WESTERN CIVILZATION CP—MOORE
H314
SYLLABUS
OFFICE HOURS: TUE/THR 2:45-4:45 PM

Historical Themes:Development of Democracy, Changes in Philosophic Thought, the Rise and Supremacy of Christianity, Scientific Theories and Advancements, and Social Justice.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION CP—MOORE
COURSE INFORMATION

Background

Social Studies is a unique subject in that homework may not be formally assigned, but is always necessary. Whether the student is working on a writing assignment, reading from a novel, completing research, or studying for an exam, homework is ever-present.

Course Requirements

Each student will have at least five major evaluations and any other number of smaller assessments. On Friday of each week there will be a current events quiz based on the discussions in class worth 5 points; a list of the day's current events is available daily on the class website. In addition to the above mentioned assignments, there will be four assignments, one each half-quarter related to reading: each student is required to choose four books to read on the attached list and will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the book through an assignment to be discussed later; the exact details to each assignment will be distributed in class.

Grading

This class will utilize the “points” system for the assignment of grades. This is a simple grading rubric: every assignment carries a point-value. Of course, an exam is worth more points than a quiz; a quiz more than homework. This eliminates the need for “weighting” of grades. The only grade which is weighted is the final. By Hatboro-Horsham School District policy, the final exam will make up 20% of the student's entire grade. Major tests will be announced well in advance. No new material will be discussed the day previous to the exam; therefore, if a student is absent the day before a test, he or she will still be expected to take the exam.

Attendance

Attendance is extremely important, as we are going to discuss many new ideas and terminologies. In addition to all attendance-related rules in the Student Handbook, any student who reaches 5 class tardies (excused or unexcused) will meet with me to discuss the issue and may have their parents/guardians contacted; any student who reaches 10 class tardies (excused or unexcused) will be referred to an administrator.

Parents are encouraged to call the high school (215.420.5500) for clarification of this policy or for any other reason. One of the most useful tools available to both students and parents is the Web site for the class. At www.bmoore.net, both parents and students will find information on class topics and, especially, homework and due dates.

WESTERN CIVILIZATION CP—MOORE
READING LIST

Author: Joyce, James
Title: Finnegans Wake**
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0141181265

Author: Machiavelli, Niccolò
Title: The Prince**
Publisher: Bantam Classics
ISBN: 0553212788

Author: More, Sir Thomas
Title: Utopia**
Publisher: Penguin Putnam, Inc.
ISBN: 0140441654

Author: Orczy, Baroness Emmuska
Title: The Scarlet Pimpernel*
Publisher: Bantam Books
ISBN: 0553214020

Author: Penman, Sharon Kay
Title: The Sunne in Splendour**
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0345363132

Author: Plato
Title: The Trial and Death of Socrates**
Publisher: Dover Publications, Inc.
ISBN: 0486270661

Author: Remarque, Erich Maria
Title: All Quiet on the Western Front*
Publisher: Fawcett Books
ISBN: 0449213943

Author: Tolstoy, Leo
Title: War and Peace**
Publisher: Modern Library
ISBN: 0679600841

Author: Turgenev, Ivan
Title: Fathers and Sons**
Publisher: Penguin Classics
ISBN: 0140441476

Author: Wiesel, Elie
Title: Night*
Publisher: Bantam Books
ISBN: 0553272535

* The high school Social Studies department has many copies of these titles.

** I only have a personal copy of these titles, but they can be found in any public library.