World Cultures

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 
 

                 In this course, students will discover the ingredients that make up culture.  By setting up a cultural framework in the first quarter, students will learn the particulars present in all societies such as a creation theory/history, government, religion, family, economy, forms of communication, etc.  In the following three quarters, participants will look at three specific world regions to see these particulars in action as well as to examine the rich histories of these areas.  The regions covered will include: Japan, Africa and the Middle East.  In the process of gaining new cultural and historical knowledge, students will further develop and hone valuable reading, writing, and verbal skills.  The ultimate goal of the course is to compel young adults to look beyond their particular cultures while gaining valuable skills for their later high school years.

 

 

READINGS

 

Achebe, Chinua                       Things Fall Apart (summer)

Angelino, Elvio, ed.                 Anthropology 07/08

Rampolla, Mary Lynn              A Pocket Guide to Writing in History (5th Edition)

 

Regional Studies Series:        Japan and Korea

                                                Africa

                                                                        The Middle East and North Africa

Other readings will be given as handouts and/or posted on the department’s web page at:

http://www.wicknet.org/history/

 

GRADING/EXPECTATIONS

 

The quarter grade will be based on the average of the following:

  • Tests & Major Writing Assignments/Projects      60%

  • HW Quizzes and Minor Written Exercises           20%

  • Class Participation (quality not just quantity!)       20%

Students are expected to come to class with all reading completed.  Pop quizzes are used to help the students in this regard.  Reading notes are highly recommended and can be used on ALL pop quizzes but make sure those notes are separate from the actual readings/handouts.  Students should keep a binder or large folder for all papers and readings and a separate notebook to take reading and/or in-class notes. (I like the old black & white composition style).  All late assignments will be penalized five points for each day overdue. 

It is the responsibility of the student to make up all work missed due to an absence, including tests and book and film-related essays.  Other issues of academic integrity are covered in the department’s Guidelines Regarding Academic Integrity, which are posted on the department’s web site.

If a student needs extra help, he/she should stay after class to plan out a convenient time for both student and teacher. Students should feel free to call me at home (531-5385) until 9 p.m. any night.

 

An email to John_Booth@brunswickschool.org may also work from around 9pm-12am.