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Unit 1: In the Beginning

This Unit will begin September 3rd and end October 31st

An emphasis will be placed on the basic institutions of civilizations and the key components of cultures by stressing the similarities existing in all. The student will become aware of different civilizations/cultures from around the world. Unit I introduces civilization as geography, history, culture, art, science, technology, economics, government and citizenship.

Critical Questions:

  • Which geographical vocabulary and mapping concepts are critical for world studies?
  • What are the components of culture and civilizations?
  • What types of governments exist in the world?
  • How do economic indicators help us to compare civilizations?

This unit will cover all aspects of world cultures. The student will get an overview of Culture, Geography, Government, and Economics. They will take this information and apply it to each of the following units.

 

Assignments due for this Unit

               1. Bushman of the Kalahari Culture Performance Task

 

 

 

Unit 2- The Americas

This Unit will begin October 31st and end December 21st

 
This unit will focus on the relationship between the U.S. and its neighbors. Governments, economic policies, and natural resources will be compared. The history and culture of the people of the Americas will be examined. Special attention will be given to the concept of migration with an emphasis on why people move and the effects of that movement

Critical Questions:

  • How does a society reflect its cultural heritage?
  • How and why do people and ideas move and what is the impact of this movement?
  • What happens when one culture interacts with another?
  • How is the history of the Americas evident in our culture today?

1. Look at Migration and Immigration in the Americas

2. Identify Push and Pull factors of migration and immigration

 

Unit 3- Europe

This Unit will begin January 7th and end on March 30th

This unit will examine how Europe has influenced the world politically. Students will compare how Europeans have adapted to regional geographical features. They will examine the recent developments of the European Union and the adoption of the Euro.

Critical Questions:

  • What factors contribute to population distribution in the European regions?
  • What are the affects of human adaptations on the environment?
  • What are the historical connections to our current political systems?
  • How do cultural characteristics differ from region to region

Agenda

1. Identify important European Countries

2. Design a Travel Brochure

3. Define and Identify Adaptation, Modification, and Change

4. Identify historical origins of Democracy and Republic

5. Compare and Contrast Limited and Unlimited Government

6. Identify ways to organize governments (one, few, and many)

7. Review Economic terms discussed in Unit 1

8. Analyze economic indicators

Southwest Asia

( this unit will begin March 31 and end May 2)

This unit focuses on the geography, culture, and history of the Middle East: (Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Yemen, Turkey, Qatar) The students examine the three world religions originating in the Middle East: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity and their present dominance in the region and throughout the world.  Students compare economic indicators for the region with those found in other countries, the importance of Middle Eastern oil and current causes of Middle Eastern conflict.

Enduring Understandings:

·        People, events, and issues from the past influence the present and the future.

·        Relationships among people, places, and environments result in geographic patterns on Earth’s surface.

·        The physical geography of a place helps shape the culture of that place.

·        Our personal point of view affects how we perceive historical events.

·        Conflict is an inevitable result of human interaction.

 

Essential Questions:

·        How do historic events shape individuals and groups of people?

·        Is conflict an inevitable result of human interaction?

·        How are conflicts resolved?

·        How do cultures and ones personal beliefs determine what is worth fighting for/over?

·        How does your political neighborhood affect how you behave?

·        What effect does diffusion have on cultures and societies?

 

Topical Essential Questions:

  • What is the history of the Middle east; land, oil, water?
  • How do the natural resources of the region affect the people's way of life?
  • What are the similarities and differences between the three major world religions?
  • How does the geography, history and culture of the Middle East lead to present day conflict?

 Agenda

1. Culture and Geography using maps, graphs, and charts

2. Conflict with relation to war, oil, desertification, and water

3. Research and country comparison

4. 3 major monotheistic religions

 

Unit IV - Russia, A Region in Transition

 

This Unit will begin May 5th and end on May 22nd

 

Current changes in the Russian government and economics are the focus of this unit. Students explore the costs and benefits of changing from the Communist Soviet Union to the Russian Republic as well as changing from a command to a market economy.  Students examine the struggles faced by the Russian people due to political and economic change and Russian cultural contributions in art, literature, music and science.

 

Enduring Understandings:

·        People create systems of government as well as structures of power and authority to provide order and stability.

·        Changes in a government have ripple effects on the economic system and on the citizens.

·        Government and Economic systems change in response to each others’ needs.

·        Personal identity is shaped by one’s culture, by groups, and by institutional influences.

 

Essential Questions:

·        How does where you live help define and shape your culture?

·        How are governments created, structured, maintained, and changed?

·        What responsibilities do governments have to their people?

·        How are governments involved in economic decisions?

·        How does geography determine economic development?

·        How do changes in the economy and government impact our daily lives?

 

Topical Essential Questions:

  • What challenges does Russia's geography present to its citizens?
  • What challenges face Russia in moving from a command to market economy?
  • How has the change from communism to democracy affected Russia?
  • What are the science and art contributions of the Russian people?

Agenda

1. Geography of Russia

2. Transition in Government

3. Faberge Egg

 

 

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