History in the liberal arts highly focuses on the act of man and his impact on the modern world. Our duty as historians is to pinpoint the causes and effects of these impacts and to ask “what happened?” and “why were these choices made?” Our true goal as historians is to find out what it means to be human given the time period, the culture, and the location. Through historical inquiry, we can interpret the past and find connections between ourselves and our predecessors. This allows us to obtain a larger understanding of how we think, interact, and create among people and culture. We often hear the quote from Spanish philosopher George Santayana that “Those who cannot learn from history are condemned to repeat it…” and interpret it as cynical, but people don’t often think of the beauty that comes from learning history. Learning history allows us the opportunity to learn about and from those who came before us, and to apply those lessons to our lives. History allows us to experience the enormity and greatness of the world and to position ourselves in it while helping us to understand the experiences of our past. In this course, students will be immersed in the ideas and events of the Middle Ages, from 100 - 1500 CE. Students will read both primary and secondary texts in order to understand the medieval moment within the Western tradition. A breakdown of the year follows:

• Fall Semester: The Fall of Rome and the Great Migration • The Origins of Christianity • Religion in the middle Ages & Classical Learning • The Early Byzantine Empire • Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire / Development of Feudalism • Song of Roland

• Spring Semester: The Flowering of Medieval Civilization: England• France • The Holy Roman Empire • The Late Church and the Italian City States• The Crusades and the end of the Middle Ages • Marco Polo

Required Texts:

• The Song of Roland

• Marco Polo, The Travels of Marco Polo

NOTE: It is required that you have the same books with the same translators and ISBN numbers as your teacher and classmates.  Please see the Scottsdale Prep consumable list for the most current list of books and ISBN numbers. 

Medieval History 

Course Syllabus

8th Grade

Instructor:  Mr. Henry White

Tutoring Information: Mondays and Thursdays 3:05 -3:30 in Room 206 or by Appointment

Email: Hwhite@ScottsdalePrep.org

Website: https://sites.google.com/scottsdaleprep.org/spa-HWhite

Classroom Location: 206

Course Overview & Objectives

History in the liberal arts highly focuses on the act of man and his impact on the modern world. Our duty as historians is to pinpoint the causes and effects of these impacts and to ask “what happened?” and “why were these choices made?” Our true goal as historians is to find out what it means to be human given the time period, the culture, and the location. Through Historical inquiry, we can interpret the past and find connections between ourselves and our predecessors. This allows us to obtain a larger understanding of how we think, interact, and create among people and culture. We often hear the quote from Spanish philosopher George Santayana that “Those who cannot learn from history are condemned to repeat it…” and interpret it as cynical, but people don’t often think of the beauty that comes from learning history. Learning history allows us the opportunity to learn about and from those who came before us, and to apply those lessons to our lives. History allows us to experience the enormity and greatness of the world and to position ourselves in it while helping us to understand the experiences of our past. In this course, students will be immersed in the ideas and events of the Middle Ages, from 100 - 1500 CE. Students will read both primary and secondary texts in order to understand the medieval moment within the Western tradition. A breakdown of the year follows:

• Fall Semester: The Fall of Rome and the Great Migration • The Origins of Christianity • Religion in the middle Ages & Classical Learning • The Early Byzantine Empire • Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire / Development of Feudalism • Song of Roland

• Spring Semester: The Flowering of Medieval Civilization: England• France • The Holy Roman Empire • The Late Church and the Italian City States• The Crusades and the end of the Middle Ages • Marco Polo

Course Materials

The Western Experience, 9th (or) 10th edition / The Song of Roland / The Travels of Marco Polo

Other texts to be distributed throughout the year.

Students should report to class each day with the following materials: 

(1) Two pens (black or dark blue ink) and a pencil for taking notes. 

(2) A notebook for daily note taking & a folder for handouts. 

(3) A 3-ring binder, or a section of a 3- ring binder, for notes and handouts.

(4) The textbook and/or curricular text we are currently using.

(5) Students will need 2 composition books (1 for each semester) for bell work and seminars. These will remain in the classroom. 

