Syllabus

World History Honors

Mr. Eric Williams

ekwilliams@greenvilleschools.us

864-355-3445

Hillcrest High School 2022-2023 School Year

 

Teacher’s Daily Schedule

 

Semester 1

1st Block – Modern World History Honors

2nd Block – Planning

3rd Block – Human Geography Honors

4th Block – Human Geography Honors

 

Semester 2

1st Block – Human Geography CP

2nd Block – Planning

3rd Block – Modern World History Honors

4th Block – Modern World History Honors

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

This is the study of the major periods of history from approximately 1400 to the Present, emphasizing the development of significant ideas and institutions in the world’s great civilizations. People, events, places, and trends in history are highlighted. Cultural developments, the impact of religion, exploration, industrial development, the influence of nationalism, and global conflicts offer an opportunity for the student to develop an understanding of the interaction between civilizations, the impact of geography upon the course of history, and the contributions of diverse cultures. 

 

UNITS OF INSTRUCTION: Over the course of the semester, we will be covering the following topics.  Each Unit of Instruction is expected to take approximately a week and half, allowing time for reviews for the midterm (if applicable) and final exams, as well as any school activities such as Spirit Week, or snow days that may delay our progress. Please be aware that there will be some units that might take longer than others and that some of the listed units may be omitted due to time constraints.


Unit 1: The Renaissance 

Unit 2: Age of Exploration

Unit 3: World Religions

Unit 4: The Protestant Reformation

Unit 5: Age of Absolutism

Unit 6: The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment

Unit 7: The Age of Revolutions

Unit 8: The Industrial Revolution

Unit 9: Imperialism

Unit 10: Nationalism in Asia

Unit 11: World War I

Unit 12: The Interwar Years

Unit 13: World War II

Unit 14: The Cold War

                                    

 

Required materials:  

·       School issued Google Chromebook

·       Cheap earbuds (They don’t need to be fancy, as long as they work. There are often short videos embedded into assignments that we will be working on independently in class.)

·       1 notebook

·       Basic classroom materials. Pencils, pens, paper, etc. 

 

Major Assessment/Calculation of Grades:

1.      Students will be tested as units are complete.  Tests will be assessed as major grades.  Tests will consist of textbook readings, notes, activities, classwork, videos, and class discussions both online and in-person (if applicable).

2.      Classwork and activities will be assigned regularly and assessed as minor grades.

    

Grading Procedures:  These percentages are in alignment with district policy.

            Major Assessments (Tests and projects)-60%

            Minor Assessments (Homework/Classwork, etc.)-40%

 

Missed Work Make-up Policy:

     Make-up work is the students responsibility.  Students who are absent from school have five days to make up any work they missed.  After the fifth day, a grade of zero is given.  Tests may be made up before school, during the student’s class or lunch, or after school, at my discretion.  It is the student’s responsibility to schedule a make-up test.  An unexcused absence will result in null grades for any work missed.

 

Late Work Policy and Credit Recovery:

            Students are expected to turn all work in on the assigned due date.  However, the reality is that this will not always happen.  Should you miss a due date, you will have five days to turn in the missed work.  For each day late, the student will be deducted ten percentage points.  After the fifth day, the late work will still be accepted, however the highest grade received can only be a 50%. However, tests can always be made up for full credit at any time during each quarter, as long as they are completed a few days before the date that grades are due.

 

 

Rules for Student Behavior:

At this point in your educational career, you should be aware of what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior in a classroom. Above all else, I expect that each and every one of you will be RESPECTFUL to each other and to me, the teacher. That is really not too much to ask.

1.     Be respectful to teachers and classmates. 

2.  If the teacher is talking, you are not talking.

3.      You may only use cell phones when I tell you that it is ok to do so.

4.      Students should be in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.

5.      Students must bring necessary materials to class.  Your Chromebook should be charged, with you, and ready to go.  You should also have a class notebook, folder, pen/pencil, ID badge, and textbook every day.

6.      Once the bell rings for class to begin, I expect the students’ polite attention for the entire period.

7.     All school policies from both the student and faculty handbooks will be followed in the classroom.


Consequences



Human Geography

Hillcrest High School 2023-2024 Syllabus

Mr. Eric Williams

ekwilliams@greenvilleschools.us

864-355-3445


Teacher’s Daily Schedule

 

Semester 1

1st Block – Modern World History Honors

2nd Block – Planning

3rd Block – Human Geography Honors

4th Block – Human Geography Honors

 

Semester 2

1st Block – Human Geography CP

2nd Block – Planning

3rd Block – Modern World History Honors

4th Block – Modern World History Honors


Course Overview

In Human Geography, students will examine the relationships among people, places, and environments that result in patterns on the Earth’s surface. Students use the tools and methods of geography to study the principal themes, such as the influence of geography on the events of the past and present, and analyze how location affects economic activities in different economic systems throughout the world. Students compare how components of culture shape the characteristics of regions and analyze the impact of technology and human modifications on the physical environment. Students use problem-solving and decision-making skills to ask and answer geographic questions.



Goals and Objectives

Students will be provided with a variety of instructional strategies in order to engage each student and enhance his/her knowledge of Geography. The class is student-centered, with a wide range of activities consisting of group and individual learning opportunities, with research projects and writing assignments. 

Independent reading of course content such as assigned articles, document-based questions, and applying real world knowledge to current global issues is a keystone to a CP level class. Applying vocabulary for each topic will be valuable to gain a complete overview of Geography. Students will be able to explore their strengths as learners and also be able to use those strengths to excel in all different areas of the classroom environment. Through the range of activities presented throughout the year, the student will be able to fine tune their learning strengths in order to be successful in future social studies classes.

Students will be able to meet the required South Carolina State Standards for Geography by the end of the course. We will be covering the following SC State Standards this year:

HG – 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth’s surface.  

HG – 2: Demonstrate an understanding of the conditions, interconnections, and levels of economic development across Earth’s surface.  

HG – 3: Demonstrate and understanding of the characteristics of culture and cultural patterns and processes across Earth’s surface. 

HG – 4: Demonstrate an understanding of how cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth’s surface. 

HG – 5: Demonstrate an understanding of the distribution, function, patterns, and processes of human settlement across Earth’s surface. 


Student Supply List

ONE 5 subject spiral notebook/binder

Colored pens for notes (optional)

Colored pencils/fine and wide case markers

Pencil/Blue or Black Pen (your preference


Required Texts: 

Contemporary Human Geography, 4th edition. James Rubenstein. 


Grading Policy: 

A: 100-90

B: 89-80

C: 79-70

D: 69-60

F: 59-0


Assessments            

Major Assessments 60%

Minor Assessments 40%

Final Exam will count as 10% of final grade, as determined by district policy


Grades: 

Students can expect at least three to four major grades per nine weeks, which will cover an entire unit of study, containing multiple chapters. Tests will be announced no later than one week before the test day. A study guide will be given at least a week before the test, and we will review as a class. Projects will be assigned within each unit as determined by the teacher. Students will also complete formal assessments on each unit in order to demonstrate their knowledge of Geography. Minor grades will consist of classwork and daily assignments that are completed.  

Expectations from Student

Attend on time. Keep up on all readings. Bring materials to class. Turn in all assignments. Participate in discussions. Be familiar with email and check it regularly. Check the class website/Google Classroom/Google Calendar regularly for assignments and updates. Be thoughtful and civil to classmates and the instructor while in class.  The use of a device, both personal and school-provided, is a privilege throughout the duration of the class period. 

Cell Phones will be placed in the Cell Phone Holder at the side of the room or in your bookbag. Failure to keep them in one of these two locations will result in a failure to obey referral. 

Properly charge your Chromebook or other devices nightly so you will be able to use them proficiently!


Missed Work Make-up Policy:

     Make-up work is the students responsibility.  Students who are absent from school have five days to make up any work they missed.  After the fifth day, a grade of zero is given.  Tests may be made up before school, during the student’s class or lunch, or after school, at my discretion.  It is the student’s responsibility to schedule a make-up test.  An unexcused absence will result in null grades for any work missed.

 

Late Work Policy and Credit Recovery:

            Students are expected to turn all work in on the assigned due date.  However, the reality is that this will not always happen.  Should you miss a due date, you will have five days to turn in the missed work.  For each day late, the student will be deducted ten percentage points.  After the fifth day, the late work will still be accepted, however the highest grade received can only be a 50%. However, tests can always be made up for full credit at any time during each quarter, as long as they are completed a few days before the date that grades are due.

 

 

Rules for Student Behavior:

At this point in your educational career, you should be aware of what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior in a classroom. Above all else, I expect that each and every one of you will be RESPECTFUL to each other and to me, the teacher. That is really not too much to ask.

1.     Be respectful to teachers and classmates. 

2.  If the teacher is talking, you are not talking.

3.      You may only use cell phones when I tell you that it is ok to do so.

4.      Students should be in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.

5.      Students must bring necessary materials to class.  Your Chromebook should be charged, with you, and ready to go.  You should also have a class notebook, folder, pen/pencil, ID badge, and textbook every day.

6.      Once the bell rings for class to begin, I expect the students’ polite attention for the entire period.

7.     All school policies from both the student and faculty handbooks will be followed in the classroom.


Consequences