IB European History
Junior Year

2007-2008

Instructor
Mr. Richard
A-403
Email

CLASS POLICY AND EXPECTATIONS

Sequence for Semester One:
The Renaissance—Absolute Monarchs
British Monarchy and Glorious Revolution
French Revolution
The Rise of Napoleon

Upon completion of Semester One, you will have attained a broad factual narrative of European History through 1815. You will also understand the ideologies of Europe within the timeframe. The course will integrate political, intellectual, economic, cultural, and social historical themes.

Semester One will also begin to prepare you for the IB History examination which will be given in the senior year. Therefore, you will evaluate primary and secondary sources, synthesize evidence into well constructed essays, and develop higher level research skills.
 

GRADING POLICY:
Assessments will be given in these categories:
      Cumulative Assessments (Unit Test and Quizzes) scale:  70%
      Non-Cumulative Assessments                                           30%
(Grading scale: A= 90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; E=50-59)

You will be required to maintain a grade sheet for this class so that you are always aware of your grade in this class. It is critical that you study and work diligently for all assessment throughout the semester. I will not give extra assignments or bonus work to the student who, at the end of the grading period, is not pleased with his/her grade.

All students must have a folder solely for IB European History. In this folder, you will keep grade sheet, IB rubrics, and graded papers. This folder must be maintained and brought with you to any meetings with me that concern re-teaching/reassessment.

Cumulative Assessments: A culminating unit exam will be given at the end of each unit of study. By the end of semester one, this exam will occur over a three-day period and will include multiple choice questions, a DBQ, and a free response essay. Two cumulative quizzes will be given during the marking period. These will be high-level multiple choice questions and will represent a synthesis of assigned readings, lecture notes, seminars/discussions, etc., All test and quiz dates will be posted at the beginning of the month.

Non-cumulative Assessments: You will be assessed more frequently on assignments completed in class and at home. These assignments will include discussion seminars, document analysis, presentations, reading quizzes, and timed essays. The reading check quizzes will be based on the reading guides assigned to you, and these will count as classwork grades. The reading check quizzes will be closed notes. For the most part, reading the assigned materials will be your homework. There may be times when essays will be assigned for homework.

Deadlines: Meeting deadlines will be important this year. You will be given clear deadlines that will also be posted well in advance. Unless you have a legitimate emergency or verifiable excused absence, assignments must be submitted on the deadline. Credit will not be given to work handed in after the deadline.

Test/Quiz makeups: The schedule to make up these assessments will be as follows (this includes reading check quizzes):

If absent on the makeup day, then the makeup must be taken the day of return to school. Example: Quiz was given on Friday but you were absent. Makeup day is Tuesday; however, you are absent on Tuesday. You must take the makeup day on Wednesday.
 

Study habits, teamwork, and organization: The IB European History course is very challenging but also very engaging. There is no doubt that when you leave this course at the end of the senior year, you will be prepared for the rigors of higher academic study. It is worth your while to find a method of organizing your time and materials so that you are not stressed and frustrated. Throwing important handouts into the dark abyss of your bookbag and reading your assigned work the night before it is due only increases your level of stress. I do encourage you to find a study group, but beware that you are not using your study partners to shortcut your own reading and studying. It is also unwise to download papers and book outlines. Remember that for the senior IB exams, the only things that you can bring into the examination room are the knowledge and skills that you have acquired over the past two years!

This will be rigorous yet exciting year for all of us. Please consult with me to devise study strategies, develop research techniques, and to sharpen writing skills.