World History 
10th or 11th grade

This rigorous course requires that students complete daily reading and homework assignments, and turn them in for evaluation every week. Students will take unit exams, complete a long-term research project,  give oral and multi-media presentations, and participate in lively class discussions. Parents, students, and the instructor will collaborate through the year to ensure understanding and completion. Grades will be assigned according to the student’s homework, tests and quizzes, writing assignments, presentations, and class participation.  

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**In order to maximize their learning of World Literature, it is required that students take the companion World History course that is offered on the same day. These classes build upon one another and follow an identical time line. Students will read literature written from the time period being studied in history, thus, students take both courses and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the material.

 
Unit 1 – First Civilizations and Empires (3500 B.C. to A.D. 500)

• Western Asia And Egypt 

• Ancient India and China 

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion/activity on caste systems 

• Ancient Greece 

  • Discussion on Greek religion and in-class activity 

• Rome And The Rise Of Christianity 

  • Internet research project and class discussion on the varying theories as to why the Roman Empire fell

• Instruction and exam on modern geography

• Unit 1 Exam

 
Unit 2 – New Patterns of Civilizations (400-1500)

• The Rise Of Islam

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the history and beliefs of Islam

• World Religions

  • Group research project and multi-media presentation on an assigned world religion 

• Early African Civilizations

  • Discussion of  the roles of African art, music, and dance in early African civilization.

  • Analyze how ancestor reverence and the role of a mother were used to promote the importance of family in early African civilization.

• The Asian World

  • Instruction on the similarities and differences between the philosophies and practices of Daoism, Confuscianism, and Buddhism. 

  • Discussion on how the modern thinking in Asia is still influenced by Asia’s historical art, culture, and religion

  • Internet research assignment and discussion on Genghis Khan

  • Internet research assignment and discussion on India after the Guptas

• Emerging Europe and the Byzantine Empire 

  • Group activity and homework assignment on the feudal system

• Europe In The Middle Ages

  • Read All Fall Down and discuss the Bubonic plague’s influence on history

• Unit 2 Exam

• Instruction and exam on modern African geography

 
Unit 3 – The Early Modern World (1400-1800)

• Renaissance And Reformation

  • Lecture and discussion on what led to the Reformation, and how this historical change in thinking and practice is still influential in the modern world

• The Age Of Exploration

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the Atlantic Slave Trade

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the social classes of Latin America

• Crisis And Absolutism In Europe

  • Write an essay on one of the following topics:

    • The effects of religious wars, disease, and famine in 16th century Europe

    • Oliver Cromwell’s purging of parliament and establishment of a military dictatorship

    • The differences and evolution of European politics during the 16thcentury

• The East Asian World

  • Interactive class activity about the Silk Road

• Revolution And Enlightenment

  • Internet research and discussion on the impact of the Scientific Revolution

• The French Revolution And Napoleon

• Unit 3 Exam

• Instruction and exam on modern geography of modern Asia

 
Unit 4 –Era of European Imperialism (1800-1914) 

• Industrialism And Nationalism

  • Write a research essay on one of the following topics:

    • Explain how the scientific revolution led to an increased standard of living

    • Explain how various cultural movements emphasized realism and reason

    • Explain the evolution and reasoning of Romantic philosophy and art

• Mass Society And Democracy 

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on different systems of government

• The Height Of Imperialism

• East Asia Under Challenge

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the opium epidemic in Asia in the 19thcentury

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on Chinese culture

• Unit 4 Exam

• Instruction and exam on geography of modern North and South America

 
Unit 5 – The Twentieth-Century Crisis (1914-1945) 

• World War I

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the reasons, realities, and results of World War I. 

• The West Between the Wars

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the rise of dictatorial regimes

• Nationalism Around the World

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on nationalism in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America

• World War II

  • Guest lectures from a college history professor

    • Research project on World War II           

      • Includes a 5 paragraph research essay on an assigned topic relating to World War II.

      • Student must give a 7 minute multi-media presentation on their assigned topic to the class

    • Optional field trip to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles

• Instruction and exam on geography of modern Europe

 
Unit 6 – Toward a Global Civilization (1945-Present)

• Cold War And Postwar Change

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the reasons, realities and results of the Cold War

• The Contemporary Western World

  • Group project on the influence of music, entertainment, and advertising on the thinking of a culture.

    • includes campus elections for student government positions

  • Guest speaker will share his personal experiences in the Vietnam War

• Latin America

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the modernization of Latin America

• Africa And The Middle East

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on terrorism and the War on Terror 

• Asia And The Pacific

  • Internet research assignment and class discussion on the modernization of Asia and it’s role in the world

• Challenges And Hopes For The Future

  • Write a 5 paragraph essay sharing your hope for the world, and how you believe this can be accomplished

• Unit 6 Exam

• Final Geography Exam on the Entire Modern World

• Final Exam