Modern World History
Murrieta Mesa High School
Teacher: Mr. Philip Norton Room #: H204
Phone #: 951-677-0568 ext. #6204 Email: pnorton@murrieta.k12.ca.us
Dear Parents and Students:
Welcome to the 2015-16 school year. Teachers, parents and students are a team and in order to make the rest of the year
successful, we need to keep the lines of communication open. In doing so, I request your help in preparing for a great
year.
Please read the information regarding expectations for behavior, homework, class work and assessments. When you have
finished discussing with your child, sign and return the bottom portion with your son or daughter. Keep the information
in your class notebook so that you can refer it with any questions. If there is anything that is unclear, please do not
hesitate to call or e-mail me. When calling or e-mailing, please state your child’s name so that I may respond as quickly as
possible.
Thank you for your support and let’s have a successful year!
Course Description:
Students in grade ten 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 trace the rise of democratic ideas and develop an
understanding of the historical roots of current world issues, especially as they pertain to international relations. They
extrapolate from the American experience that democratic ideals are often achieved at a high price, remain vulnerable
and are not practiced everywhere in the world. Students develop an understanding of current world issues and relate
them to their historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Students consider multiple accounts of
events in order to understand international relations from a variety of perspectives. (CA State Standard for Teaching)
Required text:
McDougal Littell et. Al. Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, Illinois: McDougal Littell, 1999.
Expected Student Learning Results:
Students Will:
1. Relate the moral and ethical principles in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, in Judaism, and in Christianity
to the development of Western political thought (CA State Standard 10.1)
2. Compare and contrast the Glorious Revolution of England, the American Revolution, and the French
Revolution, and their enduring effects worldwide on the political expectations for self-government and individual
liberty (CA State Standard 10.2)
3. Analyze the effects of the Industrial Revolution in England, France, Germany, Japan and the US (CA State
Standard 10.3)
4. Analyze patterns of global change in the era of New Imperialism in at least two of the following regions or
countries: Africa, Southeast Asia, China, India, Latin America, and the Philippines (CA State Standard 10.4)
5. Analyze the cause and course of the First World War (CA State Standard 10.5)
6. Analyze the effects of the First World War (CA State Standard 10.6)
7. Analyze the rise of totalitarian governments after WWI (CA State Standard 10.7)
8. Analyze the causes and consequences of World War II (CA State Standard 10.8)
9. Analyze the international developments in the post-WWII world (CA State Standard 10.9)
10. Analyze instances of nation-building in the contemporary world in at least two of the following regions or
countries: the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and other parts of Latin America and China (CA State Standard
10.10)
Major Units of Study (Tentative Schedule; Subject to Change)
 Fall Semester: Geography & Study Skills, Formations of Democracy, Exploration, French Revolution, Industrial
Revolution, Imperialism, WWI, Review & Finals
 Spring Semester: Pre-WWII & Communist Revolutions, WWII, Formation of Israel, Cold War & Fall of USSR,
Review for State Testing; Review & Finals
Behavioral Expectations
Together, we will make this class a positive learning experience!
 Come to class prepared. (Paper, pencil, eraser, notebook)
 Be on time and sit in your assigned seat.
 Be willing to participate. Share your opinions, and listen with respect to the opinions of others.
 Cheating/copying will not be tolerated. This applies to ALL work.
 Demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times. If a student is disruptive, uncooperative, or acting with disrespect
to the teacher or to other students’ disciplinary action will occur.
 Cell phones are not permitted in class; if a student is using his or her phone in class it will be confiscated by the
teacher and sent to the office.
 Food and beverages should be consumed in the lunch area. Water is acceptable in class.
 Follow all school rules
Grades
Students will receive progress notices throughout the semester. MMHS uses ABI, a website where you can check your
grades. Each grade is cumulative, reflecting all the work from the beginning of the semester. At the end of the semester
students will receive a semester grade that will go onto their permanent record.
1. Grades will be calculated using a weighted average:
Tests/Quizzes: 45% Classwork/Homework: 20% Projects/Notebook: 35%
2. All grades will be determined by the standard grading scale:
A 90 – 100%
* In order to receive high school credit (for graduation),
B 80 – 89%
you need to earn a D or higher
C 70 – 79%
* However, universities will only give credit
D 60 – 69%
for a class with a grade of C or higher
F 0 – 59%
3. ABI Marks-all assignments will be marked with a numerical score, exceptions are as followed:
L = Late
M = Missing
NP = Not Proficient
X = Cheating (score = 0)
Academic Integrity:
As a high school student you are held to a high standard of achievement and integrity. You are expected to act as such.
Any student who plagiarizes, lies, cheats, or otherwise misuses the academic environment or other students or their work
will be suspended per school district policy. The grade for the assignment(s) or test(s) in question will be converted to an
“F.” All work completed for this class is expected to be original from the student or credited to the source from which it
is taken. While students may be allowed, or even encouraged, to collaborate on certain assignments, the work produced
must be in the submitting student’s own words.
Violations of this policy include, but are not limited to:
 Copying another student’s paper OR knowingly allowing another student to copy from your paper.
 Copying directly from the text or other printed material without citation.
 Downloading and/or copying from an internet source.
 Copying from another student’s paper or any other prohibited material during a test or quiz.
Required Materials
 Notebook dedicated to Modern World History
o This should be a 1 inch three ring binder
filled with college ruled paper.
 Blue or black ink pens


College Ruled Notebook Paper
Pencils
Attendance / Promptness
Each class begins with a warm-up activity; therefore students are expected to be in their seats prior to the bell. In
addition to the school’s policies regarding tardiness, students who are late, and do not have an excused note, will lose any
points associated with a warm-up activity or quiz.
Make-up Work
 Late assignments (unless the student has an excused absence, see next bullet point) may be turned in any time
during the course of the year. However, for each day the assignment is late, the student will lose 10% of the
grade THEY EARN on the assignment. This penalty will cap at 50%.
o If you have an excused absence, you must submit make-up work within one day of your return from the
absence to avoid the late penalty.
o Quizzes may be made up only following an excused absence, and must be completed during PRIDE.
o Tests may be made up during PRIDE or at another prearranged time.
 Requests for work for future absences
o It is solely your responsibility to obtain any work that will be missed due to a planned absence (this
includes extracurricular activities). Because of the ever-changing needs of a course such as this, I can only
give one week of work in advance. Coming to me after the fact will NOT be acceptable. Failure to make
arrangements in advance will result in you being penalized in the above described late work policy.
PRIDE class
Please sign up for my PRIDE class to make up any missed work, to take missing tests or quizzes or to get help with class
projects.
Bathroom Passes
Bathroom passes will not be limited, but will be handed out at my discretion only. It is your responsibility to ask at an
appropriate time (e.g. not in the middle of a class discussion) and with manners and respect. Bathroom passes will not be
given the first 15 minutes of class or the last 5 minutes of class.
Food & Drinks
In compliance with school policy, food and drinks are not permitted in the classroom. Only bottled water that is capped
will be permitted. Starbucks, sodas, and food will be properly disposed in the trashcan upon entry into the classroom.
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices
 There will be absolutely no cell phone usage in the classroom. All cell phones will be turned off and put away
while in the classroom; cell phones will be confiscated if they are visible or are in use. If a parent needs to get in
touch with a student, the parent can contact the office and a message can be delivered to the classroom.
 No CD players/I-Pods/electronic devices are permitted. If a student is listening to music or playing a game, the
device will be confiscated. School rules display the following consequences for electronic devices:
o First offense—warning;
o Second offense—device is taken for the remainder of the day, the student may pick it up in his/her
counselor’s office after school;
o Third offense - Saturday School, and the device will be given back to the parent;
o Fourth Offense- two day suspension, and the device will be given back to the parents at the end of the
semester.
Disciplinary Actions
You are all on the verge of becoming self-reliant and responsible adults. I expect you to act as such. Every student has
the right to learn and every teacher has the right to teach; disrespectful and/or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
If you make the choice to misbehave, then you choose to have a consequence.
o 1st offense= verbal warning
o 2nd offense= removal from class and parent phone call
o 3rd offense= referral and class suspension
Extra Credit
There will be approximately one extra credit assignment per unit. If it is offered you should take advantage of the
opportunity.
Movies
We will be watching segments from movies and TV that range from G to PG-13. A complete list is posted on my
website. Please contact me if you do not wish to have your child watch a particular movie.
Syllabus Changes
The teacher reserves the right to alter these policies and expectations if necessary during the course of the school year.
Notification of any changes will be posted on the teacher’s website.
Cut bottom portion and return to Mr. Norton
Modern World History 2015-2016
Student’s Name: ____________________________________
Period: __________
Return this sheet so I know that you have reviewed the syllabus and understand the classroom rules and
procedures. If you have any questions about the syllabus, please contact me as soon as possible.
Student Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:______________________________________________________________________