Course Name:World History/Cultures – Grade 8
Course Description: This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills, and values essential to understand world history. Divided into three major themes – civilization, global connections, and religion – this course targets global systems and processes, sources of conflict and cooperation, and major movements influencing the modern world. While civilizations vary significantly throughout history, it is important to apply parallel studies by comparing the geographic forces, economies, political systems, cultural achievements, technological advancements, and social relations evident in civilizations representing diverse geographic locations and a range of eras. The evolution of early civilizations to the Middle Ages leads to a more concentrated focus on the events and phenomena occurring in Europe, which cause global expansion into other parts of the world. Europe’s connections with Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Middle East and the resulting political, economic, ideological, and scientific transformations are demonstrated at this stage of the course. A final element of the course introduces students to a comparative study of world religions by highlighting core beliefs and key practices of six major religions.
Course Proficiencies: The following is a list of proficiencies that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do as a result of successfully completing this course. The proficiencies are the basis of the assessment of student achievement. The learner will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Define a civilization and recognize origins of civilizations in each part of the world. (6.3.B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11; 6.3.C1, C2, C3, C4, C5)
2. Compare and contrast the cultural, economic, geographic, political, and social forces causing the advance and decline of major civilizations. (6.3.B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11; 6.3.C1, C2, C3, C4, C5)
3. Explain how events, issues, and phenomena of different civilizations are intertwined. (6.3.B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11; 6.3.C1, C2, C3, C4, C5)
4. Understand and discuss factors causing civilizations to endure for long periods of time by highlighting examples throughout the world. (6.3.B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11; 6.3.C1, C2, C3, C4, C5)
5. Recognize and appreciate how the culture and achievements of early civilizations contribute to the modern world. (6.3.B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11; 6.3.C1, C2, C3, C4, C5)
6. Analyze, discuss, and present information about the core beliefs and practices of the major religions of the world, making connections between each religion and secular events over the course of history. (6.3.B1)
7. Distinguish characteristics in beliefs and practices between and among religions. (6.3.B1)
8. Understand the progression of economic, political, and social organizations introduced and practiced throughout world history. (6.3.C6, C7; 6.3.D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7)
9. Examine Europe’s cultural, ideological, religious, political, and technological transformations during the Middle Ages causing countries in the region to explore and seek global influence in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Middle East. (6.3.C6, C7; 6.3.D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7)
10. Recognize the connection between events and people of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Age of Exploration, Era of Absolute Rule, and Enlightenment to the beginnings of the modern world. (6.3.C6, C7; 6.3.D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7)
11. Utilize technology, the Internet, and multimedia applications to research, analyze, and develop multidimensional expository essays related to world history. (8.1.8A. 1, 2, 8, 11; B6-8)
Assessments:
1. Tests/quizzes
2. Individual and group projects
3. Multimedia presentations
4. Interpretation of maps, databases, and primary and secondary sources
5. Classroom discussion
6. Research projects and essays
7. Performance assessments
8. Participation in simulations, role play activities, and general classroom assignments
Board Adopted Materials:
Text:
World History
Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor and Esler, Anthony
Prentice-Hall: 2007