Coach Nix’s Pre-AP World History Syllabus

Welcome to World Pre-AP History for 2014 to 2015.

World History is carefully designed to address the issue of why studying history is important. The basic course will concentrate on the world’s history from early civilizations to the present. The course content will emphasize developments in the rich political, cultural, social, and intellectual heritage with a focus on European history. Although political history tends to provide the framework for the course, economic, religious, social, intellectual, diplomatic, and artistic history will receive significant consideration.

The emphasis in World History is placed on creative thinking, independent research, and oral and written skills. Students go far beyond normal expectations of digesting the information in the textbook by reading more primary and secondary sources, writing more historical responses, analyzing and drawing conclusions from document-based questions, and using more critical thinking skills.

Specifically, the course aims to develop the student’s ability to view history with a perceptive and open intelligence; to refine the ability to gather evidence; to present conclusions in a coherent and cohesive manner; to read with analytical discrimination; and to write with precision and clarity.

Fall Semester Units:1) Early Civilizations, 2) Ancient Greece and Rome, 3) Byzantium and Islamic Civilizations and Middle Ages, 4) Renaissance and Reformation and Absolute Rulers, 5) Early Africa, Asia, & the Americas and European ExplorationSpring Semester Units:6) Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution and the Age of Revolutions 7) Industrialism & Imperialism, 8) World War I & the Russian Revolution, 9) the Interwar Years & World War II, 10) Cold War & Modern Era

Parents, I urge you to communicate frequently with your son or daughter about the work load and progress in class. Student progress can be checked by visiting my Teacher homepage and Skyward. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at cnix@g-pisd.org or call me

School Phone: 361.777.4251

For reporting a student absence:Call: 361.777.4251

For contacting a teacher:

1. Find out the teacher’s extension in the Staff Directory.2. Dial 361.777.4251, followed by the extension.3. If the teacher is not available, leave a message on their voicemail

Expectations for Everyone 1. Be Prompt. We follow the tardy policy.2. Do all work in black or blue ink. (WHEN ISSUED AN ASSIGNMENT)- Type when possible using

12pt font, Times New Roman. Do not use pale colors such as yellow, gold, silver, pink, etc. Pencil will be used on scantrons.

3. Be prepared with your materials.

Needed Daily:**

1” to 1.5” Binder** with o 13 dividers o Clearly on the front cover: Your Name, World History, Coach Nixo Pen and Pencil ( pencil for scantrons only.o Map colors or markers for classroom assignments.

**Binder cannot be shared with another class.**You will be required to turn in your binder on designated dates and for surprise checks (Projects & Quiz Grades)

4. Be polite & appropriate.5. Be a promoter & participate.6. Respect everyone and the classroom.7. Be patient.8. DO ALL OF YOUR WORK. The easiest way to fall behind in class is to not do your work or to miss

an assignment or two. Grades will be taken from a variety of assignments including homework, quizzes, classwork, class participation, oral presentations, historical analytical written responses, multiple choice tests, group and individual research projects, etc.

Though I greatly appreciate self-expressions through handwriting styles (Microscopic to bubbly, loopy styles, etc.), such handwriting styles are hard for me to read. Handwriting will have to be confined to the space provided. IF I CANNOT READ YOUR RESPONSES, I CANNOT AWARD YOUR CREDIT FOR YOUR WORK.

Assignments not finished in class may be assigned for homework. Expect homework assignments to be checked at the start of every class and frequent quizzes over the homework. You can be guaranteed that daily quizzes and classwork will use the homework in some form. If you do not have your homework complete, you will not be able to complete in class assignments accurately and efficiently.

9. Pay attention to your progress. Places to go to keep up to date include Coach Nix’sTeacher Website and Skyward.

10. Grading Policy: All grades will be counted the same. Weighted grades (tests, projects) will be counted twice.

11. Turn in work on time. If you are absent, you will have the number of days missed to turn in makeup work. Late work will be accepted with a deduction in the grade.

12. BE AWARE OF YOUR ELECTRONICS – Electronic devices will be placed in a box at the front of the classroom upon your arrival in class. You will get the device back at the end of class. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN ITEMS.

13. Keep in contact.14. My e-mail: cnix@g-pisd.org15. Tutorials: FALL-MONDAY,WEDNESDAY by appointment16. SPRING –TO BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.

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____________________________________ _________________Parent/Guardian Email Date

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□Please, indicate if English is not spoken by parent(s)/guardian(s)

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