IB History of the
Kyle Yamada
E-mail: yamada@4j.lane.edu
Telephone: Churchill – 687-3438, South – 687-3115
Web
page: http://www.4j.lane.edu/~yamada
Office
hours: CHS – Rm. J12 or IHS office,
SEHS – Rm. 524, 520 or 521
Rationale: Why Study
History?
With
the world around us in continuous flux, it is tempting to forget the past and
do one’s best just to keep up with the present. But even the breakneck pace of change
in technology, science, politics and our own personal lives cannot erase what
came before. In fact, a firm grasp of how we got to the present moment can
offer a comforting sense of foundation in a world where nothing seems constant.
As we awaken to realize the collective experience of our ancestors, we begin to
comprehend the impermanent nature of the injustices that permeate our society.
In other words, the more we study history, the better we understand our own
power to change the world.
Major Topics and Subjects
In History of the
This class is organized
around the International Baccalaureate History curriculum. It is the first part
of a two-year course that will culminate in your Twentieth Century World
History class next year. All students earn an IB course designation on their
transcript, so all students will complete the same rigorous curriculum. This
class will also prepare you for paper three and parts of paper two of the IB
History test, which takes place in May of your senior year. If you are
considering completing the full IB diploma or a stand-alone certificate in
history, the work you do in this class will be especially vital.
Most importantly, this class
will foster critical thinking skills that should serve you in whatever path you
chose in life. Examining sources to ascertain their reliability and usefulness
will help you protect yourself from those who take advantage of the gullible.
The study of history is a first step towards independence.
Academic Policies
Grading Procedures
Your
grade will be based on five major categories with their approximate percentage
weight listed below:
Day-to-day homework – Based largely on reading
questions 20%
Long-term assignments – Research papers, creative
assignments 40%
Tests and quizzes – In-class essays, reading quizzes 20%
Participation and citizenship – Discussion and
respect for others 20%
I will give final grades at the end of each semester
according to the following grade scale:
A = 93-100%, A- = 89.5-92.99%, B+ = 87-89.49%, B =
83-86.99%, B- = 79.5-82.99%, C+ = 77-79.49%, C = 73-76.99%, C- = 69.5-72.99%, D
= 59.5-69.49%, NP = 0 – 59.49%
I may make mistakes on occasion, so keep graded assignments for your records.
They are your proof that you have completed the work. Besides, these materials
will help you study for the IB and in-class tests.
Online Grades
You can check your grade online using my web site.
Go to http://4j.lane.edu/~yamada/ and click on “check your
grade” on the left hand side near the bottom. Follow the instructions on the
target page to view grades. Your login is your student number. Your either
received a password at registration or will receive one in class.
Class Work and
Homework Assignments
I will supply specific requirements for certain assignments.
However, some general requirements will apply to all assignments unless
otherwise specified.
Bob Roberts
Churchill, Per. 2
Historiography Paper
Academic Integrity
Naturally,
I expect you to turn in your own work, as opposed to work copied from friends,
the Internet, or other sources. If I find that you have cheated or plagiarized
on any part of an assignment or test, you will receive zero credit for the work.
There may also be other consequences depending on the seriousness of the
violation. This policy applies equally to those who help someone
cheat/plagiarize. The objective is not to punish, but to ensure that the vast
majority of students who do exercise integrity are not put at an unfair
disadvantage.
Of
course, there are exceptions for group projects and assignments on which I explicitly
ask you to work together. I also encourage you to work together on day-to-day
homework, but if you do, make sure to
put all answers in your own words – otherwise, it’s
plagiarism.
Participation
and Citizenship
Spirited discussions of controversial issues are a
vital part of learning in our class. To receive full credit in the
citizenship/participation category, you will need to jump into the arena and
get your ideas out there on a regular basis in a way that is respectful to
others in the class. Expressing your brilliant ideas can be counterproductive
if you do it in a way that makes others afraid to speak up. I will not tolerate
put-downs or harassment of others in the class, and participation/citizenship
grades will reflect this policy. This section makes up 20% of your overall
grade, so it is quite substantial.
Absences, Tardies and Late Work
We
have many challenging problems to tackle this year, so it’s important that we
begin on time without interruptions. Since we will frequently be correcting
homework and taking reading quizzes at the very beginning of class, you will
need to show up on time to get credit for those assessments.
I do not accept late work on
day-to-day homework. Depending on the circumstances, I may accept certain long-term
assignments late for a reduced grade, but I reserve the right to refuse them. Assignments are due at the beginning of the
period on the due date listed. If you are unable to turn work in on the due
date because of an absence, it is up to you to get the absence excused or I
will consider it late. If you have an excused absence the assignment will be
due on the next day you are in class. (For example, if you miss class on an alpha
day and have an excused absence, the assignment will be due on the next alpha
day.) I will not accept any work due on a day that you skip.
If
you think you will be unable to turn in an assignment on time, the important
thing is to talk to me before the
due date. The earlier you approach me, the more sympathetic I will be to
your request for an extension. If I grant an extension I will not consider the
work to be late. I may also grant extensions when situations arise that you are
unable to control and/or predict. If I do grant an extension, you may still
receive reduced credit for the assignment depending on how early you contacted
me and the validity of the excuse.
All
work turned in past the original due date must have a completed “due date extension form” attached or
it will be considered late and not receive credit. These slips are available in
the classroom and on the “assignments” page of my web site.
HOTA Web Page
If you are absent you are responsible for checking the
History of the Americas Web page at http://staff.4j.lane.edu/~wiebe/ihs/hida/hotaintro.htm
This page will give you a sequence of due dates for
homework so that you can start on the next assignment even if you missed class.
Homework Partner
Find
a person you can rely on to be your homework partner. Homework partners are
responsible for providing each other with information about homework and missed
lessons if one them is absent.
Homework
partner: _____________________ Phone
#:_______________ e-mail:_________________
Check the assignments page
and ask your homework partner for any handouts you may have missed while gone
before asking me. I will also make extra copies available in the classroom from time to
time. See me only once you have exhausted these other options. This will save
us valuable time in class.
Day-to-Day
Procedures
Beginning
Class
It’s important to be seated and ready to go when
class starts, since you will frequently be showing me your homework for
completion or taking a short quiz. Right
before class is not a good time to ask me questions, as I will be focusing
on the day’s activities. However, I’m more than happy to talk to your heart’s content if you show up a good 20 minutes early,
visit during office hours, or make an appointment.
Materials
Your textbook is The
American People. You do not need to bring it to class each day. I do expect
you to bring your own pens, pencils, paper and notebook.
Seating
I
will assign a seating chart at the beginning of the year to help me learn your
names. I find this helps students work with people they wouldn’t usually get a
chance to interact with, and it also allows me to take attendance more quickly.
If the class demonstrates a high level of maturity we will switch to
student-selected seating charts that change once a month.
Food and Drink
You
may bring food and beverages to class, but 4J district policy does not allow
soft drinks. You are responsible for keeping your area clean. If there is
garbage on or under your desk after you leave, it will jeopardize food/drink
privileges for the whole class.
Bathroom
Take
care of business before class. If you need to go during class wait until a group
activity or a transition between activities in order to keep distractions to a
minimum. Let me know you are leaving before you go so I don’t accidentally mark
you absent.
End of Class
At
the end of the period you will be
responsible for copying down any assignments listed on the board and turning in any homework due that day that I didn’t collect at the
beginning of class. I also expect you to help others who use our room by returning
seats/desks to their original positions, putting away any materials that you
use during class and cleaning up any messes you may have made.
I’m
looking forward to a great year ahead!
Appropriate accommodations
will be made for special needs students.