Cultures
of the WorldInstructor: Todd Holmberg
COURSE CONTENT
Students of Cultures of the World will examine the geographic, economic, political, social, and religious systems of the world. The goal of the class is to answer the question, How and why do humans create culture?” In this semester we will study Europe, the Former Soviet Union, and Latin America. The year begins with the introductory unit “What is culture?” that discusses the elements of and factors that effect culture.
TEXT
Your primary text is World Cultures: A Global Mosaic. It is a NEW BOOK. Students are responsible for bringing their text daily and returning the SAME book they are issued in the same condition that it was issued in. Fines will result for lost or damaged books. It is expected that you cover your book and take good care of it.
OTHER RESOURCES
Numerous handouts will be distributed. It will be imperative to keep these in a 3 ring binder solely for World Culture’s use. Each student has purchased an atlas with his/her course fee. It will be used throughout all units of study both semesters, so save it. Many forms of A.V. material will also be used. All of these resources will be used to enhance the student’s understanding of our units of study.
EVERYDAY ITEMS
Always bring your book, a Cultures’ notebook, your Cultures binder , and anything your instructor indicates.
EVALUATION
You will be graded on everything you do. I always expect you to strive to do your best in and out of the classroom. Your grade will be determined by a cumulative amount of points in the following categories:
1. UNIT TESTS You will have a weeks notice.
2. QUIZZES I may or may not announce them.
3. Homework****
4. Projects
5. In-Class assignments
6. The Nastiest Final you can imagine!
Cumulative Semester grade = 85% Final =15%
A=90+% B=80+% C=70+% D= 60+% F= 59-%
Your grades online in IParent are always available to you and your parents. The averages are not rounded up by the program, I reserve the right to do this, or not.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
I expect ALL students to be ACTIVE learners in our classroom. It is up to you to make a positive mark on your teacher and your classmates. Come to class with a positive attitude, ready to learn. All put-downs, disruptive behavior, and negatives in general are not welcome in our classroom.
HOMEWORK***
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we will be having homework. You will be receiving approximately 3-4 assignments each week. There will also be numerous in-class activities. All assignments will be done in INK (except for maps) unless I instruct you to do otherwise. I will not collect individual assignments. I will collect all the homework for each unit in a packet that will be due on the day of your test. It is important for you to save all of your work in your binder. Work that is completed on the due date will receive a stamp denoting full credit. Late work can receive 50% credit if completed and included in your packet. Incomplete, late work will receive no credit. Late packets will lose 10% per day late.
ATTENDANCE
School policies regarding attendance apply in this class. Daily attendance for any class is essential for success. I hope and expect that my students make every effort to attend their Cultures class. In the case of an absence, IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK ME, WHAT WAS COVERED, WHAT ASSIGNMENTS THEY HAVE MISSED, AND TO GET THE PREVIOUS HOMEWORK STAMPED. YOU HAVE 2 DAYS FROM YOUR RETURN TO MAKE UP ANY TESTS OR QUIZZES, OR THEY WILL BE RECORDED AS ZEROS. (This includes your first day back) Homework will be given one additional day. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule an appointment with the instructor. Please alert the instructor 3-4 days in advance of a preplanned absence.
TARDIES
Students will be given 2 free tardies. The third tardy will result in a 1 hour detention after school. For each additional tardy the student will receive a ½ hour detention. If the problem continues, the deans will be called in.
STUDENT CONDUCT
All school rules apply in this class. I don’t anticipate any problems, however I would like to remind all of you to read dress code policy in the Red Book and remind you to turn off your cell phones in school. Cheating of any kind on homework, quizzes or tests will result in an automatic zero for that grade, your deans and parents will be contacted. No food or drink other than water will be tolerated. All personal music equipment or phones must be turned off and not be visible in class.
STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY
Your job as a member of my class is that of an open-minded learner. Your energies will be spent becoming more aware and educated about the world in which you live.
TEACHER’S RESPONSIBILITY
My responsibility to you is to provide a safe, freethinking atmosphere to learn and to provide learning activities that will challenge you to become more aware of the world around you.
CONTACTING ME
If you need extra help, I am available before school, first and second hour, and eighth hour. If you need to call me, my office phone number is 420-6456. My voice mail is 369-8466. My email address is tholmberg@naperville203.org. Class information such as this syllabus, notes and homework is available at my web page on the school website. The link is http://www.ncusd203.org/central/html/what/humanities/holmberg/wcsylpage.html .
I look forward to a great semester and getting to know all of you. Good luck, learn, and enjoy!
Sincerely, Todd Holmberg
Click Here to see Student Rights and Mr. Holmberg's Non-Negotiable Rules
World Cultures Weekly Schedule & Homework Page