Hull High School
Syllabus and Course Expectations
2016-2017 School Year
Teacher: Ms. Cowen
email: [email protected]
Welcome to Tides Social Studies!
Course Overview:
This year, we will be studying a variety of topics, both domestic and international, that explore the
intersection between history, geography, culture, and religion. Our main focus for the first semester will
be geography, and how human interaction with the land and environment have shaped historic events. We
will explore physical geography (climate, weather, seasonal shifts, topography, cartography, etc) as well
as human geography (population, urbanization, language, transportation, and generally how place and
location affects lifestyles around the globe). In the second semester, we will look more directly at culture
and the role religion plays in different cultures around the world.
Semester 1 - History and Geography
 Unit 1: Cartography and geographic skills

Unit 2: The 5 Themes of Geography: Human-Environment Interaction
 Historic Focus: Native Americans and the Great Plains War - How do different
cultures interact with the land differently? How do those differences affect each
culture?
Unit 3: The 5 Themes of Geography: Location
 Historic Focus: American Imperialism - How is location strategically used to gain
power and profits?
Unit 4: The 5 Themes of Geography: Place
 Historic Focus: Civil Rights - How was life in America different based on where
you lived?
Unit 5: The 5 Themes of Geography: Movement
 Historic Focus: Immigration - How have historic mass movements of people
changed America?
Unit 6: The 5 Themes of Geography: Region
 Historic Focus: Communism vs Capitalism - How do different cultural regions
impact each other?
Unit 7: Geography in Film: How does place and space affect the development of culture?
Semester 2 - World Cultures and Religions
The following overarching questions will be explored:
How do culture and religion…
influence the way we live our lives?
unite a people and a society?
affect social and political structures?
shape the creation of laws and influence government?
define gender roles, social status, language, art, philosophy, technology, work, and war?

Unit 1: The Nature of Religious Traditions

Unit 2: Indigenous Cultures and Religions

Unit 3: Hinduism and Indian Culture

Unit 4: Eastern Religions and Philosophies

Unit 5: Judaism and Jewish Culture

Unit 6: Christianity in the Western World

Unit 7: Islam and Middle Eastern Culture

Final Project
Note: It is important to note that we will approach religions from an academic perspective and
will use empirical observation and objective consideration to study religions comparatively. This
is not a study of theology, and the course and all materials used in the course will attempt to
present each religion from a position of neutrality.
Materials:
You will need a 3-ring binder, folder, and/or notebook for this class. I will be giving you
many readings, handouts and worksheets that you will need to keep organized, so it will help you
tremendously if you keep them all in one place!
Grading Breakdown
Homework
10%
Classwork
20%
Quizzes and Tests
30%
Papers and Projects 30%
Participation
10%
Course Policies and Expectations:
Class Preparation/Participation – Bring a pen/pencil, notebook, homework and agenda to class
everyday and complete the assigned readings. Being prepared with your materials is a vital part
of your quarterly participation grade. If you continually show up without a pen/pencil, for
example, this will be reflected negatively on your participation grade. Be ready to participate
fully and meaningfully. This includes sharing your thoughts about the topic in class, active
listening, having a positive attitude, and respecting classroom norms of behavior (such as raising
your hand, staying in your seat, not having side conversations, etc).
I expect that you will come to class with a willingness to learn and a seriousness of purpose for
the work you are doing here. Coming to class with a negative or destructive attitude will be seen
as disrespectful of the learning environment and will meet with disciplinary action.
TIDES CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
1. Electronic Devices- all cell phones must be handed in at the beginning of class and will
be returned at the end of class. If you use an iPad, any misuse of the iPad will result in
confiscation of the iPad.
2.
Students must remain in class and may not access counselor during class unless the
teacher requests counselor come to the room.
3.
Students arriving late to class must have a pass from the main office unless given
permission from a teacher.
4.
If students come to class late without a pass, the student will be required to serve either a
lunch detention in the ISS room, or an after school detention.
5.
Students must maintain neat and organized class binders. Binder checks will be
conducted periodically for credit.
Handouts - You will only receive ONE COPY of anything I give you in this class. This includes
but is not limited to: reading packets, worksheets, guided notes, film guides, diagrams, maps, or
any other handouts. If you lose it, it is your responsibility to obtain another one. For example,
you could copy a friend’s. Is is inconsiderate of my time to ask me to make more copies for you
and it results in a waste of paper. Keeping your materials in a 3-ring binder will help you to
avoid this!!!
Extra help – See Ms. Cowen to arrange after school extra help.
Other Policy Areas:
Students’ personal internet-capable electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, etc.) will be
permitted for academic purposes only, and only during times expressly indicated by the
teacher. All other use of electronic devices is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action.
Attendance, tardiness, behavioral consequences, academic dishonesty, and makeup of missing
work apply as outlined in the Hull High Student Handbook.