2017-2018 Modern World History Syllabus

Mr. Rodolfo UrquizaEmail: rurquiza@laalliance.orgOffice Hours: Tuesday 3:45-4:45Tutoring: By appointmentRoom: 206 COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe course will focus on the events, conflicts, ideas, and people that helped shape the modern world. Students will examine the geographical, religious, intellectual, political, economic, and social factors that make up the world today. This class starts in 1750 and takes students through the French Revolution and Industrial Revolution, through the two World Wars, and finishing with decolonization and the Cold War. Students in this course will put themselves in the place of people living through these times. They will be expected to examine the power structures that created the modern world. COURSE GOALS

● Students in this course will look at the development of the human experience through the lens of a historian. Students will be looking at sources, using evidence, corroborating these sources, and evaluating multiple perspectives of history.

● Students in this course will be constantly developing their reading and writing skills. Everyday, students will be evaluating the reliability of sources, and constructing arguments.

● Students in this course will develop the critical thinking skills in order to become thoughtful and productive citizens. CLASS EXPECTATIONS

● Students are expected to give maximum effort every class.● We follow ALL school behavioral and academic policies. Therefore, if it’s in the handbook, you can expect the same in my

classroom.● Alliance schools believe in academic integrity and the principle of the honor code. Students are expected to do their own

homework, to test without external resources, and to submit original work for all assignments. PROCEDURES

● Classwork is a significant part of your grade. Completing classwork is essential to doing well in this class. Class packets and notebooks will be collected before each exam.

● Homework will be given to complement the content of the course. Homework in Modern World History will be studying for quizzes and exams, completing projects, and reading.

● Technology – iPads will be used infrequently in my classroom. Therefore, students are expected to have them out of sight unless they are part of a classroom activity.

● Restroom – You will be given 4 bathroom passes at the beginning of each semester. Use them wisely. Sign out everytime you use the bathroom.

● Absences and Tardies – if you miss any class time, your work will be in the folders in the back of the room. Any late work will be collected before each exam. It is your responsibility to keep up with the work.

● Retakes – You will be able to retake any exam within one week of taking it. It is your responsibility to make an appointment with me to retake an exam. Retakes are only offered for summative assessments and final exams, never for quizzes.

MATERIALS1. 1/2” Binder2. Loose leaf lined paper. 8.5” x 11”3. Blue or Black Ink Pen – all graded work has to be in blue or black ink

READINGS● Beck, Roger B. Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL.: McDougal Littell, 2007. Print.

STANDARDS● College Board Overview: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-united-states-government-and-

politics● Common Core Standards: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/

GRADES: Advanced A 3.4 – 4 = 84-100% Proficient B 2.7 – 3.39 = 67-83.9% Basic C 2 – 2.69 = 50-66.9% Below Basic NP 0 – 1.99 = Below 50%

Assignment Value Description

Unit Work(Every 5 Weeks)

4 Classwork PacketsIn-class paragraphs

Unit Summatives 4 Personal History ProjectTreaty of Versailles SimulationUnit 1 ExamMid-Unit Quizzes

Final Exam 8 World War IWorld War II

Final Project 8 WWII Thesis Defense

PROJECTS● WWI Treaty of Versailles Simulation - Students will be participating in a class wide simulation, similar to Model UN,

where they will be representing the interests of a country adversely affected by World War I.● WWII Thesis Defense - Students will be verbally defending an essential question from the World War II unit. This will

be the final project of the fall semester.

Units Topic Unit Exams/Unit Project

0 What is History? Week 2 - Personal History Project

1 World War I Week 6 - Causes of WWI QuizWeek 9 - Treaty of Versailles SimulationWeek 10 - Unit 1 Exam

2 World War II Week 14 - Causes of WWII QuizWeek 18 - WWII Thesis DefenseWeek 19 - Final Exam

*All dates, grades, projects, exams and assignments are subject to Mr. Urquiza’s discretion.

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To be completed by STUDENT and PARENT/GUARDIAN for Mr. Urquiza’s Modern World History ClassDUE ON

I have read the syllabus with my parent/guardian and understand what is expected of me in Mr. Urquiza’s class. I also understand that communication between my parent/guardian and my teacher is necessary and important to ensure my academic success. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

Student Name (print) / Firma de estudinate Student Signature /Firma ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name (print)/Firma de Padre Parent/Guardian Signature/ Firma de Padre ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Daytime Phone Number/Telefono Parent/Guardian Evening Phone Number/Telefono ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian e-mail / Correo Electronico Date/ Fecha