TECHBOSTON ACADEMY

Course Syllabus 2016-2017

Teacher: Khelmon Bethel

Subject: World History 2: The Rise of the Nation State to the Present
Textbook: Modern World History Textbook Replacement Cost: $85
Website: Google Classroom
Email: kbethel@bostonpublicschools.org

Course Description:

Students study the rise of the nation state in Europe, the French Revolution, and the economic
and political roots of the modern world. They study the origins and consequences of the Industrial
Revolution, 19th century political reform in Western Europe, and imperialism in Africa, Asia, and
South America. They will explain the causes and consequences of the great military and
economic events of the past century, including World War I, the Great Depression, World War II,
the Cold War, and the Russian and Chinese revolutions. Finally, students will study the rise of
nationalism and the continuing persistence of political, ethnic, and religious conflict in many parts
of the world. The course will involve study through project-based learning, which will include
internet-based research, class presentations, cooperative learning activities, and reading and
writing assignments. All assignments will involve integration of technology. We will be using
Publisher, Adobe and Google Classroom (with its integration of Google Drive)

Class Schedule
World History 2
C Block
D Block
E Block
F Block

Class Materials

Each student will need to purchase a single subject spiral bound notebook (to be used only for
History class), a pen, and tape/glue/stapler.

Instructional Objectives

Major topics covered throughout the year:

1. The Growth of the Nation State in Europe
2. Industrial Revolution and Social and Political Change in Europe, 1800-1914
3. Asian, African, and Latin American History in the 19th and early 20th Centuries
4. The Great Wars, 1914-1945
5. The Cold War Era
6. The Contemporary World 1989-2001

Key questions include:

What is human dignity?
Can the people be trusted to govern themselves?
What is the nature of power? How can it be used positively and negatively?

Instructional Strategies
In conjunction with the Boston Public Schools Curriculum Office, we will be using the History
Alive Curriculum as the basis for instruction. In addition, technology will be an integral part of
class instruction and assessment.

Technology Integration

Most assignments will be completed and submitted using the Google Classroom platform.
Participation and classroom habits will be tracked using ClassDojo.

Required Student Products

1. Interactive Notebook: Completion of an Interactive Notebook is mandated by the

Boston Public Schools. Each notebook will be assessed and graded at the end of each
term.
2. Projects: Short and long term projects will be assigned as a culminating assessment to
each topic or theme studied.

Assessment/Grading Policy

Assessment of student progress is as follows: Percentage of Term Grade

Portfolio (Interactive Notebook) 15%

Assessments 35%
Classwork 20%
Homework 15%
Participation 15%

Student and Parent Signatures

I understand the objectives, expectations, and other information included in this syllabus.

Student Signature: _________________________________ Date: ___________

Parent / Guardian: _________________________________ Date: ___________

* This must be signed and returned to the teacher.