Joplin High School World History JHS Social Studies Weighted: 4.

0 Scale 1 Credit: Full Year (2 Semesters) Syllabus and Expectations Instructor: Classroom Location #: School Phone: Fax: Department Phone: E-mail: Department Website: Instructor Website: Mr. Dustin Dixon 312 417-625-5230 417-625-5238 417-625-5230 EXT: ddixon@joplin.k12.mo.us http://www.joplineagles.org/departments/soci alstudies/ www.mrdixonsclass.weebly.com

Course Description: This course is a study of modern world history, including a review of ancient cultures, the foundation of world religions and beliefs, exploration, intellectual revolutions, violent revolutions, industrial revolution, nationalism/imperialism through the world wars, cold war, the quest of countries seeking independence and changes in current global patterns. Prerequisites: None Major Course Objectives: 1. Compare and contrast governmental systems, current and historical, including those that are democratic, totalitarian, monarchic, and theocratic, and describe their impact. 2. Analyze changes in democracy and republics over time 3. Explain the relevance and the connection of constitutional principles in the following documents: a. Magna Carta b. Enlightenment writings of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu and the Social Contract Theory 4.Analyze the following developments related to the Renaissance and Reformation including: new ways of thinking, humanism, new developments in arts and their impact on later developments 5.Assess the impact of the First Global Age, including the Columbian Exchange; the origins and consequences of European overseas expansion; the effect of European arms and economic power on other parts of the world; resulting
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transformations in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe and conflicts among European maritime and land powers 6.Analyze the Scientific Revolution in the context of what it was, its antecedents and its impact on Europe and the world 7.Evaluate the Enlightenment, including its principle ideas, its antecedents, its challenge to absolutist monarchies and others and its effects on world history 8.Identify and explain the major revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries, including: political revolutions (American and French) and the Industrial Revolution (causes, development, reactions and other consequences, such as social, political and economic globalization) 9.Describe the evolution of diverse economic theories and practices, including: manorialism, mercantilism, laissez-faire capitalism and socialism. Describe the social and political effects these have had on various societies 10.Analyze all significant wars of the twentieth century, including: causes, comparisons, consequences and peace efforts 11.Evaluate European and Japanese imperialism of the late 19th and 20th century and the independence movements in Africa and Asia: causes, reactions, shortand long-term consequences 12.Outline major demographic changes and migrations from prehistoric times to the present, including: their causes and consequences (e.g. rural to urban, less developed to more developed)

