Honors Modern World History Course Syllabus

Period 4: 2011 - 12

Teacher: Mr. Ames Contact Information: (978) 356-3137, ext. 133; sames@ipswichschools.org

Website: See ipswichschools.org, go to the High School section of the website, then click on “Academics,” then click “Departments,” then click “Social Studies” and then click on the “Teacher Website” link under Mr. Ames’ contact information.

Extra Help available: Monday after school and during Directed Study – other times by appointment.

Required Text: Beck, Roger B. et. al. World History: Patterns of Interaction. Boston: McDougal Littell, 1999 - 2001.

Unit Titles and Central Questions

Unit 1: The Rise of Nationalism

• Is Nationalism’s greatest impact that of a constructive or a destructive force?
• What is Nationalism’s greatest impact on a heterogeneous/homogeneous society?
• Do the positive aspects of Nationalism outweigh the negative aspects?

Unit 2: Imperialism

• How does an individual influence world events?
• What responsibilities, if any, does a more advanced nation have to a less advanced nation?

Unit 3: The Great Wars

• How do people respond during periods of rapid and drastic political, economic, or social change?
• What elements are necessary to effectively resolve conflict?

Unit 4: The Cold War Era

• What were the goals of independence and were they realized?
• How has technology changed the nature of human interactions?
• What barriers needed to be overcome as new nations began to chart their way forward?

Unit 5: The Contemporary World

§ What are the major driving forces in today’s world?

§ What is the role of the state in an increasingly trans-national world?

§ What challenges will the world be facing in the near and mid-term future?

Course Description

This course will explore major events and developments in world history since the French Revolution. Major events such as the development of the modern “Nation State” and the unification of Germany and Italy, the rise and modernization of Japan, the two world wars, the concept and reality of a “Cold War,” the emergence of Russia and China as major world powers, the development of the UN, the role of culture in a country’s development, and others. We will also look at the dynamics of human society both through our own powers of observation and, as often as possible, through the eyes of the participants.

Instruction methods will vary, depending upon the topic at hand. Methods will include lecture to convey ideas and concepts, discussion and debate to help you organize and convey ideas through oral communication. To help you to access, comprehend, analyze, and interpret information presented in class, you will receive a variety of research assignments that will result in oral presentations to the class, Power Point presentations (to continue to develop your technology skills), and written papers. You will also be assigned a major research paper on an appropriate topic.

Components of Your Class Grade

Homework/Classwork* (25%): Homework will, for the most part, be assigned daily. This is not to burn up your time on “busy” work, but is used to either prepare you for the upcoming day’s topic or to study in depth a key concept or idea relevant to the course. Assignments completed during class time will also be counted toward this portion of your final grade.

Tests and Quizzes (40%): Periodic quizzes and tests are designed to apply the knowledge that you have gained through the class to the situations studied. They are usually a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Honors students can expect a greater number and weight to be applied to the essay portion of any quiz or test.

Research (25%): Research projects are designed to allow deep study and understanding of a specific topic. These are assigned periodically throughout the course, with a major research paper falling due during the second quarter.

Class Participation (10%): In any class, one important component is your interactions in the classroom. Interactions include your participation in discussions, sharing the answers to homework questions, paying attention to the rest of the class, respect for both your classmates, your teacher and the school, coming to class on-time and being prepared (textbook, notebook, pen/pencil, and any other required materials).

*Homework: Homework is due on the next school day after it is assigned, unless otherwise noted. Late homework will be accepted, for half credit, up to two days late. Homework received later than two school days past the due date will not be accepted and will receive a grade of zero. If you are absent from school, the make-up policy outlined in the Student Handbook will be followed.

Grade Posting: All grades will be posted on the school’s grade website within one week of an assignment’s due date. If there are any problems getting grades posted within that timeframe, there will be a note on both Mr. Ames’ website and on your grade site to advise you of the new posting date.