Social Science!

New school year. A lot of happenings are happening. Here are my general expectations, all of the due dates for the entire year, and an outline for what you can expect in my class. And, go.

Course Agenda:
We will take a holistic approach to the social sciences this year, covering areas of history, government, geography, and economics through multiple disciplinary lenses. Each quarter, students will be responsible for one visual project, one research paper concerning an approved topic of interest, and a journal. A quiz will be held every other Friday. Here is a look at your Course topics and assignment due dates:

First Quarter: World History
Research Paper Due: Monday, Sept. 13
Visual Project due: Monday, oct. 4

Second Quarter: American History
Research Paper Due: Monday, Nov. 15
Visual Project due: Monday, Dec. 6

Third Quarter: Government and economics
Research Paper Due: Monday, Jan. 31
Visual project due: Monday, March 7

fourth quarter: Geography and world culture
Research Paper Due: Monday, April 18
visual project due: Monday, may 16

Course policies:
Our class has the potential to be a fun, safe, and I dare say hilarious learning environment. However, this only stands true if student and instructor can develop mutual respect. If respect is consistently maintained, there are very few other rules necessary to apply to our class. Of course, there are the basics: no gum or food; drinks should be limited to covered bottles of water. Watch the dress code. Don't cheat (there is very little to cheat on, anyway). Let me talk when it's my turn, and expect that I'll return the courtesy. Other than that, simply ask yourself if you are following the pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. If not, expect a correction.

Assignments:
Research Journals- The main assignment in this course is to keep a research journal. This will be a log of several vocabulary words each day as well as notes and a weekly entry (Half page in length) regarding the topic of the week. You will be checked daily for notes and vocabulary.

Visual Projects- These are due near the end of the quarter and must be creative, relevant, and show that the student has researched the topic. The visual project is an opportunity for students to teach their peers through visual means.

Research papers- Also due near the end of the quarter, research papers are the functional tests of our course. Students will write a minimum of two-pages, double-spaced, in AAA format (the style of the American anthropological association) about a topic of choice relevant to the course material. Students must submit a proposal and have their topic approved. Plagiarism is a crime, and will result in a grade of "f," no exceptions.

Quizzes- every other Friday, a quiz will be given to test students knowledge of the course material. The Fridays in between will serve the same function. However, instead of a quiz, those dates will be reserved for a game of jeopardy.

Class format:
A typical class day will consist of three main sections:

1. Research journals- students will have time allocated toward defining the day's vocabulary and completing a weekly entry in their research journals. During this time, students may be asked to work on a small, cooperative learning assignment in their research journal.

2. Class reading- The class will complete a reading in social sciences together. Each student will contribute to class reading.

3. Class discussion- The day's objectives will be completed in the form of a forum-style class discussion.

The time allotted for each of these activities will vary, and it is possible to earn more time for research journals and quiet visiting.

I expect a most excellent adventure.