World History-Geography 1450-Present
Course Description
In this course, students study world history through global encounters from 1450-present. They examine human interaction as groups of people struggle to understand and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Topics such as exploration, trade, revolutions, industrialization, imperialism, conflict, and globalization are explored in the context of a world that is continuing to connect and interact.
Grade Level(s): 9th grade
Related Priority Standards (State &/or National): Missouri Learning Standards for Social Studies (6-12)
Essential Questions
- To what extent does cultural interaction impact our world?
- How is cultural identity formed?
- To what extent does ethnocentrism contribute to conflict and cooperation?
- How do biases shape interactions with others?
- To what extent does the legacy of earlier groups and individuals influence subsequent generations?
- How has cultural interaction created continuity and/or change in the world today?
- To what extent are conflicts between civilizations and/or cultures inevitable?
- To what extent do human and physical systems unite or divide people?
- How do the movements of people and ideas (cultural diffusion) affect world history?
- How does geography/environment impact humans?
- How do humans impact geography?
Enduring Understandings/Big Ideas
- Understand that contact, conflict and cooperation between peoples and societies shaped human development
- Analyze points of view in order to influence continuity and change related to equality and cross cultural connections
- Create reasoned arguments using compelling questions and synthesized evidence
- Critique historic trends to generate informed decisions
- Deconstruct sources of evidence to determine its implication in the field of social science
- Independently select, organize, and analyze varied sources to generate an informed conclusion
- Generate a plan to take informed action to improve their community
- Utilize disciplinary knowledge, concepts and tools to participate in the problem-solving process
Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)
Units 1 & 2: Global Interactions 1450-1750
Topics studied within this unit include MesoAmerica, global trade, Columbian exchange, slave systems, empires colliding, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Renaissance, and Enlightenment. Students will:
- Examine globalizing networks of communication and exchange
- Critique the usefulness of historical sources when examining the Columbian Exchange
- Analyze relationships between human and physical systems when studying the collision of empires
- Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities
- Examine new forms of social organization and modes of production
- Examine state consolidation and imperial expansion
- Analyze causes and effects of the Renaissance and Reformation in order to discuss change and continuity over time
- Evaluate the impact of the Enlightenment in addressing social and political problems at the state and/or global level
Units 3 & 4: Industrialization and Global Integration 1750-1900
Topics studied within this unit include nation-state formation, nationalism, revolution and reform, industrialization, global capitalism, and imperialism. Students will:
- Use disciplinary and interdisciplinary lenses to understand the characteristics and causes of complex problems, instances of such problems in multiple contexts, and challenges/opportunities faced by those trying to address problems over time and place
- Evaluate the policy of imperialism in terms of intended and unintended outcomes and related consequences
- Explain why advancements in technology and investments in capital goods and human capital increase economic growth and standards of living in relation to industrialization and global capitalism
Units 5 & 6: Accelerating Global Change 1900-1950
Topics studied within this unit include World War I, League of Nations, The Great Depression (global perspective), revolution and class conflict, Totalitarianism, Nazism, Fascism, and World War II. Students will:
- Examine science and the environment in the first half of the 20th Century
- Study relevant global conflicts and their consequences
- Explore new conceptualizations of global economics, society, and culture
- Distinguish between the long-term causes and triggering events in developing a historical argument in the buildup to World War I and the Global Depression
- Evaluate the impact of economic activities and political decisions on spatial patterns within regions of the world in the buildup and aftermath of the Great War
- Distinguish between long-term and triggering events in developing a historical argument in the building to World War II
- Analyze change and continuity in historical eras with regards to revolution, class conflict, and new ideas of governing
- Analyze how social structures and cultures changed in the World War II era
Units 7 & 8: Realignments 1950-Present
Topics studied in this unit include decolonization/nation building, The Cold War, globalization, global consumerism, terrorism (patterns of resistance), economic interdependence, the United Nations and other international organizations, human rights, genocide, feminism, climate change, and sustainability. Students will:
- Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights when studying decolonization and nation building
- Describe the consequences of competition in specific markets while studying Economic Interdependence
- Explain how current globalization trends and policies affect economic growth, labor markets, rights of citizens, the environment, and resource/income distribution in different nations
- Use disciplinary and interdisciplinary lenses to understand the characteristics and causes of complex problems, instances of such problems in multiple contexts, and challenges/opportunities faced by those trying to address problems over time and place
Course Resources & Materials: World History - Grade 9-12 (Savvas/Pearson)
Date Last Revised/Approved: 2016