LYNN CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Teacher: Mark T. Currier
Room: A106
Day Back: Thursday
Contact Information: currierm@lynnschools.org
Syllabus
World History II – Grade 9 – Course # 201
Modern World History: From the 16th Century to the Present
Prerequisites: Successful completion of World History I is a prerequisite for enrollment in this course.
Required Materials: A subject notebook. A calender for assignments and a three-ring binder to hold outlines that will be done for each section.
Course Introduction: Welcome. We are about to begin a study of World History II. As we read the textbook for this course, World History: Connections to Today, let’s keep in mind the issues: the major developments and trends in the western and non-western world from the 16th century to the present. Major units of study will include: 1) the American and French Revolutions, Industrialization and Urbanization, and the growth of Nationalism, Militarism and Imperialism, 2) the world in the era of the Great Wars examining World War I, the Russian Revolution, Revolution around the world, World Depression, the rise of dictatorships and Totalitarianism, and World War II, and 3) the Cold War Era 1945-1989, and the Contemporary World. Also be aware of the continuity and relativity that exist in the development of our modern civilization. Not that all events and developments in history are directly connected or related, but by the end of this course we will understand that there are no vacuums in the human story. In the end by understanding where we, as a civilization, have come from we will be better prepared to serve as informed citizens with respect for others.
Course Objectives: Students will acquire knowledge, comprehension, and application skills and more importantly build upon higher-order thinking skills including analysis (seeing patterns, recognition of hidden meanings, identification of components), synthesis (using old ideas to create new ones, generalizing from given facts, relating knowledge from several areas as well as predicting and drawing conclusions) and evaluation (comparing and contrasting ideas, assessing value of theories, making choices based on arguments, and applying reasoning skills).
Course Assessments: Alternative assessments allow for a broader more complete measurement of diverse learning experiences than the limited responses for standardized tests. In addition to quizzes, tests, and Collins writing assignments, students will be graded on daily homework, daily discussion group class participation, oral presentations, informative maps, timelines and poster board projects that involve internet and library research; cooperative group activities, debates, and essays.
Course Outline:
| TIMELINE | TOPICS | ASSIGNED READING |
| September – October | The growth of the Nation State in Europe: consolidation of power in Europe from 1500 to 1800, England and absolutism; causes, events, and major effects of the French Revolution. Industrial Revolution and Social and Political Change 1800-1914, causes and social and economic impact of the industrial revolution, rise of unions and socialism; the ideologies of Owen and Marx. | Connections Chapters 17, 18, 19, & 20. |
| November- December continued… | The anti-slavery sentiment and abolition of slavery in Britain; the impact of various social and political reform movements in Europe; causes and consequences of Italy and Germany’s unification; causes of 19th century imperialism. African and Latin American History in the 19th and early 20th centuries; major developments in Indian history and Chinese history. | Connections Chapters 21, 23, 24, & 25 |
| December-January | Major developments in Japanese, African, and Latin American history in the 19th and early 20th century; Causes, major events, and consequences of World War I; major developments in the Middle East; Global depression of the 1930’s and the response of various governments. | Connections Chapters 25, 26, 27, 29, & 30. |
| February – March | The Rise of Totalitarianism and in Italy, Germany, and the Soviet Union and the policies of Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin. German, Italian & Japanese drives for empire; the key battles and events of World War II, the goals of the Allied leaders, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust; the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan. | Connections Chapters 28, 30, & 31. |
| March – April | The consequences of World War II, the UN, thee Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Cold War Era: Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe, the differences between democracy and communism, President Truman’s policy of containment, the Marshall Plan, and NATO; the arms race. The Chinese Civil War; the rise of Mao Tse-tung and the triumph of the communist revolution in China in 1949 and its political and economic aftermath. | Connections Chapters 31, 33, 34, & 35. |
| May | Global economic productivity, post-World War II economic and population growth, the 20th century scientists, nationalist movements in Africa, Asia, Latin America & the Middle East; the establishment of the modern state of Israel and the subsequent military and political conflicts between Israel and the Arab World. | Connections Chapters 32, 33, 35, & 36. |
| May – June | The Contemporary World: 1989- present: causes for the decline and collapse of the Soviet Union and the communist regimes of Eastern Europe, the breakup of the Soviet Union and its consequences; apartheid in South Africa and Nelson Mandela; the spread of Aids; the computer revolution and advances in science, medicine, and communication; the rise and funding of Islamic Fundamentalism; terrorism and the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. | Connections Chapters 33, 34, 35, and 36. |
Grading: There will be four to six in-class tests each quarter worth 100 pts each. There will be one Collins writing assignment each quarter that will count as a test grade. There will be at least one alternative assessment (informative maps, timelines and poster board projects that involve internet and library research; cooperative group activities, debates, and essays oral presentations, informative maps, timelines and poster board projects) each quarter that will also count as a test grade. There will be mid-term and final exams in the second and forth quarters that will count as two test grades. The value of these grades will be added together and divided by the total number of test equivalent grades. Homework will count as one test grade – Each of the first 25 assignments are worth 4 points each for a possible 100. Additional homework assignments will be considered for additional credit.
| A = 93-100%, A- = 90-92% | D+ = 67-69%, D = 63-66%, D- = 60-62% |
| B+ = 87-89%, B = 83-86%, B- = 80-82% | F = 59% & below |
| C+ = 77-79%, C = 73-76%, C- = 70-72% | |
Student Expectations: You are expected to come to class with your text book prepared to work. Class disturbances will result in detention. Cheating is not tolerated, nor is plagiarism. Both will result in an immediate F for the assignment. All work is to be completed on time. Homework must be passed in by the time we finish a chapter or major topic. Students are given repeated reminders about this and are instructed to see me if there are circumstances that might cause me to consider allowing additional time.
cirrierm@lynnschools.org