Modern World History

Course Description

Welcome to Modern World History. This is a skills-based course that aims to provide students with a solid understanding of the 20th Century and how it has shaped our current world. The international focus of the course content is intended to help students, as global citizens, to better understand their world.

Goals

This course is designed for students with no prior knowledge of the subject matter, and gains a useful awareness of contemporary world history through political, social, and economic perspectives. The development of skills will be seen as very important, rather than just memorization of facts and statistics. These skills will include:

• Research
• Clear presentation of written work
• Clear presentation of oral work
• Understanding of basic terminology
• Critical assessment of the past and making connections to today
• Meeting deadlines

Scope and Sequence

Quarter One:
a) Absolutism to Revolution
            1.  Absolute Monarchs in Europe 
            2.  Enlightenment and Revolution
            3.  The French Revolution and Napoleon
            4.  Nationalist Revolutions Sweep the West 
Quarter Two:
b) Industrialism and the Race for Empire
            1. The Industrial Revolution 
            2. The Age of Democracy and Progress 
            3. The Age of Imperialism 
            4. Transformations around the Globe
Quarter Three:
c) The World at War
            1.  The Great War
            2.  Revolution and Nationalism
            3.  Years of Crisis
            4.  World War II
Quarter Four:
d) Perspectives on the Present
            1.  Restructuring the Postwar World
            2.  The Colonies Become New Nations
            3.   Struggles for Democracy
            4.  Global Interdependence

Textbook

Beck et al. Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston. IL: McDougall Littel, 2009.

Supplementary Materials

Other texts or readings from Mr. Cheung’s collection
DVD and video clips

Grading

Students will be assessed in a variety of ways, which include, but not limited to, quizzes, tests, and homework.

Students’ grades will be calculated according to the following breakdown:

Tests and Quizzes (50%)
Quizzes will be given to reinforce important concepts. Students will be notified two days prior to the quiz, for example if today is Monday, the quiz will be Wednesday. The teacher reserves the right to give pop-quizzes. Tests are given after each chapter, couple of chapters, or unit. Test dates will be announced in class usually one week prior to the test.

Projects (35%)
Projects include, but not limited to, oral presentations, debates, and research papers.

Class assignments and homework (15%)
Though most of the “action” occurs in class, homework is assigned as a vital extension of the classroom.  Students can expect to regularly receive homework designed to reinforce concepts and skills covered in class.  Homework includes, but not limited to, readings, worksheets, writing assignments, research, and test preparation.

NB: School policy establishes that a written exam be given at the end of the semester. This exam will cover material from the entire semester and count as 20% of your overall semester grade. Thus, the above coursework will be weighted at 80% and the semester exam at 20%.

Late Work and Make-Ups

Late work will be penalized at 10% per day to a maximum of three days (30%). After that, a grade of zero will be earned for that particular assignment/project and will become part of the student’s evaluation for that quarter/semester. Parents will be informed of this situation.

If the due date is a Friday and the work is turned-in on a Monday, the penalty will be 20%. Any exception to this policy is at the discretion of the teacher (e.g. medical reasons).

Unexcused absences warrant a zero for missed quizzes and tests. Otherwise, all quizzes and tests will be taken prior to the excused absence, or immediately following the absence. Students are instructed not to wait for the next scheduled class to see their teacher.

Attendance, Participation and Attitude

Avoid missing class, for any reason, as each student is responsible for all material presented in class, including announcements on course procedures, examinations, etc. Unexcused absences can and will affect your grade. In the case of excused absences, they should be kept to a minimum. It is the student’s responsibility to make up for classes missed, not the teacher’s.

Prompt arrival to class is also expected. You are asked to be prepared (physically and mentally) for class discussions, possess a positive attitude, and be ready for individual and collaborative work.

Extra Credit

None. Please do not ask.