Course Syllabus

Tentative Syllabus for Honors World History, 2024/25

 

This course has eight individual units of study that cover various periods of World History.  Each unit has its own focus, its own map to learn, and will end with a Unit Test.   Class will meet every other day and you may expect to have graded assignments most days with 2-3 homework assignments per week–attendance is absolutely crucial to your success in this class!

• Introduction Unit  (September 3–20)  Topics Include: an overview/refresher course on our essential skills of chronology (timelines), media literacy, essay writing, and map reading/memorization.  Map: World Map: Continents, Oceans.  Test: by September 20

• Renaissance and Reformation  (September 23–November 1)  Topics Include: the Renaissance of Greek and Roman ideas; Humanism; Renaissance Art; the Protestant Reformation.  Map: Renaissance Europe. Test: by November 1.

• Trade Routes and the Age of Exploration  (November 4--25)  Topics Include: the Silk Road, Chronology of Naval Exploration; Key European Explorers; the Columbian Exchange; Plight of the Indigenous People in the Americas, Asia, and Africa.  Map: North and South America.  Test: by November 25.

• Age of Enlightenment/Industrialization  (December 2–20)  Topics Include: Enlightenment Philosophy; Absolute Monarchs; Seeds of Revolution; Advent of the Industrial Age.  Map: Enlightenment Europe. Test: by December 20.

• World War One  (January 2–February 3)  Topics Include: Causes of WWI, Chronology of the War; New Methods of Warfare; Life in the Trenches; Key Battles; The Treaty of Versailles  Maps: Europe WWI.  Test: by February 3.

• Africa Unit  (February 4–March 31)  Topics Include: The Nature of Imperialism; Colonization of Africa; Apartheid in South Africa; Legacies of Colonization.  Map: African Continent.  Research Project with Classroom Presentations: March 19–31.

 

1. World War Two (April 1–30)  Topics Include: the Rise of Facism in Europe; Imperial 

Japan; Key Battles in Europe/North Africa; Key Battles in the Pacific; Collapse of the 

Third Reich; Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Map: The Pacific Theater.  Test:April 30.

 

1.   Post-WWII World (May 1–June 6) Topics Include: The Cold War, Indian 

Independence; Latin America in Flux; Middle Eastern Conflicts. Map: Central Asia

Test: To be determined by the finals schedule

 

What You Need for This Class

 

A Notebook/Binder A spiral bound, college ruled notebook with pockets for handouts, or a 3-ring binder with plenty of lined paper in it would be ideal.  In order to stay organized, it should be designated just for this class.  You will use it almost every single day.

 

Pens and/or Pencils You will also need something with which to write every, single day.  Scrounging around for a writing utensil wastes valuable class time---so stock up and be prepared.

 

Your Laptop Much of the work you do in this class will be submitted on Canvas (our online learning platform) via your laptop.  You will need it most days.

 

Course Objectives

 

-Students will gain working knowledge of the last 500+ years of world history as well as an understanding of how that history affects the world we live in today..

-Students will be able to effectively communicate their ideas in essay format by introducing and developing a thesis, using unified and coherent arguments to support that thesis, and concluding their arguments—all in original, grammatically correct sentences.

-Students will develop good note taking skills by mastering the outline format as well as practicing paying attention and staying on task.

-Students will be able to analyze media messages for veracity and trustworthiness as well as be able to detect most forms of media bias.

-Students will be able to partially or completely recognize and name many historical and current day regions (empires, trade routes, battlegrounds, countries, and capitals) of the world on a map.

 

Grading Policy

 

Daily class assignments (2-3 times a week) are worth between 10-20 points; homework assignments (2-3 times a week) are 30-45 points; quizzes (roughly every 2 weeks) will generally be 30-60 points; major tests and projects (eight over the course of the year) will be 150-200 points. Late work will be penalized (marked down) depending on the circumstances; after two weeks it may not be accepted.

A Final Note to Consider

What should you do if you find yourself struggling, if you’ve fallen behind in your work, or if you have missed school?  Your first step is to LOOK ON CANVAS—it’s all there.  If you still need help after that, you can usually find me in my room 30 minutes before school, 30 minutes after school, during break, and during most lunches.  Email me (m.lowe@georgestevens.org) only if you can’t find help on Canvas and can’t find me in person.