SUMNER HIGH SCHOOL
Course Title: Contemporary World
Teacher: Melissa Carroll
Contact Information:
Teacher Email: melissa_carroll@sumnersd.org
 Email is the best method of contact for me for a timely response.
Teacher Website: ???
School Telephone: (253) 891-5500
District Website: www.sumnersd.org
Course Description:
This course is designed to examine the role that individuals play in the world community. The goal of this course is
that students become informed world citizens and are able to positively contribute to our diverse society. Students
will do this through research, discussion, projects and assessments.
Course Learning Targets/Power Standards:
1. Civics: Understands the purpose, organization, and function of governments, laws, and political systems.
2. Economics: Understands how economic systems function.
3. Geography: Understands human interaction with the environment.
4. History Understands that there are multiple perspectives and interpretations of historical events.
5. Social Studies Skills: Uses inquiry-based research. Deliberates public issues. Creates a product that uses social
studies content to support a thesis and presents the product in an appropriate manner to a meaningful audience.
Classroom Expectations:
 Respect everyone in the classroom including the teacher, as well as the classroom itself
 Maximize your ability by working hard and maintaining high standards
 Take responsibility for your actions and your grade in this class
 Ask for HELP when it is needed
 Keep offensive language and comments outside the classroom
~You are expected to learn, respect and risk. To be a valuable member of society you need to be a contributing
member to the community. You will succeed both in this class and in your future by collaborating and investing in
each other’s success.
Attendance Expectations:
Assisting students in establishing lifelong habits of reliability and promptness is an instructional objective in this
particular course. Progress toward this goal will be measured, at least in part, by tracking student attendance.
Therefore, a student’s grade or credit in this class may be adversely affected by reason of tardiness or absence.
Grading System:
Your grade will be based on the following categories:
Category
Percentage of
Grade
Criteria
Description of Skills
Each assessment is designed to assess your
knowledge and understanding of a particular
power standard. For specific assessments, see
Overview of Units below.
Practice is intended to prepare you for your
assessments.
Multiple Choice, Short
answer, Essay, Simulations,
Group Projects,
Presentations, etc.
Note-taking, assignments,
homework, etc.
Employability
Employability skills are those basic skills necessary
for getting, keeping, and doing well on a job and
in the classroom.
Professionalism,
Cooperation & Teamwork,
Quality & Work ethic, etc.
10%
Information Only
Information only is designed to give you valuable
feedback on your learning.
Teacher and student
feedback
0%
ASSESSMENTS
Practice
70%
20%
Grading Scales:
The following grading scale will be used in this course:
A=100-94%
A-=93-90%
B+=89-87%
B=86-83%
B-=82-80%
C+=79-75%
C=74-70%
C-=Not Used
NTY/I=69%
All Assessments, Practice and Employability will be graded on a 4 point scale:
4
3
2
Exceeding Standard
Meeting Standard
Approaching Standard
Note: The grade of “D” is
not part of the grading scale.
1
Below Standard
Assessment Re-Take Policy:
Contemporary World students will be provided with multiple opportunities to demonstrate that they have met standard. For
students to earn additional opportunities to demonstrate that they have met standard on a major assessment, students must
satisfy the following criteria. Please note that a retake will earn no greater than a 70%/pass. Furthermore, the last date to
retake assessments will be two weeks after the assessment is returned to the student. Students must:
*Complete and turn in all necessary practice assignments (proof of practice) as determined by the teacher PRIOR to the
original assessment date.
*Complete additional proof of practice as determined by the teacher- prior to the re-assessment date.
*Complete the re-assessment within two-weeks after the assessment has been graded and returned.
*Demonstrate a good faith effort to meet standard in the classroom prior to the original assessment.
*Retakes and revisions for assessment must be done in a supervised school setting.
Absences and Assessments/Homework:
Students who are absent on an assessment day will be required to take the assessment on the day they return to school.
Students who are absent on the day an assignment is due will be required to turn in that assignment the day they return.
Late Work Policy:
Any late assignments received before the date of that current unit’s assessment will receive partial credit. NO late work will be
accepted after the current unit is complete.
Student Responsibility:
As you stare adulthood in the face, we must remind you that it is your responsibility to get assignments you missed when you
are absent from class. It is also your responsibility to seek out help with coursework, pursue a re-take opportunity in the
appropriate time frame, and remind the teacher if you were absent and need to take a test. Failure to take responsibility for
your learning may result in negative results and consequences.
