Syllabus

Modern World History

Buchanan High School

Room 107 – johngross@clovisusd.k12.ca.us

Textbook:      Modern World History – McGraw-Hill

Buchanan’s World History class aligns with the California State Social Studies Framework for tenth grade students.  The class will survey the main political, economic, social and intellectual trends which have shaped our modern world.  This course will emphasize global perspectives and employ critical thinking skills which will help the student apply lessons of history of the problems of our own time.

In Modern World History your student will study major turning points that shaped the modern world, from the late eighteenth century through the present, including the cause and course of the two world wars.  They trace the rise of democratic ideas and develop an understanding of the historical roots of current world issues, especially as they pertain to international relations.  They conclude from the American experience that democratic ideals are often achieved at a high price, remain vulnerable, and are not practiced everywhere in the world.  Students develop an understanding of current world issues and relate them to their historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural contexts.  Students consider multiple accounts of events in order to understand international relations from a variety of perspectives.

World History Content Standards:

Semester 1

10.2.1, 10.2.2, 10.2.4: Democratic Revolutions, causes and effects, documents of democracy

10.3.1, 10.3.6: Cause and Effect of the Industrial Revolution

10.4.1, 10.4.3: Cause and Effect of Imperialism

Semester 2

10.6.1: Cause and Effect of WWI

10.8.1, 10.8.5: Cause and effect of WWII, Holocaust

10.9.2, 10.9.3, 10.9.6: Cause and effect of the Cold War and Nationalism in the Middle East

World History Essential Standards:

1.        Define Democracy and its elements; compare/contrast democracy and its elements with other forms of government.

2.   Distinguish differing Points of View throughout history.

3.   Evaluate and Analyze Sources (Primary/Secondary); determine validity of sources and separate evidence from opinion.

4.   Recognize Continuity and Change over time; economic, political, and social shifts and constants.

Buchanan Online Protocol / Expectations

ATTENDANCE

Students are required to log-on to their scheduled Zoom classes on time and remain online until dismissed by their teacher. Regular attendance and tardy policies still apply during Online Learning. Unexcused absences, tardies and/or early departure from class will result in a loss of Attendance/Participation points. Absences must be cleared by calling Buchanan’s Attendance Hotline at (559) 327-3037. 

TECHNICAL DIFFICULITIES

We understand that technical difficulties are likely to occur. If a student is unable to log-on to class, participate in online activities, or submit digital assignments, it is critical to inform the school by calling (559) 327-3000. A staff member will connect you to a member of Buchanan’s Tech Team to help troubleshoot the problem.  

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

In addition to school and district conduct policies described in the BHS Parent Student Handbook, the below online protocols are expected of all students.

• Enable computer video with face shown during the entire Zoom session

• Follow CUSD dress code requirements

• Be seated in an appropriate learning space with a suitable video background

• Access all digital platforms utilized by the teacher. Examples include Zoom, Google Classroom, Edulastic, Pear Deck, Turn It In, Teacher Website, Q Student Connect

• Engage in lesson activities as directed by the teacher

• Submit assignments and assessments prior to the due date

• Communicate questions and concerns to the classroom teacher

Grading Policy:

Grading will occur on a variety of assignments, including discussion responses, writing, group work, tests, quizzes, presentations, and participation.

1.        Tests/Quizzes: 50%, Classwork/Homework: 35%, Participation: 15%

2.   Late Work-may be turned in up to one class period after the original due date for - half credit.

3.       Test/Quiz Retakes:  Students may retake any test one time for up to a 70%, with the exception of the finals, due to time constraints.

4.       It is YOUR responsibility to keep track of your grade and work.  If you have a question or concern about your grade, you must make an appointment with me.

5.       Grades will be available on-line through Student Connect / Parent Connect. 

6.       Scores will be recorded into the online gradebook.

MAKE UP POLICY

It is the student’s responsibility to make up work resulting from excused absences. Students will be given at least the time to make up work that is equivalent to the number of days missed.

TEACHER COMMUNICATION/AVAILABILITY

Teachers are available through their CUSD email (johngross@clovisusd.k12.ca.us). Teachers work hours are 7:50 AM – 3:15 PM. Please allow 24 hours for a response email.

Buchanan Face-to-Face Protocol / Expectations (return to regular instruction)

Recommended Materials:                                        

Binder Paper and/or notebook (history only), Colored Pencils, Pens, Pencils, Optional supplies- scissors, stapler (mini)

Class Expectations:

Be Prepared, On Time, and Involved every day, Treat everyone with respect!

Make-Up Work:

› For regular daily assignments (other than large projects), you have as many days to make up the work as you have been “cleared” for your absence.  If your absence is not cleared, I do not have to let you make up the work.

REMEMBER:  I will not remind you about your missed work.  It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed by consulting a classmate or checking the calendar in class. 

› If you are absent on the day of a test, it is your responsibility to make arrangements to make up the test.  I reserve the right to give essay-only make up exams.  You will have until the next test to make up the missed test.  If you fail to make up the test within this time, you will receive a zero. 

Class Participation: This will be updated in your grade every 6-week grading period.  You can lose points for the following activities: tardiness, cell phone use, lack of preparation (including not bringing required materials, not answering when called upon, etc), not cooperating.

Attendance and Tardy Policy:

1          You are expected to be in class on time.  Each tardy will result in a loss of participation points. 

2         Excessive tardies will be addressed by Student Services!

Cell Phone Policy:

Cell phones should be off and put away during class, unless otherwise specified.  As per the BHS Parent-Student Handbook, “parents should not expect their students to read/send text messages or receive calls during class time” and “visibility of an electronic device, without the permission of the teacher, is unacceptable and will be considered cheating.” Please read the full Cheating and Electronic Devices policy in the BHS Parent-Student Handbook.

Discipline Policy for Rule Violation:

Verbal Warning, Teacher/Student Conference, Phone Call Home/Detention, 2hr Detention After School, Referral to Student Services.                                              

Reminders:

› Always look at the board when you come to class, you are responsible for it.

› Please do not talk if I am talking. (Thanks)

› All Buchanan High School and CUSD policies and procedures are enforced.

› If you have a question outside of class you can e-mail your teacher at their CUSD email.

› No Food or drinks are allowed in the classroom, with the exception of water!  

› Dress Code will be enforced at all times.  Students will be referred to the office for a dress code violation. 

Video Permission: During the school year we sometimes have the opportunity to watch videos either in segments or in their entirety that help in the understanding of our content.  The following is a list of videos that may be shown.  If you would like your student to refrain from watching any of the following videos please email me so that he or she may be given an alternative assignment during that time.  If you have any questions about any of the following videos please contact me.

·       Gandhi – PG (Imperialism in India) (true story)                                    

·       Night Crossing - not rated (two families try to escape from East Germany) (true story)

·       Invictus – PG 13 (Nationalism)

·       Les Miserable – PG-13 (French Revolution)    

·       All Quiet on the Western Front– not rated (life of German soldiers during WWI)

·       Swing kids – PG-13 (Life in Germany during WWII)

·       Escape from Sobibor – not rated (Life in a German Death camp in WWII) (true story)    

·       Life Is Beautiful – PG-13 (Life in a German Death camp in WWII)

·       The Great Escape – not rated (Prisoner of war camp during WWII) (true story)

·       October Sky – PG (cold war – space race) (true story)

·       Bridge of Spies – PG-13 (Cold War – U-2 incident) (true story)

·       K19 - PG-13 (Cold War submarine movie) (true story)                                                     

·       Thirteen Days   – PG-13 (Cuban Missile Crisis)

* If a student or parent/guardian has any question or concern I am available via email. I expect all students to speak with me directly before sending an email. This syllabus is subject to change at anytime

HONOR CODE

“I will do my own work and will neither give nor receive unauthorized assistance on assignments for this class.”

Please sign and return this page of the World History syllabus.  By doing so, you are stating that you have read and agree to the class requirements, including the Attendance and Late Work Policy, as well as the Honor Code.

Student Name _________________________Student Signature ________________________

Guardian Name __________________________ Guardian Signature_______________________

Student has a cell phone? Y / N            If so, have they signed up for Remind in my class? Y / N

Date ___________________________Class Period__________________________________