GLOBAL STUDIES SYLLABUS 2013-2014

Mr. Murray Coach Chakeres Email: cchakeres@sfprep.org Web page: globalstudies.sfprep.org Welcome to the wonderful world of Global Studies!! This year we will be travelling around the globe to find out what is happening on this planet we call Mother Earth. We will ask questions, many of them supplied by you, the learner and teacher. How many people live on our planet? Where is Timbuktu? What is going on in Israel, Afghanistan, and Machu Picchu? What is Globalization? What is Sustainability and how much stuff do we really need to be happy? This World not only talks about Sustainability; we practice it as well! We will examine human rights, debate current events, and explore global and local issues. Along the way, you will learn the art of public speaking (yikes) and the much more difficult skill of Listening. You will be able to impress your family and friends with your knowledge of the United Nations, NATO and the WTO. I hope you find this class stimulating and fun! You will learn in many ways including simulations, group work, projects (big ones), quizzes, readings, research, role-playing, debates and a lot of class discussion. In order to get the most out of class and take ownership of it (which is power), come with an open mind, complete all the assignments, come prepared with the needed supplies and be ready to engage yourself in in-depth, thoughtful discussions. Trivia Question: Who is responsible for your education? Food, drinks, and hats are not welcome in this world. What you can bring is cool fresh tap water in a re-usable container and music that is relevant to a region of the world we are studying (no bad language). Pay attention to the news. Current Events are a big part of this class so become aware of Whats Happening in the world. Your ideas and opinions are valued and honored here. Asking How or Why questions in this World are highly encouraged and praised!

Texts: Current Issues The State of the World Atlas Atlas of the World Geography Supplies: Please bring the following supplies to class every day, along with the class texts: -Three ring binder (1.5-2) with loose-leaf lined paper and dividers. Each quarter your binder will be graded. You are encouraged to use recycled paper for any typed and printed assignments. This should not lower the quality of your work concerning neatness, spelling, or grammar. -Pens, pencils, eraser, high-lighters Assessment: Projects 35% Homework, written papers, in-class assignments 25% Quizzes and tests 25% Class participation, attendance, attitude, binder checks 15% Extra credit- added to class participation 15 pts The Extra Credit assignments are to give a 3-5 minute presentation on an area of the world you have traveled to in the past 2 years. The presentation should focus on the people, culture, and geography of your area and should have visual aides. This is a graded assignment. You cannot do extra credit if not all assignments are turned in. Due-Dates, Plagiarism and the Key to Your Success: I am here to help you succeed in Global Studies. Im available during workshops or after school by appointment. You are expected and required to meet all the due-dates. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. If your work is late, your grade will drop one letter grade per day. After one week, without a valid excuse from home, you will receive a zero. Dont get any zeros on your assignments! They will kill your wonderful A+ grade. If you missed a class because of an excused absence, please come and see me prior to class or during a break, to get missed work. You will have as many days to make up missed work as the days that you missed school. All assignments will be posted on the Global Studies web page. If you miss a test, you will need to make it up within two weeks, during the school wide make up period (Wednesday after school in the library). Plagiarism is using someone elses ideas or work and passing it off as your own. While getting ideas from other sources is encouraged (the best artists steal from others ideas), calling it your own work is not ok. Plagiarized work will receive a zero and you will be required to re-do the assignment. The Middle School Head along with your parents will also be notified. No hats, no drinks (except water), no food! Honesty, respect, genuine ideas and hard work will go along ways in this class. These are the key to success in this World of Global Studies

Course Outline: This is a guide for our year of study. Topics and order are subject to change given world events and student interests. I. Introduction to Global Studies/ Skills for Global Studies A. Whos Who of Whoville 1. Intros, Syllabus, Class and Discussion Guidelines B. What is Geography? C. Study Skills/Thinking and Speaking 1. Study Skills: taking notes, organizing/ planning a long-term project, bibliography 2. The Art of Talking and Listening a. Public Speaking b. Listening 3. Critical Thinking- How and Why Questions a. Bias vs. Point of View b. Web Evaluation D. Project: Global Scavenger Hunt II. Global Literacy A. Five Themes of Geography B. September 11, 2001- How it changed your world C. International Bodies and Human Rights 1. United Nations and International Human Rights D. Project: Family Heritage III. The World and Its People A. Touring the Planet 1. North America a. Mental Maps: checking our preconceptions b. Maps: countries and major features c. Significant current events- alternative sources d. Themes: Democracy and Elections e. Project: Create Your Own Country 2. Africa a. Mental Maps: checking our preconceptions b. Maps: countries and major features c. Significant current events d. Themes: A forgotten land, the sources of poverty, Cultures 3. Asia a. Mental Maps: checking our preconceptions b. Maps: countries and major features c. Significant current events d. Theme: China, Cultures

4. Europe a. Mental Maps: checking our preconceptions b. Maps: countries and major features c. Significant current events d. Themes: Cultures in Europe e. Project: European Expert Project 5. Middle East a. Mental Maps: checking our preconceptions b. Maps: countries and major features c. Significant current events d. Themes: Islam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Oil and War 6. Latin America a. Mental Maps: checking our preconceptions b. Maps: countries and major features c. Significant current events d. Themes: Immigration, The Drug War e. Project: Language and Culture Fair with Spanish Classes IV. Sustainability A. Think Globally-Act Locally B. More or Less?!? C. Project: Hope for the Future