Skip To Main Content

Course Syllabus

Roots of Civilization and Human Encounters Course Syllabus – 7th grade 
Mr. Patterson – Purple Team – 222

General Course Description:
Why do we have to study history? This is a common question with a multitude of answers. A famous quote by George Santayana sums up my belief quite well. “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”  History is full of life’s lessons. Some events were very successful and others were not, but each lesson can teach us something about the way we live and the direction of our future. This course will cover the beginnings of civilization through the Renaissance.  We will use the information we learn about these early civilizations to make connections to our world today.

Textbook: World History: Great Civilizations, by National Geographic

In addition to the text, we will be using many outside primary and secondary sources. Students will have varied instruction, including lectures, self-discovery, research, simulation, cooperative and independent assignments, and various types of media. The curriculum for Roots of Civilization will include the following topics:

  • Growth of Civilizations
  • Got Democracy?
  • Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day
  • Ideas in Motion
  • Wealth Beyond Words
  • Pillars of an Empire
  • So You’ve Got a Story to Tell
  • Who Turned Out the Lights
  • Why so many Questions?

Contact Information:
E-mail: awp14@scasd.org

Course Overview: Throughout this course, students will study historical and cultural developments, beginning with early civilizations and ending with the Renaissance. Throughout the study of history, geography, and economics, students will grow in their understanding of how human interaction and cultural exchange have contributed to the development of human societies.   

 
Grading: Student grades will be determined on a total point system. Students will receive points for their work. At the end of each grading period, students will receive a final letter grade based on their accumulated average. Letter grades will be assigned based on the school’s grading scale.  
 
* If a zero is recorded in the grade book, it indicates that the assignment has not yet been submitted. Students are still able to submit that assignment for credit.
 
Late Work: Students can submit work up to a week after the due date and earn a maximum of 80% on the assignment. Any work submitted more than a week late can be turned in for a maximum grade of 50%.
 
Work Revisions: All work can be resubmitted for regrading unless otherwise stated.  If you are unsure if you can resubmit an assignment or assessment, ask Mr. Patterson.

Classwork:  All work not completed within the class period becomes homework unless instructed otherwise.  Students risk losing out on the opportunity to receive an explanation of materials if they do not complete classwork on time.

Projects:  Keeping pace with multi-step assignments is vital.  Missed class time requires students to make up class work as homework in order to meet the deadlines.  Some projects require collaboration and students who do not keep pace may be asked to complete an assignment without the benefit of their peers.  

Assessments: Study Guides will be given for unit tests.  Quizzes may be given with or without an announcement.  Retakes will not be granted unless announced by the teacher.  Students who miss tests/quizzes will need to arrange a time to take the assessment.