Pre-AP World History Syllabus
Mr. Neal - Room #277
Email- Brett.Neal@springbranchisd.com
Phone-713-251-3100 ext. 3273

Text: Ways of the World, A Global History with Sources. 2nd edition. Strayer.

Course Description: The course is designed to cover the history of the human race and how humankind developed in time encompassing the study of philosophy, art, architecture, language, literature, and politics. The approach to studying history in a Pre-AP class is different from in an academic class. We will ask how and why and analyze events critically, and we will study the interaction and impact of systems on a global scale.

Course Outline: 1st Semester: Paleolithic-Post Classical Societies (c. 10,000 B.C.E.- 1450 C.E.) 2nd Semester: European Era- 20th Century ( c. 1450 C.E.- 2009)

Assignments:

Survey text: You are responsible for reading and studying the survey text Ways of the World. You will be given chapter reading guides and a calendar at the beginning of each unit. The terms and guides will assist you in understanding the text material. The calendar provides the schedule for reading quiz and test dates, and can be used to record homework. While some of the text will be discussed in detail, much of it will be covered through independent learning. 

Approximately 60% of the multiple-choice questions on the unit tests will come directly from the text assignment. 

Chapter reading quizzes consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions based on the text will be given to encourage students to stay abreast of reading assignments. These quizzes will be timed, open-note and count as a quiz grade. It is advised students keep reading guides in their History notebook for use on reading quizzes.

Supplemental assignments: Occasionally, you will be given primary and secondary reading materials (essays, articles, documents, etc.) within each unit to enhance your understanding of the unit. The materials are to be read as assigned.  You will also be assigned Crash Course videos to watch and take notes on for homework on a regular basis. 

Notes: Good note-taking skills are essential in a Pre-AP class. You are required to take notes on lectures, some discussions, and on crash course videos.

Notebook: You are required to keep a notebook for all your class work and notes. At the end of each unit (test days) you will turn in your notebook to be graded for a test grade.

Evaluation:

Tests: At the end of each unit a test will be given. The first is comprised of multiple choice questions. As stated above, 60% of these questions will be directly from the text. The other 40% will be synthesized from lectures and class assignments. Essays will also be written throughout the 9 weeks and will count as test grades. Tests are 60% of the nine weeks average.

Quizzes: Reading quizzes from the textbook will be given over each chapter, occasionally two chapters will be assigned and quizzed in one week. Other quizzes may be given at the discretion of the teacher. If you are absent for a reading quiz you must make up the quiz upon your return. If necessary, you may schedule to take a reading quiz early if you know you will be absent. Quiz grades are 20% of the nine weeks average.

Daily grades: Homework (reading guides), class discussions/debates, and participation are considered daily grades.  Daily grades are 20% of the nine weeks average.

Other: Research assignments and other projects will be assigned periodically for quiz or major grades. On occasion, there may be other opportunities for extra credit.

Make-ups and Tutorials: Make-up tests and quizzes are to be completed by appointment. This appointment must be made and completed within one week after your return to school. If this is not accomplished the result will be a zero for that test/quiz. The responsibility for makeup is entirely yours! You are responsible for all daily make-up assignments. Tutorial days will be after school on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:00-3:45 and during lunch (both halves) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each 30 minutes of tutorials equals +10 on a quiz grade (must sign in).

General Information:

Rules and Expectations: Students are expected to show respect to one another and their teacher. All school and district rules will be enforced. I will be especially observant of the Spring Woods Cell Phone Policy.

Attendance: The nature and format of this course make it imperative that you be in class every day. Some of the learning in your absence is virtually impossible to make up, but you can minimize the problem by acquiring notes and such from my website: MrNealWorldHistory.weebly.com.

Materials: A 5- subject notebook is required daily. A Five-Star brand five subject college ruled notebook is suggested for all students. (You may select another brand 5-subject notebook if you choose, but will have to trim any handouts so they fit within the notebook properly). A pen and pencil are required daily. Students will also be asked to bring supplies for the classroom.

Classroom Supply:  ___________________________________________________

Required supplies checklist:

____ 5 subject Notebook (exclusively for World History- cannot be used for other classes)
____ Pen (blue or black ink)

____ Pencil
Recommended Supplies Checklist:

____ Assigned classroom supply