World History & Geography

Class Overview

Welcome to Mr. Hallum's Social Studies class! 

• We will be studying Social Studies through  Humanities and Humanities (9th) & World Studies (10th) through the lens of many different sources, periods, studies, and personal experiences!

📖 Table of Contents – World History & World Geography

• Humanities (Geography 9th Grade)

  • Unit WG-1

    • Introduction to Geography (9 days)

    • Introduction to the field of geography and the Five Themes of Geography.

    • Geographer skills: map-making, reading, interpreting charts, graphs, population pyramids.

    • Earth’s four spheres & land-forming processes.

  • Unit WG-2

    • Physical Geography & Freedom Week (9 days)

    • Physical geography explores patterns & processes of the natural environment.

    • Topics: climate, biomes, natural resources, natural hazards.

    • Connections between biomes and climate.

  • Unit WG-3

    • Human Geography (14 days)

    • Human geography = relationship between people and their environment.

    • Study of cultural elements, population growth, and distribution.

    • Factors shaping the character of place.

    • Government systems, economic activities, and social structures.

  • Unit WG-4

    • United States & Canada + Geography Awareness Week (14 days)

    • Landforms, waterways, and resources shaped economic growth.

    • Cultural & geographic factors influenced population distribution & diversity.

    • Environmental issues affect natural resources.

    • U.S. has a major role in the global economy.

  • Unit WG-5

    • Latin America (14 days)

    • Extreme environmental differences shaped culture, economies, and development.

    • U.S. has significant economic and political influence.

    • Altitudinal zonation affects agriculture and economies.

    • Globalization & deforestation of the Amazon.

  • Unit WG-6

    • Europe & Russia (19 days)

    • Shaped by colonization, industrialization, communism, and world wars.

    • Development of the European Union.

    • Russia and former Soviet republics continue to struggle after USSR collapse.

  • Unit WG-7

    • Central Asia, Southwest Asia & North Africa (12 days)

    • Birthplace of civilization & three major world religions.

    • Religion and ethnic conflicts shaped population patterns.

    • Shaped by arid environment, traditional culture, and oil resources.

  • Unit WG-8

    • Sub-Saharan Africa (15 days)

    • Rich natural resources, but colonialism shaped uneven development.

    • Diverse climates and biomes across Africa.

    • Population growth, water scarcity, and desertification are major challenges.

  • Unit WG-9

    • South Asia (14 days)

    • Landforms and water systems shape human life.

    • Influenced by population growth, hazards, religion, and colonial legacy.

    • India’s growing economy creates strong U.S. trade ties.

  • Unit WG-10

    • East Asia (14 days)

    • China’s shift from communism, vast population, and resources affect its future.

    • Japan’s geography shaped its history and development.

    • Contrast: South Korea’s economic growth vs. North Korea’s isolation & nuclear program.

  • Unit WG-11

    • Southeast Asia (13 days)

    • A cultural crossroads influenced by Asian, Indian, and European powers.

    • Climate shaped by location & elevation.

    • Population growth, urbanization, and migration shaped development.

    • Rivers, seas, and oceans are vital for human & economic activity.

  • Unit WG-12

    • Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Antarctica) (19 days incl. finals)

    • Diverse cultures shaped by indigenous peoples & immigrants.

    • Tourism, industrialization, and trade create environmental challenges.

    • Antarctica is a gauge for climate change and international cooperation.

• World Studies (10th Grade)

  • Unit WH-1

    • Agricultural Revolution & River Valley Civilizations (9 days)

    • The Neolithic Revolution was a major turning point that allowed mankind to advance in economic, political, and social sophistication.

    • Civilizations developed in areas that supported agriculture and trade.

    • River Valley civilizations directly shaped later classical civilizations.

  • Unit WH-2

    • Religions, Classical Civilizations & Freedom Week (13 days)

    • Religions unified regions and reflected their time and place of origin.

    • Classical civilizations introduced profound ideas in politics, law, economics, social structure, and religion.

    • Freedom Week: Analyze the importance of U.S. founding documents in historical context.

  • Unit WH-3

    • Collapse of Classical Civilizations & Post-Classical Europe (10 days)

    • Religion was a unifying force in regions.

    • The Middle Ages in Europe were very different from the Middle Ages elsewhere.

    • Disease and conflict reshaped Europe socially, politically, and economically.

  • Unit WH-4

    • Rise of the Islamic Empire, Tang & Song China, Economics & Trade, Mongols (13 days)

    • Religion was a powerful unifying force.

    • Technology was key to the development and sustainability of civilizations.

    • Trade routes were essential to political and economic power.

  • Unit WH-5

    • Art, Architecture & Literature; Renaissance & Reformation; Ottoman Empire (14 days)

    • New ideas influenced politics, economics, religion, and culture.

    • The Ottoman Empire allowed for religious freedom within its empire.

    • Istanbul’s port expanded trade and cultural diffusion between East and West.

  • Unit WH-6

    • Maya, Aztec, Inca Civilizations; Ming China; Exploration & Colonization (20 days)

    • New technology and ideas encouraged expansion and exploration.

    • The Columbian Exchange and colonization brought major political, social, and economic changes.

    • Disease and conflict contributed to the decline of civilizations.

  • Unit WH-7

    • Scientific Revolution, Absolute Monarchy, Enlightenment & Revolutions (9 days)

    • Use of reasoning advanced science and politics, fueling the Enlightenment.

    • European rulers in the 17th century expanded their power.

    • The American Revolution influenced the French Revolution.

  • Unit WH-8

    • Industrial Revolution, Nationalism, Imperialism & New Systems (14 days)

    • Geography and other advantages set the stage for the Industrial Revolution.

    • Criticism of industrialization led to new political and economic ideologies.

    • Industrialization created a rising middle class and expanded “New Imperialism.”

  • Unit WH-9

    • World War I, Russian Revolution & Between the Wars (18 days)

    • Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism caused WWI.

    • The first communist government formed in Russia under Lenin.

    • Global depression fueled the rise of totalitarianism.

  • Unit WH-10

    • World War II & the Emergence of the Cold War (19 days)

    • Failures of the Treaty of Versailles helped cause WWII.

    • Opposing ideologies shaped postwar alliances and global order.

  • Unit WH-11

    • Cold War Conflicts, Independence Movements & Post-Colonialism (19 days)

    • New African states faced tribalism, instability, and economic struggles.

    • The Cold War was defined by U.S. democracy vs. Soviet communism.

  • Unit WH-12

    • Reagan Era, Continuing Conflicts & Global Terrorism (9 days + Finals Week)

    • The Arab-Israeli conflict drew in many nations and repeated wars.

    • Globalization transformed the economy, spread culture, and shaped foreign policy.