WORLD STUDIES SYLLABUS

Mr. Nelsen
Room 325
Phone: 327-9550
E-mail: jnelsen@csd.uwm.edu
WWW: www.uwm.edu/~jnelsen

Welcome to World Studies! This course is designed to give you a survey of the people's who have shaped the world in which we live. Specifically, we will study the history and geography of each region of the world and the ways in which the people of those regions have influenced the government and economics of the United States. Milwaukee Public Schools' Social Studies' Learning Targets <http://mpsportal.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/ PTARGS_0_2_1956_0_0_18/blt_gradehs.pdf> are at the core of this course. As you can imagine, we have an enormous amount of material to cover in a mere eighteen weeks. Therefore, in the interests of time and comprehension, this course has been divided as follows:

WeekTopic

Skills
1.Physical Geography and Climateclimographs, climate identification
2.Geography and History of Southwest Asiamap reading
3.Geography and History of South and East Asia     graphs
4.Geography and History of Africaanalysis of primary sources
5.Geography and History of North Americaanalysis of American history
6.Geography and History of South Americamaps, comparing viewpoints
7.Europe, 1917-1933identification of main ideas
8.World War IIidentification of forms of government
9.The World Since World War IIeconomics concepts, the environment
10.America's Link to the Ancient Worldidentification of forms of government
11.America's Link to the Medieval Worldeconomic concepts, charts, graphs
12.Individualism and a Global Economycompare economies across time
13.American Revolution and Constitutionidentify two sides of an issue
14.The Three Branches of Governmentanalyze separation of powers
15.The Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment trace changes in legal history
16.The Industrial Revolutioncompare economies across time
17.International Economicsevaluate the new global economy
18.Personal Financeexplain ways to manage money

This is a lot of material to cover, but we will do the best we can. I say "we" because I can only do so much as a teacher. My job is to present the material, help you understand it, and test you on it. Your job is to come to class every day, pay attention, participate in discussion, do the homework, and study hard for the tests. With this in mind, I have come up with the following requirements for success in World Studies:

    Tests (20% of your total grade)

  1. There will be four tests in this class. That means approximately one test every two weeks. You may not use your text book or any notes so study hard. Be here everyday and take good notes. Your notes will form the basis of each test so use them when you study.

  2. Each day you will see our daily schedule on the chalkboard on your left. Anything with a checkmark next to it is an assignment. Copy down all your assignments in an assignment notebook, and I will drop your lowest test grade and turn it into "100%."

    Participation (20% of your total grade)

  3. Participation in class discussion is a large part of your grade so come to class prepared to discuss the day's topic.

  4. Participation includes treating people with respect. Therefore, only one person may speak at a time. If you wish to contribute something, raise your hand and use language appropriate for school.

  5. Participation also includes being in class on time with all your required supplies including your textbook, notebook, and a pen. All work must be done in ink or else it will not be accepted. On test days you must bring a #2 pencil in addition to your pen.

  6. You will be given a grade each day. Students who live up to the above points will receive grades of ""A," "B," or "C." Likewise, students who cannot live up to the above points will receive grades of "D" or "U."

    Assignments (20% of your total grade)

  7. Homework is due at the beginning of class. Any homework handed in after that will be considered late. If you do not have an acceptable excuse, you will receive half credit, as long as the work is handed in within one week of the deadline. Anything more than one week late will not be accepted except under extreme circumstances.

  8. You will also have some in-class assignments. They are due at the end of the period.

    Notebooks (10% of your total grade)

  9. Bring a notebook to class everyday so you can take notes. Notebooks will be collected approximately once per week for grading. If you miss a day, it is your responsibility to get the notes from a classmate, otherwise you will lose points.

    Quizzes (5% of your total grade)

  10. Quizzes will be given two or three times per week and will be based on the material covered in class. They will not require that you study ahead of time, but they will require that you pay attention.

    The Final Exam

  11. The final exam is worth 25 percent of your total grade, just like in all your other classes.

  12. This class is required for graduation!!!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to tell me about them. I am interested in your ideas and would like your help in making this a great class. I generally get to school at 7:30 A.M. and leave at 4:30 P.M., but make arrangements ahead of time in case I am working on something else. I will respond to emails as long as I receive them by 9:00 P.M.

[ Front Page ]