Mr. Vieth

About the Teacher and the Class

Teacher of Social Studies in the Westfield Public School District since 1998. This course of study infuses the five (5) themes of geography, history, civics, economics, and archaeology social sciences throughout the course to provide students with an understanding of how our ideas about the past inform our understanding of the modern world. In doing, so students gain an understanding of the emergence of Europe beginning with the decline and fall of ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire, the Middle Ages, flourishing of culture and innovations during the Renaissance, and the exploration and colonization of the Americas. This course references themes and concepts of the ancient world from sixth grade and provides a basis for the study of the modern world in eighth grade. 

Content, Concepts, Themes, and Sequence

Unit 1: The Mediterranean World : The Decline and Fall of Ancient Rome

Unit Theme : What were the primary reasons for the rise of the Roman Republic and the decline and fall of the Roman Empire?

Unit 2: The Middle Ages: Dark Ages to the Decline of Feudalism and Rise of Democratic Thought

Unit Theme : Necessities a society needs to establish stability and order

  Unit 3: The Renaissance & Reformation

Unit Theme : When is it suitable to challenge the values of society or ruling body?

Unit 4: European Exploration & Colonization of the Americas

Unit Theme(s) : Access to commodity markets (raw materials), positive and negative effects of cultural diffusion, and role of geography in the development of newly-established colonies.

Course Objectives

Practice historical thinking skills including sourcing, contextualization, corroboration, and close reading (annotating).

Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources to identify multiple perspectives in order to develop an understanding of historical and current events.

Apply and understanding of how past societies addressed various political, social, and economic challenges to help solve present-day issues.

Use evidence from primary and secondary  sources to develop informed opinions about the past.

Demonstrate critical listening and active engagement through deliberation and debate.