MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL 2017-2018

Global Perspectives
Welcome to Global Perspectives Keys for Success
Course Description
Come to class prepared

Be respectful of others

Dont fall behind

Take accountability

Study! Study! Study!

As your Teacher I will

Make lessons interesting

Provide a detailed
Study Guide
OVERVIEW
Treat you
Welcome! I look forward to getting to know each of you as the all equally
semester progresses. My goal is to make this course as interesting and
relevant as possible. I will treat each and every one of you with the Do everything
respect you deserve. In turn, I will expect you to treat your classmates in my power to be
and me in the same courteous and respectful fashion! Philosophically, I fair and help you succeed
believe that all students can learn, students have dierent learning
styles, and cooperative interaction increases learning and improves
social skills.
COURSE DESCRIPTION

We live on an amazing planet full of histories, cultures, and beliefs. It is

my hope, that through our many
cultural diversity and beauty. As far as
science can discern, there is no other journeys, that you personally will
world in the vastness of space quite come to be instilled with a global
like our own. In this course, we will perspective on life, a perspective
tour the far corners of the globe. We that will foster a sense of
will observe the earths people, their appreciation and respect for our
world and its incredible people.

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GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Much of what we do will be dictated by current events and department decisions. In many ways, current
events will dictate what we cover and when. Below you will find a typical schedule of events.

COURSE ORGANIZATION

Unit 1: Introduction to World Studies

Duration estimate: 2 weeks or 4 class meetings [8 lessons]
Topics: Economic and Government Systems, Land formations, Religion and Culture.
Unit 2: Europe
Duration estimate: 3 weeks or 9 class meetings [18 lessons]
Topics: Greece, Rome, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Revolutions, Industrialization, Colonialism-
Imperialism, World Conflict, Contemporary Issues.
Unit 3: The Middle East
Duration estimate: 4 weeks or 8 class meetings [16 lessons]
Topics: Early Civilizations and Empires, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Contemporary Issues.
Unit 4: Africa
Duration estimate: 3 weeks or 6 class meetings [12 lessons]
Topics: Early Civilizations and Empires, Colonialism and Imperialism, Slavery, Contemporary Issues.
Unit 5: Asia
Duration estimate: 3 weeks 7 class meetings [14 lessons]
Topics: Early Dynasties, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Communism, World Conflict, Contemporary
Issues.
Unit 6: Latin America
Duration estimate: 2 weeks or 6 class meetings [12 lessons]
Topics: The Aztecs, Maya and Inca, Age of Exploration, Movements of Independence, Contemporary
Issues

COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Keep up with the assigned readings I will provide
Come to class prepared to participate and learn. This includes having the following materials:
#2 pencil and paper
3 or 4 inch three-ring notebook
unit study guide
current assignment
Be in your seat ready to work when the tardy bell rings.
Cell phones are not to be used in class.
iPods are not to be used during class unless permission is given and can only be used for music
with one headphone in so you can hear me should I have something to say.
No game devices.
You are expected to contribute to class discussions, activities, and projects.
Sleeping in class will not be permitted nor tolerated at any time!
No food or drink in the classroom. Bottled water is ok!

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GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
COURSE EXPECTATIONS CONTINUED
Assignments that are not legible will not be graded until they are re-written in a legible fashion.
Assignments without name or an illegible name will receive a full letter grade deduction.
Do not work on other courses during this course.
Do not talk when the teacher is talking!
You will be respectful to others, this includes the use of profanity!
Students are expected to be self sucient, this means they are to take responsibility to pick up
assignments quizzes or tests that they missed and take personal responsibility in their grades.

Homework:
Homework will mostly consist of personal study. You will receive a unit unit study at the beginning of
each unit of study, go over it daily! Some assignments will be assigned throughout the year to do at home.
Most work however can be completed during the allotted school hour.

Additional homework will NOT be assigned during weekends or holidays! Also, to help preserve your
weekend, I will do my best to prevent testing on Mondays.

