World Civilizations: Kathryn Jay

Course Overview:

Current Course Website:

http://faculty.college-prep.org/~kathryn/worldciv/index.html

Course Description & Goals

World Civilizations is a year-long survey of four regions of the world.  In the fall semester we will study the histories of the Middle East and Africa.  In the spring semester, we will cover Asian and Latin American history.  The study of each region (or “unit”) will begin with an overview of current issues and questions, followed by a look back at the region’s history and culture.  Particular emphasis will be placed on gaining a coherent understanding of the significant developments of the 19th, 20th, and early 21st centuries.

As students of world history, we are concerned with how people have lived in the past and what cultural and historical forces have shaped their worlds.  We will read, discuss and write about primary and secondary sources – the documents historians use to write about the past.  Students will develop many important academic skills through critical reading, writing and research projects. 
You will learn to ask questions, think about, and examine the past as a way of gaining more understanding about the world in which we live.


Required Books and Materials

Course Readers containing articles from various sources will be distributed at the beginning of each unit. 

Crews, Frederick. The Random House Handbook. 6th ed.  New York: McGraw-Hill, 1992.

World Geography Atlas.  Rand McNally, 1998.


Lateness Policy

No late homework will be accepted for credit.  Unexcused lateness on project/term paper deadlines will result in a lowering of your grade.  Specific information will be provided with your assignment guidelines.  Excessive tardiness, absences, or disrespectful behavior will affect your final grade in the course.  Cutting class will result in disciplinary action.  

Plagiarism

Plagiarism and cheating in all forms are not acceptable at CPS.  Presenting another’s words, ideas or phrasing as one’s own is a serious violation and you must understand the consequences. There are too many ways to make mistakes and it is important that you learn how and when to properly cite sources.  We will discuss this issue more fully in class.  You may refer to your Random House Handbook pp. 180-184 for more information. 

Under no circumstances are you permitted to pass off another’s work as your own.  This includes copying a classmate’s homework assignments.  Term papers and formal essays will be submitted to “turnitin.com” to verify their originality and deter plagiarism.  If your work is found to have been plagiarized or to contain sections that are plagiarized you will receive no credit for the work.  In addition, the Dean of Students will be notified and further action may be taken.

Office Hours

I encourage you to stop by the History Dept. office (F1) to talk with me as often as you’d like. I am free 3rd and 6th periods in the spring semester.  If those times are not convenient we can set up some time after school or during lunch.

Other Section Resources:

Class Resources

Notes, slide shows, handouts, and other useful items.