Wells Community Academy High School

Syllabus & Course Outline

World Studies


Course Description
Welcome to World Studies! This survey course will focus on how people, through their ideas and actions,
have brought about change throughout time. The course is broken up into two semesters and both will
require students to explore and analyze the economic, social, cultural and political structures in different
regions of study. Each unit will begin with a brief review of the geography of the region which will allow
students to place our area of study and understand how geography has played an integral role in the
development of human history over the last four millennia.

Reading, writing, and oral discussions will be at the center of our study of world history. Thus, in the process
of learning about world history, you will also be equipped with the skills necessary to improve your overall
literacy abilities.

Throughout our studies, we will focus on the following essential questions:
1. How are historical events of the pass connected to our present?
2. How do individuals like you and I affect our changing world?
3. How has our world changed and how might it change in the future?

Course Objectives
As a result of this course, you will be able to:
Assess the impact economic, social, cultural, and political structures have played in shaping the world
we live in today.
Define and apply methods of historical thinking.
Analyze major historical events to identify cause-and-effect relationships.
Apply your historical knowledge to analyze current global issues.
Develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Course Requirements
Students will be required to keep notes, complete both home and class work, work on independent and group
projects, take informal, formal, and alternative assessments, as well as, read several novels that will serve to
enrich their understanding of the people we will be studying throughout the school year. Due to the nature of
the course, we will be covering a lot of material in a relatively short period of time. Class attendance is going
to be imperative in order to successfully complete this course. Absent students are responsible for making up
any missed classwork or assessments.
Attendance & Make up Policy:
Attendance is critical for success in this class. It is the students responsibility to obtain missed work and
class notes when absent. These will be made available to the student and only AFTER they present a
reinstatement from the Attendance Office. All missed classwork is due one day after the student returns
to class.
All students must adhere to the CPS Class Attendance Policy which states: Students must attend their
classes in order to learn and retain course subject matter. Consequently, students success in earning credits
towards promotion shall be determined by attendance in class as well as by performance on academic
assignments. Therefore, students who have unexcused absences in 20% or more of the classes in a
particular course during the period for which a unit of credit is earned shall not pass the course and shall no
credit towards promotion.
All quizzes and tests must be made up within three days of an absence, by appointment and only after
you present a reinstatement.
You will be given a second chance to improve low test scores. You can retake the test any day after school
up to three days from the test date. You will be given the average of the two scores. If you are absent on
the test day you will not be allowed to retake it for grade improvement.

Class Participation:
Class participation will be counted heavily when determining your final class grade.
Appropriate participation from all students is expected and necessary in order to create a learning
environment that allows all of us to flourish academically.
Be on time, tardiness will impact your overall participation grade. If you are absent too much or are late
on a regular basis, you are taking away from the whole class opportunity to grow as learners.

Grade Categories:
Assessments (weekly quizzes, chapter tests, unit projects, and unit exams) = 70%
Production (homework, class work, class notes, misc.) = 30%

Grading Scale:
A= 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 59 and under

*Please note that there will be some assignments that will require you to earn a 70% in order for them to be
considered completed, failure to do so will require that you re-do the work.

Supplies Required
The following supplies must be turned in to Mrs. Nieves. They will be kept in the classroom for use
throughout the year:
One ream of white printer paper
Post-It Notes
Highlighters

The following supplies must be kept in students book bag and brought to class every day:
Pens/pencils
A binder
Dividers
Loose leaf paper
Sharpener
Eraser
Tissue for personal issue
A school appropriate book/novel of students choice for silent reading time

Note:
You must come to class prepared every day. You will not be allowed to go to your locker for any missing
supplies or assignments. If unpreparedness becomes an issue, I will give you a verbal warning the first time.
I will then contact your parent(s) if the problem persists. Do not disrupt classroom activities by asking your
classmates for supplies. Everyone must bring their supplies every day.