Course Resources:
NO Textbook required
Access to news media, such as:
 Newspaper
 Internet
 TV
Course Materials:
~Spiral notebook
~Pens, pencils, highlighters
Course Curriculum:
Unit
Assessments
Unit 1: Media Bias
Time Frame
1st semester
Unit 2: Politics
1st semester
Political Spectrum test
Typologies Paper
Unit 3: Foreign Policy- World Conflicts
1st semester
CBA: Foreign Policy
Unit 4: Human Rights
1st or 2nd semester
Country Case Study
Unit 5: Economics: Micro and Macro
2nd Semester
HIV/STD Prevention Curriculum (State Mandated)
2nd Semester
International Economic Summit,
Summit Essay, Entrepreneur Portfolio
& Shark Tank Presentation
See letter attached
CNN News
Entire Year
DBQ
Current Issue Presentation (see rubric
below), Weekly News Quizzes
CURRENT ISSUE PRESENTATION
Power Standard #5: Students will be able to deliberate public issues.
Task: Choose a timely issue that has not been presented and inform the class about this issue.
4-Exceeding Standard
1. Power point presentation
includes: Introduces issue,
background information &
facts, 2 political cartoons (see
cartoon analysis below), 3
discussion questions and a
works cited.
2. Understands the issue in
depth— able to lead a
discussion, explain the facts
and perspectives without
reading and provide
insightful discussion
questions for the class.
3. Written component includes:
One page typed summary
paragraph of the issue and
reflective paragraph
presenting your perspective
on the issue.
4. Presentation is 8-10 minutes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
3-Meeting Standard
Power point presentation
includes: Introduces issue,
includes some background
information & facts, 2
political cartoons (see
cartoon analysis below), 3
discussion questions and a
works cited.
Understands the issue—
able to lead discussion,
explain the facts and
perspectives without reading
and provide insightful
discussion questions for the
class.
Written component includes:
One page typed summary
paragraph of the issue and
reflective paragraph
presenting your perspective
on the issue.
Presentation is 5-7 minutes.
2-Approaching Standard
1. Power point presentation
includes: Introduces issue,
includes little background
information and/or facts, 2
political cartoons (see
cartoon analysis below), 3 or
less discussion questions,
and a works cited.
2. Understands the issue— able
to lead discussion, explaining
the facts and perspectives.
May need to refer to
reference material. Provides
discussion questions for the
class.
3. Written component includes:
One page typed or written
summary paragraph of the
issue and reflective
paragraph presenting your
perspective on the issue.
4. Presentation is less than 4
minutes.
Cartoon Analysis:
a. What characters and symbols are reflected in the cartoon?
b. What is the perspective of the cartoonist expressed in the cartoon?
Absences: If you have an excused/unexcused absence OR are unprepared on your chosen date you
will present the following Wednesday. If you do not present on either Friday or Wednesday you
will receive a 0.
4=Exceeds Standard
Employability
Presentation is done on
scheduled Friday
Written component is
turned in on the Friday
of the presentation
You are prepared to go
at the conclusion of the
CNN news.
3=Meeting Standard
Presentation is done on
scheduled Friday OR the
following Wednesday
with excused absence
Written component is
turned in on the
Wednesday of the
presentation
You are prepared to go at
the conclusion of the
CNN news
2=Approaching Standard
1=Below Standard
Presentation is done the
following Wednesday per
unexcused absence or
unpreparedness
Presentation is not done
at all
Written component is
turned in one day late
Written component not
turned in OR more than
one day late
May take a minute or two
to start after the CNN
news
May take a minute or
two to start after the
CNN news
Parental Involvement
The involvement of a student’s parent/guardian is a key factor in the learning process. I believe that developing a
relationship with the student’s parent/guardian is beneficial to your student’s education. Please feel free to contact me with
any comments or concerns you may have about your student. In the end, the more you know about what is occurring with
your student in the classroom the better we can communicate to ensure their success.
Parent/Guardian Contact Information:
Student Name ____________________________________________________
Phone (Optional) ___________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email __________________________________________________________________________
Do you check your email regularly?
Are you familiar with Family Access?
Yes
Yes
No
No
If so, do you check it regularly?
Yes
No
Educational Videos:
My son/daughter has permission to watch any videos that are part of the CW curriculum
Yes
No
If no, please let us know below how you would like us to inform you of each video
______________________________________________________________________________________________
HIV/STD Prevention Curriculum:
During the 2nd semester, your son/daughter will be participating in a unit of instruction on:
o
HIV/AIDS (State law provides that a parent or guardian must preview materials before they can have their child or
legal ward excused from participation in the HIV prevention program.) To schedule an appointment at the district
office, contact 253.891.6050.
This instruction is in accordance with the AIDS Omnibus Act of 1990 that requires HIV/AIDS instruction every
year
for students in grades 5-12.
o AIDS Omnibus Act (RCW 28A.230.070) mandates “…students shall receive yearly instruction in the life-threatening
dangers of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, its spread, and it’s prevention.”
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Turley at 253.891.5500 or robi_turley@sumnersd.org
Please be sure to read over the syllabus and sign and return this with your student no later than Monday, September 13th.
Your signature confirms your understanding and intent on complying with these expectations.
Student Signature ________________________________________________________
Date _______________
Parent/Guardian Signature _________________________________________________
Date _______________