Learning Recommendations: Students considering this course should be skilled at critically reading various text formats; critically thinking regarding responses; able to fluently write a five paragraph essay; able to share responses in a large and small group format; and be willing to do independent research.
General Description: Honors Civics/World History 1 Block is a yearlong combination course that integrates Social Studies and English curriculums in an examination of the history and development of diverse global cultures and the U.S. political system. The first semester will be focused on studying U.S. Civics to prepare students to fulfill their role as citizens in a globally connected democratic society. We will examine the development and operation of the U.S. Constitutional system, examine the individual’s roles and responsibilities, identify issues at the local, state and national level, and debate the actions and ideas behind U.S. foreign policy. We will also study the economic and political systems of select Asian nations to bring a comparative approach to our examination of political and economic systems, as well as an analysis of specific rights and freedoms. Second semester will study causes of continuity and change in civilizations, religions, technology and society in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.The course focuses on critical thinking, persuasive expression, essay writing, note taking, research, and other relevant skills.
Content:
1st Semester
- Analyze key civic principles (individual vs. collective rights, democratic principles, foreign policy, etc.)
- Compare and contrast diverse political systems
- Examine the history and functioning of the U.S. Constitutional system
- Identify issues at national, state, and local levels
- Analyze the benefits and limitations of different economic systems
- Analyze how economic choices by one group impact the global community
2nd Semester
- Focus on historical, geographic, economic events and concepts in non-European regions and cultures
- Compare and analyze how ideas in different times and places bring about continuity, conflict and change
- Develop map and chart skills to aid in understanding key issues of geography
- Analyze historical instances of cultural interaction and conflict
- Analyze the impact of technology on cultures
Strategies: The approaches taken in this course should include, but not be limited to, collaborative and/or cooperative learning groups, inquiry-based instruction, project-based learning experiences, and direct instruction formats such as lectures.
Equipment to be provided by Student: USB memory stick (thumb drive) recommended
The Washington State Technology Standards addressed in the Civics course include:
The Washington State Technology Standards addressed in the World History 1 course include: