Download World History Syllabus

Mr. Matthew C. Akers
(915) 937-9400
[email protected]
Pebble Hills High School
World History
Welcome to Pebble Hills High School, to Sparta, and to World History. This upcoming
year will be both exciting and educational. I look forward to working with both students and
parents in order to ensure the success of each student. If there are any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me through email or by phone. My conference hour is from 1:30-2:15.
Course Description
This course offers balanced global coverage, with Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the
Oceania all represented. The purpose of the World History course is to develop a greater
understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts on different types of human
societies. The World History course highlights the nature of changes in global frameworks and
their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies.
Course Outline
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Unit One: Beginnings of Civilization (4 Million – 200 BCE)
Unit Two: New Directions in Government and Society (2000 BCE – 700 CE)
Unit Three: An Age of Exchange and Encounter (500 – 1500)
Unit Four: Connecting Hemispheres (500 – 1800)
Unit Five: Absolutism to Revolution (1500 – 1900)
Unit Six: Industrialism and the Race for Empire (1700 – 1914)
Unit Seven: The World at War (1900 – 1945)
Unit Eight: Perspectives on the present (1945 – Present)
Course Themes and World History
Students in this course must learn to view history thematically. The World History course is
organized around five overarching themes that serve as unifying threads throughout the course,
helping students to relate what is particular about each time period or society to a “big picture”
of history. The themes also provide a way to organize comparisons and analyze change and
continuity over time. Consequently, virtually all study of history in this class will be tied back to
these themes by utilizing a “SPICE” acronym.
1. Social - development and transformation of social structures
• Gender roles and relations, family and kinship, racial and ethnic constructions, social and
economic classes
2. Political - state-building, expansion, and conflict
• Political structures and forms of governance, empires, nations and nationalism, revolts and
revolutions, regional, trans-regional, and global structures and organizations
3. Interaction between humans and the environment
• Demography and disease, migration, patterns of settlement, technology
4. Cultural - Development and interaction of cultures
• Religions, belief systems, philosophies, and ideologies, science and technology, the arts and
architecture
5. Economic - Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems
• Agricultural and pastoral production, trade and commerce, labor systems, industrialization,
capitalism, communism, and socialism
Materials
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Laptops/personal technology
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Three subject notebook
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Loose leaf paper (1 pack)
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Pencils
Grading Policy
The class will follow the Socorro ISD policy for grading:
• 50% - Daily Grades
• 30% - Major Grades
• 20% - 9 Week Test
Student will receive a grade immediately upon the due date of the assignment. If the grade is less
than a 70, student may make up the assignment within five (5) school days. The two grades will
be averaged thereafter in the grade-book.
Late Work Policy
If a student is absent (excused or unexcused) it is the responsibility of the student to check their
Edmodo group and turn in their assignments accordingly. Students will have two (2) days to turn
in work before a grade is entered. Afterward, standard grading policy goes into effect.
Classroom Behavior and Responsibilities
• Come to class prepared with necessary materials (laptop, notebook, pen/pencil, loose leaf
paper).
• Be on time to class, seated, quiet, and working when the bell rings.
• Be on task, head up, and attentive.
• Be an active participant in your own education (listen closely and contribute)
• Personal technology must be put away unless otherwise directed (use of unpermitted personal
technology will lead to confiscation).
• Use appropriate language and comments—no “lazy” language (cursing, name-calling).
Discipline
1st Offense - Verbal warning
2nd Offense - Parent call
3rd Offense - Parent meeting
4th Offense - Referral
Tutoring
Tutoring hours are 4:00 to 5:00 Tuesday and Friday, or with prior notice.