Mr. Vigna's Foundations Syllabus
by Dennis Vigna
August 16, 2010
Foundations of Social Studies-Syllabus
Instructor Dennis Vigna E-mail dvigna@usd343.org
Contact Hours
Monday 1:46 – 2:31
Wednesday/Friday 12:56 – 2:15
Course Description:
This course will provide a fundamental background for all the disciplines of social studies. Objectives will vary between geography, history, economics, politics, and sociology. We will approach the topics of social studies from an integrated point of view. The manners in which all these areas create and effect society will be emphasized.
Grading Scale:
USD 343 Grading Scale
A+ (100% & above) B- (80%-82%)
A (93%-99%) C+ (77%-79%)
A- (90%-92%) C (73%-76%)
B+ (87%-89%) C- (70%-72%)
B (83%-86%) D+ (67%-69%)
D (63%-66%) F (59% & below)
D- (60%-62%)
INC: Student has not completed all the given requirements at this time.
Assignments missed while absent will be recorded with the symbol “Ab” and not count toward their grade.
Students have a minimum of 2 days for each day absent to submit missed work for credit.
Should a student become ineligible they are guaranteed the opportunity in each class to raise their grade to become eligible in the following week.
Student Evaluation:
Evaluations will be presented in the form of written tests, essays, papers, and projects.
Behavior Plan:
One expectation I have for each and every student in my classes is to behave like an adult in ALL situations. At your age, you should have gained a sense of which behaviors are appropriate, and which are not. The following three general items are the most important behaviors I hold each student accountable for.
1. Do not participate or engage in any activity that will be disruptive to anyone in the classroom. Any behavior that interferes with the ability of another person in the class to learn is deemed disruptive.
2. Respect each and every person present in the class at ALL times. You may find differences with others in the class about their opinions, or actions, but as an adult, show respect by letting each express their own ideas.
3. Be responsible. Bring all materials to class each and everyday. Individuals will not be issued a pass to return to their locker to bring materials to class.
By each and every student in the class observing these three general guidelines will ensure each student the ability to receive the best education possible at PLHS. Basically, the three rules can be summed up by the way in which America is intended to operate. TREAT OTHERS, AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED.
Any difficulty in following the rules of the classroom will result in the following actions:
1. A Reminder of the rule being broken
2. A verbal warning of the action that is inappropriate
3. A conference with me (before or after class/school) to develop a verbal plan for improvement
4. Removal from the class, development of a written behavioral contract, parents will be contacted
5. Referral to office
YOU and only YOU make the choices that govern your behavior and take advantage of your opportunities. Please make choices that present you well as an adult. Remember, IF YOU DO THE CRIME, BE PREPARED TO SERVE THE TIME.
Course Outline:
1. Evaluate the impact and role of resources in the establishment, development and success of human civilization.
2. Hypothesize about the impacts of movement of people and human-environmental interaction in the promotion of societal change and evolution over time. Assess the existence of a unique American culture; justifying their position through identification of existing characteristics of society and culture.
3. Categorize both historic and present day examples or conformity and deviance in two social institutions from society and compare the relative value of both conformity and deviance to society. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, relationships and impacts related to statuses, roles, and social interaction in society.
4. Evaluate the relative value of resources, products and human characteristics in specified economic systems and explain their rational utilizing basic economic questions and roles. Assess the evidence and effects of the existence of inequality in various social situations and settings.
5. Demonstrate the role of politics in influencing public opinion and policy, and ultimately the direction of government. Summarize the need for regulation across various parts of society and the application of regulation within democratic and authoritarian governments.
