World History
SYLLABUS
Draft
Chas Pauly
509-687-9585
cpauly@manson.org
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Development of World Civilizations and their
interrelationships form the earliest beginnings to the 20th century. Students
will gain an understanding of the basic ideas, institutions, personalities and
artistic achievements of these societies. Students will be expected to identify
consequential events and analyze their significance and impact. Various
political systems are analyzed and considered for their strengths and
weaknesses. Important philosophical arguments will be examined for their
persuasiveness, utility, cultural context and continued relevance. Primary
documents will be used to develop analytical skills and to familiarize the
student with the important ideas and terms within their proper context.
This course will embrace multiculturalism, studying the
emergence and development of a wide variety of cultures around the globe.
Overarching themes: 1. The dynamics of change and continuity across the world history periods covered in this course, and the causes and processes involved in major changes of these dynamics.2. Patterns and effects of interaction among societies and regions: trade, war, diplomacy, and international organizations.3. The effects of technology, economics, and demography on people and the environment (population growth and decline, disease, labor systems, manufacturing, migrations, agriculture, weaponry).4. Systems of social structure and gender structure (comparing major features within and among societies, and assessing change and continuity).5. Cultural, intellectual, and religious developments, including interactions among and within societies.6. Changes in functions and structures of states and in attitudes toward states and political identities (political culture), including the emergence of the nation-state (types of political organization). CLASS POLICIES
1. Attendance: Be
in class at every meeting and arrive on time! Do not make any other plans during this
sixteen-week semester for the hours, days, and weeks that our class meets. Everything presented in class is important to
your understanding of this topic or it wouldn’t be discussed.
2. Academic
Honesty: I
expect and require you to exhibit academic honesty when you take any exam/quiz
or complete any assignments in this class.
Cheating, plagiarism, or any act of obtaining or attempting to
obtain credit for work by any dishonest or fraudulent means will not be tolerated
in this class. Cheating includes writing exact
answers to questions on an assignment as someone else, copying answers from
someone else on a quiz/exam, using answers from students of previous semesters,
copying from the textbook or INTERNET, or having another person write
your answers. The penalty for cheating
on a quiz/exam will be a “0” for the exam and the incident will be reported to
the Principal. A second offense will
result in a grade of “F” for the course. The penalty for cheating on other
assignments is a “0” for the first episode; the penalty for the second episode
is an “F” for the unit and a conference with the Principal and your parents. All
work must be completed on your own.
3. Courtesy:
I require that you practice civility and courteousness in class with your
fellow students and me. I will not
tolerate inappropriate behavior by students in my class.
Grading Policy:
Student’s final quarter grades are based primarily on their
test scores. Daily assignments, projects, presentations, and entry tasks are
designed to prepare the student to successfully master the course material as
demonstrated by the student’s test scores. However, the instructor will weigh
these activities in determining the student’s final grade for that quarter.
Approximate weight of each category:
Assessments
of Learning (Tests, Quizzes, Projects, Presentations) – 80%
Assignments/homework/
Entry Tasks -20%
The instructor retains to the right to modify the weight of
each category depending on the focus of the course at that time. Students and
parents are encouraged to check with instructor if they have any concern
regarding their grades. The instructor has been known on occasion to make
errors. An error corrected early prevents hurt feelings later on.
Attendance: Attendance
in this class is essential. Much of the material for success is provided
through lecture/discussion. Missing class can create problems.
Tentative Course
Outline by Unit:
Unit 1: Early Civilizations (Prehistory, Africa, Asia,
India, China)
Unit 2: Greeks, Romans, the Rise of Christianity and Early America’s
Unit 3: Regional Civilizations (The Rise of Europe, High Middle Ages, Byzantine
Empires, Muslims, East Asia)
Unit 4: The Renaissance and Reformation, The Search for Spices, Age of
Absolutism)
Unit 5: The Age of Enlightenment and Revolution
Unit 6: The Industrial Age, Nationalism, Western Democracies, Imperialism
Unit 7: WWI and WWII, the Russian Revolution, and Aftermath
Unit 8: 1945 to the Present