WORLD HISTORY
Course Syllabus
2005/2006
MR. JON STREBLER Student
Office Hours:
ROOM B-2, (619) 525-7455, x. 3002 Daily -
jstrebler@sandi.net Most
days - During lunch
By appointment - After school
TEXTS:
Modern World History, 1st Edition, by McDougal
World History, 3rd Edition, by Duiker and Spielvogel
The Contemporary History of
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course serves the needs of both pre-IB and non-IB students. It is based on the IB history curriculum, but with certain accommodations made for students who are seeking a regular world history credit and who do not intend to take the IB history courses in their junior or senior year. The course relies heavily on a modified version of the Socratic Method or inquiry mode, especially in examining regular readings from college-level texts and other sources. Further, students will complete a variety of writing activities and will work both independently and in collaborative groups. A major focus of the year will be understanding and utilizing primary sources, especially in the creation of an original research paper.
The course clearly fits into a school with an international focus. "The study of history from an international perspective is increasingly important today. In the contemporary context, one of globalization and technological development, different cultures and societies are increasingly in contact and interdependent. Now, more than ever, there is a need for an understanding of the present as well as the past. 'Internationalism' includes awareness and celebration of cultural differences, respect for the values of others, a sense of responsibility toward community and environment, and a sense of belonging to a 'social village'." (IB History subject guide - 2001)
In recognition of the school's theme of environmentalism, this class will seek to identify the impact that the environment has had on people and events, and also how the reverse has been true throughout history. "Environment is an area of interaction which stresses the importance of conservation and challenges the student to accept responsibility for maintaining a natural world fit for present and future generations. The interaction between humans and the environment lies at the very heart of the humanities." (IB History subject guide - 2001)
STANDARDS & OBJECTIVES: Standards and objectives are differentiated in
this class so that students can earn either a regular world history credit or a
pre-IB world history credit (see comments under GRADES, below). The state of
California says that: "Students in grade ten study major turning
points that shaped the modern world, from the late eighteenth century through
the present, including the cause and course of the two world wars. They trace
the rise of democratic ideas and develop an understanding of the historical
roots of current world issues, especially as they pertain to international
relations. They extrapolate from the American experience that democratic ideals
are often achieved at a high price, remain vulnerable and are not practiced
everywhere in the world. Students develop an understanding of current world
issues and relate them to their historical, geographic, political, economic,
and cultural contexts. Students consider multiple accounts of events in order
to understand international relations from a variety of perspectives". Students seeking a regular world history credit
are accountable for meeting California state standards, which are shown later
in the section titled COURSE CONTENT
& KEY DATES
IB students must
meet state standards, but also IB objectives that students:
- comprehend, analyze, evaluate, and
integrate source material critically as historical evidence
- demonstrate historical understanding of
20th century world history through the acquisition, selection,
effective us and synthesis of knowledge
- explain different approaches to, and
interpretations of, historical events and topics
- place events in their historical context
- explain the causes and effects of
historical continuity and change
- present arguments that are clear,
coherent, relevant, and well substantiated
- present historical explanations from an
international perspective
- plan, organize, and present an
individual historical investigation
IB students will
meet these objectives through the inclusion of more in-depth readings, as well
as assignments and projects that make greater use of higher level skills (such
as evaluation and synthesis).
GRADES: Your grade will be determined as follows:
EXAMS AND QUIZZES 45 %
ASSIGNMENTS & PROJECTS 45
CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION 10
TOTAL - 100 %
Tests and quizzes are normally curved; other than that, grades are: 90% and above for an “A”, 80-89% for a “B”, and 70-79% for a “C”.
Important Comments about Grades:
In order to let all students succeed in this course, there are different requirements for those students seeking a regular world history credit and those seeking credit for pre-IB world history. Students will choose their status (“regular” or “pre-IB”), but may change their status as the year progresses, although this may not always be easy to do.
Coursework is divided into mandatory and optional categories. Mandatory work will generally be fairly easy to do; optional work will be more challenging and is actually required for the student seeking pre-IB credit.