Late Work:
Any unit assignment that is turned in late will be accepted for 60% of its original value. After a unit is
completed, late work for that unit will no longer be accepted. Tests must be taken within two days upon
return to school or the test will be recorded as a zero.

Make-Up Work:
It is your responsibility to collect and complete any work that is missed due to an excused absence. You
will have two days to complete makeup work due to illness or any other excused absence without a
reduction in grade. Unexcused absences will not receive the opportunity to make up missed assignments.

Re-takes:
Assignments that receive a score lower than a C may be re-taken. These assignments have to be re-
submitted one day after it has been handed back. Re-takes will only receive at best a C letter grade.

Tests/Exams* may also be re-taken if the score is lower than a C or 74%. One week will be allotted for all
test re-takes. Students re-taking a test can only receive at best a C or 75%. All re-takes will occur before or
after school. The semester final is ineligible for retakes.

Quizzes must be taken within two days of your return from an excused absence. Pop quizzes cannot be re-
taken but can be made up if missed. Your quiz score will be locked.

*Subject to change based upon department policy

Debates/Discussions:
Please wait for a natural pause before speaking during a classroom discussion. Do not interrupt or
personally criticize anyone! Help make everyone feel comfortable in our classroom. Be prepared to defend
your position/opinion with facts.

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GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

COURSE EXPECTATIONS CONTINUED

Bathroom Policy/Passes:
On the first day of school or a new quarter/semester, students will be issued a number of Warrior Passes.
Passes can be used in many ways. The most commonly used method is to go to the bathroom. Students
wishing to leave and go to the rest room need only to fill out their pass and turn it in the box on the wall
before leaving. Students passed are limited! They must have them in their possession to use them. I am
not responsible for lost passes! Pass uses are listed below:

1) To go to the bathroom
2) To get supplies or a missing assignment
3) To borrow a pencil, pen or paper
4)To avoid a late penalty [single day only]
5) Two can be used to get your cell phone back at the end of class

Extra Credit:
There are two ways to earn extra credit. The first method is to take good notes during class and show
them to Mr. Hardy following the completion of a unit. The second method is to turn in exemplary
assignments and projects. I believe that in order to receive extra credit, extra work must be involved.

Unit Challenges: [Not always offered. Ask during your particular semester for details]
Each unit I will oer the class an academic challenge. It could be one to take better notes, to raise quiz or
test scores or one that is behavior based. On occasion, I will allow student to set their own personal goal.
During the unit, students will have to prove that they are achieving their goal through documentation. If
they prove they worked hard on their goal and showed improvement they will be rewarded with 5% extra
credit for the unit.

Intellectual Honesty/Plagiarism:
Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment in question. Please consult the student
handbook for more details regarding plagiarism.

Office Hours:
I am available each day approximately an hour before and an hour after school. Please schedule or make
me aware of a planned visit at least one day in advance. Oce hours are subject to change due to coaching
responsibilities.

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GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Grading:
Your grade will be based on your academic performance. The school grading scale is:

100 90% = A [Advanced]

89 80% = B [Proficient]
79 70% = C [Basic]
69 60% = D [Below Basic]
59 Below = F

Exams/Quizzes = 60% of your overall grade

End of Course Exam [EOC} = 10% of your overall grade
Classwork/Projects/Assignments = 30% of your overall grade

Much of what is assigned is graded objectively. However, it is not possible to grade all assignments in this
fashion, particularly essays/compositions. If you do not understand why you received a certain grade, it is
your right and responsibility to discuss your concern with me in private!

Advanced: Students at the advanced level use their knowledge of social studies in complex and
abstract situations and can analyze, synthesize, and communicate information and ideas.
Proficient: Students at the proficient level use concepts and skills to acquire and communicate
information and ideas. To gain proficiency, students must earn an 80% or higher in the
class!
Basic: Students at the basic level ineectively use knowledge and skills to acquire and
communicate information and ideas.
Below Basic: Students at the below basic level in social studies require extensive support or
provide little or no evidence in meeting the standard.

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