Classroom Expectations
1. We follow all school rules.
2. We are in class on time.
3. We have all materials ready to use when the bell rings.
4. We exercise self-control and keep our hands, feet, and objects to ourselves.
5. We keep cell phones, IPods/MP3 players and other electronic devices turned off in our
backpack.
6. We respect others.
7. We keep the room clean.
8. We listen to each other attentively.
9. We raise our hands and wait to be called on before speaking.
10. We work together as a team and always do our best.

Class Routines
When you come in, expect to find a bell ringer or prompt question on the board. Begin working on the
assignment immediately in your notebook. Unless otherwise indicated, all work must be kept in its
appropriate place. Keep in mind that the faster we complete the days learning goals and assignments, the
less work you will have for homework. The learning goals are always posted in front of the class and must
also be added to the students notebook.

Throughout the days lesson, you must take notes. These notes will help you prepare for exams and other
assignments.

There is homework every day. At times homework will consist of particular assignments or projects. Unless
otherwise indicated, assume your homework is to read from your independent reading book and review your
notes.

Tardiness
Definition: A student is tardy if he or she is not inside the classroom when I close the classroom door and
does not have a pass issued by school personnel.
Tardy students need to sign the tardy binder and drop the tardy slip in the basket. Then, turn in their
homework, get any missing assignments, and proceed to their assigned seat and begin working immediately
without disrupting the class.
Students arriving to class late will be subject to the following procedure:
1. Discussion about the tardy and verbal warning
2. Parent notification by phone or email
3. Referral to administration

Sharpening Pencils
Please complete all assignments in pen with the exception of scantron tests. If you must sharpen your pencil,
follow this procedure:
1. Silently raise your pencil in the air.
2. Wait for me to nod at you.
3. When given permission, get up from your seat and walk to the sharper silently.
4. Sharpen your pencil quickly and return to your seat quietly.

Bathroom/Hall Passes
I expect you to take care of your bathroom needs during the passing period before our class time. Our time
together is very valuable, thus, permission to go to the bathroom will rarely be granted. Bathroom passes will
only be given in times of true emergencies. I reserve the right to decline your bathroom request and refuse
your concept of emergency at any time.

Getting Students Attention
I expect you to be engaged in the work at all times. When I need your undivided attention, I will say: May I
have your attention please? When you hear me say this, I expect you to stop what you are doing and give me
your undivided attention.

Disposing of Garbage
I expect you to help maintain the classroom clean at all times. In the event that you need to throw anything
away, keep it on your desk until the end of class. As you walk out of the classroom, dispose of any garbage.

Absence/School Function
You are expected to complete all work regardless of an absence. It is your responsibility to find out what you
missed and gather your missing notes, handouts, worksheets, etc. Once you return from an absence:
1. Pick up any missed work. Late work due to absences will only be accepted with a reinstatement
issued by the attendance office.
2. With the exception of missed assessments, you have one day to complete any missed work.
3. If extra help is needed, make an appointment to see me after school or seek tutoring with the Boys and
Girls Club.

Classroom Exit Procedure
Before the exit bell rings, I will give you some time to write down the homework assignment, go over
homework directions, and ask any last minute questions. Use this time wisely. Then, put away all materials,
return any borrowed materials, and turn in any necessary assignments. Once your desk is packed up and all
garbage collected, I will dismiss you. Remember to take your garbage with you and exit the classroom in an
orderly manner.

Honesty Policy
The traits of a successful student are personal integrity and academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is a
serious offense. Cheating, copying, plagiarizing, and other such activities will not be tolerated and students
associated with this behavior will be held accountable for their behavior. Failure to comply with classroom
policies and procedures will also result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Chicago Public Schools Code
of Conduct.

Why must we follow these procedures?
We follow rules and procedures for everything we do in life. Procedures are intended to facilitate a smooth
operation and to maximize your learning time. By following these procedures, you will learn more and get the
most from the class.

