Mr. Combs's History Pages

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Course Information

Ancient World History

Course Purpose:

First and foremost, our goal is college preparation.  It may seem 
strange to think about that already.  However, this course is 
intended to help you develop the skills you need to be successful in 
college and beyond.

A second goal is to prepare you to be successful in your 10th grade 
history course which will, in turn, prepare you for the rigors of 
your junior and senior years.  The process begins here.

Students will be introduced to themes of the past as well as the 
nature of historical research and historiography, and become 
familiar with  source materials useful for the study of various 
historical civilizations.

Great attention is paid to a student’s ability to read and digest 
materials and analyze them critically in order to make sensible 
judgments while writing critical essays.

In a college classroom, you are responsible for remembering due 
dates, tracking down missed assignments and seeking extra help.  
The same holds true for this course. Your syllabus is an important 
document for the course and should be read thoroughly. You will be 
instructed to do so and I will operate under the assumption that this 
has been done.  The course website will have information about our 
daily schedule and due dates for assignments.   Helpful hints for 
completing various tasks will also be posted.  However, you are
responsible for monitoring the website and for making sure you 
know what is posted there.

Course Objectives: 
- to create a highly interactive, discussion-based classroom driven 
by the students. 
- to develop an appreciation for the study of history 
- to develop an appreciation for and understanding of the process 
of historical inquiry 
- to develop a better understanding of the history of world history 
in political, economic, social, ethnic, and cultural terms. 
- to develop a better understanding of some of the great issues at 
the heart of world history 
- to improve writing, research, and critical reading and writing skills 
- to improve thinking skills – specifically to develop the ability to 
analyze historical arguments
- to develop an understanding of the present-day world and our 
place in it
- to develop the ability to think historically (understanding in 
context)

Discussion: 
Every class is discussion based. You MUST complete the reading 
before class. UNANNOUNCED QUIZZES covering assigned 
readings may be  given at any time. They tend to appear when I 
suspect students are not keeping up with their assignments.

YOU CANNOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE NOT 
PREPARED.

Grading Standards for Discussion

Students often have questions about how their participation in class
discussions will be evaluated and assessed. Students should use these
guidelines to track their own performance in class.

0 = Absent

1 = Present. Does not voluntarily contribute. Has difficulty 
responding when called on. Shows little interest and gives no clear 
evidence of  having completed the assigned reading.

2 = Occasionally participates voluntarily. Can respond minimally if 
called on. Demonstrates very basic preparation of essential facts 
but gives no  evidence of careful, critical thought about the reading 
and the problems it raises. Shows modest interest and gives 
evidence of having completed only some of the reading.

3 = Participates often. Offers to participate and/or responds 
effectively when called on. Knows basic information but can offer 
interpretations, analyses, and critical reflections. Responds to other 
students' points. Shows real interest and gives evidence of having 
completed the reading with a high degree of understanding and 
comprehension.

4 = Participates all the time, without having to be called on. 
Responds both to issues raised by the discussion leader and points 
raised by other students. Knows how to work in a discussion-based 
environment: Keeps to the point;helps to keep others (even the 
teacher!) on the point; sees when it is time to move to a new issue. 
Consistently displays careful, critical, analytical reading of
the weekly assignments.

Basically, students can assume that the numbers on this chart can 
be translated into letter grades ranging from F (0) to A (4). I 
assume  that students will improve over the course of the term, 
that anyone can have a bad day, and that even the most diligent 
student will find some readings easier to understand and discuss than 
others. Thus, these numbers are objective guidelines more than hard 
and fast rules. (I found this rubric online so many years ago I lost 
the original citation.  It is not, however, my own creation.)

At the end of each grading period I will use your performance in 
class when calculating your grade.  If you have consistently 
performed to the 3 or 4 level, your grade will receive a bump of 
one increment (i.e. from B+ to A-).  If you have not been a 
consistent contributor, your grade stays where it is calculated based 
on the other assessments for the quarter.  For example, if
you have an 89.4 but have not been prepared daily for class, your 
grade will stay at 89.

As we read and discuss thousands of pages of history, you will 
become more insightful thinkers.  The "how" and "why" of history 
is just as, if not more, important than the who, when, where.  Class 
discussion is devoted to unraveling the how and why.  You are 
responsible for mastering the details.  I will provide direction as to 
the crucial information to master, but the grunt work of 
remembering the who, when, where falls on your shoulders.  
We will work on strategies for doing so throughout the year.  
Please see me anytime for additional work on strategies for 
mastering content.  Preventative maintenance is always preferable 
to triage.

Grading:

All daily and unit assignments will be graded. A rough estimate of 
the breakdown for the year grade is as follows.

1st trimester - 25%
2nd trimester - 25%
3rd trimester - 25%
1st trimester exam – 10%
Final exam   - 15%
 
 
Late Assignments: 
        One day late = maximum grade, B 
        2 days late = maximum grade, C 
        3 days late = maximum grade D 
        4 days late = failing grade for the assignment.

Late is defined as not handed in at the beginning of class on the day 
it is due.  Any work turned in after discussion begins is considered 
late.

Absences: 
You are required to make up all missed work and to track down 
missed assignments. It is not my responsibility to get you the work. 
I will not hound you to make up missed work. Zeros compute just 
as easily as 95s. Make-up exams will be taken the day you return to 
class except in cases of prolonged illness according to school 
provisions.

The 80% rule will be applied to work missed due to unexcused 
absences.  See the student handbook for details.

Notetaking: 
Students are expected to take reading notes each night and notes in 
class during discussion. Should you come for extra help, I will first 
ask to  see your notes. If you do not have comprehensive notes, 
you have not done your part to prepare.  Each student must find a 
style of taking discussion and reading notes that works for him/her. 
This will be crucial to your success at the next level. Reading notes 
should be taken as you complete nightly assignments.  These should 
be enhanced during discussion in class.  Please see me with 
questions/concerns about taking effective reading/classroom
notes.    If you are having trouble with note taking, please see me 
to discuss strategies/techniques. In addition to working with you I 
can suggest some fantastic websites with various strategies you may 
wish to employ.

Classroom code:

It may seem frivolous to put many of these in writing. However, 
our success this year depends on a clear understanding of what to 
expect from me and what I expect from you. Please carefully read 
the following procedures. You will be responsible for knowing and 
following them.

Please arrive on time. A pass is required from the teacher of your 
previous class for entrance once the class begins.  If you are coming 
from the nurse’s office, please obtain a pass with the time you left 
her office.  Students arriving late to class without a pass will be sent 
to the grade level dean to explain their tardiness.

Participation in class discussion is crucial to your success. Late 
arrival prevents your participation, distracts your classmates, and 
annoys  me. Three late arrivals per quarter will result in a grade 
reduction of a letter grade.

Cutting class will result in a grade reduction of a letter grade for 
EACH cut.

Please bring your books to class at all times except on exam days. 
Failure to bring your books limits your ability to participate and 
sends a clear signal to me regarding your desire to do well in this 
class. Students who do not bring their books to class may be 
dismissed as unprepared and will receive a 0 for the day.

Please do not eat during class. Bottles of water are permitted. The 
rustle of wrappers is a terrible distraction. Students face down in a 
sandwich  or bag of snacks are not taking notes, are not devoting 
their undivided attention to the discussion or presentation. You will 
be actively participating in this course and will learn to appreciate 
an attentive audience.

Cell phones should not be brought into the classroom.  If a phone 
rings (even if it is in your backpack), the phone will be taken and a 
blue slip will be issued under the category of Disrespect.  This will 
trigger an automatic detention.

Please treat your colleagues and the instructor with respect. A goal 
of this course is to create a professional, scholarly environment of 
inquiry, analysis, and learning. You may be critical of the idea - 
NOT the person.

Your criticism must be at all times respectful and constructive.  We 
are a community of scholars.  Damage to the community is 
unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Please continue to work until the end of the period. Do not begin 
putting your papers away with three minutes or so left in the class. 
We have a  lot of work to do and short periods of time to 
accomplish our objectives. I will dismiss the class when our time has 
expired.

Please contact me at any time with question or concerns about 
anything in the course.  Communication is crucial to a successful 
seminar.

Email: rcombs@nicholsschool.org

If you do not do the reading, do not pay attention and take notes 
in class and are not willing to participate, you will struggle mightily 
in this class.

Passing will prove most difficult.  My courses are not hard – they 
are a lot of work.

(Many thanks to all historians and teachers who post information 
on the web to assist teachers like me! You are a great resource.)

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Mr. Combs's History Pages

Ancient World History Syllabus