Instructor: Ms. Heather

Course Summary

Modern History is an introductory 25-week course on Modern History from the Renaissance through modern day. Throughout this course, students will explore the impact of the democratic and industrial revolutions, the forces that led to world domination by European powers, the wars that changed empires, the ideas that led to independence movements and the effects of global interdependence.

- Historical Concepts and Skills

- Causation

- Continuity and Change

- Perspectives

- Significance

- Contestability

- Analysis and Use of Sources

- Historical Interpretation

- Historical Investigation and Research

- Explanation and Critical Thinking

- Drawing Global Connections

- Social Responsibility

- Intercultural Understanding

- Civics and Citizenship

Note: We will be dealing with some difficult and triggering topics in this course including war. Every effort will be made to teach these at a child-appropriate level and without the use of graphic imagery, and with as unbiased an approach as possible. Any particularly triggering, polarizing or complex events will be left for parents to introduce individually to their children.

Assignments

Students will receive weekly writing/reading/research/critical thinking assignments and projects related to the topic, which will be marked and returned with analysis and customized feedback. Students will also be given a rich variety of primary texts, videos, archeological site visits, books and other materials for their own optional self-study on topics of their individual interest.

Materials

Students will be provided all materials and texts for this course. Students will be exploring primary texts and historic artifacts, archaeological sites and other evidence to explore the rich historical record. Students will also be exposed to the art and music of each era to gain a comprehensive perspective on each historical era.

Units

First Quarter

- Renaissance and Reformation

- Gunpowder Empires/New World Exploration/Slave Trade

- The Americas/Native American History

Second Quarter

- Absolutism in Europe/Thirty Years War/English Civil War

- Scientific Revolution/Enlightenment/American Revolution

- French Revolution

Third Quarter

- Industrial Revolution

- American Civil War

- World War I (including Imperialism and Nationalism)

Fourth Quarter

- Interwar Years (Depression/Roaring 20s)

- World War II and the Holocaust

- Cold War

- Modern Era/Globalization/Terrorism (if time permits)

Note: This syllabus is a general outline, and subject to change as the needs and pace of the class dictate.