Grade 10 Courses

Modern World History

Grade level:	10		Course units:	10 Credits – Year Course
Graduation requirement:		Social Science	UC/CSU a-g requirement:		a

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Contemporary World Studies, recommended

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: 1 Students should have passed Contemporary World Studies, and should be reading and writing at grade level.

Course Description: The Modern World History course covers a period of more than 250 years, highlighting major turning points that shaped the modern world, from the late eighteenth century through the present. This course offers a balanced approach to historical content, providing equal weight to the development of western civilization and the evolution of the non-western world. This course will offer students a truly global historical experience. In this course, students will critically learn about the history and culture of the world by considering multiple accounts of events in order to understand international relations from a variety of perspectives, in a way that allows students to place themselves in its narratives. Additionally, students will use historical data to support a well-articulated argument or opinion. As in all history classes at BHS, they will interpret and apply data from primary and secondary sources, including speeches, cartoons, graphs, letters, etc. Finally, they will continue to practice the art of critical reading/notetaking and analysis, both of the textbook and other sources. Through these activities, students will develop the historical thinking skills of reading, writing, and critical thinking. This course is based on the CA History-Social Science Content Standards and the CA H-SS Framework.

Major Projects/Assignments: Students will participate in a variety of major assignments throughout the year, such as but not limited to the following: several debates, class discussions, a variety of writing tasks, and other assignments which vary according to teacher preference.

Approximate homework assigned daily: Students should expect 1-2 homework assignments per week ranging from 20-45 minutes in length (approximate). It is important to note that this serves as an estimate of the nightly average homework load. It is not intended to be a concrete value and homework completion time will depend upon the nature of the assignment and the abilities and work habits of the student.

Advanced Placement (AP) World History: Modern

Grade level:	10		Course units:	10 Credits – Year Course
Graduation requirement:		Social Science	UC/CSU a-g requirement:		a

Prerequisite:

Ethnic Studies with grade A or above, strongly recommended.
Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: Students should have reading and writing skills above the 12th grade level. This course is intended to mimic an introductory college course and involves extensive reading and writing. 

Course Description: Advanced Placement (AP) World History: Advanced Placement (AP) World History: Modern is an introductory college-level modern world history course that fulfills SMUHSD graduation requirements and is a course offered for 10th grade students not enrolled in College-Prep (CP) Modern World History. Students will explore major global turning points from c. 1200 CE to the present in order to better understand the background and context of modern global issues. Students will cultivate their understanding of world history through the analysis of primary sources while learning to make connections and craft historical arguments. Students will explore themes and concepts like humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, as well as technology and innovation. This course is based on the CA History-Social Science Content Standards, the CA H-SS Framework, and the curriculum requirements of the College Board.

Highlights of Course Objectives:

• Students will be able to analyze, interpret and use a wide variety of primary source materials in order to create and prove arguments. 

• Students will write clear, precise essays that demonstrate understanding of historical events and trends using ample evidence and analysis. 

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic chronology and the major events, people and trends of world  history from 1250 to present. 

• Students will work individually and in groups to create well-supported arguments, demonstrating knowledge through oral explanation and debate. 

Major Projects/Assignments: Essay and multiple choice exams will be regularly scheduled assessments. Debate, research, simulations and other creative projects will vary.

Approximate homework assigned daily:  Minimum of 60-90 minutes daily. It is important to remember that assignments will vary in length and multiple days will often be given for a single assignment. Much of it will consist of daily reading, sometimes with accompanying assignments and sometimes independently. This is an estimate of the nightly average homework load. It is not intended to be a concrete value and homework completion time will depend upon the nature of the assignment, as well as the work habits and time management of students.