Course Plan – Lost Worlds

2003 – 2004 Academic Year

LaFollette High School

Mr. Franco

 

Overview

            Lost Worlds provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to human change over time. Emphasis is given to the geographical and historical changes resultant from human organizational systems of hunter-gatherers to the complex administrative governmental systems up to the sixth century A.D. This course will explore the Mediterranean World, Near East, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China, and Persia. Important themes throughout this course are the role of writing, language, landforms, environment, government, culture, and technological developments over time.

 

Introduction

 

“History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.”

Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), Pro Publio Sestio

 

What affects human progress? What affects meaningful or significant change within human societies? What conclusions can we draw from our human experience as seen from the past and in the present? How are those historical contexts different than our present experience? How can those histories broaden our understanding of modern human experience? Your objective for this course is to answer those questions through the analysis and synthesis of historical and geographical information obtained throughout the term!

Human development over the past six thousand years can be viewed from several perspectives – historical, scientifically, intellectually, and so forth. One can argue that over time humans have changed significantly. After all, we have “evolved” from hunter-gatherers to modern urbanized consumers of mass marketing and microchips. However, have we really changed much over time?

 

How will I earn my grade?

History Notebooks = 30%

Essay and other Quizzes = 20%

Participation = 20%

Research Paper = 20%

Timeline = 10%

 

Grading: Grading will be on a traditional 90%A, 80% B, 70% C, 60% D, below 60% F.

Students will be graded on tests, quizzes, homework, debates and discussion. Late assignments will receive a reduced grade or a zero.

 

Attendance and Behavior: Attendance is mandatory. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to make up the lesson/activity/test of the day. Civil behavior is required. This is especially important during class debates or discussions.

 

Writing Assignments: Assignments such as essays are graded on clarity of thought, writing ability, argumentation and demonstration of knowledge.

 

Extra Credit: Extra Credit is available in a variety of forms such as with a book report or an oral report.

 

Research Paper: The final grade for this course will be in the form of a formal research paper. A separate instruction sheet will be given at a later date.

 

Class Participation: Constant engagement with the material via class participation will raise your grade.

 

History Notebooks: Students are expected to keep a notebook for all in-class assignments and written work  (with the exception for research papers).

 

Essay and other Quizzes: Weekly unit learning objectives will be evaluated through essay responses and other quizzes.

 

Participation: Participation in class discussions are essential! Participation is also evaluated by completion of assignments.

 

Research Paper: Final examination will be through a formal research paper. Details to be discussed in class.

 

Timeline: Student mid-term exam will through the presentation of an historical timeline. Details to be discussed in class.

 

 

 

Class Materials

 

Please ensure bring the following materials to class every day unless I tell you otherwise: