Mr. Patrick Keaveney

E-mail: pkeaveney@wssd.org

Strath Haven High School

20th CenturyGlobal Studies

Grade 11

  

CourseDescription/Overview
 
Twentieth Century Global Studies, building upon the 10thgrade American Studies curriculum, moves students from an American outlook of the 20th Century to a multicultural, pluralistic, global perspective.  Students begin at the close of the 19th Century examining Europe and the global impact of Imperialism. The course concludes with a contemporary emerging nation perspective.  Topics in this sequence include colonialism, nationalism, and global interdependence. This course demands a high level of critical thinking, research, and writing.  It gives the student a unique view of the 20thcentury.

 Course Objectives

1. Understand key concepts within and across the subject area. Specifically, as a result of this course, students will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of major events, cultures, groups, and individuals in the historical development of the world in the 20th Century.
  • Describe themes and patterns of economic, political, and cultural development of the 20th century.
  • Encounter a variety of philosophies, world views, and interpretations.

 

2. Think reflectively and reason logically, including conducting research, managing information, analyzing, interpreting, and solving problems. Specifically, as a result of this course, students will:

  • Evaluate and respond critically to a variety of cultural attributes.
  • Analyze all forms of communication, including: separating fact from fiction, recognizing propaganda, stereotypes and statements of bias, recognizing inconsistencies, and judging the validity of evidence.
  • Apply the concept of multiple causation as an explanation of historical events.

  

3. Apply knowledge to real life issues and situations. Specifically, as a result of this course, students will:

  • Develop an understanding of the interdependent nature of the world.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history and nature of prejudice and stereotypes and relate their knowledge to the current global issues.
  • Formulate and support personal opinions on contemporary geopolitical issues.

 

4. Utilize effective interpersonal skills.  Specifically, as a result of this course, students will:

  • Demonstrate skills of communicating, negotiating, and cooperating with others.
  • Demonstrate that they can work well with others.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills in appropriate group activities.

 
Course Content

 A. The Emerging 20thCentury

 Key Concepts (6.1.9 – 6.1.12all, 6.5.12 E)

  • Intellectual Revolution of the pre-war era sets the stage for major social, political, economic, and religious thought for the 20th Century (8.1.9 – 8.1.12 all)
  • Emphasis is placed upon European impact and influence on the global (8.4.12 A-D)

 Possible Resources Include:

  • Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
  • Artistic expression of the period including music, poetry, and art
  • Writings of Freud, Veblen, Smith, Malthus, Nietzsche, Darwin, and others

 
B. World War I Era

 Key Concepts (5.1.12 M)

  • The fundamental causes of World War I within and outside of Europe (8.4.12 A-D)
  • The outcomes of World War I leads to the rise of dictatorships and the use of self-determination as a guiding principle of global politics (8.1.9 – 8.1.12 all, 8.4.12 A-D)

 Possible Resources Include:

  • Primary and secondary source documents
  • Film selections

 C. Rise of Dictators and the World War II Era

 Key Concepts (5.1.12, 5.3.9 -5.3.12 A, E, F-I, J)

  • Post war socio-economic conditions are exploited by several key individuals with specific political and cultural goals (8.1.9 – 8.1.12 all)
  • Unresolved issues result in global crisis (8.4.12 A-D)

 Possible Resources Include:

  • Animal Farm by George Orwell
  • Primary and secondary source documents
  • Film selections

 D. Post War Era ofNationalism

 Key Concepts (5.2.12, 6.2.9 –6.2.12 A, B, I, 6.5.12 E)

  • Outcomes of World War II include numerous political changes in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East (8.1.9 – 8.1.12 all, 8.4.9, 8.4.12)
  • Socio-economic and political developments in the emerging world
  • Creation of regional and international organizations to promote peace, cooperation, and economic stability (8.4.12 A-D)

 Possible Resources Include:

  • Nectar in a Sieve by Kamal Markandaya
  • Son of the Revolution by Liang Heng
  • Primary and secondary source documents
  • Film selections

 E. Global Interdependenceinto the 21st Century

 Key Concepts (5.3.9 – 5.3.12A, E-J, 5.4.12 all, 6.3.12, 6.4.12)

  • Impact of interdependence and globalization (8.1.9 – 8.1.12 all, 8.4.12 A-D)
  • The contemporary world and global issues (8.1.9 – 8.1.12 all, 8.4.12 A-D)
  • Roles and responsibilities of students as American citizens in a global community (8.1.9 – 8.1.12 all, 8.4.12 A-D)

 Possible Resources Include:

  • Student-selected articles from daily or weekly news publications
  • Primary and secondary source documents

 Class Policies:

 Grading

Tests: There will be four or five written tests over thes emester.  The material for these tests will be drawn from class discussions, notes, and assigned readings.  Make-up tests will be given for absences from class only.  There will be a comprehensive final exam.

 

Projects: There will be several papers/projects for this course.  The number of projects for the course is left to my discretion.  Late papers/projects will be penalized  The assignment will be graded for content, spelling, grammar, and neatness.  Extensions will be given only in extreme circumstances and must be discussed with me before the due date.

Quizzes: Quizzes, announced or unannounced, will occur on a regular basis (so do your reading or review what we did in class every night!).

Homework: Nightly homework will usually be reading or reviewing.  There is the possibility of written work.  Written assignments should be typed or written neatly on loose-leaf paper. Late homework will not be accepted.

Participation: It is expected that every student will come preparedt o participate in class each day.

 

The final grade for the class is determined as follows:

 45% - First Quarter Grade

 45% - Second Quarter Grade

 10% - Final Exam

 100% of Final Grade              

 

Required Materials: Every day the student should bring:

  •    A notebook.
  •    A writing instrument
  •    A folder or binder for handouts

 

Statement onRespect

All members of the school community are expected to be respectful of each other. Negative comments about anyone's race, nationality, religion, physical appearance or ability, intellectual ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, work ethic, or character are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Students are encouraged to discuss any concerns with an adult in the building.