International Studies
Course Information, Classroom Rules, Classroom Procedures, Calendar
Mrs. Echard
Welcome to International Studies!
This class is a semester long course designed to increase your knowledge of
sociopolitical issues that are international in scope. Students in this course will examine
global issues and trace their historical roots with special consideration given to the role of
the United States in these issues. Major topics of this course will be globalization and the
international system, the development of nations, and causes and consequences of
conflict. We will also spend considerable time learning about the make up and workings
of the United Nations.
Grading Policy:
In accordance with district guidelines concerning grading, the following grading scale
will be used:
90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, 0-59%=F
Student’s percentage grades will be determined by a weighted system as follows:
Daily Assignments and Homework = 60%
Unit Exams and Essays = 20%
Nine Weeks Exam = 5%
Semester Exam = 15%
Late Work: Assignments turned in one day late will receive only 75% of the earned
credit for that assignment. Assignments turned in two or more days late will not be
accepted.
Extra Credit: Extra Credit may be earned once for the semester by completing an
independent study project or paper. Please see Mrs. Echard personally to discuss ideas
for such a project. Extra Credit will be due one week before the end of the semester.
Extra Credit shall not exceed 5% of your semester grade.
Class Materials:
Students will need to bring the following to class everyday:
1. Pen and/or pencil
2. Textbook: “It’s All Connected”
3. Notebook (3-ring/ ½ -1” binder with 4 dividers, one for each unit)
4. Notebook paper
Mrs. Echard’s Wish List: I do not require students to bring any other supplies for our
class, but a donation of a cubed shaped box of Kleenex, red grading pens, and/or colored
copy paper would be greatly appreciated.
Classroom Rules:
Student Responsibilities
1. Be on time for class.
2. Be prepared and have all materials for class.
3. Respect the rights, property, and person of all your classmates and the teacher.
4. Expect the best!
Student Consequences
1. Verbal warning
2. Student/teacher conference
3. Fifteen minutes of morning detention or 500 word essay and parent contact.
4. Thirty minutes of morning detention or 1000 word essay and parent contact.
5. Office referral
Tardiness and Absences:
School policy will be followed concerning tardiness and absences. District policy
requires a failing grade to be given to any student upon his/her eleventh absence. Two
unexempt tardies equals one absence. If a student is five minutes or more tardy to class,
the student is counted absent. Also, please remember in the event of an absence it is the
student’s responsibility to get any make-up work. You will find make-up assignments
written on the agenda and in the make-up trays.
A few classroom procedures to help maintain a climate of mutual respect and order:
1. Each student must keep a notebook. Your notebook should be divided by Unit.
2. Students should put their first and last name, their hour, and the date in the upper
right-hand corner of each assignment.
3. No hall passes will be given. Don’t even ask.
4. There is to be absolutely no talking during announcements.
5. Students need to raise their hands to be recognized in class. Please form your
questions or answers in complete sentences.
6. Students should always monitor their voice levels and match them to the activity
at hand. When I give you a quieting cue or ask you to be quiet, you are to stop
talking immediately.
7. During group learning activities all desks must be touching.
9. All assignments will be written in complete sentences unless other directions are
given.
10. The teacher, not the bell, dismisses the class. We will not exit the room until all
trash has been disposed.
*A special note about plagiarism: Copying someone else’s work and passing it off as
one’s own is wrong. It is stealing and is obviously not permitted. Any student caught
“cheating” on an assignment, exam, or essay will receive a zero for that assignment. I
will be greatly disappointed to witness this in our class. Respect yourself enough not to
do it.
If you need to contact me, you can reach me
by phone at Southmoore at 735-4900
by e-mail at lanaechard@mooreschools.com
or visit my website through the Southmoore High School homepage.
Please keep this course syllabus in your notebook.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
Unit
Instruction Time/Dates
Course Introduction/Syllabus
Unit #1
Globalization & the International System
Unit #2
Development
Nine Weeks Review and Exam
January 8
January 9- February 1
Unit 1 Exam: February 1
February 4-March 8
Unit 2 Exam: March 8
Review: March 11-14
Exam: March 14
March 25- April 30
Unit 3 Exam: April 30
May 1- May 14
Unit 4 Exam: May 14
Review: May 15-20
Exam: May 21
Unit #3
Causes and Consequences of Conflict
Unit #4
United Nations
Semester Review and Exam
Dear parent or guardian,
I would like to take this opportunity to my class for the 2013
spring semester. I have great expectations for an exciting year. I
hope all of my students find this International Studies course to be
a wonderful learning experience. If you have questions or
concerns regarding your child’s academic progress or behavior,
please contact me by phone at 735-4900 before or after school or
during my planning period, 8:10 a.m.-9:07 a.m., or e-mail me at
lanaechard@mooreschools.com. Additional information and
announcements regarding this class can also be found weekly at
my webpage. Go to www.mooreschools.com, go to the Southmoore High
School Page, and then click on School Staff. I am looking forward
to an excellent year.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lana Echard
Thank you for taking the time to read this
course information. Please return this
signature page by Friday, January 11th .
I have read and understand the course information, classroom
procedures, and classroom rules for this International Studies class.
I also understand the consequences if I choose to disobey the rules.
_________________________________
Student signature
I have read and understand the course information, classroom
procedures, and classroom rules for this International Studies class.
I understand the consequences my son/daughter will face should
he/she choose to disobey the rules. I also understand that Parent
Portal is available for me to check my child’s grade at any time via
the internet.
__________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature