Hamilton High School Social Science Department

2014



Modern World History Course Syllabus
Ms. Kleinvachter
Course: Modern World History Course Length:1 year
Grade Level: 10th Grade

Course Description:

In this course, students will examine the major turning points in the shaping of the modern
world, form the late seventeenth century to the present. The year begins with a
brief introduction to world problems, then moves on to a review of the rise of democratic ideals
throughout the world. Students need to know the source of the ideas by which we judge
ourselves as a political system and society. Attention will then be turned to the evolution
of democratic principles throughout the centuries. Students will also examine the significance of
the Greek philosophers beliefs in reason and natural law in relation to democratic ideals.
Attention will be given to the significant ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke
and Jean Jacques Rousseau and their effects on the revolutions in England, the United States,
France, and Latin America. As a result of these revolutions, a person can come to the
understanding that ideals such as equality, justice under the law, and freedom, that are now
taken for granted, were achieved at a high price throughout the course of world history.

Major Units of Study:

The rise of democratic ideals (explained above).

The Industrial Revolution and the major changes that the mechanization of production
brought on the economy, politics, society, culture, and physical environments
of countries throughout the world.

The rise of Imperialism and Colonization: an explanation of worldwide imperial expansion
that was fueled by the industrial nations demand for natural resources and markets and
by their nationalist aspirations.

World War I and Its Consequences: through the growth of nationalism, imperialism, and
militarism the backdrop for World war I begins. This World War permanently changed the
map of Europe and deeply affected the rest of the world. Students will examine the
causes for the outbreak of the war, reactions of other governments and countries to the
war, and how the stage is set for World War II as a result of the Great War.

Totalitarianism in the Modern World: students will examine the aftermath of World War
Hamilton High School Social Science Department
2014

I and how the seeds are planted for another world conflict. A close study of Nazi
Germany and Joseph Stalins Russia will be covered in this unit.

World War II - Its causes and Consequences: the study of Nazism and Stalinism leads directly to
an analysis of World War II and its causes and consequences. Emphasis will be placed on which
nations from the Allied and the Axis Powers played a role during World War II. Attention will also
be given to both the war in the Pacific as well as the war on mainland Europe.


Other Important Post-War Developments: this area of study brings us to the very current times
of world history. Developments to be studied will include: the establishment of the nation of
Israel; the population movement within and the migration movement of the peoples of Europe;
the changing roles of women in industrialized countries; the creation of the United nations (UN);
the Warsaw Pact; the establishment of the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the
North American Treaty Organization (NATO); the Cold War; the Korean War; the Hungarian
Revolution; the Vietnam War and its aftermath; and the Cambodian conflict under the Pol Pot
regime.


Nationalism in the Contemporary World: the last major topic in this course is a study
of nationalism in the contemporary world comparing and analyzing nations connected by political
ideology and/or geographic location. In these case studies, attention will be given to the
connection between political systems, economic development, and individual rights.

Course Objectives and Standards

10.1 Students relate the moral and ethical principles in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, in
Judaism, and in Christianity to the development of Western political thought.
10.2 Students compare and contrast the Glorious Revolution of England, the American
Revolution, and the French Revolution and their enduring effects worldwide on the political
expectations for self-government and individual liberty.
10.3 Students analyze the effects of the Industrial revolution in England, France, Germany, Japan,
and the United States.
10.4 Students analyze patterns of global change in the era of New Imperialism in at least two of
the following regions or countries: Africa, Southeast Asia, China, India, Latin America, and the
Philippines.
10.5 Students analyze the causes and course of the First World War.
10.6 Students analyze the effects of the First World War.
10.7 Students analyze the rise of totalitarian governments after World War I.
10.8 Students analyze the causes and consequences of World war II.
10.9 Students analyze the international developments in the post-World War II world.
10.10 Students analyze instances of nation-building in the contemporary world in at least two of
the following regions or countries: the Middle east, Africa, Mexico, and other parts of Latin
America, and china.
Hamilton High School Social Science Department
2014

10.11 Students analyze the integration of countries into the world economy and the information,
technological, and communications revolutions (i.e. television, satellites, and computers).

Required Textbook:
Modern World History, Prentice Hall.

Grading Policy

Grading Scale
A+ = 100 A = 93-99 A- = 90-92 B+ = 87-89 B = 84-86 B- = 80-83
C+ = 77-79 C = 74-76 C- = 70-73 D+ = 67-69 D = 64-66 D- = 60-63 F = 0-59

Assessments and Evaluations
Cumulative Final Exam
Tests (Chapter/Unit)
Homework
Daily In-Class Assignments
Participation
Vocabulary Folder
Workbook Assignments

Late Work - I will take late work but at half the graded value of the assignment and up to two
weeks after original due date. Remember due to history building on itself; it is imperative to
keep up with assignments and turn them in on time so you do not find yourself falling behind in
class!

Tardies - Class attendance and arriving on time to class is vital to your classroom performance
and grade. Students are expected to be in their seats with needed materials prepared to start
class when the bell rings. If you are tardy to class, all incidences of tardiness will be handled in
accordance to the Hamilton High School Tardy Policy. This policy currently states: the 1
st
and 2
nd

time are warnings starting with the 3
rd
tardy or more an after school detention will be issued.
** Remember ** Tardies are recorded on a semester basis.

Absent Work - If you are absent from school (excused absence), please see me immediately
upon returning to the classroom. If you know in advance of the absence, please arrange to
receive assignments before leaving. If you participate in sports or other co-curricular activity and
need to be absent from class; please see me before leaving to receive assignments for period
absences.

Materials Needed for Class Instruction:
Students will be issued a folder with paper; they are to use this for their academic vocabulary
from each Chapter. The vocabulary folders will be graded and returned prior to the Chapter test.
Hamilton High School Social Science Department
2014

They will also be issued a notebook and a workbook that accompanies their textbook. They are
required to bring these with their textbook and a pen or pencil to class each day.

Classroom Management

Class Behavior Expectations:
1. Be seated and prepared with the needed materials when the bell rings.
2. Bring your textbook, notebook, workbook, and pen or pencil to class every day unless
instructed by teacher to do otherwise.
3. Be respectful of teachers, students, and school property.
4. No cell phones or electronic games, headphones, etc. (cell phone allowed only with teacher
permission and for academic use only)
5. Please raise your hand to ask questions, participate in discussion, or for permission to leave
your seat.
6. Display courtesy to others - never talk while teacher is talking or when another student is
talking with permission. Please refrain from the use of profanity.
7. Please refrain from food, gum, or drinks (with the exception of water in a secure container
with closing top) while in class.8. Students wait for teacher to dismiss the class NOT the bell.

Class Discipline and Consequences:
Instructional time is valuable and it is a priority to ensure all students receive instruction and
have ample opportunities to learn and succeed in this class. I expect students to be ready to
learn when the bell rings, display appropriate classroom behavior, and actively and
constructively participation in class discussions and assignments. All class behavior expectations
and/or school rules are to be followed at all times.

Progressive Discipline Policy (Minor Disruptions)
If a student does not follow class behavior expectations and/or school rules, the following consequences
(or depending on severity of actions, steps may escalate to the next appropriate disciplinary level) will
occur:
1. Verbal warning
2. Change in seating assignment
3. Remove from classroom and sent to a buddy teacher and phone call home
3. After school detention issued and phone call home
4. Referral is written and student sent to Assistant Principals office for conference (possible suspension)

** Please Note ** If step three is reached on following days additional after-school detentions are
assigned and suspension may result.