Oakland Mills High School

9410 Kilimanjaro Road

Columbia, MD 21045
410-313-6945
Fax 410-313-6948
Syllabus

Course Title: AP World History

Teacher Name: Richard Smart

richard_smart@hcpss.org

Course Description:

The goal of this course is to enable students to develop an understanding of global

developments and interactions from 8000 BCE to present day. It is shaped
according to six themes and the “habits of mind” as presented in the AP World
History, Course Description Guide. These themes and habits of mind are listed in
the sections below. For each time period, knowledge of major developments that
illustrate or link the six thematic areas and of major civilizations in Africa, the
Americas, Asia, and Europe is expected. Coverage of European history will not
exceed 30% of the total course. This encourages increased coverage of topics that
demonstrate diffusion across cultures, as well as attention to areas of the world
outside of Europe. By providing an engaging and rigorous course it is hoped that the
students will develop the background knowledge to help them understand the
complexities of their world and an appreciation for cultures other than their own.
Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP World History Test and the
course focuses on providing guidance and practice to ensure the student’s success
in that endeavor.
Themes:
1. Interaction between human beings and the environment.
2. Development and interaction of cultures.
3. State-building, expansion, and conflict.
4. Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems.
5. Development and transformation of social structures.

Habits of Mind:

All History Courses

• Constructing and evaluating arguments: using evidence to make plausible
arguments.
• Using documents and other primary data: developing the skills necessary
to analyze point of view, context, and bias, and to understand and
interpret information.
• Developing the ability to assess issues of change and continuity over time.
• Enhancing the capacity to handle diversity of interpretations through
analysis of context, bias, and frame of reference.

World History
• Seeing global patterns over time and space while also acquiring the ability
to connect local developments to global ones and to move through levels
of generalizations from the global to the particular.
• Developing the ability to compare within and among societies, including
comparing societies’ reactions to global processes.
• Developing the ability to assess claims of universal standards yet
remaining aware of human commonalities and differences; putting
culturally diverse ideas and values in historical context, not suspending
judgment but developing understaning.

Required Texts, Supplies & Learning Materials:

• Text : Bentley, Jerry, Herb Ziegler. Traditions and Encounters: A Global

Perspective on the Past, 3rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2006.
• Other texts and readings will be given during the year.
• Supplies : Pen, pencil, bound notebook required. Colored pencils,
highlighters, scissors, glue optional.
 Classroom Expectations:
• This classroom should be considered to be a – Formal Environment

Actions
Dress
Eat or Drink before class.
Follow school dress code.
Remain in seats during
No visible/audible
instruction.
hats/electronic devices
Help others to learn by
Professionally - for work, not
avoiding distracting behaviors.
for socializing. Attitude

Expecting to work.
Wanting to succeed.
Encouraging others.
Respecting diversity Preparation
Language
Low volume and calm tone.
Positive language – no swearing. Meet deadlines
Address teacher as Mr. or Mrs. Bring a pencil, pen and any
Wait to be acknowledged before other required equipment.
speaking. In seat before late bell.

In addition
• Academic Honesty is expected for all assignments. Everything you submit should be you
own work and any debt to another student or resource should be cited.
• Classroom seating is assigned. Seating will be rotated at least once each quarter.
Students should remain in seats unless otherwise directed.
• Wait to be dismissed. Please do not pack up without instruction and remain in your seat
until dismissed by the teacher.

Classroom Consequences
Academic dishonesty, lateness to class and cutting class will be dealt with in line with specific
county policies (see next page). All other infractions will result in the following consequences in line
with school and county policy.

Stage 1
• Verbal Warning pointing out the problem.
Stage 2
• Seat change in classroom, 30 minute after school detention with teacher and
possible parent / guardian phone call.
Stage 3
• Isolation from classroom, 1 hour after school detention with teacher and
parent / guardian phone call.
Stage 4
• Referral to administration.
NB Some infringements may merit immediate application of stages 2, 3 or 4
Grading Policy:

