World Geography Syllabus 2018-2019

Contact Information:
Thomas Huss, ​thomashuss@trinityes.org​, 804-272-5864, room D5
Email is the preferred method of contact. If you wish to speak by phone, please email with phone
information and I will contact you as soon as I can.

Discovery​:
Students are encouraged to come to D5 at the beginning of Discovery if they need assistance or to
obtain makeup work.

Course Description:​ The focus of this course is the study of the world’s peoples, places, and
environments; with an emphasis on world regions. The knowledge, skills, and perspectives of the
course are centered on the world’s population and cultural characteristics, landforms and
climates, economic development, and migration and settlement patterns. Using geographic
resources, students will employ inquiry, research, and technology skills to ask and answer
geographic questions. Particular emphasis is placed on students’ understanding and applying
geographic concepts and skills to their daily lives.
Text:​ Holt McDougal. ​Geography. 2​ 012. ISBN-978-0-547-49110-3

Required Materials:
•Three Ring Binder (at least 2 inch) • Flash/Thumb Drive

Grade Weights: Grade Scales:

Test/Projects: 40% 94-100 = A
Class work: 35% 86-93 = B
Homework: 10% 78-85 = C
Quizzes: 15% 70-77 = D
0-69 = F
Late Work Policy:
In the event of an absence, make-up work can be obtained and completed in a timely fashion, not
to exceed each unit. Most work will be posted in Google Classroom. No work will be accepted
after end of quarter.

Classroom Expectations:
1. Be prepared! This is high school! You are responsible for coming to class on time, with
required materials and completed assignments.
2. Respect all adults, teachers, substitutes, assistants, and staff at Trinity ES. This is not only
non-negotiable; respecting adults and their authority is an indication of your own maturity.
3. Respect each other at all times. ALWAYS treat others as you would like to be treated.
4. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated.
5. We will follow all Trinity policies and rules in the classroom.

Course Goals:
By the end of the course students will demonstrate skills for historical thinking, geographical
analysis, economic decision making, and responsible citizenship by
a) synthesizing evidence from artifacts and primary and secondary sources to obtain
information about the world’s countries, cities, and environments;
b) using geographic information to determine patterns and trends to understand world
regions;
c) creating, comparing, and interpreting maps, charts, graphs, and pictures to determine
characteristics of world regions;
d) evaluating sources for accuracy, credibility, bias, and propaganda;
e) using maps and other visual images to compare and contrast historical, cultural, economic,
and political perspectives;
f) explaining indirect cause-and-effect relationships to understand geospatial connections;
g) analyzing multiple connections across time and place;
h) using a decision-making model to analyze and explain the incentives for and consequences
of a specific choice made;
i) identifying the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the ethical use of material or
intellectual property; and
j) investigating and researching to develop products orally and in writing.

Honor Code:
All assignments are expected to be your own individual and pledged work, unless you are
told otherwise. ​I have it set this way to help avoid confusion. If you ever have any questions
about an assignment, you can always ask me.

Use of Electronics:
Cell phones are not permitted in class unless they are being used for academic purposes.
Unauthorized cell phone usage could result in the taking of the phone for the class or day.

Computers are required for this course. Students are expected to use them appropriately and
remain focused and on task.

Attendance:
Regular school attendance is expected and required for success. Students with 7 or more absences
per semester will be placed under the review process.