Mr. M. Moriarty
Business and Social Studies Department
Woodlawn High School Dartmouth, NS B2W 2R7
Telephone: 902 435 8452
mmoriarty@hrce.ca
GLOBAL HISTORY 12
Global History 12 comprises several units, each of which focuses upon a historical construct of the post- World War II era. The study of these units is based upon the historical method and employs political, economic, and social perspectives. Through these units, students will be able to address the major question:
How did the world arrive at its current state at the beginning of the 21st century?
The course is divided into 4 units:
UNIT 1: The Dynamics of Geo-Political Power (East-West)
Demonstrate an understanding of factors that contributed to the start of the “Cold War” between “East” and “West”
Explain how tensions between East and West influenced events in the post-World War II world
Evaluate the extent to which at least two Cold War events exhibit characteristics of the East-West conflict
Formulate and support a hypothesis regarding the geo-political future of the world
UNIT 2: The Challenge of Economic Disparity (North-South)
Examine an issue that illustrates the economic disparity between “North” and “South”
Demonstrate an understanding of forces that contributed to, and contribute to, the economic disparity between North and South
Evaluate different approaches to address global economic disparity
Analyse the correlation between wealth and power
UNIT 3: The Pursuit of Justice and Societal Change
Demonstrate an understanding of the events and forces that have shaped contemporary conceptions of justice
Investigate a global event that has raised fundamental questions of justice
Formulate and support a hypothesis regarding the examples of genocide that have occurred, and continue to occur, through the 20th and 21st centuries
Describe approaches to, and barriers to, achieving greater universal justice
Investigate an example of a technological development that illustrates the close relationship between technological change and societal change
UNIT 4: The Global Historian (Independent Research Project)
Independently design and conduct a research project, using methods appropriate to history/plan, research, write, and defend a formal thesis-directed research paper using the historical method
This is a grade 12 university preparation course that fulfils the Global Studies requirement for the Nova Scotia Public School Program. Although the instructor will use a variety of methods for teaching and learning (e.g. group discussions, small group work, guest speakers, videos) there will still be emphasis on “hard skills” such as note-taking, reading both popular and academic texts, presentations, and essay-writing. Students are expected to attend class every day ready to participate, and to review their notes frequently.
Students will develop skills required for the study of Global History, becoming adept at analyzing many different sources of information, and presenting an argument in a clear, concise and organized manner.
Expectations/Creating Opportunities for Success
First and foremost, it is essential that you bring commitment and an open mind to this course. We will be discussing controversial political and historical issues that require maturity and an attitude that is open to new ideas and perspectives. You are expected to contribute, help and encourage each other as we navigate through these complex and at times difficult subject matters.
Students are also responsible for:
Seeking assistance with assignments when required;
Completing assignments by specified due dates so that teacher can provide timely feedback;
Requesting an extension for assignments in a timely manner when required (notifying the teacher that an assignment will not be in on time and planning for a timely submission;
Responding to feedback provided during the learning process.
Students who do not adhere to the extended deadline will have missed that opportunity to demonstrate achievement towards the outcomes addressed in that assignment.
Completing/creating work that is independent (citations of others’ work is permitted in research assignments/projects) in nature and free from cheating or plagiarism - cheating and plagiarism will result in an automatic zero entered into Powerschool.
Resources and materials
Students will need a binder with lots of loose leaf paper and writing tools. Students must also have computer accounts with the school (gnspes account) in order to access on-line resources posted to Google classroom. Any student who has trouble getting regular Internet access is asked to speak with the instructor. Students also will use the Twentieth Century Viewpoint textbook.
Assessment & Evaluation (HRCE policy)
When determining a student’s final grade:
No single assessment tool (i.e. presentations, labs, demonstrations, portfolios, debates, written tests/quizzes) will account for more than half of the value of each Gradebook category
Learning trends over time will be considered, more recent student work and the teacher’s professional judgment
Students will participate in a final cumulative assessment opportunity that allows them to demonstrate an appropriate range of the learning outcomes and process skills involved in the course. This final assessment, whether a written examination or alternative assessment opportunity, will be worth no more than 20%.
Students will be provided with multiple opportunities to demonstrate their progress toward achievement of outcomes.
Assessment for Learning/Formative Assessment…the ongoing process of gathering and interpreting evidence about student learning for the purpose of determining where students are in their learning, where they need to go, and how best to get there; instructional strategy that takes place while the student is still learning and served to promote learning
Assessment of Learning/Summative Assessment… process of analyzing, reflecting upon, and summarizing assessment information and making a judgment and/or decision based upon the information gathered.
Assessment Types… On-line tutorials and assignments, peer work, observations, conversations, reflection, products
Assessment Tools…include, but are not limited to work samples, presentations, tests/quizzes, debates, projects, checklists, portfolios, experiments, demonstrations, anecdotal notes, graphic/visual representations, models, oral and/or written reports, journals, logs, performances
Evaluation (subject to change with notice):
Unit 1 30%
Unit 2 25%
Unit 3 25%
Unit 4 20%
Term work is worth 80% of your final semester mark, and the final exam is worth the remaining 20%.
We have read the above information and understand the expectations of Global History 12 at Woodlawn High School in the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.
DATE STUDENT SIGNATURE PARENT/GUARDIAN