Consequences
If YOU CHOOSE to break a rule, the consequences will always fit the crime. Of course there are behaviors
that will warrant a disciplinary referral immediately. Examples of this include insubordination or violent
behavior.
Behaviors that are less severe, but in violation of the basic rules of the class will be dealt with in the manner
described below. This format is in no way all inclusive and is subject to change:
1
st
Incident Teacher/Student Conference
2
nd
Incident Teacher/Student Conference and Parent Notification by phone or email
3
rd
Incident Teacher/Student/ Parent Conference, and referral for disciplinary action




World Studies Course Outline
Below you will find a general breakdown of the topics we will be exploring each semester.

Introduction (Semester 1)
Thinking Like a Historian
Social Studies Overview

European History Topics (Semester 1)
Middle Ages, Renaissance, Age of Exploration, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Absolutism,
Enlightenment, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Period of Isms, Imperialism, WWI, Years
Between the Wars, WWII and Cold War

Latin America History (Semester 1)
Pre-Columbian Civilizations, Age of Exploration, Conquest, Spanish Colonialism, Independence
Movements, Post-Independence Issues, 20
th
Century Case Study (One of the following: Mexico, Cuba,
Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico), American Imperialism and Policy in Latin America

African History (Semester 2)
Early Civilizations, Atlantic Slave Trade, European Exploration, European Imperialism (Scramble for
Africa), European Colonial Rule in Africa, Independence Movement, Post-Colonial issues

Indian History (Semester 2)
Early Civilizations, Mughal Empire, British Empire, WWI, Gandhis Independence Movement,
Independence from British Rule, India Post-Partition

Chinese or Japanese History (at teacher discretion)
Chinese History (Semester 2)
Early Civilizations/Dynasties, European Imperialism, Native Rebellion & Collapse of Dynastic Rule, Civil
War, Establishment of Communist State, China under Mao, China Post-Mao

Japanese History (Semester 2)
Early Civilization, Establishment of Shogunates, Meiji Restoration, American and European Imperialism,
Russo-Japanese War, Japans Imperialist Policy, War with China, WWII, Japan in post-WWII era


*The teacher reserves the right to change/modify this syllabus.*






















September 2, 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome! I am excited that another new school year is upon us, and looking forward to helping your child
succeed in his/her educational experience. My focus this academic year is to continue to provide your child
with a rigorous curriculum that will prepare him/her for their future collegiate education. However, I cannot
do this alone; I will require your assistance in achieving this end result.

Parental involvement is very important for the growth of every student. What they learn at school must be
reinforced at home. Positive and regular reinforcement from the adults in their lives now will ensure your
childs success in their educational pursuits and set them on the path to a better life in the future. I strongly
encourage you to create an account on the Impact Parent Portal system, so that you can regularly monitor
your childs progress in my class. Furthermore, I encourage you to maintain communication with me through
email and telephone if you have any questions or concerns about your childs progress. Homework will be
given on a regular basis and you should check for it daily. Also, strong attendance is imperative to do well
academically. The more your child misses class, the harder it is for him/her to keep up and be successful.
Attendance and student success go hand in hand! I cannot teach your children if they are not in school.

In addition, in keeping with the Student Code of Conduct of the Board of Education and Wells Community
Academy High School regulations, certain requirements must be adhered to:
Students must dress appropriately and follow the dress code described in the student handbook.
Students are not allowed to have or bring food or drinks into the classroom.
Cell phones and any electronic devices are prohibited from being used in the classroom. If they are
seen they will be confiscated.

Lastly, I require that your child come prepared to class and bring the following EVERYDAY:
3 Ring Binder with Dividers
Notebook Paper
Writing Instruments
Sticky Notes
A Good Attitude

I ask that you and your child sign the bottom of this letter to acknowledge that you are aware of the rules,
policies, and expectations that your child is expected to adhere to. I look forward to a successful year as your
childs Social Studies teacher!

Thank You,


Mrs. Yalil Nieves
[email protected]
773-534-7010

Student Name: ______________________________________Class Period:
Parent Name (Print):
Parent Signature:
Parent Contact Information:
Phone #: ______________
Email address: _______