Course Description (Grade 10)

Major Concepts/Content: This is an integrated course for students interested in taking 10th grade Honors Social Studies and English. The course uses the chronological study of world history from 1500 to the present and covers the themes of culture, science and technology, economics, and government. The content integrates readings and writings that focus on exploring, interpreting, and analyzing literature and other readings that extend and support the world history discussions and research. The course is a demanding study of world history and literature, requiring students to understand, analyze, and interpret the connections between major historical events and the writings of the time. Critical thinking, philosophical discussion, concept attainment, vocabulary development, language usage, and research will be stressed. The development of discussion and presentation skills will focus on analysis, interpretation, and evaluation.

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will be provided using the content of World History. Students will read and critically respond to a wide spectrum of challenging literary selections that mirror the cultures, themes and times of the period from 1500 to the present. Students will conduct in-depth research on topics relative to major historical events, people, and regions. Many of the learning activities will culminate in shared products for Social Studies and English.


Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will participate in various types of assessments: vocabulary tests, essay tests, research projects and presentations, group activities, oral and written reports, numerous formal writings, and a culminating project that is an original production based on student research. Students will receive a grade in both English 10 and World History.

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the Honors World History and Literature course, students should be able to:

Analyze the historical development of major world problems.
Analyze a wide spectrum of world literature.
Interpret the impact of major historical events on the literature of various periods.
Evaluate the impact of major personalities on world history.
Write formal compositions that analyze, interpret, and evaluate literature, essays, speeches, commentaries, and news reports.
Compare and contrast the development of culture, science and technology, economics, and government throughout the world.
Make and critique formal and informal oral presentations.
No weight will be applied to this honor course grade. Student transcripts will indicate by course title that the student received credit in a rigorous honor course.