World History Syllabus:
Semester 2
Mr. Kirby
Room 411
CHS
Course Description
Welcome! This course will be focusing on late 19th and early 20th century World History. World history
is about developing a worldwiew. It asks us to look for global patterns as we consider what key changes
and examples of continuity throughout history have shaped the world we live in. It is important to realize
that there are multiple paths possible; world history allows us to look at case studies through a global lens
to see how people and societies have responded to global challenges in interacting with each other and
with our environment in order to better understand the world around us.
Why Study History?
Historical knowledge is an important tool for understanding the world around us as it exists today.
Studying historical sources helps us become critical consumers of information, which is particularly
important in our age of internet access to an unlimited amount of information. Part of what makes history
relevant for any one who studies it is making connection between history and current events. With
knowledge of the past and present you will be better prepared to develop educated opinions and make
good choices in the future.
Course Texts and Materials
 The textbook for this class is Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction (Pearson).
 We will also be using a variety of other resources throughout the course.
 You will need a ½ inch three ring binder to take notes or a spiral notebook for our daily practice
activities and critical thinking responses. Some type of folder to keep handouts will also be
helpful. This binder should only be used for your World History class.
 I also recommend you bring a highlighter pen(s) to class each day.
Course Scope and Sequence
 Each unit for this class is roughly 3 weeks. The time frame for each unit is subject to change
based on the pace of the class and level of understanding of material being taught.
 A proficiency (standard based) summative assessment at the end of each unit will assess student
learning based on North Clackamas Priority Standards.
 Units of Instruction:
Unit 1: The Russian Revolution and Nationalism
Unit 2: The 1920s
Unit 3: The Great Depression
Unit 4: World War II
Unit 5: Restructuring the Postwar World
Unit 6: Unresolved problems of the Modern World
Assessment-Explanation of Proficiency
 This class is a proficiency-based teaching and learning model. This isn’t a significant shift from
traditional teaching and learning, but there are some important distinctions:
 Proficiency-based instruction and assessment is a way of teaching and reporting that
focuses on students demonstrating their learning of skills based on state and common
core standards. The primary goal is to increase transparency, to better assess and
communicate what each student knows, and to determine where each student needs to
improve.
 Grading in a proficiency model looks at a student’s skills and his or her level of
proficiency on each skill within the standards.
 Working towards proficiency- In a proficiency model, assessments are designed to provide
students with feedback-via scoring guides for each standard-and students are encouraged to learn
from assessments and continue working until proficiency is reached for each standard. This
means you can re-take assessments.
 What is proficient? To be proficient a student must demonstrate all skill and knowledge
requirements of the given standard. Each standard has a common scoring guide that will be used
for each assessment. You will receive copies of each scoring guide that we will review as a class.
Grading Scale (Also see; “Pyramid of Proficiency”):
 The grading scale for Formative (practice/homework) and Summative (tests/quizzes) is as
follows:
A (5-4.5) 100%-90% (Exceeding)
B (4) 89%-80% (Proficient)
C (3.5) 79%-70% (Progressing)
D (3) 69%-60% (Emerging)
 80% of your grade will be based on Summative Assessments
 20% of your grade will be based on Formative Assessments
Priority World History Standards for Semester Two:
HT. 12 Construct and defend a written historical argument using relevant primary and secondary sources
as evidence
RH.8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author’s claims.
WHST.2 Write informational/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific
procedures /experiments, or technical processes.
SSA 57. Define, research, and explain an event, issue, problem, or phenomenon and its significance to
society
SSA 61. Analyze an event, issue, problem or phenomenon, identifying characteristics, influences, causes
and both short- and long-term effects.
HK 1. Evaluate continuity and change over the course of world and United States history.
HK 2. Analyze the complexity and investigate causes and effects of significant events in world, U.S. and
Oregon history.
HK 4. Investigate the historical development and major scientific and technological innovations; political
thought, theory and actions; and art and literature on culture and thought.
Retakes:
 Students will have the opportunity to re-take summative assessments only; however you will need
to complete your assigned re-take requirements before you are able to do so.
 Once you have completed these requirements, you will be able to re-take assessment and keep
your highest score.
Extra Credit:
 There is no extra credit in this class. The opportunity to re-take summative assessments will take
the place of extra credit work.
Late Work:
 Most work for this class will be done in class. Homework and or projects need to be turned in on
time.
 Late work receives an automatic one grade deduction (the highest score someone could get on a
late assignment/project in other words is a 4/5-proficient).
 Assignments for each unit will not be accepted after the day of a unit summative assessment.
 Practice assignments not turned in at all are entered as a “blank” in the grade book. After the unit
exam, these ‘blanks’ become a score of”0” in Synergy.
 Summative assessments not taken by the end of the term will be entered as an automatic 2/5
(40%).
Plagiarism and Cheating:
 Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and is a matter of academic integrity. When caught,
you will receive a ZERO on the assignment and your parents and administration will be notified.
Common Sense Course Rules and Courtesies to ALL:
 Come to class on time ready to learn, problem solve and collaborate with others.
 Please refrain from any behaviors that will interfere with the teaching and learning environment.
 Technology-“off and away unless I otherwise say!”
Contact information:
 Easily, the best way to reach me is by email-Kirbym@northclack.k12.or.us
 You can also leave a message on my voicemail at: (503) 353-5800 (Ext.-38159)
Office Hours/Assessment Re-take times:
 M T TH and F: 7:30-8:30 A.M.
 Lunch and after school by appointment
 Period 3 and 7