Download World Geography A

World History A
Course Syllabus
Teacher- Angela Pair
Contact- [email protected]
Conference Times- 1:45- 2:55
TEKS for Course
The Emergence of Civilization
Unit Understanding:
 Geographic factors play a major role in the development and character of societies.
 The change from nomadic to farming life led to the emergence of civilizations.
 The growth of cities near fertile river valleys was a central feature in the development and spread of civilizations.
 Civilizations include advanced cities, complex institutions, specialized jobs, social classes, record keeping, and new technology.
 The earliest civilizations maintained order through the rule of law.
 The major religions evolved from the religious beliefs of ancient times.
Unit Questions:
 To what extent did early civilizations owe their existence and character to geography?
 Why did civilization develop and persist as the primary structure for organizing society?
 Are law and religion essential to civilization?
TEKS/TAKS Questions:
 How did geographic factors shape the development of the first civilizations? (WH12A, 12B* and 13B, WG1A*, WG8B*)
 How was the Fertile Crescent civilizations and Egypt both alike and different? (WH12A, 12B* and 13B, WG1A*, WG8B*)
 What were the impact of the Neolithic agricultural revolution on humanity and the development of the first civilizations? (WH1B,
WH13A and 13B, WG1A*, WG8B*, and WG10C)
 What can we learn about the earliest civilizations from historic maps? (WH11B and 12C*, WG1A* ,1B* and 6A*)
 Did the civilizations of sub-Saharan Africa, Mesoamerica, Andean South America, and Asia develop in the same way as those in
the Fertile Crescent and Egypt? (WH6A, 6B, 6C, 12A, 12B* and 13B, WG1A*, WG8B*)
 Why was Hammurabi’s code a significant document in the history of government? (WH16B and 18A)
 What are the historic roots of the major world religions? (WH19A)
Ancient Greece and Rome; The Birthplace of Democracy
Unit Understandings
 Geographic factors play a major role in the development and character of societies.
 Ancient Greece and Rome 2
 Physical geography helped lead to the emergence of isolated societies in Greece and the growth of a
vast empire in
Rome.
 The growth of city-states in Greece led to the development of several political systems, including democracy.

Democratic principles and classical culture flourished during Greece’s golden age.
 The early Romans established a republic, which grew powerful and spread its influence.
 The Roman Republic collapsed to be replaced by a vast empire ruled by powerful emperors.
Unit Questions
 To what extent were the political systems of Greece and Rome influenced by their geography?
 Why was the city-state the “cradle of democracy?”
 Was citizenship in Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic like citizenship in the United States today?
 Did the burdens of empire help of hinder the cause of democracy in Rome?
TAKS/TEKS Questions
 How did geographic factors shape different societies in Ancient Greece and Rome? (WH12A*)
 How did democratic-republican forms of government evolve in classical Greece and Rome? (WH15B, 16A, and 18A)
 Which of our traditions about citizenship and government can be traced to the Greeks and Romans? (WH18A, 18B, and 22B)
 How did governments in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire differ? (WH16A)
The Fall of Rome to the Emergence of Feudalism – Chaos to Order
Unit Understandings:
 Christianity arose in Roman-occupied Judea and spread throughout the Roman Empire.
 Foreign invasions, along with political, social, and economic problems, led to the fall of the Roman Empire.
 The Fall of Rome triggered disruption of trade, the downfall of cities, and a decline of learning in Western Europe.
 The spread of Christianity, the power of strong kings, and the evolution of feudalism helped to end the chaos left in the wake of
Rome’s fall.
Unit Questions
 Did Rome fall or was it pushed?
 How did feudalism emerge from the ashes of the Western Roman Empire?
TAKS/TEKS Questions
 What was the impact of the spread of Christianity on the later Roman Empire? (WH1B, 12B, 19B, WG1B*))
 What role did geography play in the fall of the Roman Empire? (WH11B*, 12B*, and 12C*, WG1A)
 How did the fall of the Western Roman Empire affect Europe? (WH1B, WH3A)
 What factors led to feudalism, manorialism, and the rise of the Roman Catholic Church? (WH3B)
 What were the characteristics of the Middle Ages in Europe? (WH1A and 3B)
The Rise of Europe
Unit Understandings
 The church functioned as a powerful institution in feudal Europe, competing with emperors for power and authority.
 Improved farming technology and the expansion of trade led to a growth of cities and the revival of learning.
 The turmoil of the late Middle Ages began a decline in the power of the church and a rebirth of classical studies and fine arts.
 The Renaissance and the Reformation further eroded the influence of the Church and made possible the rise of Europe’s absolute
monarchs.
 New technology, the search for wealth, and a desire to spread Christianity led to an age of exploration that would make Europe a
dominant force in the world.
 Modern democratic institutions developed as England and France evolved from kingdoms into nations.
Unit Questions
 To what extent was the Catholic Church responsible for the decline of medieval institutions?
 Was the rise of modern Europe inevitable?
TEKS/TAKS Questions
 Why was the role of the Catholic Church so important in the Middle Ages? (WH19B)
 What role did technology and trade play in the transformation of medieval Europe? (WH1B*, 4A, 4B, 23A, WG18A*, WG20A*)
 What was the impact of the Crusades on Europe in the Middle Ages? (WH1B*, 3C, 19B, WG18A*)
 How did the Black Death accelerate change in Europe? (WH1B*, 4A, 12B*, WG1A*, 1B, and 18A*)
 What factors led to the European Renaissance and Reformation? (WH1A, 1B* and 4A, WG1B* and 18A)
 What were the characteristics of the European Renaissance and Reformation and what were their effects on the politics and
society of Europe? (WH1A*, 4A, 4B, WG1A and 18A)
 What factors led to European expansion and exploration in the 16 th Century and what effects did they have on Europe and the rest
of the world? (WH1B*, 1D, 5A, 5B, 7B, 12B and 23A*, WG1A*, 1B*, and 18A*
 How did the evolution of the nations of England and France promote both absolute monarchy and the beginning of democratic
institutions? (WH15B, 16A, 16B, 18A, and 18B)
Grading Determination
50% Daily- These grades usually consist of classroom activities, assignments, and homework.
50% Test/Major- These grades are traditional tests, projects, and other long term assignments.
Late Work Procedure
The key to success in Social Studies is turning in every assignment on time. However, we will accept late work with penalties
determined by the teacher. After the unit is completed the highest grade will be a “50.” All assignments must be completed.
Reteach/Retest Procedure
If you receive a failing grade on a test, you may schedule a time with the teacher to retake the test. If you pass the test, you will
receive a “70” in the grade book for the test grade. These tests must be taken within one week of the notification of your failing grade.
Projects
Rosetta Stone Research
Ancient Civilization Foldable
All Roads Lead to Rome Power Point
Roman Website Exploration
Outline/Calendar
The Emergence of Civilization- 1 ½ weeks
Ancient Greece and Rome; The Birthplace of Democracy- 1 ½ weeks
The Fall of Rome to the Emergence of Feudalism – Chaos to Order- 1 ½ weeks
The Rise of Europe- 2 ½ weeks
Student Absence Procedure
You must come to school everyday and be on time. If you have an absence, your make up work should be completed outside of class.
You cannot work on missed work during the regular class period! Please make arrangements to come before/after school or during
your reading class to work on make up work. This policy includes missed tests. For your benefit, all missed tests must be taken
within a week of your return. Make up tests cannot be taken during regular class time. Please check the LMS system to retrieve
any missing assignment.
Test Days
Tuesdays and Fridays are the district Social Studies testing days. However, because of the accelerated nature of our program tests can
be given on any day.