Gomes

Global Issues
2017-2018
Randolph High School
Mr. Gomes
Room 206
Gomesz@randolph.k12.ma.us
Class website: www.mrgomeshistory.weebly.com
(781) 961-6220 x206

Contact Information:
You can use the email address above to contact me with any questions regarding the class assignments.
Please contact me as early as possible after the school day so I can respond to your email. When you are
emailing me, be specific about your question and I will answer it to the best of my ability.

Course Overview:
The Global Issues course will help students develop their thinking in the form of written essays,
classroom presentations, socratic seminars, and classroom conversation. Students will take the initiative to
learn from eachother and take a stance on world issues. Students will listen to their classmates in order the
gain a deep understanding of the opinions of the entire class. We will read and annotate primary and
secondary sources which deal with the topic/issue we are discussing.

What are Global Issues?

Global Issues are interest, topics, and events that affect and connect individuals from around the
world. Global issues require time, patience, and understanding to deal with in the best way possible. Global
issues cannot be solved by one person or group. We will focus on the essential questions:
What impact do I have on this world?
What steps can I take to solve global issues?
How does the world work? And is this the best way?
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Course Objectives:
By the end of this year, students will be able to:
Actively contribute to all classroom conversation in a safe and respectful manner
Use evidence from classroom resources to support my reasoning
Use the internet to research, create, and produce projects
Read primary and secondary sources with a keen eye for tone, point of view, context, source,
and vocabulary.
Write clearly and coherently on historical and creative topics in an organized way

Capstone Project:
At the end of each unit (approximately every 3-5 weeks), you will be required to complete a unit test
and/or a culminating project. These projects include essays, debates, and persuasive poster presentations. At
the end of semester you will show your knowledge in a semester exam or final project

Class Units

The class will be divided into 4 major units of study:

1) Terrorism and Global Conflict
2) Elections and Politics
3) Health and Medicine
4) Technology and War

We will examine each of these topics in detail and have classroom discussions that address the many
subdivisions of each topic.

Grading:
Your grade for each term will be based on the following categories and their accompanying
weights*:
Assessments (Quizzes, Tests, Projects, and Essays): 25%
Classroom Professionalism Be prepared to share!
(Participation/conversation, Effort and Norms): 25%
Classwork (including Binder organization): 35%
Homework: (include writing prompt) 15%

*NOTE: These percentages are subject to change; those changes, if they do occur, will be clearly
communicated to you.

Tests and Quizzes (25%)

Tests and quizzes will be mostly in the form of presentations and writing assignments
Students will be called on to lead a Socratic seminar at some point during the semester

Professionalism (25%)-(Participation/conversation, Effort and Norms):

You are a full time student. As a student you are expected to hold yourself to a high standard in
and out of the classroom.
You will receive a classroom professionalism grade weekly. Weekly grades will range from 0-20
(20 being the best). For example, if your follow the professionalism guidelines you should be
able to get at least an 18/20
In order to receive a 20 you must:
Be on time and prepared for class.
Share your thoughts and opinions on global issues in the class
Follow classroom procedures (seated and working in one minute with work sheet).
Try your best.
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Homework (15%)
When I check homework I will give you a grade from 1-5. In order to receive a 5, homework
must be complete and accurate. I will let you know what your grade for the assignment is.
Homework will usually be completed kept in your binder. I will circulate the classroom and
check your homework during the classroom period. At times I will ask you to place homework
in the Turn In Tray for your class. I will grade it and return it to you. (see late policy below)

Writing Prompts (counts toward HW) (15 points each)

Students will be given a writing prompt once every 2 weeks. These prompts will be posted in
the back of the room. The assignment will be given on Monday of each week and will be due at
the START of class on Friday.

Classwork (35%)
Classwork will come in the form of articles, published and non published works, journals, and
editorials from various sources. These will be used to provide necessary background to the four
major units of Global issues we will be studying. Classwork will be completed by answering
AND discussing questions to determine how the issue connects to our world.

Late Work Policy:

For major assignments, all late work will lose 10% of the final grade per day that it is late.
Therefore, if you pass in an assignment and receive a 100%, but it is one day late, your final
grade will be a 90%.

Unless you have an excused absence for missing class, late homework will not be accepted.
Classwork received after the due date will not receive more than 50% credit

If you are absent, I expect you to take the initiative to come before or after school to make
special arrangements with me, which includes agreeing on a due date for the missed
assignments. If possible, you can always email me while you are out of school to get the
assignments as well.

Classroom Binders:
Almost all of your completed work will be placed into a binder. You will need to bring in a 1 3
hole punch binder. This will be checked periodically and count toward your term grade.
It is very important that you organize your binder with at least 5 dividers.

Keep your binder organized with the most recent assignments at the top of the section:
ALL work I give you will be hole punched.

The binder will be divided into 5 different sections

1) Classwork (work will be numbered and have dates)
2) Essays and HW
3) Tests/Quizzes/professionalism grades
4) Assignments (includes syllabus and assignment instructions)
5) Extra paper

Classroom Files:
All assignments from this class will be kept in a file bin located at the front of the classroom.
Assignments for this course will have a

1) Title and 2) lesson number. This information will be written on a chart next to the file
system. Please get comfortable accessing these files
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Student Work Bins:

All assignments from this previous term should be kept in your student work tray.
This is located in the back of the room. You should not throw out old work. Each
file folder has a number which is designated to you.
After completing a essay you will place your first draft and your final draft into the
manila folder titled Writing Folder 17-18.

Extra Credit:
I offer multiple forms of extra credit that have to do with assessment grades, which
comprise a large fraction of your term grade.
1. Essay Rewrites: After I have returned in-class essays, there will be the opportunity to
complete essay rewrites. Rewrites are due two days after the essay is returned, unless
otherwise indicated. You may see me before or after school for more detailed feedback
and advice on your writing.

2. Other opportunities: I may offer extra credit at additional times per my discretion.
Please remember this is EXTRA credit, and not meant to take the place of coming to
class and doing all work assigned.

Extra Help:
If you are having any types of confusions, whether big or small, please let me know as soon
as possible. We will work together to clarify any points of confusion.
I will have office hours Monday and Tuesday afterschool until 3:00. Please be sure to remind
me when youll be coming to extra help, and what topic/material youre having trouble with.
Furthermore, if you just want to have a relaxed place to do homework after school, my door is
always open.

Classroom Behavior Expectations

RESPECT all people, objects, and opinions in Rm 206
o This means no...
Insults/profanity
Roughhousing
Phones/iPods
Food
Defacing desks, books, tables, walls
Throwing projectiles
Interrupting others who are speaking
Arrive ON TIME
o This means you are in the room before I close my door.
o If you are late you must have a written pass from another teacher.
Come PREPARED
o This means
Bring your binder every day
Bring a pen to write with
Be KIND
o This means be polite toward all members of our classroom community and do not
fight. If there is an issue, talk to me and we can work it out.
Try it out & do your BEST
o This means I will not accept a refusal to do work in this class.
o Your success is important to me, and I will not allow you to jeopardize your own
future because of dawdling or laziness. I am here to support you.
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What will happen to me if I CHOOSE to break a rule?

FIRST you will receive a warning (except for tardiness)
SECOND you will receive a detention:
o ALL detentions will be 15 minutes unless otherwise noted

PHONES are prohibited in class at all times and breaking that rule is subject to
the school-wide code of discipline.

For a serious offense, or if its in the best interest of the class that someone be removed,
you will be sent to the office. You will still have to serve detention with me.

If you receive a detention you must serve it by the next day. I will make a call home
and inform a parent or guardian the reason for your detention. If you do not serve you
detention by the next day I will submit a discipline referral form and you will need to
serve an office detention. Your name will remain on the board until you serve the
detention. If you have a question about your detention please talk to me before or after
class. Do not ask me why you have a detention during the class period.

In closing, I would like to emphasize that I look forward to forming relationships with each and
every one of you, and cultivating a classroom community within Room 206. I intend to hold you all
to high standards and expectations, while providing support to help you reach and even surpass
your goals. Your success is very important to me and I aim to listen, guide, and support you to
the best of my ability.

Mr. Gomes

Continue to the next sheet to sign that you have read the expectations
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Mr. Gomes
Global Issues DUE DATE:
Randolph High School Tuesday September 5, 2017
Room 206 NOTE: You will also need to bring a 3 ring binder
GomesZ@randolph.k12.ma.us with binder tabs for class on Tuesday

COURSE EXPECTATIONS RECEIPT

STUDENTS: After youre read through the Syllabus with me and clarified any questions, please go through
this syllabus with your parents and then sign the following statement. You only need to return this last page;
please keep a copy of this syllabus in your file folder.*
This counts as your first Homework grade of the term!*

Student:
I, [print name] _____________________________________________,
have read the course expectations with my parent/guardian and acknowledge that I understand what I will
be accountable for in Global Issues during the 17-18 school year.

I have read the Classroom Behavior Expectations and understand the rules of Room 206 and the
consequences for choosing to break a rule.

Signature: ____________________________________________
Date:________

PARENTS: Please sign the following statement and return it to school with your student

Parent/Guardian:
I, [print name]_____________________________________________, have
read the course expectations and acknowledge that I understand what my child will be accountable for in
Global Issues during the 17-18 school year.

I have read the Classroom Behavior Expectations and understand the rules of Room 206 and the
consequences for choosing to break a classroom norm.

Signature: ____________________________________________
Date:________

E-mail:
___________________________________________________________
Best Phone Number(s) By Which to Reach You:
_____________________________________________________
If you have any questions, please email me at GomesZ@randolph.k12.ma.us
or call me by phone: (781)961-6220 x206