C. P. World History
Mr. Alexandre
Room A213
Phone 209-830-3360 x2401
Email jalexandre@tusd.net
Website http://www.tracy.k12.ca.us/sites/jalexandre
Office Hours Tuesday/Friday (3:05-3:30)
I. Course Description: As per the California State Standards for Social Sciences students will study major turning points that
shaped the modern world, from the late eighteenth century through the present, including the cause and course of the two world
wars. They will trace the rise of democratic ideas and develop an understanding of the historical roots of current world issues,
especially as they relate to international relations. Students will develop an understanding of current world issues and relate
them to their historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural contexts. In addition, students will improve critical
thinking skills, writing skills, reading skills, and speaking skills through the study of history.
II. Course Outline:
Introduction:
Unit I. Development of democracy
Unit II. The Industrial Revolution
Unit III. Western imperialism in Africa and its lasting effects
Unit IV. World War I
Unit V. Age of Uncertainty and the Rise of Totalitarianism
Unit VI. World War II
Unit VII. 20th Century Genocides
Unit VIII. The Cold War
Unit IX. Modern Events (Israel-Palestine conflict, U.S.-Iraq conflicts, 9/11, etc.)
III. Materials: 3 ring binder, pen, pencil, and paper are required in class everyday. You will be issued a textbook and it is
imperative that you cover your textbook. Fines will be issued for textbooks that are damaged at the end of the year. There are
class sets of textbooks, so you will not need to bring your book to class.
IV. Rules and Expectations: Please consistently demonstrate positive characteristics and these rules:
1. Be in your seat when the bell rings.
2. Everyday you must right down the day’s agenda on your calendar and address the bellwork when the bell rings.
3. Respect your teacher, your fellow students, and yourself.
4. Enter and exit in a quiet orderly manner. Do not leave until you are excused.
5. Use dignified, educated language in class. Profanity or vulgarity will not be tolerated.
6. Do not wear sunglasses, hats, chew gum, or eat in class.
7. Come to class prepared everyday-bring completed homework assignments, pen/pencil, paper, and binder.
8. Every student is expected and required to wear their ID’s. Students who fail to wear their ID will be sent out of
class to obtain a temporary ID.
V. Behavior Steps and Consequences: If you fail to follow the above rules the consequences are as follows:
First Offense: Warning
Second Offense: Teacher/student conference after class.
Third Offense and beyond: Policy outlined in student handbook will be followed.
VI. Tardy Policy: Tardies 1 and 2 will result in a warning. Tardy 3 will result in student/teacher conference after class. Tardy 4
call home. For additional tardies school policy will be strictly enforced as outlined in the student handbook.
VII. Homework/Make-up/Late Work: It is essential that you are in class everyday. In accordance with board policy 6145 per
night, 9-12 students will typically average two hours of homework per night. 9-12 students may be given limited homework on
holidays and weekends to meet course objectives and acquisition of skills. Homework will be assigned 2-3 times per week. In
the case of an excused absence, it is your responsibility to obtain any missed assignments from another student or from me at
the end of the day. Most items can also be found on my website as well. For every excused absence, you will have that many
days to make up the missing work. Make up assignments are due at the beginning of the period upon your return. For example,
if you are absent Tuesday your homework assignment from Tuesday will not be due until the beginning of the period on
Thursday of that week. If you have an in house suspension, assignments must be obtained from me the day before or day of
your in house suspension and it must be turned in to me at the end of that school day. If you fail to get the work from me
during your in house suspension it will not be accepted late.
In the event of an unexcused absence or off campus suspension make-up work will not be given nor will it be accepted and
the assignment will earn a zero.
Late work: You will have ample time to complete assignments and I am available after school to provide help so late work
will not be accepted.
VIII. Grading Policy: Every assignment for this class will be graded. Your final grade will be based on a weighted grading scale.
Not every assignment is worth the same number of points. This means that since we have many more homework assignments
than tests, each test is worth more than each homework assignment. I will post grades periodically so you can check your
progress. Grades are typically updated on a biweekly schedule or when new assignments are collected and graded, and can be
viewed via parent connect. Grades will be figured on a straight percentage. 90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D. Below 60% is
failing. I do not round up grades. Grades are cumulative throughout the semester. This means that I do not average first and
second quarter grades etc.
Formal Assessment (80%): Formally assessed items include the following: Unit Exams, Quizzes, Essay’s, and Projects.
Exams: You will have some sort of test for every unit or chapter. These will usually consist of a combination of objective,
essay, or presentation. We will always review before a test.
