COURSE SYLLABUS
Teacher: Mr. Prindiville Email: pprindiville@stpatrickhighschool.net
Room: 103 Course: Advanced Placement World History
Our mission for our students is to promote spiritual growth; to assure intellectual growth through academic excellence; to foster a Christian social conscience; to develop a physically healthy lifestyle; and to provide a culturally enriching experience.
Course Description:
Advanced Placement World History is a challenging, two-semester course that is structured around the investigation of selected themes woven into key concepts covering distinct chronological periods.
AP World History is equivalent to an introductory college survey course. The course has a three-fold purpose. First, it is designed to prepare students for successful placement into higher-level college and university history courses. Second, it is designed to develop skills of analysis and thinking in order to prepare students for success in the twenty-first century. Finally, it is the intent of this class to make the learning of world history an enjoyable experience.
Students will be able to show their mastery of the course goals by taking part in the College Board AP World History Exam in May.
Objectives:
Advanced Placement World History is structured around the investigation of five themes woven into 19 key concepts covering six distinct chronological periods. History is a sophisticated quest for meaning about the past, beyond the effort to collect and memorize information. This course will continue to deal with the facts— names, chronology, events, and the like but it will also emphasize historical analysis. This will be
accomplished by focusing on four historical thinking skills: crafting historical arguments from historical evidence, chronological reasoning, comparison and contextualization, and historical interpretation and synthesis.
World history requires the development of thinking skills using the processes and tools that historians employ in order to create historical narrative. Students will also be required to think on many different geographical and temporal scales in order to compare historical events over time and space.
The course relies heavily on college-level resources. This includes texts, a wide variety of primary sources, and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. These resources are designed to develop the skills required to analyze point of view and to interpret evidence to use in creating plausible historical arguments. These tools will also be used to assess issues of change and continuity over time, identifying global processes, comparing within and among societies, and understanding diverse interpretations.
Students will be required to participate in class discussions using Socratic seminar and debate formats. In addition, students will be responsible for preparing class presentations in order to further develop higher level habits of mind or thinking skills and broaden content knowledge.
The course emphasis is on balancing global coverage, with no more than 20% of course time devoted to European history. This course is designed to be rigorous and rewarding, inviting students to take a global view of historical processes and contacts between people in different societies.
The five AP World History Themes that connect the key concepts throughout the course and serve as the foundation for student reading, writing, and presentation requirements are as follows:
! Theme 1: Interaction Between Humans and the Environment: Demography and disease, Migration,
Patterns of settlement, Technology
! Theme 2: Development and Interaction of Cultures: Religions, Belief systems, philosophies, and
ideologies, Science and technology, the arts and architecture.
! Theme 3: State-building, Expansion, and Conflict: Political structures and forms of governance,
empires, nations and nationalism, revolts and revolutions, regional, trans regional, and global structures and organizations
! Theme 4: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems: agricultural and pastoral
production, trade and commerce, labor systems, industrialization, Capitalism, and Socialism
! Theme 5: Development and Transformation of Social Structures: Gender roles and relations, family and
kinship, racial and ethnic constructions, social and economic classes.
Grading Policies:
The academic year of St. Patrick Catholic High School consists of two semesters; each semester is divided into two nine-week quarters. An academic grade will be issued each quarter (nine-week period) for all classes on a report card.
Grading Scale
A = 93 - 100 B = 85 - 92 C = 75 - 84 D = 70 - 74 F = 0 - 69
Students will have at least five (5) major grades per quarter. Major grades count as 60% of the student’s quarter grade. Grades will be calculated using the following formula:
Major Grades 60% Friday FUN AP-Style Objective and Written Assessments; Unit Tests; Other Major Work (written pieces, projects, etc.)
Quizzes 20% Wednesday Reading Quizzes
Homework 15% Written Reading Responses; Study Cards
Bellwork and Other Graded
Assignments 5%
Bellwork, collected and Graded Periodically Throughout the Quarter without notice; small in-class
graded assignments.
Specific Grading and Assessment Policies for AP World History
“And on the eighth day, God decreed that 93% equals an A and 92% must be a B.”
Most students who score a “5” on the AP Exam (the highest score) only answer around 80% of the exam correctly. An 80% at St. Patrick and most high schools is a “C,” yet many colleges award full credit for an 80% on the AP exam. The reason for this difference is one of challenge. Since AP World History is a demanding course, we have to recalibrate our understanding of what “good” is.
My intention is to provide AP-style challenge from the first day. This is the only way we’ll be prepared come May!
To provide the necessary mental challenge and also accurately reflect the good work of our WHAP scholars on the transcript, our AP-style assessments will be graded slightly differently.
AP-Style Multiple Choice Assessments
Students who score 80% on AP-style multiple-choice assessments in our class are actually doing exceptionally well.
