Ancient History

Coach Keith Jones
Room: 315
Phone:  397-3182
E-mail:  jonesk12@k12tn.net

Classroom Website:  http://classroom.jc-schools.net/jonesk

Text (supplied by school)

Ramirez, Susan, et. al.  World History: Human Legacy, Texas:  Holt, Reinhart, and Winston, 2008.

Supplemental Materials (supplied by student)

• 3 ring binder (at least 1 inch)
• Loose leaf paper- NO SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS
• Seven dividers (labeled as follows)
  • Notes
  • Vocabulary
  • Faces of History/History’s Impact
  • Geography Skills
  • RLH
  • Section Reviews
  • Other Written Work

Students will keep up with all that we do in their notebooks.  This notebook is to be used for Ancient History ONLY and must be kept neat.  Points will be deducted for messy notebooks as well as for using the notebook for any other class.  They do not have to keep returned papers in them.  They must have all seven sections accounted for, however, as there will be periodic notebook checks.  This syllabus and the parent signed copy of the class rules, guidelines, and procedures must be kept in the front and will also be checked periodically.

I.  Course Description and Objective

The Ancient History class takes an in-depth look at the ancient civilizations that formed the foundation of our culture and world.  It will examine the culture, religion, geography, and history that took place during the times of these great empires.  Students will research and study the earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome all the way through the earliest Americans finishing just before the start of the Renaissance period.  The course will address skills that students will need for upper level high school courses, college, and life beyond school such as:

1.      Written expression

2.      Oral communication

3.      Comparing and contrasting

4.      Critical reading analysis including primary and secondary sources and literary and historical works,

5.      Develop the ability to decipher and explore history while drawing their own conclusions about historical events 

6.      Time Management skills

7.      Organizational skills

8.      Prepare students for college style classes (AP & College)

II.  Course Format

The structure of this course is formatted around a system to prepare students for college level history courses.  The primary mode of delivering information will be lecture/discussion.  Students will be responsible for readings and expected to engage in discussion as a part of their participation grade.  This course will also rely heavily on a technology component that features multiple trips to the computer labs for multimedia exploration.  Other forms of instruction include, but are not limited to collaborative learning teams, independent outside exploration, and various multimedia uses.

III.  Tests and Quizzes

Tests- Students will be tested regularly in this class.  These tests, not to exceed one (1) per week, will consist of several combinations of the following:

1.      Matching

2.      Fill in the Blank

3.      Multiple Choice

4.      True/False

5.      Short Answer

6.      Essay- classic 5 paragraph style

Quizzes- Students will be taking a series of map quizzes that will familiarize them with the geography of the time period.  These will be based on maps and map activities given during the course of a chapter.  Quizzes may also be utilized in other forms to assess comprehension of material other than maps.  These may be presented in auditory, written, and/or PowerPoint format.

IV.  Nine Weeks and Final Exam

This course does not have a nine weeks exam.  The nine weeks test grade is replaced by the research project at the end of the first nine-week term.  The final examination is a comprehensive exam that consists of 100 multiple choice and matching questions.  This exam covers the entirety of the class with a focus on the latter half material.

V.  Other Required Assignments

Essays-  Essays will be a key part of daily assignments during this class.  Improving the student’s written expression and ability to write is essential for success at the college level.  These essays will be standard 5 paragraph essays most of the time, however, the instructor reserves the right to change the format at any time.

Research Project-  During the 1^st nine weeks, the students will engage in a group project where they must create a civilization from scratch.  The project is a group effort, but will have very individual grades.  Points will be deducted from individuals who do not complete their assigned task.  Points will also be deducted from students who are found to have completed all tasks themselves as this would negate the purpose of the project.

VI.  Sources and Materials

Much of the material of this course will be derived from the text and outside research done by the instructor.  There will be, however, supplemental readings required.  Some of these readings will take place in the classroom, but other readings, will take place outside of class.  Much of the readings will be excerpted; however, a complete work may be assigned.  Many of these excerpts will be taken from the internet.

VII.  Grading Policy
Grades are based on a point system.  Each assignment will have a point value.  At the end of each 9 weeks, I divide the number of points achieved by the number of points possible for each student and a grade is determined.  The grading scale is as follows:
                                    A:  93-100
                                    B:  85-92
                                    C:  75-84
                                    D:  70-74
                                    F:  69 and below

Participation Grade- Each student will receive a participation grade.  This grade is a 100 given to the student at the beginning of each 9 weeks.  From that 100, points can be deducted for several different things over the course of the grading period.  Some of them are, but not limited to:

§         Tardy to class:  -1 point

§         Sleeping in class: -5 points

§         Not having book/materials: -2 points

§         Not completing readings: -3 points

 

VIII.  Classroom Website:

There is a class website that goes along with this course.  The use of this website is REQUIRED.  I do realize that access to the internet may be limited in some cases, however, access to the site is available at school in one of the computer labs.  These labs are open for access before school, during lunch, and after school.  There is a computer available in my classroom as well.  If internet access is a problem please indicate this on the signed class guidelines sheet that is sent home.

IX.  Extra Credit:

Extra credit is offered for this class.  It is obtained through the class website with complete instructions.  No one may earn more than 100 points extra credit during the SEMESTER.  The extra credit is offered only to get students to explore historical places in the country, it is not there to replace the work students should have completed during the semester.

X.  Course Content:

Unit 1- The River Valley Civilizations & Religions Impact

• Chapter 1:  The Fertile Crescent:  This chapter will cover the concept of time as it relates to history.  It will take a look at the creation of civilizations, including the Agricultural Revolution.  This chapter will then turn its attention to the Mesopotamia Civilization that reigned from the Tigris/Euphrates river valley to the conquest by the Persian Empire.

• Chapter 2:  The Land of the Pyramids:  Including the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.  This chapter will take an in depth look at the society and cultural impact the Egyptians had on the world as one of the most dominant powers in history. 

• Chapter 3:  Ancient India- The caste system, early dynasties,  and the silk road, along with early Chinese Dynasties- Shang through the Han Dynasty & the Great Wall.

• Chapter 4:  Comparative Religions- This chapter takes a look at how different religions have impacted the civilizations in which they dominated.  It will compare the polytheistic civilizations such as the Egyptians with the views and cultural impacts of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity.

Unit 2- Conquering the Known World

• Chapter 6:  The Persian Empire:  Its conquest of the known world to its demise at the hands of Alexander the Great

• Chapter 7:  Ancient Greece- Including the Minoans through the conquests of Alexander the Great

• Chapter 8:  Rome- From its mythical inception to the fall of 476 A.D.

Unit 3- New Patterns of Civilizations & Medieval Europe

• Chapter 9:  Civilizations of the Americas- Mayans, Incas, & Aztecs

• Chapter 10:  Eastern Asian Dynasties- The Sui to the Song Dynasty, The Mongol Hoard & Genghis Kahn, Shoguns and Samurais of Japan

• Chapter 11:  The Byzantine Empire & European Emergence- The continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire w/Constantine through the emergence of Europe as well as the emergence of Russia

• Chapter 12:  The Middle Ages- The manorial system, the Arthur legend, Charlemagne, Vikings, the Crusades, the black death, and Joan of Arc