Around the World in 180 Days!
Seventh Grade History-Durham Academy
Mr. Peter Carey

This course examines the concepts of revolution, conflict, and social 
change through the use of interesting and appropriate examples from 
around the world.  Each quarter students learn about a different
geographical area and will do individual projects on the change that
has occurred in a country of that area.  

Students will also strengthen their notebook and study skills through 
repeated papers, writings, projects, and activities.  

Goals
The goals of the course are:

1.	to become an expert at world geography
2.	to practice cultural empathy
3.	to see the connections that exist between time periods, geographical 
	regions, and across school disciplines
4.	to establish relationships between past and present
5.	to develop and practice skills using the Internet, computer 
	software such as HyperStudio, and CD-Rom simulations
6.	to improve reading comprehension
7.	to develop basic essay writing skills
8.	to take responsibility for own learning
9.	to gain confidence in the worth of own ideas
10.	to examine examples of revolution, conflict, and change around the 
	world

Content
•Exploration-Pilgrimage-Journey, China: A History of Its Past, 
Revolution, Equality, Democracy, Citizenship, and Propaganda, Geography 
of Asia, China in the 20th century, student projects on Asian countries 
•Geography of Africa, traditional Africa, colonial Africa“Building A 
Nation” CD-Rom Simulation, South Africa: Apartheid & Democracy, Nelson 
Mandela , student projects on African countries•Conflict and geography 
of the Middle East, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Jerusalem, Mecca, 
religious pilgrimage, Religious Intolerance, Respect, student projects 
on middle eastern topics•”Voices from the Amazon” Conflict and Social 
Change in South America, “Cultures in Conflict” CD-Rom Simulation, Rain 
Forest Cultures, Ecological Change, Debate on the Amazonian Rain Forest,
student HyperStudio projects on South and Central American countries.

Class
Be on time to class and, every day, bring:
1.  your notebook;  2.  a pen or pencil;  3.  the text we're using at 
the time;  4.  the assignment that's due that day;  5.  a great, 
positive attitude.

Homework
	Homework is used to practice skills, to develop ideas, and to 
	reinforce learning.  Make good use of it.  You should know the 
	purpose of every assignment.  If it is not clear why you're doing 
	something in this class, ask.  On occasion you will be asked to 
	evaluate the effectiveness of an assignment.
	
	Homework will be checked or collected at the beginning of the 
	period on the date due date.  Unless arrangements for extensions 
	have been made in advance, late assignments will not be accepted.

Grades
	Grading for most assignments will be numerical but these numbers
will translate directly to the letter grades as indicated on page 12 of
the Middle School Handbook.

A-Does the author, if not all humankind, proud.  Well thought out, 
	well written, interesting, neat.  A great job!
B-Good.  Most of the above.  Very respectable.
C-Okay.  Addresses topic but reflects a certain indifference toward it.  
	Could have been written by a brilliant student in front of the 
	television.
D-Shows significantly less thought, care, and energy than expected, 
	but with some trace of life.
F-Unacceptable.

Grades will be counted for all written homework assignments, quizzes, 
tests, notebooks, current events, reports, class participation, group 
projects, reports on Internet and library research.

Tests and Quizzes
Full-period tests will be given infrequently, and I will always give 
	you at least a week's prior notice before these.  Quizzes may be 
	given at any time on any reading or homework assignment.

Sections of the Notebook
	In a three ring binder (at least 1 1/2 inches).  This binder must be 
	organized as follows:

1.	Spiral Notebook.  This will be kept within your three-ring binder.  
	Every day you will record a dated entry in your spiral.  The entry 
	will at times be class notes;  at other times it will simply be a 
	description of what went on that day in class.
2.	Dividers.  You will have sections of your three-ring notebook 
	indicating the following sections:  Syllabi, Tests and Quizzes, 
	Handouts,  and Geography.

Grading Policies
	Every quarter, your letter grade will be determined as follows:

Homework and Quizzes			40%
Tests and Projects			40%
Notebook				10%
Class Participation			10%