Course Syllabus

World Civilizations

2017-2018

Instructor: Mr. Walker

Email: dwalker@paplv.org

 

Course Description:

This course covers world civilizations from the end of the medieval period to modern times with a review of ancient and medieval times. This course traces ten themes through history: geography, economic organization, politics and law, war and diplomacy, technology, religion, philosophy, science and arts, social relations, and cross-cultural interaction. The following regions will be explored: European Countries, China and Japan, India and Africa, Mediterranean sea, Atlantic and Pacific oceans, along with the Americas.  Students will be able to compare and contrast different revolutions, causes and effects of war, while looking at how culture changes throughout time.

 

Course Outline:

Throughout:              Writing, Technology, and Information Literacy

Unit I:                         Review and connect past learnings

Unit II:                       Renaissance and Reformation

Unit III:                      Exploration and Colonization – CSA 1 after

Unit IV:                      Absolutism in Europe

Unit V:                       Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, and American and French Rev.

Unit VI:                      Napoleon and Resulting Revolutions

Unit VII:                    Industrial Revolution    CSA 2 after

Unit VIII:                   Nationalism and Imperialism

Unit IX:                      Russia and World War I

Unit X:                       Post War Nationalism

Unit XI:                      Totalitarianism   CSA 3 after

Unit XII:                    World War II

Unit XIII:                   The Cold War   CSA 4 after

 

 

Course Outcomes:

Content

Students will understand that:  (just to name a few)

• there were multiple events that prepare Europe for the beginning of the Renaissance.
• European interaction with the Eastern world altered the economy of Europe.
• conflict with the East spurred technological and intellectual change throughout Europe.
• there were multiple concurrent causes of the Renaissance.
• the characteristics of the Renaissance were different from those of the Middle Ages.
• art of the Renaissance was reflective of the many cultural changes occurring during the Renaissance.
• intellectual changes that occurred during the Renaissance had a direct impact upon the Catholic Church and led to the Reformation.
• native peoples were vulnerable for a variety of reasons.
• technological advances were necessary in order for European exploration to be successful.
• motives for European colonization included economic reasons, religious reasons, and personal factors.
• interaction with the New World had both positive and negative effects that affected both the New World and the Old World.
• Philip II extended Spain’s power and established a golden age.
• France became the leading power of Europe under the absolute rule of Louis IV.
• The British Parliament asserted its rights against royal claims to absolute power in the 1600s.
• The Austrian and Prussian empires emerged from the Thirty Years’ War and subsequent events.
• Discoveries in science lead to a new way of thinking for Europeans.
• Enlightenment philosophers had an effect on government and society.
• The spread of Enlightenment ideas across Europe resulted in political and cultural changes.
• Enlightenment ideas lead to the independence and founding of the United States of America.
• Napoleon rose to power out of the chaos of the French Revolution.
• Napoleon’s defeat and its resolution still impact Europe today.
• For a number of reasons, Britain was the first nation to industrialize.
• Industrialization altered the growth of population, population centers, future growth of technology, and transportation systems within industrialized nations.

 

Skills

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate reasoned judgment.
• Read and interpret charts, graphs and political cartoons.
• Distinguish between fact and opinion.
• Read and analyze scholarly work in the field of political science.
• Organize and present original ideas in oral and written work.
• Develop critical thinking skills that analyze the challenges we face in the world.
• Develop note-taking skills, as well as organizational, presentation, and cooperative skills that will support and enhance the social studies curriculum.
• Develop technology, writing, and research skills that will enhance the social studies curriculum.

 

Classroom Environment:

In our diverse class and school environment, peers and resources may reflect cultures, beliefs, or values different from your own.  The following will be observed:

• Be respectful and considerate of the feelings of others, especially if/when people share their personal experiences or when we discuss sensitive issues.
• Try not to make assumptions about or speak for whole groups.
• Ask questions respectfully and allow others to share without put-downs or interruptions.
• Please speak up when you have questions or if you or someone else feels offended so that any misunderstandings can be addressed.
• Be willing and able to discuss any information read.
• Be responsible for your own conduct and contributions to the course.
• Please make an appointment and see me if you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like to discuss your progress.

 

 

Grading Policy:

• Grades are based on points earned from all course work, including preparation and participation.  Preparation and participation are important aspects of the learning environment and classroom climate. Class participation includes the quality of the student’s attendance, such as coming to class with materials, promptness to class, preparation for class through homework, attentiveness, attendance, as well as verbal participation.  Your grade will be separated into Summative and Formative assessments:

Summative     70% (Tests, Projects, etc)

Formative       30% (Daily Work, Quizzes, Class Participation, etc)

 

• CHEATING, including, but not limited to, plagiarism, using copied pages or notes or a neighbor on quizzes or exams, changing scores, or any violation of the school cheating policy will result in a zero grade and subject you to administrative consequences.  Be familiar with the school policy.  Again, if you have any concerns, please come see me.  I am happy to go over materials, assignments, answer questions, etc.  I want you to be successful!

 

Textbook:

• World History: The Modern Era, Prentice Hall (Textbook)

 

Required Daily Materials:

The following should be brought to class everyday:

• Textbook
• Three-ring binder with dividers
• Binder paper!
• Pencils, black or blue pens, and highlighters
• PLHS planner

 

Homework:

• Contact me before an issue arises if you have questions.
• In order to receive full credit on an assignment, turn in ALL course work COMPLETE, on time, at the beginning of class, written neatly or typed, and labeled with your name, my name, the date, class and period, and assignment title.

 

First and Last Name

Teacher’s Name

Subject (Period)

Date

Title [centered]

Declan Walker

Coach Walker

World Civ.

Aug. 13, 2017

 

 

 

• LATE WORK:
• All work not turned in on the designated due date is considered late. 
• Late assignments can receive up to 50% if turned in before the unit exam.
• In case of a prolonged illness or other extraordinary circumstances, the teacher will have the discretion of adjusting due dates for assignments and/or tests.

 

• Long-term assignments or group projects such as reports (oral or written), essays, or presentations must be turned in on the due date (regardless of your absence).  Every day a major assignment is late, it loses 10%.
• Students excused for extracurricular activities or off-campus appointments should turn in their homework before they leave campus or it will be deemed late.
• All homework assignments should be written in your planner.

 

Test/Quiz Make-ups:

• Make up tests must be taken outside of class time and during the school-wide make up days and times.   The student MUST make up a missed test within 1 week from time of return from absence. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule and make-up the test on her or his own time.

 

Absent/Tardy Policy:

• Please be in your seat when class begins.  If the door is closed you are LATE. 
• If you miss class on the day an assignment is due, assignments such as homework are due on the day you return from an excused absence. 
• If there is a quiz the day you return, you are required to take it, as you should have found out what the homework was prior to returning to class.  It is your responsibility to find out what was missed, NOT the teacher’s.

 

 

 

 

Ways to Succeed in Coach Walker’s Class

1.  Pay attention when I’m talking

2.  Hide any electronic devices in your possession…If I see it I’ll take it.

3.  Remember your class materials & turn in work on time

4.  Have a good attitude & be respectful!

5.  Have FUN & participate in class!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Civilizations

Mr. Walker

Period: _______________

Due Date: _____________

 

By signing this sheet, I am acknowledging that I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE COURSE EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS.

 

 

 

STUDENT NAME (PLEASE PRINT)       _________________________________________

 

 

STUDENT SIGNATURE                            _________________________________________

 

 

PARENT NAME (PLEASE PRINT)         _________________________________________

 

 

PARENT SIGNATURE                              _________________________________________