Essay and Project: Writing is an integral part of the curriculum. You can expect to complete about one project/essay for every
unit we study. Projects include, but are not limited to the following types: group presentations, power point presentations, and
written reports. Formal writing and projects must physically be handed in. Electronic submissions will not be accepted.
Quizzes: Quizzes are an important part of the class. Quizzes are typically no more than ten questions dealing with a reading,
discussion, or assignment from the previous day. You may or may not have advanced notice for a quiz. These are often open
homework as well.
Minor Assignments (15%): Minor assignments include a notebook for note taking, homework assignments, classwork,
bellwork, and small group activities. I will collect specific assignments from the notebook packet at the end of each unit. This
does not mean homework assignments do not need to be completed daily. I will check assignments and notebook organization
by administering notebook quizzes. There will not be any advanced notice for notebook quizzes. Organization and completion
of assignments is imperative.
Participation (5%): Students are expected to participate everyday in class. Participation begins by coming to class prepared
every day. Points are earned by participating in group discussions and debates. I will keep track of student participation on my
seating chart during discussion periods. Students will have opportunities to volunteer during discussions as well as being
randomly selected.
Final Exam: At the end of each semester you will take a final exam on all of the information we have studied. The final must
be taken or an incomplete will be awarded. Incompletes, if not cleared, will result in an “F” grade for the semester. The final
will be worth 20% of your class grade.
IX. Academic Dishonesty: Students who engage in academic dishonesty will receive a zero for the
assignment. A referral will be written and placed in the student’s permanent file. Academic
dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:
 Copying and/or paraphrasing from any source without identifying them as such.
 Copying and/paraphrasing another student’s homework or other assignment
 Allowing another student to copy and/or paraphrase your homework or other assignment.
 Informing other students of test questions or essay topics.
X. Hall Passes: You are old enough to be expected to stay in class for the entire period. This means that all other business should
be taken care of prior to coming to class. Hall passes will be written at teacher’s discretion. I will not write passes during the
first ten or last ten minutes of class.
XI. Teacher Aides (TA’s): TA’s are expected to follow the same classroom rules and policies as the other students. Grades will
be based on the completion of the tasks assigned as well as the TA’s efficiency at completing the tasks. Failure to complete
tasks assigned will negatively impact grades.
XII. In addition, there is an assortment of films that may be used to enhance the curriculum. Most films are documentaries but few
have PG, PG-13, and R ratings. Additional documentaries may be viewed during the course of the year that are not listed here.
These movies include All Quiet on the Western Front(PG), Monte Python and the Holy Grail (PG 10 minutes), The Wave
(TV14), Conspiracy(R for topic of Final Solution), Memory of the Camps (Documentary), , Life is Beautiful (PG-13), Saving
Private Ryan (R Graphic war scenes first twenty minutes), Enemy at the Gates (R Graphic war scene 15 minutes) Cry Freedom
(PG), Hotel Rwanda(PG-13), Ghosts of Rwanda(Documentary), Darfur Now(Documentary), Animal Farm(TV Movie), , , The
Pianist(R 15 minutes), Night and Fog (Documentary), One Day in September(Documentary), Shake Hands with the Devil (R
Language violence during Rwandan genocide).
Please retain this syllabus for your reference
Have a Great Year
Student/Parent Acknowledgment Page
By signing this agreement, I admit to having read Mr. Alexandre’s course syllabus and I understand what is expected of a student in
this class.
Please sign below when you and your student have completed reading the syllabus and have the student return this page to me. This
must be turned in by Friday August 17, 2012.
Print Student Name_______________________________
Period __________________
Student Signature ________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name ____________________________
Daytime Phone____________________
Parent Guardian Signature _________________________
Evening Phone ____________________
Parent Guardian Email Address _____________________________
Best method to contact parent ___________________________________________________
Films and Documentary List
I grant my son or daughter permission to watch All Quiet on the Western Front, Monte Python and the Holy Grail (10 minutes), The
Wave, Conspiracy, Memory of the Camps, Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan (first twenty minutes), Enemy at the Gates (15
minutes), Cry Freedom, Hotel Rwanda, Ghosts of Rwanda, Darfur Now, Animal Farm, The Pianist, Night and Fog, One Day in
September, The Tragedy of the Games, Shake Hands with the Devil.
I DO NOT grant my son or daughter permission to watch All Quiet on the Western Front, Monte Python and the Holy Grail (10
minutes), The Wave, Conspiracy, Memory of the Camps, Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan (first twenty minutes), Enemy at the
Gates (15 minutes), Cry Freedom, Hotel Rwanda, Ghosts of Rwanda, Darfur Now, Animal Farm, The Pianist, Night and Fog, One
Day in September, The Tragedy of the Games, Shake Hands with the Devil.
Please list exceptions from the above list of films if applicable.