NAME:
Ms. Liz Henry-Veeneman
SCHOOL:
Trottier Middle School
CLASS:
Grade 8 World History: 500 C.E. to 1800 C.E.
SCHOOL PHONE:
(508) 485-2400 x 131Email: lhenry@nsboro.k12.ma.us
BEYOND NAMES AND DATES: WHAT WE STUDY IN WORLD HISTORY I
This course is the study of six world regions over the time period from the
fall of the Roman Empire, ca. 500 CE, to the Enlightenment, ca. 1800 CE.
Beginning with an overview and a quick review of the geography of each region
(the Americas, East Asia, India, the Middle East, Africa and Europe),
students study the rise of their economic and social systems, governance,
material culture and technology, relations with neighboring peoples, and
religions and customs. The concept of the rise and fall of empires is a
constant in all the units. Students are expected to become increasingly
competent at understanding and analyzing readings, and at using textual
evidence to support their opinions. Many types of assessments are used, so
students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in a wide variety
of ways throughout the course. Students develop their historical thinking
through analysis of the relationships among events, comprehending historical
context, evaluating sources, interpreting data, and recognizing recurrent
historical themes. Research skills are refined incrementally throughout the
year, and culminate in an interdisciplinary research paper and hands-on
project called, "Exploration to Enlightenment: The Power of Ideas."
Why do people live and move where they do? (Geography and Human Migration)
Why do people live the way they do? (Culture)
How and why do humans organize their societies the way they do? (Civics and
Government)
How does technology affect peoples’ lives? (Technology and Innovation)
How have conflict and cooperation shaped human history? (Warfare and World
Politics)
How has the quest for resources affected human history? (Economics)
How do we know what we know about human history? (Social Science)
Why do civilizations rise and decline? (Historical Thinking)
"Those who don't remember history are condemned to repeat it."
- George Santayana
