WGH+Syllabus

=**World Geography Honors**=
 * Term: Spring 2015toc**

**Faculty Information:**

 * Name: William Brian Brown**
 * Room 15**
 * E-Mail Address:** bbrown@mssd14.org
 * Phone #: 685-2069**
 * Prep: 8:15-9:40

**Course Description:**
World Geography Honors is a human geography based course that focuses on the distribution, processes, and effects of human populations on the planet. Units of study include population, migration, culture, language, religion, ethnicity, political geography, economic development, industry, agriculture, and urban geography. Emphasis is placed on geographic models and the applications. Field notes from around the world are compared to the situation in both the United States and locally in our state. Advanced technology will be used to explore and enhance certain topics.

**Prerequisites:**
Need to inform office of your intent to join the class.

**Text and Study Materials:**
H.J. de Blij, Erin H. Fouberg, and Alexander B. Murphy, __Human Geography: People,__ __Place, and Culture,__ 9th edition James Rubenstein, //__The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography__//, 7th edition Herff Jones Education Division, __The Nystrom Desk Atlas__

**Essential Learnings:**
1) Students will explain the basic concepts of geography & demonstrate how they are applied. 2) Students will organize the positional patterns of population distribution and what factors contributed to this phenomenon. 3) Students will recognize the different cultural groups and how they are distributed throughout the world. 4) Students will compare how people earn a living in different parts of the world and what components impact their decision-making. 5) Students will identify today’s issues that result from using Earth’s resources

**Grading Scale:**
90-100 A 87-89 A- 84-86 B+ 81-83 B 77-80 B- 74-76 C+ 71-73 C 67-70 C- 64-66 D+ 61-63 D 57-60 D- 0-56 F

**Academic Integrity:**
All work must be the original product of the student, and all information gathered from other sources must be properly cited. Any violation will be considered cheating or plagiarism, which occurs whenever students claim that someone else’s words or ideas are their own. This happens whether students “borrow” someone else's paper, have someone else write a paper, buy a paper from a company or copy it off the Internet or from a print source (including sections of material). Plagiarism is not accepted in this class. Plagiarism results in failure of the assignment and a mandatory conference with the teacher. All sources used in class assignments must be cited in MLA format (refer to MLA Style Guide available in the media center or on the MSHS website).

**Course Guidelines:**
This course is designed to examine how man interacts with and impacts Earth. To accomplish this we will: __Analyze__ the evolution of different religions, languages, and cultures __Study__ economic, social and political structures of man within his geographic boundaries __Recognize and explain__ the roles of industry and agriculture as they relate to the growth of cultures throughout the world __Trace__ the growth of cities and their impact on geographic institutions

**Grading Determination:**
Grades are based on the accumulated points earned by the student and divided by the total points possible to determine the percentage. Points are accumulated through projects, activities, presentations, quizzes, writing assignments, notebooks, and tests done throughout the quarter/semester.

**Classroom Guidelines and Student Conduct:**

 * Be in class on time and ready to learn.**
 * DON”T be late because of “your” decision.
 * School policy for absences and tardies will be followed, this includes suspensions.
 * If you miss a test, you have to make arrangements with me to make up the test within the allotted time. Please note that the make-up test will be a different version of the one taken in class.
 * For any absence you need to come to me for the material missed. Material to be turned in or assigned during a school absence needs to be taken care of prior to your departure from campus.


 * No late work is accepted for points.** Assignments will be given in advance so that the student will have adequate time to complete the work. Late assignments will be given a credit check and the possibility of extra credit points.


 * Bring materials each and every day. ** Materials include but are not limited to; iPad, textbook, notebook, usable pen (blue or black ink) or pencil and a willingness to try.


 * Each student has 2 passes per nine weeks to use for the purpose of getting a drink, going to your locker or bathroom, etc. **


 * Electronic devices are to be used when instructed and should not interfere with classroom activities. Unauthorized and/or inappropriate use of technology will result in points being deducted from technology point bank. Unauthorized and/or Inappropriate use is //__any__// use not authorized by the instructor. Instructor is sole determiner of authorized use. **


 * Use of profane language, either in context, slang, or implied will NOT be tolerated. **


 * Eating and drinking is acceptable as long as it does not interfere with the educational process or is left behind for others to clean up. ** This privilege can be removed at any time.


 * Head garments may be worn but the use of any attire for drawing attention in unacceptable. **


 * Lost or damaged textbooks: ** most textbooks average $150 to replace.


 * In case of a substitute teacher, they will be shown the utmost respect and the directions left for them to administer followed.**


 * Students are expected to follow any and all guidelines as established by the Board of Education and stated in the MSSD #14 and MSHS policy handbooks.**


 * Respect is earned and given; make the right decisions.** If you feel you deserve respect then you will need to show it to your fellow classmates and teacher.


 * __REMEMBER: This is an HONORS class and the work required will be above that of a regular class; your work is expected to reflect this level of ability and will be graded accordingly. The course also requires that you read outside of class and beyond the assigned text. Writing will be an emphasis throughout the semester.__**

** PROPOSED SCHEDULE: **
(Class Schedule: Schedule Subject to Change – check often with your teacher.)

January 20-29 Chapter 1 Intro to Human Geography Field Note: Awakening to World Hunger
 * Project: Picture Journal**

January 30-8 Chapter 2 Population Field Note: Where Are the Children?
 * Project: Population Pyramid**

February 9-16 Chapter 3 Migration Field Note: Jerusalem, Israel
 * Project: Push/Pull Collage**

February 17-23 Chapter 4 Culture Field Note: Preserving Culture
 * Project: Family Custom**

February 24-3 Chapter 5 Identity Field Note: Building Walls //Movie: Hotel Rwanda//
 * Project: Crest/Shield**

March 4-11 Chapter 6 Language Field Note: What Should I Say?
 * Project: Symbol Language**

March 12-18 Chapter 7 Religion Field Note: Dying and Resurrecting
 * Project: Comparing Religions**

//**Term 3 Exam March 20**//

March 30-6 Chapter 8 Political Geography Field Note: Independence Is Better Than Servitude
 * Project: Persuasive Paper “COD”**

April 7-13 Chapter 9 Urban Geography Field Note: Straddling the Wall
 * Project: Mapping a City**

April 14-20 Country Projects Begin Chapter 10 Development Field Note: Buenos Aries, Argentina
 * Project: Building a Country**

April 21-28 //Begin Country Presentations// Chapter 11 Agriculture Field Note: Changing Greens
 * Project: Farming**

April 29-5 //Continue Country Presentations// Chapter 12 Industry & Services Field Note: Branding the Backboard
 * Project: Finding Chipotle a Home**

May 6-12 Chapter 13 Human Environment Field Note: Disaster Along Indian Ocean Shores

May 13-15 Chapter 14 Globalization Field Note: Global Consumption


 * FINAL EXAM May 19**

All or portions of movies or Internet clips may be shown during the class to reinforce a theme we are discussing at the time. These items may contain graphic material that could be of an R rating in the movie industry and therefore you need to be aware of this. Parents may opt to not have their child view these clips or movies. An alternative assignment will be given for those students who are unable or miss the viewing of movies/clips.