Course Expectations, Assignments, & Assessments 

Behavioral Expectations: “The philosophy of the Academy is that students are young adults in the making who will learn civil, polite, and respectful conduct by the example of their teachers…Several very obvious signs of such respect are a student's willingness to refrain from talking in class when others have the floor; a respect for the property of the school and of other students; [and] a willingness to refrain from sarcastic or critical comments towards others. In conjunction with parents/guardians, the Academy has the goal of developing not only habits of good scholarship and critical inquiry, but the character traits of courtesy, promptness, forgiveness, self-control, responsibility, diligence, courage, generosity, and magnanimity.” (Family Handbook, p. 41)

Class Participation: Regular participation is expected of all students. To earn full participation points, students must arrive ready to learn, participate appropriately in classroom discussions and written work, bring all required materials and support the learning of others. Participation does not only involve speaking, but respectful and active listening.  During times when you are silent you are not to be passive.  While others (students or the teacher) are speaking you are expected to be listening carefully and taking notes. 

We will be talking about sensitive topics at times pertaining to religion, morality, justice, politics, and values. At these times, students must remain mature and never get into heated arguments that attack other people's views or beliefs. We can have discussions on these topics, and we should, but they cannot be taken personally or should not be an attempt to attack other students. Any attempt to attack another student will result in disciplinary measures. Please note that any teaching on religion will be taught in the historical or literary context. These discussions are meant to enhance our understanding of the choices people made, their motivations, and the like. They are not a reflection of a teacher’s personal beliefs. 

Homework: Daily homework will be assigned and will typically include reading and answering review questions. Diligent completion of homework will ensure that students are prepared for upcoming discussions and quizzes. 

Quizzes: Quizzes may be announced or unannounced, and will often be short answer, fill-ins, or multiple choice. Quizzes are an essential part of preparing for unit and semester tests. 

Tests: Major tests will be given as we complete each unit of study; we will typically have three per quarter in addition to the semester final exams.

Papers / Seminars: There will be writing assignments to accompany our reading of The Song of Roland and Marco Polo, and Socratic Seminars will comprise a larger part of this class. While great conversation can be had at any point, our class seminar grounds itself in specific texts.  Bringing the correct physical texts to class is absolutely necessary for a successful seminar.  Come with these on hand.  Trips to your locker after the bell will be considered a tardy. You’re expected to read carefully, thoroughly and in advance (avoid distracting Lyceum readings). You’re expected to annotate carefully and deeply.  Underlining and highlighting are not annotations.  You need to engage with the text.  We will work on how to do this properly throughout the year.

Course Grading

Course Work

Percentage

Participation (includes seminars)

35%

Tests & Quizzes

40%

Homework & Classwork

25%

TOTAL

100%

Academic Policies and Institutional Resources: All student work (tests, quizzes, homework, projects) will be returned within one week of submission, with minor exceptions. Essays will be returned within two weeks of submission.  Please refer to Scottsdale Prep’s Family Handbook for more information on the academy’s policies.

Absent Work & Late Assignment Policies

Regardless of an excused or unexcused absence, students have the same amount of days missed to turn in missed assignments for full credit.  For any absence, students are responsible for getting notes or assignments that were missed via a conversation with the teacher or the class website.  If a student has missing work due to incompletion, they can turn it in the following day for 50% credit.  Two days post assignment if the work is still not turned in, a zero will be issued in the gradebook. 

Food, Drink, Candy or Gum policy: Bottled water is acceptable at all times. Please keep bottled water under your desk. Unless students have a documented medical condition (e.g., hypoglycemia) that necessitates their being able to eat or drink in the classroom, food, candy, gum, and drinks (not including bottled water) are not permitted at any time.  

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  For a full definition of Academic dishonesty please see the SPA honor code.

• Plagiarism and cheating are never acceptable. This applies to minor and major assignments alike and includes annotations, quizzes and daily questions.

• Any student caught cheating will receive a zero on his or her work with no possibility of make-up.  

• Academic dishonesty on quizzes and tests also affects those who passively participate.  If you allow someone to copy your work, you are guilty of academic dishonesty.  Because in many cases, it is impossible to accurately determine whether someone allows their work to be copied, you are responsible for the integrity of your own work.   During quizzes make sure your work is covered and during larger format tests please use a cover sheet.   

I’m honored to take this journey with you.  My hope is that as the year progresses you begin to see the value and beauty of both what you're reading and studying and of what you, with your unique perspective, bring to the great conversation.