Thus, multiple-choice assessments that are designed in the AP style and intended to match AP Exam rigor (such assessments will be clearly marked or communicated as such) will be graded as if 80% equals 100%. So, for a 10-question AP-style assessment, a student who answers eight of the ten questions correctly will earn a 100% in the gradebook.
Students will be able to keep extra points earned above the 80% threshold, so if a student answered nine of the questions correctly, they would have one bonus point in the gradebook for that category that will apply to other assignments.
This policy is commonplace among AP World History teachers. AP-Style Written Assessments
Written assessments on the AP Exam are graded on a nine-point scale. A score of nine is incredibly rare. To prepare students for the writing assignments, AP-style and AP-rigor written work will always be graded using
the AP grading criteria and the nine-point scale. This allows us to hone our focus on improving writing skills assessed on the exam.
For the gradebook, the following scores will apply:
I will input students’ AP-Style score into PowerSchool so we all—student, parents, and teacher—can track progress using the same scale used on the AP Exam. So, if a student scores a 6 on an AP-style written piece, “AP-6” will show on PowerSchool instead of a traditional A-F letter grade. This will be worth 92% in the student’s average.
Timing on Assessments in WHAP
Practice makes perfect. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice.
The AP Exam is strictly timed. To make sure we’re ready to hit it out of the park come exam day, we will always follow the AP Exam’s timing. I will strictly enforce time limits on all AP-style assessments. Failure to turn in an assessment when time is called will risk a score of “0” on the assignment.
All tests, projects, assignments, and homework will be posted in PowerSchool by 8:00 a.m. on the first day of the school week. Assignment details such as rubrics, instructions, and hand-outs are made available by clicking on the assignment title within PowerSchool. Due dates are subject to change in keeping with the assessment and flexibility of the teachers’ lesson plan. Grades are updated weekly, and current grades are available via PowerSchool (https://www.biloxidiocese.powerschool.com/public).
WHAP Written Homework Responses Rubric:
Written responses in WHAP will be assessed using the following rubric: AP-Style
Written Score PowerSchool Score Code Gradebook Percentage
9 AP-9 104% 8 AP-8 100% 7 AP-7 96% 6 AP-6 92% 5 AP-5 88% 4 AP-4 84% 3 AP-3 80% 2 AP-2 76% 1 AP-1 72%
Criteria Exceptional (5) Proficient (4) Developing (3) Inadequate (0)
Quality of Responses
Each response is completely accurate and answers the question completely, fully, and appropriately, including
additional information from the reading not directly related to the question if
appropriate.
Each response is completely accurate and
answers the question completely, fully, and
appropriately.
Some responses have factual errors and/or some answers do not completely, fully, and appropriately respond to the question asked.
There are many factual errors and few
answers completely, fully, and appropriately respond to the question asked. Conventions and Length
The responses present an engaging, formal and objective tone. The text intentionally uses standard English conventions of usage and mechanics. Each response
is at least three natural sentences.
The responses presents an appropriate, formal, and objective tone. The
text demonstrates standard English conventions of usage and mechanics. Each response is at least three
natural sentences.
The responses illustrate a limited awareness of
formal tone. The text demonstrates some accuracy in standard English conventions of
usage and mechanics. Each response is at least
three sentences.
The text illustrates a limited awareness or inconsistent tone. The
text illustrates inaccuracy in standard English conventions of usage and mechanics. Some responses are less than three sentences.
Submission All questions were answered and assignment was submitted on time.
Not all questions were answered and the assignment was submitted on time.
Independence of Thought
No response includes direct phrasing from the textbook;
each response is in the student's own words.
Few responses include direct phrasing from the
textbook; most responses are in the student's own words.
Many responses include direct phrasing from the
textbook; few responses are in the student's own words.
Attendance Policy:
When absent from class, students are responsible for getting the makeup work. Students who are absent on school business should get their assignments before they leave.
For all absences, students will be allowed two (2) days from the date of their return to school to make up any assignments missed. Students will receive full credit for the assignments made up within the allotted time period. Tests, quizzes, and other assignments which are pre-assigned should be made up (or turned in) on the first day of the student’s return to school (i.e. tests, quizzes, or homework announced prior to the
student’s absence). Tests and quizzes are to be made up before or after school as scheduled by the teacher.
Tutoring/Remediation:
I am available during the following times for tutoring or for students to make up assignments missed. Mornings from 7:45 to 8:10am: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Afternoons from 3:00 – 3:30: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
General Weekly Routine
“Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition.”
- W. H. Auden
(Anglo-American poet, regarded by many as one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century)
Flex Day Flex Day
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Focus Knowledge Content “Habits of AP
Mind”
AP Writing
Skills Argumentation Skills Strategies AP-test
Activity Lecture; Paired and Group Work Primary Source Analysis Writing Modeling and Practice Debate; Verbalized and Written Processing of Material AP-Style Assessment; Review Graded Work Due None Written reading responses due on Haiku by 8am, Wednesday.* Textbook
reading quiz. None
FUN!!
