C.K. McClatchy High School

Humanities and International Studies Program

Course Syllabus for World Cultures - Southwest Asia and East Asia

I - Course Rationale

World Cultures- Southwest Asia and East Asia, is part of the second year of the concentrated program in the Humanities and International Studies Program at CK. McClatchy High School. This course is worldwide in scope, emphasizing Southwest Asian, East Asian, Latin American and African cultures. World Cultures is designed and intended to compliment the first year course, Western Civilization. At the end of the school year, students of this course will realize that all areas of the world are interdependent with one another. In addition, students will understand the challenges and responsibilities that they have as citizens of the United States and the world at large.

II - Course Goals

1. To present and apply a model that would enable students to analyze not only their own culture, but cultures of the world.

2. To compare the forms of basic institutions in different cultures.

3. To appreciate the varied artistic expressions of different cultures.

4. To understand the influence of individual persons to their respective cultures and to the world as a whole.

5. To comprehend the physical and cultural characteristics of various regions of the world.

6. To present the five themes of geography and apply these themes to the development of cultures throughout the world.

7. To analyze and evaluate the effects of human alterations to the physical environment.

8. To show that the relationship between the past and the present is a continuum, not separate and distinct events.

9. To understand and demonstrate the fact of global interdependence.

III - Course Outline

1. Introduction of the course, the introduction and application of the World Cultures Model, and the 5 themes of geography.

2. Unit 1 - Geographic and Climatic Conditions of Southwest Asia. 

3. Unit 2 - The Ethnic Diversity of Southwest Asia 

4. Unit 3 - The Cradle of Religions

5. Unit 4 - Traditional and Modern Southwest Asia

East Asia     

      F. Unit 5 - South Asia

           a. Geographic and Climatic Conditions

           b. Ancient India

           c. The Vadic Age and the Aryans

           d. Cradle of East Asia Religions

East Asia- India Unit

            e. Western Imperialism and Modem India

        G. Unit 6 - China

 a. Geographic and Climatic Conditions 

 b. Cultural Development of China

 c. The Philosophical and Political Systems of Traditional China

 d. Emergence of Modern China - Traditions and Modernity

       H. Unit 7 - Japan

            a. Geographic and Climatic Conditions

            b. Cultural and Social Development: The Blending of Native and External Influences

            c.  Feudal Japan

            d. Emergence of Modern Japan

         I. Unit 8 - Southeast Asia

            a. Geographic and Climatic Conditions

            b. Traditional Maritime and Mainland States

            c. External Cultural Influences: Cultural Diffusion at Work

            d. The Modern Era: Southeast Asia Since 1800

IV - Course Requirements

        This course is intended to prepare students for further academic work in high school and college. It will enable students to understand the factors and complexities of "culture". In order to accomplish these goals, some requirements are to be met during the course of this semester. Quarter and semester grades will be based on the following requirements that are divided into certain percentages.

1.  Exams and quizzes - Section quizzes will be given on a frequent basis. Section quizzes are based on the material from each section in assigned chapters. Unit exams will be given upon the completion of each unit. Most exams will consist of essay responses, accompanied by vocabulary definitions and objective test questions. Comprehensive finals on Southwest Asia and East Asia will be given at the end of the first/third and second/fourth quarters. If students are absent on exam/quiz days, they have one school week to make up the quiz/exam after school. This requirement is 55% of the course grade (tests are 35% and quizzes are 20%). * The final will not be given early in order to maintain the integrity of the exam. Finals week schedule will be observed.

2. Homework - Homework assignments will be assigned on a frequent basis. These assignments correlate to the sections in the chapters in the text, 'World Cultures". Assignments are intended to help students understand the material and concepts that are being taught. Quizzes and exams are based on these assignments. Each student is expected to complete these assignments on their own. Returned assignments should be kept in an organized notebook to help in preparing for the final exams. This requirement is worth 10% of the course grade.

3. Semester Project-Term Paper - Students are expected to complete a 1250-word research paper using APA format on topics from studying Southwest Asia or East Asia. Students are to use at least 6 different sources. Students are expected to use class research time in a productive manner. Due dates for the term paper outline and final drafts are to be determined. A title page, a reference page (citation of sources) is to be included. This requirement is 15 % of the course grade. See "Term Paper Guidelines".

4. - Weekly Current Events - Students are to select an article of a notable event that occurred in an area that we are covering in class, every week. The article is to be at least 7 paragraphs long. Articles are to cut out and adhered onto a piece paper. A summary paragraph is to be written, along with a reaction or opinion paragraph. Select one of the five themes of geography and explain how the geographic theme applies to the article. A bibliographic detail of the article and source is to be included. Current Events are collected at the beginning of the period every THURSDAY. This requirement is 10% of the course grade.

5. Class Attendance, Contributions, and Behavior - Academic success is dependent on regular and punctual attendance. Please be on time and ready to contribute to the class in a congenial and collegial manner. Prolonged absences and tardies will have a negative affect one's course grade. Poor behavior will also have a negative affect on ones grade.This is 8% of the course grade.

6. Community Service - Students are expected to serve 10 hours of Community Service every semester, 5 hours per quarter. Community Service involves students working for a non-profit organization that serves the less fortunate. (Loaves and Fishes, the Food Closet, the SPCA ...) Time sheets can be downloaded from the HISP website. Please take a picture of you doing your Community Service, and be sure that the timesheets are completely filled out. Community Service is 2 % of the course grade.

V. - Citizenship - A student's citizenship grade will be based on how well students develop and maintain relationships with peers and the instructor. Some might believe that citizenship grade will not affect their academic grade. Both marks reflect each other. A cooperative and respectful environment must be nurtured in order for teaching and learning to take place.

*'Textbook: "World Cultures - A Global Mosaic"

It is my hope that you find this semester of work and study important and enlightening for your personal study and development. Work hard and have fun this semester.

' KEEP YOUR TEXTBOOK AT HOME WITH A BOOKCOVER ON