Pre AP 9^th Grade Social Studies

Course Syllabus, Semester 1

Mrs. Plagens

Course Description

Welcome to Como Park Senior High School and Pre AP Social Studies.  This is a one-year course required for graduation.  The course content includes various topics in World History and Human Geography.

The first semester begins with a discussion of history vs. pre-history, the 6 traits common to most civilizations, and the emergence of agricultural societies around the world.  Students will discover commonalties and differences among peoples from past to present.  We will examine and evaluate evidence to understand the social, political, environmental, technological, economic and spiritual factors of human development.

Standards and Benchmarks:

Upon successful completion of the first semester, students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major characteristics of civilization and the process of its emergence.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient civilizations in South and East Asia.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greek civilization and its influence throughout Eurasia, Africa and the Mediterranean.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome, both the Republic and the Empire, and its influence in relation to other contemporary civilizations.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the history and rise of major world religions.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the Byzantine Empire.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of Europe during the Middle Ages from about 500 to 1000 AD in terms of its impact on Western civilization.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of Islamic civilization from about 600 to 1000 AD
10. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient India and China and their interactions with Western civilization.
11. Demonstrate knowledge of the interactions between Christendom and the Islamic world, 750 to 1500 AD.
12. Demonstrate knowledge of social, economic, and political changes and cultural achievements in the late medieval period.

Course Expectations and Instructional Practices:

All of the content and skills taught in this course are designed to help prepare students for Advanced Placement classes offered at Como Park Senior High School in Grades 10 – 12, notably Advanced Placement European History, Human Geography, United States History, American Government and Politics, and Economics.  The class will be fast-paced and will require daily out-of-class reading with frequent checkpoint quizzes.  The curriculum has been designed to broaden students’ analytical thinking and communication skills.  Students will learn more about the SQ3R Method of reading and effective note-taking techniques.  They will study methods used in college essay writing such as compare/contrast and change over time.  In addition, the students will work with a variety of primary source documents (e.g. letters, journals, cartoons, pictures) to determine point-of-view, significance, and intended audience.

Assessments:

Students will be evaluated on their mastery of content and skills using a variety of methods:

Exams, class presentations, projects, research on a variety of World History topics, and in-class assignments.  Students will be assessed on their ability to discuss World issue topics and civilizations.  Students will independently create maps, timelines, and graphic organizers to assist with their comprehension of the course material.

Students will be graded on a point-system according to these percentages:

A = 92 – 100

B = 80 – 91

C = 70 – 79

D = 60-69

N = 59 or below

Class Rules:

1. Be on time to class, and in your seat when the bell rings.
2. Be prepared with notebook, folder, and pencil/pen.
3. Be respectful of the teacher and fellow students.
4. Be ready to use every minute of class time effectively.
5. Be aware of and follow school-wide rules and policies.

Additional Expectations:

1. Test and Quiz make-ups are scheduled for after-school on the first day back from an excused absence.
2. All assignments must be submitted on time for full credit.
3. Students should keep a detailed notebook which will be essential to prepare for the comprehensive final exam.

Instructional Materials:

1. World History, Jackson J. Spielvogel, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2003
2. Perspectives on the Past (an anthology of primary source documents)
3. The Hammond World Atlas, 2003 Edition
4. Human Geography: Culture, Society, and Space, H.J. de Blij, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2006
5. Newspapers and weekly news magazines for current events

Required Materials:

1. Heavy duty notebook with pocket (spiral bound)
2. Class folder (furnished)
3. Daily planner (furnished)
4. Two highlighters (different colors)
5. Blue or black pen
6. Stretch fabric book cover
7. Set of colored pencils

Students may keep their textbooks at home.  They should take careful notes as they read, and bring their notebooks and folders to class every day.  Notebooks will be used for in-class note taking and for quiz/test review.

History Day 2008

All Pre AP Social Studies students will be required to complete a History Day project, working individually or in small groups of no more than three students.  History Day projects are exciting and fun, and the research skills involved link directly to Minnesota Graduation Standards and to expectations for AP classes.

The 2008 theme is Conflict & Compromise in History.  Students will be asked to view history through multiple perspectives.  More often than not, events in history reflect both conflict and compromise.  Students may choose to focus on a conflict or a compromise, but if the topic includes one as well as the other, the student needs to address both sides of the theme.  Students should choose topics that had a lasting influence on history.  For example, what effect did the event have on the community, society, nation, and world?  More explanation of this theme and an extensive list of possible topics can be found at http://www.mnhs.org/school/historyday/program/index.htm.  While much of the work for this project comes later in the fall and winter, it’s not too early to consider possible topics. 

New this year!  In addition to papers, performances, exhibits, and/or documentaries, students may create web sites for History Day projects.

Contact Information:

Parents are encouraged to contact me at any time.  The telephone number at school is (651) 293-8800.  My extension is 1424.  My voice mail is #1424 and my email address is nancy.plagens@spps.org.

My student and I have read and discussed the course syllabus.

Parent/Guardian signature ___________________________________________

Student Name ____________________________  Class Hour ______________