AP-style Assessment Homework to Completed Reading, note taking, and preparing written responses. Reading, note taking, and preparing for reading quiz. Reading, note taking, and preparing written responses. Prepare for Friday’s Ultimate Nirvana Reading, note taking, and preparing written responses.Course Plan and Assignments
Week of:
Chapters
Strayer
Wednesday Reading
Assessments
Important Calendar
Items
UNIT ONE:
Technological and Environmental Transformations
Periodization: c. 8000 BCE to c. 600 BCE
Main Focus: Beginnings in History
August 10 1 Chapter 1
August 17 2 Chapter 2 Friday is last day to drop AP course.
Unit One Assessment: Friday, August 21
UNIT TWO:
Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies
Periodization: c. 600 BCE to c.600 CE
Main Focus: The Classical Era in World History
August 24 3 Chapter 3
August 31 4 Chapter 4
September 7 5 Chapter 5 Labor Day; Progress Reports
September 14 6 Chapter 6
Unit Two Assessment: Friday, September 18
UNIT THREE:
Regional and Transregional Interactions
Periodization: c. 600 CE-c.1450
Main Focus: A Time of Accelerating Connections
September 21 7 Chapter 7 Homecoming Week
October 5 8 Chapter 8
October 12 8 and 9 Chapter 9 Quarter One Report Cards Monday: Fall Holiday
October 19 9 Alternate Assignment
October 26 10 Chapter 10
November 2 11 Chapter 11
November 9 12 Chapter 12 Progress Reports
Unit Three Assessment: Friday, November 13
UNIT FOUR:
Global Interactions
Periodization: c. 1450 to c.1750
Main Focus: The Early Modern World
November 16 13 Chapter 13
November 23 Thanksgiving Break
November 30 13 and 14 Chapter 14
December 7 14 / Flex Week
December 14 Review Review December 16 - 18 Semester Exams:
December 21 and
December 28 Christmas Break!!
January 4 14 and 15 Alternate Assignment Report Cards Issued for Q2 and Semester 1
January 11 15 Chapter 15
UNIT FIVE:
Industrialization and Global Integration
Periodization: c. 1750 to c. 1900
Main Focus: The European Moment in World History
January 18 16 Chapter 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
January 25 16 and 17 Alternative Assignment.
February 1 17 Chapter 17 Catholic Schools Week
February 8 18 Chapter 18 Mardi Gras Holiday
February 15 18 and 19 Alternate Assignment
February 22 19 Chapter 19
Unit Five Assessment: Friday, February 26
UNIT SIX: ACCELERATING GLOBAL CHANGE AND REALIGNMENTS
Periodization: c. 1900 to the present
Main Focus: The most recent century
February 29 20 Chapter 20
March 7 20 and 21 Alternate Assignment
March 14 21 Chapter 21 Quarter Three Report Cards issued
March 21 21 and 22 Alternate Assignment Good Friday
March 28 Easter Break
April 4 22 Chapter 22
April 11 23 Chapter 23
April 18 23 and Flex Week Chapter 23
April 25 Review for AP Exam Progress Reports
May 2 Review for AP Exam
May 9 Review for AP Exam
May 12, 2016:
Advanced Placement Exam
Additional Classroom Policies:
Academic Integrity: Perhaps the highest measure of personal honor is how one achieves success. In the
academic environment, one can achieve success through honest means, or by nefarious methods that cheapen the success sought and offend the community in which that success is valued. As a Catholic school, we believe that working with academic integrity is held to an even higher standard: that of right moral action. Academic dishonesty of any kind—cheating, broadly defined, and plagiarism—is not tolerated in this course.
Unless otherwise specifically noted in writing on an assignment, all graded work in this class is to be done individually and indpendently.
Cheating takes many forms, and I do not intend to enumerate them all here. Be sure to note, however, that submitting homework or other class assignemnts that closely resemble that of another student is not academicially honest, and will be treated as such.
I employ many different methods to ensure that work in my classes is completed with the utmost regard for academic integrity. Per school policy, students caught cheating will be dealt with in a serious manner. The student will receive a zero (0) on the assignment, test, quiz or exam in which the cheating has occurred and be referred to the administration for disciplinary action.
It’s not worth it.
Bellwork and Bellwork Quizzes: Students are expected to complete bellwork each day as they enter the class
from the hallway following the format proscribed in class. Unannounced bellwork quizzes will occur throughout each quarter and must be completed from the student’s own bellwork kept in the binder. If the student does not have the bellwork completed or does not have their binder, they must submit a blank quiz. Preparing bellwork diligently each day is the best way to prepare for these unannounced quizzes. If a student is absent, they are expected to get the bellwork question from another student and add it to their own bellwork log. Absence is not an acceptable excuse for not completing bellwork on a bellwork quiz.
Binders and Organization: Students are expected to keep course materials organized in a binder following a
format outlined in class. Binder organization may be assessed as a major grade assignment throughout the year.
Changes to the Syllabus: I reserve the right to change this syllabus at any time. Changes will be communicated to students in class and will be effective immediately.
Homework Submission: Homework must be submitted online through MyHaiku. If students do not have
internet access at home or on a smart phone, they must talk with me during the first week of school to discuss an alternate method to complete homework assignments.
If a student has difficulty submitting an assignment on MyHaiku, the homework is still assigned and due as if there was no difficulty. Technical difficulties will not be accepted as an excuse for not completing homework. If a student has difficulty submitting the assignment through MyHaiku, they have two emergency routes:
1. The assignment can be submitted via email to pprindiville@stpatrickhighschool.net by 11:59pm the day the assignment is due.
2. The assignment can be submitted on paper in room 103 before 8:15am. After the second paper submission, I will initiate parent contact to explore new strategies to empower students to submit the assignments on Haiku.
If I have not received the assignment on MyHaiku or through the two alternate emergency routes, the assignment is late.
Late and Missing Work: I do not accept late homework for credit. Should a student chose to submit a major
grade assignment late, the assignment will be assessed a complete letter-grade deduction per day late, per school policy (e.g.—for example—work that would normally receive a B would receive a C and so forth). Students are expected to backup their work to mitigate technical difficulties. Computer failure is not an acceptable excuse for late assignments. Dropbox, Google Drive, and other services offer second-by-second backup of documents. Students are encouraged to use such a service.
Parental Contact, PowerSchool, and Gradebook Updates: Students and parents are encouraged to regularly
keep track of academic progress on PowerSchool. Due to the nature of PowerSchool’s gradebook, the grade showed online might not always reflect the most up-to-date grade in the course. It is Mr. Prindiville’s intention to return grades in a reasonable, one-week timeframe. Parents and guardians are welcome to contact the teacher regarding school- related business via his e-mail (pprindiville@stpatrickhighschool.net). The teacher checks his e-mail daily during workweek business hours, and will respond in a timely fashion. Parent conferences are scheduled by appointment only.
PowerSchool Score Codes: The following score codes will be used on PowerSchool.
When you see this for a
grade on PowerSchool… It means… It counts as… What studentshould do…
Absent Student was absent when a quiz/test was taken or an assignment was due.
0
Turn in the assignment according to the handbook/syllabus
policies.
NS An assignment was not submitted. 0 Submit the assignment for late credit according to
policy.
Compl. completed. (Homework Assignment was
completion grade.)
100% Nothing! You’re awesome.
Tardiness: Students must be seated in their assigned seats immediately as the tardy bell begins ringing. If
Classroom Discipline Plan:
The behavior policy of St. Patrick Catholic High School fosters the total Christian formation of each student through the nourishment of religious values, self-discipline, personal growth, and academic excellence. This goal is best realized through the cooperative effort of students, parents, teachers, and school administrators. Each teacher will publish a set of rules in his or her classroom. To ensure proper communication and consistency among students, faculty, administration, and parents, listed below is the discipline plan of each classroom. The steps below may be given verbally by the teacher or by placing the student’s name on the board.
Step 1: Warning
Step 2: Classroom detention
Step 3: Classroom detention and parent contact
Step 4: Referral to the administration
The following infractions bypass the classroom discipline plan and are immediately referred to the disciplinarian: major classroom disruptions and/or defiance, the use of cell phones or other telecommunication devices, and dress code violations.
Classroom detentions will be scheduled at the discretion of the teacher and may be issued before or after school. The student will be provided at least twenty-four hours’ (24) notice to make arrangements to attend the detention as scheduled. Upon assigning a classroom detention, the teacher will complete a classroom detention form, provide a copy of the form to the student, and document the classroom detention in PowerSchool. Students who do not attend a classroom detention as scheduled will receive an additional classroom detention. Failure to attend both detentions as scheduled will result in one (1) day of ISS.
Important Dates:
• Quarter 1 – August 7 to October 9
• Labor Day – September 7
• Fall Holiday – October 12
• Quarter 2 – October 13 to December 18
• Thanksgiving – November 23 to 27
• Midterm Exams – December 16 to 18
• Christmas Holidays – December 21 to January
4
• Quarter 3 – January 5 to March 11
• MLK, Jr. Holiday – January 18
• Mardi Gras – February 8 to 9
• Quarter 4 – March 14 to May 23
• Good Friday – March 25
• Easter Holidays – March 28 to April 1
•
May 12!! AP Exam!!
• Graduation – May 20
• Final Exams – May 19 to 23