Ms. Hammond

hammondk@countryday.net

office phone: 513.979.0285

home phone: 513.533.1373

aim handle: hamnet70

Materials Required Daily

• courage
• an open mind
• a fully-operating laptop with Office, FrontPage, Photoshop Elements, GuruNet, and a microphone
• a sketchbook
• a notebook for class and reading notes (recommended: three-ring binder with plenty of paper)
• the texts we are currently investigating

Interdisciplinary Study

While school often separates math, science, history, language, and art, they are not so cleanly distinguished in the real world. In everything we study, we’ll look to literature, historical documents, artifacts, architecture, art, and music to understand the material. Our daily work will parallel our sources as we read, write, speak, digitize, draw, discuss, and act in order to learn. Interdisciplinary study requires the whole brain, the whole body, the whole soul. Be prepared to use yours.

Primary Texts

• World History to 1800
• Online and photocopied documents
• Holt High School Handbook
• Holt High School Workbook
• The Ramayana
• Mythology
• The Odyssey
• The Aeneid
• Beowulf
• Romeo and Juliet

Primary Areas of Study

• Ancient India
• Ancient Greeks
• Ancient Romans
• Ancient Hebrews
• Early Christianity
• Islam
• The Middle Ages in Europe
• Elizabethan England
  
  

Course Goals

The world is full and rich. The goal of this course is for you to learn to appreciate that richness, to analyze it and articulate it. Specifically, we’ll investigate civilizations and listen to the voice of their inhabitants speak across geographical boundaries and centuries. As we disinter their past, we’ll see in it our present, and gain keen insight into where we were, where we are, and where we might be going.

Class Participation

As the old adage says, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Class participation is vital to learning, and therefore essential in succeeding in this course. From class discussions to improvisation, you’ll be asked every day to contribute.

Reading

Much of this course is about reading and the discussion and writing it generates. For all assignments, you should read closely and carefully, annotating (writing in the margins or in digital comments) as you progress. You should always read any author information, foot/endnotes, or questions that accompany a text unless directed otherwise.

Writing

While you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate what you know visually, physically, and orally, much of the evidence that you are learning will take written form. The only real way to learn to write is to practice. You’ll have ample chance to sharpen your writing skills through informal and formal writing assignments. Revision offers the most effective avenue for practice, and, as a result, you be allowed to resubmit many papers. When approaching written work, keep a few rules in mind:

• Print before class.
• Number every page and include a header with your name and the assignment title.
• Proofread.
• Proofread.
• Proofread. (In fact, for formal papers, you will be prompted to submit a voice recording of your paper.)
• Cite your sources.
• Cite your sources.
• Cite your sources. (See individual citation guides on the website for reference.)
• Keep a copy of all of your work on your H: drive until the end of the year. We will try do this together in class every Friday.

Your Website

Throughout the year, you will be creating a web site intended to organize and showcase your knowledge. This web site, which will contain your papers, notes, maps, projects, videos, and thoughts, is the ultimate scrapbook of your learning. While specific web page assignments will be given weekly, you may wish to filter everything you know and do for the class through this medium.

Late assignments

To receive full credit, assignments must be handed in by the beginning of class on the day that they are due. Assignments can be made up within a week’s time for half credit. If you anticipate turning in an assignment late, please speak to me in my office before the due date.

Plagiarism

Taking the work of others without crediting them is not only against class rules, it’s often against the law. No matter how tempting, it is never right to steal someone else’s ideas or work. If you plagiarize, you run the risk of serious school disciplinary action. It is never worth the risk.

Generally, desperate people plagiarize either because they feel they do not have the time to do the work themselves or because they do not understand the material. We can always adjust the timing, and I can always help you with the material.

Grading

This class is dedicated to helping you think, read, and write well. Great effort will be made to use your learning style, talents, previous experience, perspective, and passions to help you succeed. Ultimately, though, it’s up to you. I expect you to do the following:

• Try
• Participate
• Work toward self-reliance
• Do the assigned work and turn it in on time
• Be on time
• Read closely, write carefully, and stay engaged
• Revise, revisit, rethink, reword
• Cite your sources
• Ask for help when you need it
• Care
• Respect me, your classmates, and yourself

The grading scale is below. Rubrics will be available before major papers and assignments.

A+ 97-100 B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69

A 94-96 B 84-86 C 74-76 D 64-66

A- 90-93 B- 80-83 C- 70-73 D- 60-63

Getting Help

Help is always there when you need it.

• Review sessions are often available before major assessments.
• Email/IM office hours will be posted on my website and are generally available before major papers and assessments.
• Ask me to make time to help you during your free bell/study hall.
• Use the sample questions provided before tests.
• If you still can’t get help, but only after you’ve tried elsewhere, call me at home at 513-533-1373.