This course is an overview of the different cultures throughout the world, covering all continents except Antarctica. The class pacing and the order in which the countries are taught are dictated by HCCC (Hill Country Course Curriculum). I will also be arranging several speakers (hopefully) from various countries/cultures to speak to the students.

The students will gain a more in depth knowledge and appreciation of various world cultures. This will be done by focusing on geography, culture, government, economy, politics, citizenship, diversity and history.

The following is the order the course will take for the year. Under each continent, selected countries will be studied to various depths and complexities. All of the key elements (geography, culture, government, economy, politics, citizenship, diversity and history), will be discussed to some extent as well.

The grade will be determined by the following criteria:

Tests 60%

All of the following areas will count a total of 30%
Classwork
Essay/project
Participation/behavior
Being prepared
Notebook

homework 10%


Most of the work, including many quizzes and tests, are open book, open note, or take-home. ALL work can be corrected to a 70% if the corrections are correct. Because of the lack of quality work from many students, I now REQUIRE that the page number and paragraph number be written by each answer.

Lago Vista district policy towards late work is as follows:
One day late.......80%
Two days late......50%
More than two days...zero.

My policy is somewhat more liberal and is as follows:
One day late....minus 11 points
Two days late...minus 21 points
No work will be accepted after two days unless the student has been absent or there is a note from a parent explaining the reason. Work not turned in by the second day will be recorded as a zero.