Comparative Civilizations 12

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Comparative Civilizations 12

• Introduction

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Course Structure

• This is very much a web-based course.
• We also use plenty of text-based material from
  the Library, my bookshelves and whatever else you
  can access.
• Ill assign a text a little further into the
  course.

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Course Structure

• Expect me to give shortish presentations then you
  will usually have much of the class to work on
  research and presentation of your findings.
• Use this time well!

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Course Structure

• Because you may be working in one of many
  locations, I need to keep track of you in case of
  emergency.
• When not in the classroom you must indicate on
  the sign-out sheet where you will be. If you
  change locations, you must return to the class
  and change the information on the sign-out sheet.
• Failure to do so will result in your losing
  sign-out privileges for a time.

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Attendance

• What you miss cannot easily be replicated, so do
  not miss classes unless it is absolutely
  unavoidable.
• If you do miss, check the posted plan and catch
  up.

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Extra Help

• Official tutorial times are Monday and Friday
  from 255 to 315.
• I am generally available from 800 a.m. to 430
  p.m., including lunch break as long as I am at
  school and not at a meeting.

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Marks.

• The breakdown of marks is as follows
• 85 class work including your notebook, tests,
  oral presentations and bonus opportunities.
• 15 Final Exam.

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Marks

• I do not use bins or weighted categories for
  in-class marks.
• Therefore, what you see is what you get in terms
  of marks during the year. This makes it easy for
  you to keep track of your marks.

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Marks

• Marks are posted at the left front of the room,
  above the microwave. Check them regularly.
• I dont want any mistake on my part to affect
  your grades.

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Notebook

• This may be presented as answers to the problems
  posed on the assigned packages or it may be
  presented in book form (this is more difficult
  and time consuming) you choose. You could even
  present it in PowerPoint or use interactive pdf
  formats if you wish this would allow
  integrating video or flash (however, this would
  also take more time).

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Notebook

• Since exams are open-notebook (except for image
  identification), a good notebook ensures a good
  mark.

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Bonus Opportunities- Cultural Outings -

• Once in each term, you may write up a cultural
  outing that you undertake. (A concert, exhibit,
  performance etc.)
• Each write-up is worth 10 marks, which will be
  added as a bonus to an exam score.

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Unit Tests

• These will consist of several parts
• Image Identification where you note the name of
  the object and the creator or period of creation
  (closed notes).
• Multiple Choice and, perhaps, matching (open
  notebook).
• Subjective answers paragraphs or essay
  responses (open notebook).

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Oral Presentation

• In the 2nd term we will have oral presentations.
• These are valued at 80 marks and may be done
  individually or in groups.
• Topics are wide-ranging and are self-chosen.

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Final Exam

• This will take place in the two final classes of
  the term (not in the exam schedule, so as not to
  interfere with your preparation for provincial
  exams).
• It is open-notebook, except for the image
  identification section.
• It is worth 15 of your total mark.

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Global Goals

• We have 3 main objectives in this course
• Gain knowledge.
• Acquire skills.
• Get ideas for that big trip (or trips) you want
  to make one day.

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Responsibilities

• Expect me to select and present material and give
  you leads to great stuff to make this possible.
• You must look after your own learning. Only you
  can do so.

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Your Responsibilities

• For us to meet these goals you must take personal
  responsibility
• Be responsible.
• Act maturely.
• Try to learn.

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Your Responsibilities.

• Prepare for class ahead of time

- Bring needed material
Books
Planners
Pens
Other tools
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Your Responsibilities

• Attend class regularly.
• Get to class on time.
• If you are late, enter at a convenient moment
  when you wont disturb others.
• If you are away, check the blogsite to know what
  is going on in class. Keep up, if at all
  possible.

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Your Responsibilities

• Do all assignments to the best of your ability.

• Put in the necessary time but also set
  reasonable limits. Its easy to get carried away
  in this course!

• Get help if you dont understand something.

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Your Responsibilities

• Ensure your work comes in on time.
• Packages are due by 430 p.m. on due dates.
• Unless an extension is granted, late deductions
  will be applied to assignments submitted late.
• No reduction will be applied that reduces a mark
  below 50, so it is always worth handing work in.
  

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Final Words

• I hope that this is the most enjoyable course you
  take in high school.
• It is certainly the most enjoyable to teach.
• This course may not lead to a job (though it
  can), but it does much more it helps you enjoy
  life.
• See it as step one in preparing for your grand
  tour.

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Finis