World Studies
Grades 9 - 10
The World Studies requirement may be met with successful completion of any of the following courses. The courses below address the World Studies competencies.
This two-period course is designed for leaners capable of college level work, and combines the course work and skills of AP European History with the study of the primary literature relevant to a review of European history. Learners will master the basic skills of historical chronology and comprehension, and will develop historical analysis and interpretation skills, research capabilities, and issues-analysis and decision-making skills through extensive experience with document-based, free-response, and change-over-time essay writing. Learners meet all the objectives of English 10 Honors for writing and literature. In addition, they will be prepared for the AP European History exam. This course follows the advanced placement course description and uses appropriate materials as set forth by the College Board. The AP exam is strongly encouraged. This course fulfills two semesters of the English 10 requirement and two semesters of the World History requirement. Students receive two grades, one with a weighted AP grade and one (the literature period) without. A summer reading list or assignment may be required prior to the course.
This course is designed for learners capable of college level work, follows the description put forward by the College Board, and prepares them to take the Advanced Placement exam. Through extensive experience with document-based, free-response and change-over-time essay writing, learners will combine selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills to better understand the evolution of global processes and interaction with different types of human societies. Learners will master the basic skills of historical chronology and comprehension, and will develop historical analysis and interpretation skills, research capabilities, and issues-analysis and decision-making skills. This course fulfills two semesters of the World History requirement. A summer reading list or assignment may be required prior to the course. The class follows the advanced placement course description and uses appropriate materials as set forth by the College Board. The AP exam is strongly encouraged.
This course studies and compares the major religions existing in the world today. Some focus is directed towards the present, while other study is directed to the historical development of each religion. The major emphasis is on the economic, political, and social influences of these religions on the modern world. Basic areas of study are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. This course may be used as an alternative for World History 1 in order to meet the World Studies requirement.
This is a program that fosters a respect for the complexity of history, study of current events, and diplomatic relations while enhancing learners’ critical thinking, writing, research, and public speaking skills. It is designed for learners to study the work of the United Nations, an international body, through cooperation and diplomacy by analyzing its successes as well as failures. They will learn about international relations and multilateral diplomacy while simultaneously learning that the world, and their existence in it, is far more complicated and dynamic than they ever imagined.
Model UN uses a simulation format to impart content, thus learners gain an understanding by doing. They become learners of international politics by caucusing with allies and participating in debates on resolutions. This program will give learners an opportunity to see themselves as future leaders, and learn how they can collaborate to help solve issues and challenges that affect our planet. This course may be used as an alternative for World History 1 or 2 in order to meet the World Studies requirement. For students participating in the Model UN program in the spring, it is highly recommended this course be completed during the fall semester.
Learners will explore current world issues in the context of causes and influences of history in the modern world. They will come up with viable solutions to problems the world faces today, and learn modern civil discourse in the process.
This course explores the world through various climate, cultural, economic, and political structures.
World History (two semesters):
World History 1: The course will emphasize the use of primary sources, critical thinking about cause and effect, and analysis of historical interpretation. It will focus on global developments, from the empires of the classical age and the emergence of the first global age to the rise of absolutism and revolutionary response of the early 19th century. The learner will explore the influences of geography on humans, the creation of civilizations and empires, and the political systems that developed.
World History 2: The course will emphasize the use of primary sources, critical thinking about cause and effect, and analysis of historical interpretation. It will emphasize the use of primary sources and critical thinking to look at cause and effect and analysis of historical interpretation. The focus will be on the global impacts of imperialism and industrialization in the 19th century, and the development of a true global society into the 21st century.
World History Honors (two semesters):
World History Honors 1: This course is designed for learners who are reading and writing above grade level, capable of in-depth analysis, and motivated to take this challenging course. It will focus on global developments, from the empires of the classical age and the emergence of the first global age to the rise of absolutism and revolutionary response of the early 19th century. The learner will explore the influences of geography on humans, the creation of civilizations and empires, and the political systems that developed. This is a reading and writing intensive class that requires a research project component (e.g., National History Day or research project). This course is designed for learners who are reading and writing above grade level, capable of in-depth analysis, and motivated to take this challenging course. Studies in this course will focus on greater depth of knowledge/taxonomy based upon the stated literacy standards for social studies already outlined in the World History curriculum: Chronological Thinking, Historical Comprehension, Historical Analysis and Interpretation, Historical Issues-Analysis and Decision-Making.
World History Honors 2: This course is designed for learners who are reading and writing above grade level, capable of in-depth analysis, and motivated to take this challenging course. It will emphasize the use of primary sources and critical thinking to look at cause and effect and analysis of historical interpretation. The focus will be on the global impacts of imperialism and industrialization in the 19th century, and the development of true global society into the 21st century. This is a reading and writing intensive class that requires a research project component (e.g., National History Day or a research project). This course is designed for learners who are reading and writing above grade level, capable of in-depth analysis, and motivated to take this challenging course. Studies in this course will focus on greater depth of knowledge/taxonomy based upon the stated literacy standards for social studies already outlined in the World History curriculum: Chronological Thinking, Historical Comprehension, Historical Analysis and Interpretation, Historical Issues-Analysis and Decision-making.