Modern World History II Syllabus

20162017
Mrs. Bowles
Email: powens@bostonpublicschools.org OR bowles.paula1@gmail.com
Website: mrsbowlesbhs.weebly.com

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

Modern World History II covers the events, issues and ideas from 1600 to the present, but will mainly focus on
the 20th century. The course and units are based on the Boston Public Schools History Learning Standards. The
units are as follows:
Term 1:
Unit I: The Growth of Absolutism and Nation-States in Europe (16001800)
Unit II: Political Revolutions in Europe and Around the World (16001800)
Unit III: European Industrialization, Nationalism, Capitalism and Communism (18001900)
Term 2:
Unit IV: European Imperialism and the Impact on Asia, Africa and Latin America (18001900)
Unit V: World War I (19141919)
Term 3:
Unit VI: Between the Great Wars (19191939)
Unit VII: World War II and the Post-War World (19391945)
Unit VIII: The Cold War and Growth of Communism Worldwide (19451990)
Term 4:
Unit IX: Nationalism and Post-Colonialism in Asia, Africa and Latin America (19451990)
Unit X: Current Issues, Events and Ideas and their relationship to History (1990present)

HOW YOU WILL BE GRADED:

Each term, your grade will be determined by:
Unit Quizzes, Essays, Projects or Formal Debates 25%
Document Based Questions & Close Reading Assignments 25%
Homework 20%
Classwork and Class Decorum 20%
Binder/Notebook 10%

--Quizzes are based on what we have covered throughout the unit. The quizzes are in multiple-choice format
and are open notebook (so it is important to keep your notes organized and copy any notes you miss because of
an absence). They will occur several times a term.

--Projects are assigned throughout the yearusually one or two a term. They are pair or group-based and you
will have some class time to complete the projects. They often will involve an online presentation tool like prezi
or thinglink. You may be asked to present you work either to me or to the class.
--Debates are a great way to formally research and discuss historical events and their connection to current
issues. We will have at least one formal debate per term and every student will participate and be graded on
their contribution to their team. We will also use Socratic Seminar as a way to discuss and analyze topics.

--Document Based Questions and/or Close Reading Assignments and Writing Prompts are given throughout the
school year. They are essentially short, in-class essays where you refer to historical documents in your answer.
You will be able to use all of your notes, homework and classwork to complete DBQs.

-- Homework is always reading and answering questions from an assigned reading. There are usually 34
sections of homework assigned per week or two. All homework should be completed by due date given, but late
work within the same unit will be accepted. It will be collected and assigned a grade based on
completeness, accuracy and effort (on a scale of 0 to 10) and then returned to you. If
you let someone copy your homework, you will receive a zero. No exceptions.

-- Classwork can be many different things. You may be asked to read and annotate an article, analyze a
historical documents or quotes, or debate ideas. You might work in groups, pairs or individually. Generally,
classwork is due at the end of each class and will be graded based on completeness, accuracy and effort (on a
scale of 0 to 10). Part of your grade for classwork is based on your class decorum, which simply means how
you act in class. Examples of proper class decorum include:
Coming to class regularly and arriving on time
Staying awake, alert and on task during class
Paying attention to the discussion and taking notes
Contributing to class discussions without dominating them
Keeping side conversations to a minimum and not distracting peers
Being aware of your language and attitude toward your peers and toward me
Be reasonable and respectful with cell phone use. Keep them on silent. Keep them off to the sidepreferably
out of sight. No pictures or constant texting. Just act grown and polite and I wont be annoyed.

--Notebooks and binders are required and must be brought to class everyday. Returned
work will be stored in your folder in the classroom and will be returned to you periodically
to put in your own binder. You should store all important readings, work you need to
complete and returned work in an organized way in your binder. You will receive a grade
at the end of each term

--Your grade will be posted online on Aspen and will be updated weekly. I expect you to
check your grade and to come to me for any questions or missing assignments. I will not
chase you to improve your grade. Repeated, excessive tardies or unexcused absences from class almost
 always result in bad grades. You simply cant make up all that we do in class...especially if you are chronically
absent with no excuse. You are not entitled to make-up work if your absence is unexcused.

Please rip off this page return it for a grade.

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I have read and understood the requirements and expectations for Modern World History II.

Your name:_______________________________________ Signature: _________________________________________

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What should I know about you so I can help you to do well in this class?
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