Course Syllabus

Tentative Syllabus for Social Studies Foundations 2024/25

 

This course has six individual units of study.  Each unit has its own focus, its own map to learn, and its own unit test.  All graded content will be posted on Canvas, but attendance in the classroom is vital.  The Foundations Social Studies course does not have a textbook per se, but we will be using several supplemental texts that provide opportunities to practice reading comprehension with interesting, accessible literature.  Class will meet on “B Days”.

• Introduction Unit  (September 4–30)  Topics Include: an overview of our different social studies units, as well as beginning to learn our essential skills of media literacy, essay writing, and map reading/memorization.  Map: World Map: Continents, Oceans, Seas and Islands  Test: September 30.

• Anthropology/Archaeology  (October 2–November 7)  Topics Include: the evolution of various hominids including Neanderthals; the prehistoric peopling of the Americas; the Neolithic Revolution; Viking settlements in North America.  Map: World Map: Mountains and Rivers.  Test: November 7.

• Economics  (November 13–December 20)  Topics Include: Macro and Micro Economics; Personal Finance; the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services focusing on the economy of Maine.  Map: Map of Maine: Counties, Rivers, Bodies of Water.  Test: December 20.

• History  (January 3–February 28)  Topics Include: Chronology; primary vs secondary sources; United States History (Colonial through Gilded Era) through the female perspective.  Map: United States: States and Capitals.  Supplemental Text: America’s Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines by Gail Collins.  Test: February 28.

• Political Science  (March 4–April 4)  Topics Include: Comparative Systems of Government; analyzing political thought and behavior; History of Political Science in Europe.  Map: Political Map of Europe. Research Project Presentations: April 2 and 4.

• Religion  (April 8–May 30)  Topics Include: different types of “theisms”; belief and unbelief; an overview of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.  Maps: the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Eastern Asia.  Test: Included in Final Exam–June TBD.

What You Need for This Class

 

A Notebook/Binder A spiral bound, college ruled notebook with pockets for handouts, or a 3-ring binder with plenty of lined paper in it would be ideal.  In order to stay organized, it should be designated just for this class.  You will use it almost every single day.

 

Pens and/or Pencils You will also need something with which to write every, single day.  Scrounging around for a writing utensil wastes valuable class time---so stock up and be prepared.

 

Your Laptop Much of the work you do in this class will be submitted on Canvas (our online learning platform) via your laptop.  You will need it most days.

 

Course Objectives

 

-Students will gain working knowledge of Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, and Religion and be able to apply that knowledge to understanding the world around them.

-Students will be able to effectively communicate their ideas in written paragraph format by developing a thesis, supporting that thesis with original, unified, coherent, and grammatically correct sentences, and ending their paragraph with a conclusion.

-Students will develop good note taking skills by mastering the outline format as well as practicing paying attention and staying on task.

-Students will be able to analyze media messages for veracity and trustworthiness as well as be able to detect most forms of media bias.

-Students will be able to partially or completely recognize and name most regions (continents, oceans, mountain ranges, rivers, seas, countries and capitals) of the world on a map

 

Grading Policy

 

Daily class assignments (2-3 times a week) are worth between 10-20 points; quizzes (roughly every 2 weeks) will generally be 30-60 points; major tests and projects (six over the course of the year) will be 150-200 points. Late work will be penalized (marked down) depending on the circumstances; after two weeks it may not be accepted.

 

A Final Note to Consider

What should you do if you find yourself struggling, if you’ve fallen behind in your work, or if you have missed school?  Your first step is to LOOK ON CANVAS—it’s all there.  If you still need help after that, you can usually find me in my room 30 minutes before school, 30 minutes after school, during break, and during most lunches.  Email me (m.lowe@georgestevens.org) only if you can’t find help on Canvas and can’t find me in person.