Modern World History Honors

Modern World History – Honors

Summer Assignment 2015

Welcome to Modern World History Honors. This required course represents the foundation of the Social Studies program at the High School. Thecourse is designed to give students an international perspective on the historical forces that have shapedthe global community from the 1300s to the present.

Honorscourses are designed for highly-motivated students with above-average critical thinking, reading,writing, and oral communication skills. These courses are designed to challengestudents for futureexpectations in an Advanced Placement course. Students in these classes will examine topics in greaterdepth with an emphasis on the evaluation of historical events.

Through this summer assignment you will explore the topic of historiography and its application to a specific topic in history, the Muslim Dynasties. This formative assessment is intended to act as a transition from middle school to high school. It will be the springboard for graded assessments that will follow – therefore, it is essential that you complete this work to the best of your ability. Be prepared to use the summer assignment for discussions and skill building on the first day of school.

THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST BE TYPED.

I. Historiography

the principles and methodology of historical research and presentation. 2. the writing of history based on the analysis and selection of sources. 3. a body of historical literature.

Define each term by: composing a concise explanation (1-3 sentences) and connectingtheir importance to the definition of historiography

Bias

Perspective

Revisionism (or Revisionist History)

Cultural relativism

Periodization

Transculturation

Based on your understanding of the terms above, provide a brief answer to the

following questions:

1)How would you interpret the saying, “Where you stand determines what you see” in an

historical context?

2)To what extent are primary sources reliablein their accuracy of events from the past?

3) Why is it easier for historians to agree on what happened than on why or how it occurred?

II. Reading Comprehension and Analysis - you will be asked to answer the following Essential

Question:

How did cultural diffusion affect the success of the Muslim Empires?

A.Read the Muslim World Expands, 1300-1700. Links to reading are available on the Social Studies Department - Summer Assignment website

B. Top 3 Most Important Points of each Section

Imagine that you are talking to a classmate that did not read the chapter, but this

student needs a quick synopsis of the content in it. For each section, make a “Top 3 List” of the

most important key points from the reading by using succinct one sentence answers. You are

not allowed to use section headers – USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

This is an example if you were assigned a reading about the Middle Ages:

1 The Roman Catholic Church played a dominant role in Europe by strengthening its

social and political ties to Europe’s nobility.

C. Writing a Memorandum

Think of a memorandum as a “mini-essay”. Use the Memorandum Template, follow the

instructions and type a response to the Essential Question shown above. We will use this

strategy throughout the year to help you write formal essays.

Memorandum(SAMPLE/MODEL)

Name: ______

Date: ______

Period: ______

Subject: ______

Question Presented:This will always be provided

Claim (Short Answer): 1-2 Sentences

Provide a concise answer to the question above.

Data (Statement of Facts): Min. 3 / Max. 5 – in complete sentences (chronological if applicable)

Analysis: 1 Paragraph

Memorandum