WORLD GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURES

Miss Bleau

OwossoHigh School

Room 107

Phone: (989) 729-5526

Email:

COURSE DESCRIPTION

World History and Geography is a requirement for graduation from OwossoHigh School. It is a yearlong class that focuses on the development and understanding of global processes and interactions among different types of human societies and cultures. In essence, the course is a broad analysis of human history with a more concentrated focus on the social, political, and economic developments of major civilizations. Historical analysis and interpretation will be stressed throughout the course. The curriculum will be modified to address specific needs of each student as determined by the IEP process.

IB OVERVIEW

International Baccalaureate (IB) offers high quality programs of international education to a worldwide community of schools. There are more than 700,000 IB students in more than 130 countries throughout the world. In essence, IB is a different way of approaching education. It is employed to organize cross-curricular units to give students a broader perspective of course content. Its main goal is to increase student awareness of global issues and better prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. This course will still follow the Michigan Merit Curriculum based on the State of MI High School Content Expectations, but will be organized into IB units.

The aim of all IB programs is to develop students who strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. The traits of IB Learner Profile are embedded into every learning opportunity so students will develop their awareness of, and sensitivity to, the experiences of others beyond the local or national community.

OUR CLASSROOMEXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL LEARNING

  • All students can and will learn
  • We will treat others as we wish to be treated. We expect an environment of fairness and mutual respect.
  • Raise your hand when you wish to speak and we will be active listeners.
  • We will come to class prepared and on time. A pencil, textbook, paper, school planner, and completed assignments constitute being prepared.
  • Complete all assignments thoroughly.
  • We are active participants in class discussion.
  • We are expected to keep our materials, work area, and classroom neat and organized

1st Semester

Unit I: Foundations (2 Weeks) : REVIEW Chapters 1-7

  • Historical interpretation including point of view and bias
  • Conceptual devices used in organizing historical periods (maps, graphs, charts, diagrams, statistics)
  • Periodization (major turning points, different cultural and religious calendars)
  • Neolithic Revolutions/Emergence of Civilization
  • Brief Ancient Civilizations Review
  • Egypt, Mesopotamia, IndusRiverValley, Shang/Zhou China, Han China, Gupta Empire, Greece and Rome
  • Major geographical features
  • World Religions Overview
  • Hinduism, Judaism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam