Global Studies

Course Description

This course will take a geographic approach to current global issues across five different regions of the world. The goal is to understand important social, political, and economic trends that drive today's world and also how cultures vary across the globe. Each unit we will study maps, analyze primary sources and secondary texts, and engage in cultural practices from that specific region of the world. Additionally, we will emphasize not just geographic skills, but also college and career skills such as note-taking, public speaking, group collaboration, active reading, writing/editing, critical thinking, and analytical problem solving. By the end of this course you should be familiar with today’s major global issues, understanding of the world’s many diverse cultures, and you should have a strong academic skill set to prepare you for the rest of your high school career and beyond.

Units of Study: 

1. Introduction/North America 

2. Asia 

3. Africa 

4. Latin America 

5. Middle East 

Rules and Procedures 

RULES: Be a Good Person! 

RESPECT: 

1. The Clock 

2. The Classroom

3. The Teacher

4. Eachother 

5. Technology 

PROCEDURES: 

• Be in the classroom when the bell rings

• Sit in your assigned seat unless otherwise directed

• Get your Cornell notebook and start the warm-up activity promptly

• When someone else is taking (student, teacher, administrator) you are listening

• Ask to use the bathroom during breaks in instruction and take your agenda book

• If you are absent, check Google Classroom for missed assignments, then ask a classmate about any missed notes, then ask me if you are still confused

• Do not pack up or line-up at the door until I dismiss you 

Technology Expectations: 

• This is a cell-phone free classroom (unless you want to charge your device in the back of the room) 

• Come to school with a fully charged Chromebook and your charger; we will be using them on a daily basis  

• Close laptops during direct instruction, or I will close them for you

• Earbuds are only allowed during individual work-time (no hoods during class) 

Materials: 

• Writing utensil every day 

• Chromebook every day

• Cornell Notebooks every day (these may be collected and graded)

• If you need to borrow materials, please let me know, and then visit the materials station. Do not take classroom supplies without asking. 

• Please, no food and drink in the classroom other than a water bottle

Consequences: 

These rules and procedures are in place to make it easier for you to learn and easier for me to teach. If you break any of the classroom rules or refuse to follow our procedures, there will be consequences: 

• First time- Verbal Warning

• Second time- Parent contact 

• Third time- After school detention

*Extreme behavior will result directly in after school detention, parent contact, and/or administrative referral without warning. 

Grading Policy: 

• Unit Tests- 100 points

• Essays/Projects- 50 points

• Vocab Quizzes- 30 points 

• Classwork- 10-20 points

• Homework- 5-10 points

• A= 100-90% of total points 

• B= 89-80% of total points

• C= 79-70% of total points

• D= 69-60% of total points

• F= 59-0% of total points 

*All late work will be reduced to half-credit, unless otherwise discussed with teacher.