HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Course Syllabus
Course Title: Honors World History
Credit Hours: 1 unit
Grade Level: 10 th grade
Description:
World History is a survey course that gives students the opportunity to examine recurring themes of human experiences common to civilizations around the globe from ancient to modern times. An historical approach will be at the center of the course. The application of themes of geography and an analysis of the cultural traits of civilizations will help students understand how people shape their world and how their world shapes them. As students examine the historical roots of significant events, ideas, movements, and phenomena, they encounter the contributions and patterns of living in civilizations around the world. Students broaden their historical perspectives as they explore ways societies have dealt with continuity and change, exemplified by issues such as wars and peace, internal stability and strife, and the development of institutions. To become informed citizens, students require knowledge of the civilizations that have shaped the development of the United States. World History provides this foundation. When comparing an Honors World History curriculum to a regular World History curriculum, the course will be taught in greater complexity and at an accelerated pace. Students will be expected to employ higher level thinking skills and to produce a higher quality of work. The goals for the course are as follows:
Goal 1: Historical Tools and Practices- The student will identify, evaluate, and use the methods and tools valued by historians, compare the views of historians, and trace the themes of history.
Goal 2: Emerging Civilizations- The student will analyze the development of early civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Goal 3: Monarchies and Empires- The student will investigate significant events, people, and conditions in the growth of monarchical and imperial systems of government.
Goal 4: Revolution and Nationalism- The student will assess the causes and effects of movements seeking change and will evaluate the sources and consequences of nationalism.
Goal 5: Global Wars- The student will analyze the causes and results of 20 th century conflicts among nations.
Goal 6: Patterns of Social Order- The student will investigate social and economic organization in various societies throughout time in order to understand the shifts in power and status that have occurred.
Goal 7: Technology and Changing Global Connections- The student will consider the short- and long-term consequences of the development of new technology.
Goal 8: Patterns of History- The student will assess the influence of ideas, values, beliefs, and traditions on current global events and issues.
Textbook: Glencoe World History, Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe, 2008.
Instructor: Mrs. Linda C. Carr
School: (910) 532-4575
Home: (910) 532-4387
Required Materials:
Pens and pencils
3-ring binder
Loose-leaf paper
Spiral composition book
Colored pencils
Access to a computer/word processor and Internet
Access to a newspaper that addresses world and national events
Honors World History Course Objectives:
Students will develop and enhance their skills in the following areas:
- Reading for content understanding
- Taking notes on textbook reading and teacher lectures
- Analyzing the impact of events and leaders in the course of world history
- Going beyond memorization of isolated facts to the development of higher level thinking skills
- Making historical assessments and evaluations by writing essays and making oral presentation
- Analyzing current events and their effect on the course of history
- Group and individual projects which will include oral presentations and products
- Demonstrating the ability to research topic and write effectively on the topic
One of the most important skills a student can develop is the ability to read a textbook or any academic material and be able to ascertain the most important ideas expressed by the author. This seems to be a very difficult skill for many students and one on which we will focus this year. Students will be taught the Cornell Note Taking Method which is highly regarded in the academic community as one of the best, if not the best, method for students to be able to retain the materials they have read. Students will be expected to develop a chronology of history events which will require some memorization of dates and various periods of history. This course will rely on primary source documents to help students attain a thorough understanding of a particular event or personality. Students will learn how to defend a position by using historical facts and data to support their opinions. While I am most concerned with historical accuracy, one cannot ignore the importance of spelling, punctuation, and effective sentence structure which will be a part of the grade on every essay. As a student of history, students will be expected to stay apprised of major local, state, national, and international events. Each Friday we will discuss current events and will either work on or present group/individual projects.
Grading:
Final Grade: The course grade will be calculated by the following formula:
Marking period averages (50 %) + midterm (25%) + final exam (25%) = 100%. There is one quality point added at the end of the course to your average.
Marking Period Grades: The six-week’s grade will be based on unit tests, chapter quizzes, homework assignments, class work, group projects, research projects, newspaper readings, notebook checks, and writing/essays. Unit tests and major essays will count three times when I am calculating your averages. Chapter quizzes and projects will count twice when I am calculating your averages. All other daily activities will be averaged once. I will drop one of the daily grades at the end of the grading period before determining your average.
Policies and Procedures:
The class rules are simple:
- Be on time.
- Be productive.
- Be polite.
You should be in the classroom in your assigned seat and ready to begin the lesson when the tardy bell rings. A productive student brings his/her materials (textbook, paper, pencil/pen, and notebook) to class each day. A productive student participates in all class activities, pays attention in class, and avoids disruptive behavior. Being polite involves respecting the rights of others and treating others as you would like to be treated. Needless to say, you are expected to abide by the rules established in the student handbook. Consequences of rule infractions are stated in the handbook.
Absence policy- It is your responsibility to obtain class notes, handouts, or class assignments from a classmate or from the teacher. If you miss a quiz or a test, you will need to make arrangements with me to make it up within 5 days of the absence. After that time you will receive a zero. Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances which will require that we discuss the situation on an individual basis.
Bathroom procedure- Students will be allowed to go to the bathroom during class only in cases of emergency. Emergencies do not occur several times a week or even once a week.
If you have a medical condition that might require you to have frequent bathroom visits, please bring me a note from your parents.
Final Thoughts:
I am looking forward to teaching you World History this year. It is one of my favorite courses. I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I do.