• All work you submit should be neatly presented (word processed or written
in ink not pencil), titled, named and dated.
• Different assignments will fit into different grading :
1. Classwork and homework - 20% - Notebooks/Web assignments
2. Quizzes - 30% - Weekly reading quizzes/mastery quizzes
3. Tests - 40% - Take home essays/test essays/MC tests/Projects
4. Participation - 10% - Contributions to discussion in class & online.
5. Your final grade will be produced by combining your results from each of
these categories. (A=89.5+, B=79.5% - 89.4%, C=69.5% – 79.4%,
D=59.5% - 69.4%, E=59.4 and below).
6. All take home essays can be redone for improved credit. Appointments
should be made within the week after the essay has been graded for a redo
grading conference. No redos will be graded without a conference.
7. If you are absent you should see the teacher during the next class and
discover what work you have missed. A deadline will be set and all work
submitted by the deadline will receive full credit.
8. Late work – one day late = 10% reduction. More than one day – no credit
without prior arrangement.
9. Missed tests will be completed on a designated time and day after school in
the Social Studies Office. If you miss that appointment you will not receive
credit for that test.
• Grade sheets will be available in online each week for students to view their
progress.
• Parents are encouraged to contact me by phone or e-mail with any concerns
about grades or to inquire about current progress.

Course Outline:
Quarter Topics
Foundations 8000CE – 600CE
1st
Cross cultural interaction 600CE – 1450CE
Cross cultural interaction (ctd)
2nd
Emergence of the first global age 1450CE – 1750CE
Emergence of the first global age (ctd)
3rd Revolution, Industrialization and Imperialism 1750 - 1914
The Contemporary World 1914 – today
The Contemporary World (ctd)
4th Exam Review
Greatest Individual Research paper
 There will be a cumulative test each quarter on all material covered thus far in preparation
for the AP test. Topics covered each quarter are stated following College Board guidelines
but may change due to instructional needs.

Dear Parents:

The vision statement of Oakland Mills High School charges us to prepare students to be able to
“compete, contribute and adapt to an increasingly global and technological society.” In my
classroom this year we will been using a number of technological tools to enhance instruction
and educate students about safe and effective practices when interacting online.

Students in my classes will use a number of Web2.0 tools including, but not exclusively, Google
Apps, Posterous blogs, Wikispaces, and Moodle. Students will use these tools both in the
classroom and for homework. All applications are ad-free for educators and students will not be
exposed to any inappropriate material.

All Web2.0 activities are designed to minimize risk to participants. These communities are
closed communities only by accessible by invitation and password protected. No student names
will be used anywhere in the community, all posts will be made using usernames. Usernames
allow the teacher and other students to identify the author, but maintain anonymity when viewed
by outsiders or guests. The teacher receives notifications of all posts and activities within the
community and can monitor for appropriateness. Every activity your child completes is
available for you to see and I have guest accounts available for parents who wish to visit the
communities.

The Web2.0 assignments will be part of each student’s grade this year. Assignments could count
for classwork, homework or even a test grade. Special consideration will be given to any
assignment that requires the use of technology outside of the classroom. Students will be given
extended time to access computers in the school building, at home, or at the local library. I am
concerned that no student should be penalized if they have limited access to computers or the
internet. Any internet or computer access issues will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

All students are required to have an e-mail address for the course. Students can use their own e-
mail address or a parent’s e-mail address. Students should expect to receive e-mails containing,
news, assignment information, reminders and even grade reports. All communication is
available for parents, please let me know if you wish to be cc’d on communication with students.

Before your child may start posting to any of these Web2.0 tools I would like you to sign the
permission form overleaf. If you have any questions about the activities I am proposing, or if
you wish to have guest access to view the activities please do not hesitate to contact me by e-
mail (Richard_smart@hcpss.org) or telephone (410 313 6945). Feel free to explore the sample
materials at http://learningsmart.org .

Yours faithfully,
Richard Smart (History Instructor)

Parent/Guardian & Student Acknowledgement:

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Please fill out this sheet, detach it and send it back to class with your student. Have your student
place the front pages in their notebook for later reference.

Student Name: ______________________________________Book No: ____________

Preferred Student E-mail address: _________________________________

Home Address: ____________________________________

____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

Student Mode of Transportation: (circle one)

Bus Parent Automobile Student Automobile Walking

Parent(s) Name: ___________________________________

Home Phone: _____________________________________

Cell Phone: _______________________________________

Work Phone: ______________________________________

Preferred E-Mail Address: ___________________________________

Student Signature*:__________________________________Date:________________

Parent Signature*:___________________________________Date:________________

*Signature indicates that the student and parent have read these policies (including the
Web2.0 usage letter) and understand the penalties for any violations.