COURSE TITLE: Citizens in a Global Society

LENGTH OF COURSE: Full year 2 credits

GENERAL COURSE OUTCOMES:  The focus of this course is an interdisciplinary approach to the role of the citizen in the world today, including a study of the political and historical foundations of Eastern and Western societies.  The course includes an extensive study of related world literature, as it reflects key English and Social Studies concepts.  Students will be expected to master reading, writing and critical thinking skills in both disciplines. 

INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES/COURSE CONTENT: The following units of study meet the NH State Standards for 9th grade Social Studies:

1. The need for government in society/forms of government
2. The historical foundations of democracy
3. The role of the citizen in the American political system
4. The structure of the American federal government
5. The cultural legacies of ancient Greece and Rome
6. World religions and their contributions to the development of Western Civilization
7. The Middle Ages
8. The Renaissance and Reformation
9. The Age of Revolution in Europe
10. Contemporary world issues and the citizen's role in them.

The following frameworks meet the NH State Standards for 9th grade English:

1. Students will demonstrate the interest and ability to read age-appropriate materials fluently, with understanding and appreciation.
2. Students will demonstrate the interest and ability to write effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences.
3. Students will demonstrate the interest and ability to speak purposefully and articulately, as well as listen and view attentively and critically.
4. Students will demonstrate competence in understanding, appreciating, interpreting and critically analyzing classical and contemporary American and British literature as well as literary works translated into English.
5. Students will demonstrate competence in using the interactive language processes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing to gather and organize information in  a variety of subject areas.
6. Students will demonstrate competence in using the interactive language processes of reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing to communicate effectively and to succeed in educational, occupational, civic, social and everyday settings.
7. Students will increase awareness of short stories, novels, plays and poetry
8. Students will learn the elements of literature
9. Students will learn various research methods
10. Students will enhance their vocabulary
11. Students will experience and understand literature as it pertains to their lives
12. Students will incorporate writing throughout the process of analyzing literature
13. Students will write in various genres including non-fiction, fiction, expository writing, and poetry  

COURSE ACTIVITIES:  Throughout the year students will be working toward the course goals by completing assignments and participating in activities both independently and in groups.  Students must be involved and prepared for all class activities.  A significant portion of the student's average will be based on participation.  This participation grade will include attendance, involvement in class activities, behavior, attitude and preparation for class.  Assignments and activities will include but will not be limited to:

TEXTS:  This list is not intended to be a complete representation of the assigned readings and novels to be used in this course.  Please note that items are subject to change and may need to be modified to meet the needs of the class and/or individual.

Social Studies Texts:

World Cultures: A Global Mosaic

American Civics (Holt, Rinehart and Winston- 2003)

World History: The Human Experience (Glencoe-1999)

English

Lord of the Flies                        William Golding

The Odyssey                               Homer

Romeo and Juliet                        William Shakespeare

The Alchemist                            Paulo Coelho

A Tale of Two Cities                    Charles Dickens

To Kill A Mockingbird                    Harper Lee

House on Mango Street                Sandra Cisneros

Speak                                        Laurie Halse Anderson

Big Mouth, Ugly Girl                    Joyce Carol Oates

Girl Named Disaster                      Nancy Farmer                 

Things Fall Apart                          Chinua Achebe

TECHNOLOGY:  Students will use technology on a regular basis.  Students will be expected to type all papers in MLA format.  Class projects and presentations will all have a "technology" component; these may include using the media center computers and software or various other technology options such as power point presentations, video cameras, etc.  Students will also be required to use the internet for conducting research.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Each teacher will have a variety of special requirements such as: materials needed, expectations, and make-up policies.  See each teacher's individual syllabus for more details.

EVALUATION: Methods of evaluation will also vary in percentage points.  See individual teacher's syllabus for more details.  A sample may look like this:

homework    25%            quizzes    25%

tests            25%            classwork    25%

SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY:  It is expected that within each course, teachers make reasonable efforts to accommodate differences among students and use a variety of instructional methods.  The purpose of this course outline is to communicate general expectations and policies to our students and their parents.  The timelines and activities are offered as guidelines and are subject to change.

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Questions? Comments?  E-mail: Mrs. Magnusson , Mr. Hurley, Mrs. Cloos, Ms. Lavallee, Ms. MacDonald, Ms. Krohn, Mr. Schneider