World History I

Mr. Tuning Parry McCluer High School Room 144

I. Course Description

World History I enables students to explore the historical development of people, places, and
patterns of life from ancient times until 1500 A.D. in terms of the impact on Western
civilization.
The study of history rests on knowledge of dates, names, places, events, and ideas. Historical
understanding, however, requires students to engage in historical thinking, raise questions,
and marshal evidence in support of their answers. Students engaged in historical thinking
draw upon chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and
interpretation, historical research, and decision making. These skills are developed through
the study of significant historical substance from the era or society being studied.

II. Course Objectives

 Analyze and interpreting primary and secondary sources to make generalizations
about events and life in world history to 1500 A.D.
 Use maps, globes, artifacts, and pictures to analyze the physical and cultural
landscapes of the world and interpret the past to 1500 A.D.
 Identify major geographic features important to the study of world history to 1500
A.D.
 Identify and Compare political boundaries with the locations of civilizations,
empires, and kingdoms from 4000 B.C. to 1500 A.D.
 Analyze trends in human migration and cultural interaction from prehistory to 1500
A.D.
 Analyze the impact of economic forces, including taxation, government spending,
trade, resources, and monetary systems, on events to 1500 A.D.
III. Course Outline
 Era I: Human Origins and Early Civilizations, Prehistory to 1000 B.C.
 Paleolithic Era to the agricultural revolution
 Ancient river valley civilizations, including those of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the
Indus River Valley, and China and the civilizations of the Hebrews, Phoenicians,
and Nubians
 Era II: Classical Civilizations and Rise of Religious Traditions, 1000 B.C. to 500 A.D.
 The civilizations of Persia, India, and China
 Ancient Greece in terms of its impact on Western civilization
 Ancient Rome from about 700 B.C. to 500 A.D.
 Era III: Postclassical Civilizations, 300 to 1000 A.D.
  Byzantine Empire and Russia from about 300 to 1000 A.D.
 Islamic civilization from about 600 to 1000 A.D.
 Western Europe during the Middle Ages from about 500 to 1000 A.D.
 Era IV: Regional Interactions, 1000 to 1500 A.D.
 Civilizations and empires of the Eastern Hemisphere
 Major civilizations of the Western Hemisphere, including the Mayan, Aztec,
and Incan,
 Social, economic, and political changes and cultural achievements in the late
medieval period
 Renaissance in Europe

IV. Required Materials

 3 ring binder
 #2 pencil
 blue/black ink pen
 13 dividers
 highlighter

V. Grading Procedures
PMHS Grading Scale:
A: 100-95 C: 79-77

A-: 94-92 C-: 76-74

B+: 91-89 D+: 73-71

B: 88-86 D: 70-65

B-: 85-83 F: 64-0

C+: 82-80

Grading Policies

Tests: 40%** Quizzes: 30%

Classwork: 20%** Homework: 10%

**Tests include all unit tests, notebooks, projects, and other examinations or
activities worth the value of a test.

**Classwork includes all activities completed during class, bell ringers, and class
participation.
VI. Classroom Expectations and Procedures

Student Conduct and Expectations

1. Treat yourself, others, and property with respect by your actions and language.
2. Be on time and in your seat with required materials ready to learn by the tardy bell.
3. Listen carefully the first time that rules or instructions are given.
4. Produce work that represents your full potential.
5. Ultimately, your behavior must allow teachers to teach and students to learn.

Procedures and Policies

1. Only closed lid bottles are allowed. No cans. Absolutely no food is allowed.
2. If you bring your book bag to class, it must be placed in the closet. They are not allowed
at your table.
3. No student will be allowed to leave the first 10 minutes and the last ten minutes of
class.
4. Upon entering class, deposit your cell phone in your pocket number.
5. After depositing your cell phone, sit in your assigned seat and begin the bell ringer.
6. All bell ringers must be written on the “Bell Ringers” handout. Each bell ringer should
have the date and number. Bell Ringers will be collected every 5 class meetings for a
grade.
7. At the end of class, please remain in your seat until dismissed by the teacher. You may
not stand at the door. Before leaving, chairs must be pushed in and trash must be
picked up.
8. All assignments must have a title in the center of the paper. In the upper right corner,
you should put your name, date, and block. Points will be deducted for missing header.
9. When turning in papers, you should place it in the appropriate slot for your class in the
blue mailbox on the counter.
10. When you are absent, it is your responsibility to check your class folder in the “While
You Were Out” box. You are responsible for all notes and information from class. You
must come before or after school, or during Blues Academy to discuss make-up and
missing work, not class time. If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz, you must
schedule a time to make it up.
11. Raise hand to ask or answer a question. Wait to be called on.
12. When I want your attention, I will ask you to “Give Me Five.” If you are working in
groups, I will ring a bell. When you hear either signal, you should immediately stop
work and get quiet.
13. If you need help during an activity, please first ask your neighbor in a quiet voice. If
your neighbor does not know the answer, raise your hand and I will be there to answer
your question as soon as possible.
14. You will not be allowed to leave the classroom during the block. We will take “brain
breaks” during class, which will provide you with the opportunity to use the bathroom
 or get a drink of water. However, if you leave you must sign out and sign back in on the
clipboard by the door.
15. Please be sure that your pencil is sharpened at the beginning of class. You will not be
allowed to sharpen your pencil during instruction. If your pencil breaks or if you’re
writing so enthusiastically that you dull down the point, then you should wait until a
break in instruction to sharpen your pencil.
16. Late work will be accepted up to 5 days after the due date. For every day an
assignment is late, 10 points will be deducted. Excessive amounts of missing work (3 or
more assignments) will result in after school detention. The highest grade will be a
50%.
17. Coming to class unprepared will result in lunch detention.
18. The PMHS Code of Conduct and Student Handbook will be in effect at all times.

VII. Homework Policies

While you may not have written homework every night, it is important that you study
your notes. You should study the notes you take in class each night to make sure you
understand the content. The key to success in this class is nightly study and review.

VIII. Contact Information

Email: william.tuning@bvcps.net
Phone: (540) 261-2127
To The Parents of World History I Students:

I am looking forward to working with your student this year in World History. There is an SOL test
for this class, which will be administered at the end of the year. Please be advised of the following:

1. While your student will not have written homework every night, please encourage them to
study every night. If they spend about ten minutes each night going over their notes from
class, they will be better prepared for graded assignments. Students may find it helpful to
engage in a variety of study techniques to help retain information. Flashcards, highlighting,
pneumonic devices and oral questioning may all be helpful.

2. The class webpage will be kept up to date with class information and assignments. Google
Classroom will contain many class handouts, notes, and study material that students will be
responsible for. Additionally, the remind app will be used. More information on this will be
distributed later.

If you ever have any questions regarding grades, an assignment, or anything else, please feel free to
email me (william.tuning@bvcps.net) or leave a message at school (261-2127).

Please keep the top of this page for your reference. Again, I am looking forward to working with
you and your student. Together, we can make sure your student succeeds.

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I have received course information for World History I.

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Parent’s Signature Date

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Student’s Signature Date

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Parental e-mail address – Please print clearly