Social Studies Curriculum Progression

Please note that Social Studies courses do not start until 10th grade.

World History

This is a college prep survey course in World History with a scope and sequence that includes both western and non-western cultures and societies to the present. The coverage of this course extends from the late Middle Ages to the Cold War. Students will study this vast scope by reading actively and creatively, evaluating historical evidence with primary and secondary source documents, analyzing visual sources, interpreting data, and recognizing points of view and bias. The purpose of the course is to explore the development of the cultures and societies that preceded our own—to better understand where our modern world developed and how global communities have changed and/or continued over time. 

Students successfully completing this course will:

• Know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to the time periods we study.
• Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to history in the form of charts, graphs, tables, maps, etc.
• Be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum.

 

Advanced World History 

This course is a survey of World History with a scope and sequence that includes both Western and non-Western cultures and societies through the modern era. The content covered extends from the late Middle Ages to the Cold War. 

Students will explore this broad scope by reading actively and creatively, evaluating historical evidence using primary and secondary sources, analyzing visual materials, interpreting data, and recognizing point of view and bias. As this is an Advanced level course, students will also engage in historical writing and will continue to refine the historical thinking and analytical skills that students are expected to have developed before coming into this class. This covers the same time period as College Prep World History, but students will be required to write at a higher level and higher frequency. Students in Advanced World History should expect less direct teaching of facts and more time spent on higher level analytical questions of historical events. Though they will still be responsible for knowing and understanding historical events, more of this knowledge must come from their reading of required textbook materials. 

The purpose of the course is for students to examine the development of cultures and societies that preceded the modern world in order to better understand how contemporary global communities developed and how they have changed and/or continued over time.

Students successfully completing this course will:

• Know and understand significant facts, concepts, and theories related to global history

• Analyze and interpret historical data in the form of maps, charts, graphs, tables, and other visual sources

• Critically evaluate theories and perspectives, assess point of view and bias, apply historical concepts appropriately, and make interdisciplinary connections

• Develop writing skills relevant to historiography (the writing of history), including constructing and supporting a coherent thesis or argument

 

Honors World History

Honors World History is the highest-level World History class at Charlotte Catholic. Students must undergo a selection process including consideration of their English 9 grade, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing PSAT scores, and overall GPA. It is reserved for the strongest students who are comfortably managing a heavy workload and managing multiple assignment deadlines. 

Deadlines for assignments are often given days and even weeks in advance, so students must plan their work and manage their time to be successful in this class. The purpose of this course is to not only teach students about the general themes in World History, but also to prepare students for their U.S. History classes that they will take junior year. While completion of this course does not guarantee placement into Advanced Placement United States History the following year, many of the skills taught in Honors World History are needed for successful completion of AP U.S. History. Even if you’re not going into AP U.S. History, these skills will help you in future classes. 

The course covers four different time periods from 900 through the late 1900's. The course starts with a short review of Ancient World focusing on religions, empires, and introductory skills. From there we’ll begin with early China (approx. 900 CE) and finish with the Cold War (1991). We will focus heavily on thinking and writing skills so assigned reading is imperative. This is not a Euro-centric class meaning while students will learn European History, they will also learn a great deal about Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Students will be learn to write three types of essays:

1. Continuity and Change-Over-Time (CCOT)
2. Comparative (CC)
3. Causation

Students will also learn the foundations of Document Based Question (DBQ) Essay. Students are expected to use all the grammar and mechanical rules learned in English.

This class entails a heavy workload. A pacing-guide with all test dates is provided on Canvas. A detailed syllabus will be posted on Canvas at the beginning of each topic. Students are responsible for keeping track of when assignments are due and ensuring they are turned in on time.