World History I: Pre-History to 1500 CE Course Syllabus
Mr. C. S. Davis
Course Description
As defined by Virginia’s History and Social Science Standards of Learning, the World History I course will:
“enable 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: to 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.”
Taken from the Virginia Department of Education website at
www.doe.virginia.gov/
Standards of Learning and Overview of Topics Covered
The topics covered in this course correlate to the end of the year SOL Test. The class will study such topics as:
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Era I: Human Origins and Early Civilizations, Prehistory to 1000 BCE – Paleolithic Era through Rise of River
Valley Civilizations
Era II: Classical Civilizations and Rise of Religious Traditions, 1000 BCE to 500 CE – Persia, India & China
through the Fall of Rome
Era III: Post Classical Civilizations, 500 CE to 1000 CE – Byzantine Empire through Rise of Western Europe
Era IV: Regional Interactions, 1000 CE to 1500 CE – Pre-Colombian Civilizations through Renaissance
A thorough description of each standard is available at the Virginia Department of Education Website:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/
Textbooks
McDougal Littell Ancient World History: Patterns of Interaction
The Nystrom Atlas of World History
Materials
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Pens or Pencils
Colored Pencils and Markers
3 Ring Binder
Tissues
Dividers for Binder
A Positive Attitude
*Additional materials may be needed as the course progresses.
Grading
In addition to the academic requirements described in the grading policy, the teacher will also consider a
student’s effort, participation, and progress in the calculating of the student’s final grade.
*Students will have 10 points deducted from any homework or class work assignment that is turned in late.
Projects that are turned in late could have more points deducted. Students will have only 5 days to turn in
work for reduced credit.
**See the student handbook for information regarding the completion of assignments in event of a student’s
absence.
Homework
Homework assignments will be assigned to either review or preview material covered in class. The teacher will
assign homework at various intervals throughout the duration of the course.
Major Assessments
Major assessments will count twice as much as minor assignments in the averaging of the student grades.
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Unit Tests
Special Projects: Throughout the course students will be assigned various projects. For each project, the teacher
provides students with the requirements of the project and the rubric by which it will be graded. Students will be
given a due date on the day the project is assigned.
Exams
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Exams count as 15% of a student’s nine week average.
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1 Semester Midterm Blocks 1 & 3 – Thursday, October 6
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1 Semester Final Exam Blocks 1 & 3 – Monday, December 19
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2 Semester Midterm Blocks 1 & 3 – Wednesday, March 8
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2 Semester Final Blocks 1 & 3 – Tuesday, May 23
Blocks 2 & 4 – Thursday, October 7
Blocks 2 & 4 – Tuesday, December 20
Blocks 2 & 4 – Thursday, March 9
Blocks 2 & 4 – Wednesday, May 24
Minor Assessments
Includes quizzes, in-class assignments, homework, bell ringers, exit passes
Conduct Rubric
The Class Expectations handout describes the conduct expected of each student while enrolled in this course.
The following rubric is used at lee when assigning student conduct grades:
A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Needs Improvement
D – Inappropriate
Contact information
Lee High School: 332-2926
Email: [email protected]
Planning:
Tutoring:
To Be Announced
2:50-3:30 (as scheduled)