Students will take short quizzes almost every day, based on the daily readings. Exams are written with IB standards in mind, and are divided into three sections (multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions). “Regular” students will only take two of the three sections (multiple choice and essay), while “pre-IB” students will take all three. Separate exam curves will be set for “regular” and “pre-IB” students.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT:
You should feel free to check on your grade at any time. You can do so in person or via email (see office hours and email address at the top of the first page). If you are having difficulties, the instructor is more than happy to help in any reasonable way. Individual tutoring and alternative assignments are just two possibilities that might work for you. The main point is to talk with the instructor about what's going on, and your particular needs, before it's too late.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
General: Students are expected to act in ways that enhance the learning culture of our school. Respect for individuals and property is essential for all students to succeed and for everyone to get along. Students may not eat, drink, or chew gum in class for reasons that will gladly be explained. As a matter of courtesy, students should remove any head coverings and sunglasses upon entering the classroom. The school's dress code will be enforced, as will its policies on attendance, zero tolerance, academic honesty, Personal Listening Devices (PLDs) and Personal Communication Devices (PCDs). Profanity or other offensive language will not be tolerated. Bathroom passes will not be allowed during the first 15 or last 15 minutes of the period.
Homework: Put your assignments on the instructor's desk before the bell rings if you want to receive credit for them. Late homework is ONLY accepted because of an excused absence, in which case you have 2 days after returning to hand them in. It is the student’s responsibility to request missed homework.
Testing: Tests count twice as much as quizzes, and exams count twice as much as tests; all of them are curved. Quizzes and minor tests CANNOT BE MADE UP - your test grade component (50%) will be based only on the test and quizzes taken. Exams cannot be made up if your absence is unexcused. Exams MUST BE MADE UP ON THE DAY YOU RETURN from an excused absence, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.
Academic Integrity: Students are responsible for knowing and following the school's policies on academic honesty and test avoidance, as explained in the Student Handbook.
Website: All students must sign up at http://schoolnotes.com/92101/streb.html to be notified of weekly assignments and special messages pertaining to the class. This website is a critical way for students to know what is expected of them, and they must check it weekly. Computers are accessible on-campus for those who don’t have them at home. “I didn’t know we had to do (whatever) because I didn’t check the website” is NOT an acceptable excuse.
COURSE
CONTENT & TENTATIVE CALENDAR
Textbook key:
D = Duiker & Spielvogel,
2001
Mc = McDougal Littrell,
2003
LA = Donghi,
1999
UNIT I: Introduction, The
development of Western political thought -
4 WEEKS (Sept. 6-30)
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
D =
UNIT II: Political revolutions - 4 WEEKS (Oct. 3-28)
10.2 Students compare and contrast the Glorious
Revolution of
D = Ch 15, 18 & 19 Mc = Ch
6 & 7 LA =
Ch. II
UNIT III: Agricultural, Industrial, and Scientific
Revolutions - 2 WEEKS
(Oct. 31-Nov. 10)
10.3 Students analyze the effects of the Industrial
Revolution in
D
=
UNIT IV: Imperialism and
10.4 Students analyze patterns of global change in
the era of New Imperialism in at least two of the following regions or
countries:
D =
UNIT V: The
Great War - 4 WEEKS (Jan. 2-Jan. 27)
10.5 Students analyze the causes and course of the
First World War.
10.6 Students analyze the effects of the First World War.
D =
UNITS I-IV Traditional research paper due
January 17/18
UNIT VI: Totalitarianism
- 3 WEEKS (Jan. 30-Feb. 24)
10.7 Students analyze the rise of
totalitarian governments after World War I
D =
UNIT VII:
The Second World War - 4 WEEKS (Feb. 27-Mar. 24)
10.8 Students analyze the causes and consequences of
World War II.
D =
UNIT VIII:
Post-World War II - 5 WEEKS (Mar. 27-May 5)
10.9 Students analyze the international developments
in the post-World War II world.
D
=
UNIT IX:
10.10 Students analyze instances of nation-building
in the contemporary world in at least two of the following regions or
countries: the
D
= 30-32 Mc =
UNIT X:
Globalization - 3 WEEKS (May 30-June 16)
10.11
Students analyze the integration of countries into the world economy and the
information, technological, and communications revolutions (e.g., television,
satellites, computers).
D
=
UNITS V-X IB-style paper due JUNE 1/2