerSchool this year which apparently means
that grades will eventually be available to you on demand. Keep track of them.
D 60%
• In World Cultures, I have adopted this grading system. You will receive a grade
for each quarter and semester. The quarter grade is made up of classwork and
assessments from that quarter. The semester grade is 40% of each quarter
F 59.99% or below
along with a 20% final test/evaluation grade.

All photo credits: http://delicious.com/neiffer/worldculturessyllabus2009