Class Overview

Students in grade ten study major turning points that shaped the modern world, from the late eighteenth century through the present, including the cause and course of the two world wars. They trace the rise of democratic ideas and develop an understanding of the historical roots of current world issues, especially as they pertain to international relations. They extrapolate from the American experience that democratic ideals are often achieved at a high price, remain vulnerable and are not practiced everywhere in the world. Students develop an understanding of current world issues and relate them to their historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Students consider multiple accounts of events in order to understand international relations from a variety of perspectives. (CA State Standard for Teaching) 

Expected Student Learning Results: Students will be able to address 

1. Review: The Ancient & Medieval World

2. 1750-1917: Revolutions Reshape the World – Democratic Revolutions

3. Industrial Revolutions

4. The Rise of Imperialism and Colonialism

5. Causes and Course of World War I

6. Effects of World War I

7. Rise of Totalitarian Governments after World War I

8. Causes and Consequences of World War II

9. International Developments in the Post- World War II World

10. Nation-Building in the Contemporary World

11. Economic Integration and Contemporary Revolutions in Information, Technology and Communications