World History
Ms. Rena Weber 

This is a year-long course in high school that explores the key events and global historical developments of world history that have shaped our lives today. The scope of Modern World History provides the latitude to range widely across all aspects of human experience: geography, economics, science, religion, philosophy, politics & law, military conflict, literature & the arts. The course will illuminate connections between our lives and those of our ancestors around the world. Students will uncover patterns of behavior, identify historical trends and themes, explore historical movements and concepts, and test theories. Students will refine their ability to read for comprehension and critical analysis; summarize, categorize, compare, and evaluate information; write clearly and convincingly; express facts and opinions orally; and use technology appropriately to research and present information.

Unit 1 - Foundations of World History

World belief systems: origins, founders, major tenets, practices and sacred writings (i.e. Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, Daoism, Shintoism, Sikhism), cultural diffusion (spread).

Geography

Unit 2 - Global Interactions and Cultural Diffusion (spread)

European Exploration, Conquest, and Colonization

Trans-African and Trans-Atlantic Slave Systems (e.g. labor systems)

Land and Oceanic Trade Systems (i.e. the Silk Road, Indian Ocean Trade Routes)

Columbian Exchange

Global Migration Patterns

Development and Dissolution (end) of Empires (i.e. Ottoman, Mughal, Aztec, Inca, Mali, Ming Dynasty)

Unit 3 - Revolutions

Renaissance

Scientific Revolution

Enlightenment

Reformation

Industrial Revolution

Capitalism, Communism, & Socialism

Revolutions in Government and Politics (i.e. North America, Latin America, France)

Unit 4 - Rise of Nations and Global Conflict

Imperialism

Nationalism

Fascism

Rise of Communism

Decolonization

World Wars

Cold War

Conflict Resolution (e.g. treaties League of Nations United Nations)

Unit 5 Contemporary Global Issues

Regional Conflicts of the 1900's (i.e. genocide, refugees, collapse of USSR, Human Rights, Regional Conflict in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America)

Global Terrorism

Environment

Population and Economic Development Technology

Information Age

Economic Imperialism

Human-Made and Natural Catastrophes