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Riverside Preparatory High School 2018-2019

10TH Grade World History




Instructor: Robert Humphreys
Phone (Emergency Parent Contact Only): 760)403-5322
E-Mail (Best Option): Robert_humphreys@riversideprep.net
Website Resource: http://roberthumphreysclassroom.weebly.com

Introduction: Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Robert Humphreys, your instructor. A little bit about
me; I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, and minor in Kinesiology from California State University
Fullerton. I consider myself to be a bit of a sports fanatic, with a passion and love for all sports having coached
at a local pony baseball league for the last 5 years, and adopting a similar teaching philosophy. My philosophy
and theory to education in the high school setting is to teach students not what to think, but rather how to think.
Similarly so, I also aim to encourage that student’s take accountability for their work, ensure that they
understand the content material, and consistently inform parent’s of their students progress and expectations to
pass my course. As an educator is it my goal and understanding to provide student’s of all backgrounds with an
equal opportunity to assess and reassess the impact and importance of historical events shaping the world we
live in today. As the upcoming school year begins, I look forward to an exciting year, filled with fun,
meaningful engagement, higher academic achievement, and an environment committed to success, excellence,
and progression.

Course Description: World History traces the development of civilization from the Neolithic Revolution to the
Age of Industrialization. This course includes the study of past civilizations and their influences on modern
societies. Students focus on reading for comprehension, evaluating sources of information, and writing
analytical essays. Learning activities include lecture notes, seminar discussions, films, website activities, and
library research so students practice library and research skills.

Course Expectations: You are expected to:


1. Be safe, responsible, and respectful.
2. Respect others in the class and their right to learn. Respect the property of other students, as well as the
school’s and teacher’s property.
3. Arrive to class on time and prepared. This includes but is not limited to bringing your planner/agenda,
journal, pen, pencil and legible homework.
4. Eating, drinking (except water), personal grooming, and gum are not permitted in the classroom. NO GUM
OR COLORED DRINKS ALLOWED (WATER ONLY).
5. Follow all district and school procedures, guidelines, and rules.

Course Objectives: At the end of this course students will be able to:
• Describe features of the world's physical and natural environment, and explain how the
environment has affected and been affected by historical developments.
• Explain large-scale and long-term historical developments of regional, interregional, and global
scope.
• Analyze ways in which human groups have come into contact and interacted with one another,
including systems of communication, migration, commercial exchange, conquest, and cultural
diffusion.
• Assess the significance of key turning points in world history.
• Describe the development and explain the significance of distinctive forms of political, social,
and economic organization.
• Identify major discoveries, inventions, and scientific achievements, and assess their impact on
society.
• Identify achievements in art, architecture, literature, and philosophy, and assess their impact on
society.
• Compare the world we live in today with past eras such as the lower paleolithic, upper
paleolithic, neolithic, agrarian, and industrial ages.
• Explain ideals, practices, and historical developments of major belief systems.
• Identify challenges that humans have faced in the ecological, economic, political, and other
spheres of life, and explain how they have responded to those challenges.
• Reflect upon choices humans have made in the past and consider how choices made today may
affect the future.

Grading Scale/Policy: Class Assignments, Projects, Exams and Quizzes will follow the presented Grading Scale;
+/- Grading will be used accordingly.

A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: 59% or below

Academic Grades: Your grades are categorized accordingly:


Formal Assessment: Test, Quizzes, Projects= 35% of overall grade
Informal Assessment: Classwork, Homework, Participation, Group Work, etc.= 65% of overall grade

Participation: Participation points will be granted on a daily basis in the amount of 5 pts. per day. Arriving to
class on time, actively participating during class lecture or activities, and student behavior will result in point
accrual. Arriving late, playing on cell phones, not paying attention, sleeping, or anything else that you
shouldn’t be doing during class, will forfeit that day’s points. *May not seem like much, but it adds up.

Late Work: All work is due on the date announced, unless told otherwise. 10% will be deducted for each day late
beyond the due date, up to 50%. After 5 days late, it will be recorded as a ZERO with NO exceptions!

Extra Credit: There may be extra credit opportunities that arise throughout the school year. However, do not rely
on the chance of extra credit being offered as a means of passing this class.

Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty:
PLAIN AND SIMPLE: DON’T DO IT.
Cite sources correctly and appropriately when necessary. Failure to do so or any speculation of cheating,
plagiarism, or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated, and maximum penalties will be greatly encouraged.

Course Resources and Requirements: Each student will need continuous access to their school e-mails (the one’s
provided to you for being a student), either through phone access or computers. I do not want any personal e-
mail’s, due to the constant complications of doing so. I’m currently in the process of finalizing a resource
website of my own in which you will all need access to in the event of an absence, you will be able to see what
you missed. This site will be updated frequently so always check for updates constantly.

Course Calendar: A course calendar will be provided to you in the coming weeks with a list of all assignments
with supporting due dates.

*Syllabus is tentative to change*


Student Contract

All teachers prepare a contract, which includes student requirements for passing the class. The student and
parent must sign this contract. These contracts are adapted from school guiding policy.

Explanation of Grading System and Class Expectations

Homework, Classwork, Participation, etc. (65%)


Homework will be given daily with some exceptions. Informed classroom cannot take place unless the
student satisfactorily completes homework consistently, and on time. Classroom participation is an excellent
opportunity for each student to develop verbal/debate skills, as well as enhance his/her grade in the process. A
high level of classroom discussion is dependent upon students’ having done their homework the previous night,
upon reading handouts provided in class, and upon their making an honest effort to participate.

Test/Quizzes/Projects, etc. (35%)


Throughout the semester there will be several Exams (Approx. One every Unit- subject to change).
Writing Assignments and Projects (One per Unit). It is the responsibility of the student to seek out additional
support and assistance should they need it. The purposes of these assignments are to allow the student to
express their comprehension of the recently learned material through rigor and creativity. Much of what we do
in this course emphasizes student participation and effort. Simply put, you don’t do the work and put in effort,
you don’t get the credit.

As the school year gets underway, I look forward to working with all of you and making this a very enjoyable
year at RPHS.

Thank You,

Robert Humphreys
Instructor
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STUDENT NAME (PRINT): ____________________________________________________________

STUDENT SIGNATURE:_______________________________________________________________

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME (PRINT): ___________________________________________________

PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT (PHONE/EMAIL):________________________________________

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________________

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