Course Goals and Topics Covered in the Course: 1. The Beginnings of Civilization: The earliest river civilizations of the Middle East began as agricultural settlements and evolved into the worlds first civilizations 2. Classical Greece: The Ancient Greeks set the standards of culture that still dominate western civilization today. Greek influence is dominant today in areas such as art and architecture, literature, politics, philosophy, and science 3. Rome and Early Christianity: The city of Rome was the seat of one of the greatest powers of the Ancient World. Over its 1,200-year history, Roman society experienced tremendous changes in both its government and its culture. The cultural legacies of this great empire have shaped our world immensely.
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4. Byzantium and Christianity: After the collapse of the Western Empire, the Byzantines flourished for more than one thousand years and forced Western European societies to seek stability through feudalism and the Roman Catholic Church. 5. The Rise of Islam: Islamic civilization grew as it interacted with pre-existing civilizations, and through trade and Islams centralized religious message it became a dominating force in parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. 6. Renaissance and Reformation: The first glimpses of modern society and culture manifest during the Italian Renaissance. Major academic, economic, political, artistic, and religious changes took place in Western Europe during the Renaissance and Reformation. 7. Exploration and Expansion: Using new-found technological advances, Europeans pushed outward, seeking powerful economic and religious empires. 8. Age of Absolutism: With the decline of Feudalism and the power of the Church, stronger kingdoms emerged under the control of absolute rulers. 9. Enlightenment and Revolution: New discoveries and the use of reason during the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment led to changing ideas about government and society. 10. Age of Revolution, a Changing World: The American Revolution forever changes the balance of world power, and spurs a second revolution in France to establish a new political order. 11. The Industrial Age: Innovations in technology led to the Industrial Revolution, set the stage for the growth of cities, forced a change in the socioeconomic structure and spurred imperialism. 12. Imperialism: Western countries colonized large areas of Africa and Asia, leading to major political and cultural changes. 13. Wars and Society: The global conflicts of the twentieth century had farreaching effects in world politics, economics, religion, and culture. Required Textbook and Recommended Readings: There is no textbook for this class, however, readings will be posted to the class website weekly. Special Resources (Including INTERNET RESOURCES): This class is designed to be directed by student-led learning. This is made easier by the one-to-one computer initiative. We will use student computers daily. Most days students will be required to work on their computers or download material off of the class website for the purpose of completing the work
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at home. If the student is to be successful in this class they MUST have their computer every day in this class. Supplies and Fees: Students must come to class everyday with their laptops, paper and pencil. Evaluation Of Course (Includes grading percentage, participation) A. Grading Scale 90 -100% A 80 - 89% B 70 - 79% C 60 - 69% D 0 - 59% F B. Grade Distribution per Activity (percentage or points) 45% Daily work and participation 45% Tests and major projects 10% Final examination C. Class Participation and Expectations: Participation: Students will be given daily points for contributing to a succesfull classroom environment. These points maintain students are to focus and engage at all times in the classroom environment. Students can lose participation points by neglecting to take notes, contribute to discussion, or use class time appropriately. In additon, the classroom is a place of learning. Students who engage in activities that disrupt this process will loose particiaption points. Assignments and Late Work: Assignments in this class will be accompanied by sufficient time to complete them in class. However, on occasion students will be required to work outside of class. Specifically on make-up work and large projects. Daily assignments are to be completed and turned in when due. However, late work will always be accepted in this class. Electronic Devices: For centuries school districts have successfully educated students without access to personal electronic devices (i.e. cell phones, iPods, cameras, portable video game devices, etc). Although I understand that technology has made our lives much easier and more plesant. In the classroom these devices prove to be distracting many more times than they are helpful. Therefore, the classroom is no place for personal electronic devices. If a student is caught using one of these devices without prior teacher approval they will be given one warning to put it away. If that student is caught a second time it will result in an immiediate referral.

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D.

Special Projects, Writing Activities, and Assessments The end of each unit will be accompanied by a unit test/quiz. However, I believe authentic assessments are better proof of student engagement and learning. As a result, student comprehension will often be tested through projects, debates, and presentations. Final Exam: Students who meet the quality attendance quidelines will be exempt from the Final Exam. However, they can choose to take the test if they would like. In these circumstances I will only count the exam if it helps the student's grade. Those students that do not meet quality attendance will be required to take the final during the time it is given. All deviances from this policy must be approved by your principal. The final exam will be comprehensive.

E. F.

Academic Dishonesty Policy (Policy from Student Handbook) Late Work/Make-up Work Make-up work: I understand that there are a variety of reasons that can keep a student out of school. If a student has an excused or authorized absense, they will be given twice as many days as many days as they were absent to complete the make up work. If a student's absence is unathorized their work will be due just as if they were in class, and will be subject to the late work policy. Late Work Policy: Late work will always be accepted in this class. However, it will be done so with a penalty. The late work policy is as follows: Less than one week late: 75% credit One - Two weeks late: 60% credit Two-four weeks late: 50% credit Four plus weeks late: 25% credit

G.

Tutoring and Extra Help I will am usually in my classroom by 7:00 in the morning. If a student needs additional help they are more than welcome to join me before school. If this doesn't work for the student I am more than happy to set up a separate time.

Calendar Of Events/Tentative Schedule For Units Of Study See Website for Weekly Calendar

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