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World History
Instructor: Jamie Oleson
Curriculum Guide (PDF)

Welcome to Online World History!
As we explore World History, we will be looking at the development of the world from the Renaissance to the turn of the 20 th century through the viewpoint of an explorer on a journey at sea.  We’ll analyze the history of the world as a place where people, ideas, and societies continually change.  Also, the class will explore how ideas grow, evolve, and spread to create our present world.

It is a story that will take the people of the world from an agrarian culture to one of industrialization. Europeans jump to the lead in a race for dominance in trade and influence in the world.  Countries are formed for the first time, uniting peoples of similar languages and cultures in a way not known since the Roman Empire. 

Through all of this, you, the student, will be exploring and finding historical treasures.  You will discover ideas and ways of life that are foreign to your world. Your journey in this course will end with knowledge about the peoples and cultures that have come before you.  Your historical predecessors will hand off the exploration and innovation to you, and allow you to carry the torch for a new generation.

Syllabus

Semester One

Unit 1: Assembling a Crew: Skills for the Journey

Social Studies Skills

  • Familiarity with online format
  • Map Parts
  • Location of continents, countries, cities
  • What concepts and guidelines you will need for this class (journey)

Unit 2: Set Sail

Global Expansion and Encounter

  • European dominance
  • Religions and governments
  • European Mercantilism
  • Origin and development of world cultural centers and their aggressive tendencies to expand.

Unit 3: What happens on the ship after we start our journey!

Age of Revolution (1750-1920)

  • Purpose of modern government (Locke, Hobbes)
  • The Enlightenment
  • Causes and outcomes of major Revolutions (Europe and Asia, technological, social, economic, political and Latin America)
  • Industrial Revolution

Course Goals
In order to successfully complete the online World History Course, some goals have been established for high achievement.  A student in the course will be expected to be able to do the following:

A. Become Proficient in BlackBoard
The BlackBoard format for our course has been set-up to help students become successful in learning.  In order to do well in Spokane School District's online classes, a student must use trial and error to learn the nuances of BlackBoard.  The student should take some time to surf through the site, and get familiar and comfortable with the features of BlackBoard before they begin the actual coursework.  Familiarity with the navigation of the site will allow for a pleasant learning experience!

B.  Complete Assignments on a Consistent and Timely Basis 
Students enrolled in World History must work on a consistent basis, turning in 2 assignments a week and completing a discussion board assignment once every two weeks.  Consistency of work at a high level will lead to success for any student in this course.  Also, students will need to contact the teacher once a week for clarification, grade checks and questions.

C.  Demonstration of Critical Thinking
The World History online course is not designed for rote memorization.  Students will be asked to think critically in their coursework, with probing questions designed to facilitate a higher level of thought in the classroom.  Students should be able to create and answer some of these questions themselves as they proceed through our journey in the course. 

D.  Understand the Process of Change and its Role in Human History
There are only a few themes that remain constant throughout history, and one that we will explore in-depth is change.  Whether it be a violent revolution, a new technology, or a scientific discovery, change is a never-ending part of human history.  We will be analyzing change, looking at what causes it, as well as how it affects human society to new places.  We will also discuss change in a modern context, using the past to help bring present situations into a new light for students.

E.  Facilitate Student Self-Discovery of World History
Students interested in World History are encouraged to take an important step in education, self-discovery.  Our young historians will be able to search for their own important parts of history in this course.  Every topic that we address in World History will have an abundance of subtopics that a student can explore.  The students enrolled in this course will be encouraged to explore the sub-topics of their choosing, enriching their experience in this class. 

Course Materials

  • SASinSchool (provided by SVL)
  • United Streaming (provided by SVL)

Course Policies:

Grading Policy

100-90*           A
89-80               B
79-70               C
69-65               D
64-Below         F

*Note: All grades .5 and higher will be rounded up to the next grade.  Example: 89.7 = 90 (A)

Academic Integrity :
It is the responsibility of the student to uphold the highest in academic integrity. Students in this course will be expected to comply with the official Spokane District 81 Policy regarding Academic Integrity. It is the assumption of the instructor that all work is done by the student.

District Computer/Network Usage:
Careful and ethical use of computing resources is the responsibility of every user. Students will be held to a stand of accountability for how they use computers. The official District Acceptable Use Policy is found here (PDF).

Make-up Exam Policy
 Make-up exams need to be arranged through communication between the student and teacher.