Global History and Geography 1 - 4
Course Syllabus
Trimester 1, 2 & 3, 2014 - 2015
Instructor: Mr. Zarrillo
A. Course Description
This full year course will prepare scholars by first covering the skills necessary to be college and career ready. This
will entail all the skills also necessary to pass with high marks the Global Regents exam and include but are not limited
to; analyzing primary source documents; creating unique arguments and defending these arguments with facts;
understanding of different historical themes and the vocabulary that is used to describe these events. The course is
scaffolding in such a way that shorter essays will eventually be used to write one/ several larger Portfolio Worthy /
College level essays.
B. Organization
Each unit will include a study of the background of the era or major historical event followed by the pertinent
vocabulary. It will be followed by a study of primary and secondary source material with a focus on personal analysis
of the documents. The unit will conclude with either a document-based or thematic essay along with a regents-type
multiple choice quiz with a focus on vocabulary.
C. Course Topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The Neolithic Revolution and Early River Valley
Civilizations
Classical Civilizations (case study: Greece)
World Religions
The Middle Ages, The Crusades, and Japanese
Feudalism
Reformation and Counter Reformation
The Renaissance and Scientific Revolution
The Enlightenment
The French Revolution and the Reign of Napoleon
Bonaparte
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Latin American Revolutions
Global Nationalism (case study: Italy and Germany)
The Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions
Global Political Revolutions
Imperialism: Africa and Asia
The Great War and the Great Depression
The Russian Revolution, World War II and the Chinese
Civil War
16. The Holocaust and Genocide
17. The Apartheid
18. The Cold War and Modern History
D: Grading Plan
75% of your grade is based upon the Subject Area Competencies, which will be used to grade your tests, and major class
projects and portfolio assignments. 25% of your grade is based upon the Personal Competencies. These will be used to grade
your attendance, homework, class work and participation in class.
1. Essays
2. Quizzes
3. Classwork
4. Homework
5. Attendance
40%
25%
10%
15%
_____
_____
10%
40% + 35% + 25% = 100%
E. Tentative Schedule
Date
Topics/ Objectives
Week 1
Neolithic Revolution, River Valley Civilizations
Week 2
Classical Civilizations; Mali, Egypt, China, Greece
Week 3
Classical Civilizations; Mali, Egypt, China, Greece
Week 4
World Religions
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
The Middle Ages, the Crusades and Japanese Feudalism.
The Reformation and Counter Reformation
Folders/ Online Accounts. The Renaissance and Scientific Revolution
Major Assignment
DBQ analysis and Essay Outline
Greek Perspective Essay
Multiple Choice Test
Group Project on Religions. Essay arguing
which religion impacts greatest the lives of
followers.
Vocabulary Quiz. DBQ Questions
Multiple Choice Test
Document-based Questions and Essay
Week 8
Week 9
Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment
French Revolution and Napoleon
Week 10
Latin American Revolutions and Global Nationalism (Germany & Italy)
Week 11
Agricultural and Industrial Revolution
Week 12
Political Revolutions: Communism, Socialism, Totalitarianism, etc.
Week 13
Imperialism: Asia and Africa
Week 14
Midterm Exam
Week 15
Week 16
The Great War and the Great Depression
The Russian Revolution, World War II, and the Chinese Civil War
Week 17
The Holocaust and Genocide
Week 18
The Apartheid
Week 19
The Cold War and Modern History
Week 20
Final Exam
Group Project, Short Answer Quiz 1.
Vocabulary Quiz 2. 2-page comparison
essay on King Louis XVI and Napoleon.
2-3 pages compare and contrast Essay on
Revolutionary and Nationalist figures.
Vocabulary Quiz 3. Argumentative paper
on effects of Industrial Revolution.
Compare and Contrast Essay on
Communism vs. Capitalist countries.
Vocabulary Quiz 4.
Essay on Shaka Zulu, DBQ Essay on
Imperialism.
PWA Thematic Essay on Leaders.
Vocabulary Quiz 5.
Political Cartoons and Vocabulary Quiz 6.
Essay on the Atomic bomb and its effect on
the world (both politically and
environmentally).
Essay comparing Schindler and Paul
Rusesabagina.
Movie Review and Analysis. Essay
Comparing the Apartheid with anther
group who’s human rights are being
violated (current!).
Group Project on Cold War Conflicts. Essay
discussing the merits of Korean and
Vietnam Wars.
PWA Thematic Essay on Human Rights
Violations