Comparative Civilizations 12
Course
Overview
Teacher: Ms. Kaminski
Rationale:
Comparative Civilization 12 is a subject designed to provide the students with a range of experiences and skills that will facilitate their understanding of, appreciation and sensitivity to, a variety of cultures. It aims to foster an awareness of various civilizations throughout the world and their contributions to the sum of human development (pg.1).
Summary:
This course invites students to set out on a great adventure, an exploration of humanity’s potential as seen through the accomplishments of past civilizations, the present challenge facing mankind’s very survival, and the incredible vision of what it means to live responsibility as a member of an emerging global community. Keeping this in mind, students will study Ancient China, Egypt, Greece and Rome, the Islamic Middle East, Medieval Europe and the Renaissance, all within the context of culture, art, architecture and music. In studying these aspects of history students will build on several important skills such as, generating, gathering and processing information about various cultures, interpreting and evaluating primary and secondary sources, as well as generating and defending a personal point of view about culture.
Required Materials:
v 3 ring binder
v Pens
v Pencils
The following supplies may be needed for projects and assignments and should be brought to class when requested:
v Blank notebook paper, poster board
v Pencil crayons, felts
v Scissors
v Glue
Textbook:
Newman & DeGeer, Odyssey Through the Ages
Evaluation:
Term 1:
Term 2:
Homework – 30 % Homework - 30%
Tests/Quiz’s – 20 % Tests/Quiz’s - 20%
Projects – 35 % Projects - 35%
Mid Term Exam – 15 % Final Project - 15%
Course Objectives: Comparative Civilization 12 will enable students to develop the following skills:
v Generate ideas and gather and process information about cultures from a variety of sources.
v Interpret and evaluate information from artifacts, oral tradition and other primary and secondary sources.
v Generate and defend a personal point of view about culture based on research.
v Demonstrate an ability to present learning about culture in a variety of ways, including performing, designing, constructing and composing.
v Identify and apply basic skills of aesthetic inquiry to examine, interpret and compare works of art as expressions of culture.
v Demonstrate an understanding of various value systems within and among cultures.
Course Expectations:
1. It is expected that students will treat their peers, the teacher, themselves and the school with respect and courtesy.
2. Arrive to class on time and only leave when the teacher dismisses you, otherwise ask permission to leave the classroom.
3. Raise your hand to be acknowledged, don’t yell out answers – this is part of showing respect.
4. Stay on task. Do your job as a student.
5.
Bring all necessary materials to class, don’t waste time
looking for these materials or asking to go to your locker to get
them.
6.
After an absence, please present a note from your
parent/guardian regarding your absence. All work missed because
of absence must be made up. This is the responsibility of the
student.
7.
If you miss a test or presentation, you must make it up
the first class you return. No excuses.
8.
Any work not handed in on time will be subjected to a penalty
of 25% off the original mark the first day late and then 50% each
day after that. Students have two weeks from the assigned date to
hand in major projects, at the end of this period if the
assignment is not competed a mark of 0 will be given. Regular
homework assignments will receive 50% off the first day with one
week to hand the assignment in, after this a mark of 0 is given.
9.
Plagiarism – is using the work of others as if it were
your own without giving credit to the author. Students who are
found plagiarizing will be given a “0” grade for that
assignment. Plagiarism is not tolerated.
10.
Please do not eat, or drink pop in class. You may bring only
water.
If you need any help please come and see me!
I want everyone to do well and I will make time for you if you
are having problems! J
Also to aid in your success for this class I have a webpage with many links that may prove useful in class (http://www3.telus.net/EKaminski), an email address (missk100@hotmail.com) and a homework page (http://TeacherWeb.com/BC/StJohnBrebeuf/Kaminski/) . I will do my best to keep these all current and updated for you and your parents.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Introduction (September)
v
What is civilization?
v
What is culture?
v
Personal culture study
v
7 wonders of the world
Unit 2: Ancient Egypt (October)
v Mesopotamia
v Religious Beliefs
v Art and Architecture
v Daily life
Unit 3: Ancient Greece and Rome
(November/December)
v
Myths and legends
v
Great Emperors
v
Laws/ politics/ “democracy”
v
The philosophers – Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
v
Art/ architecture/ sculptures/ drama
v
Decline and fall of the Roman Empire
Unit 4: Ancient Japan (January)
v
Beliefs
v
Architecture – The Great Wall
v
Daily life and Government
Unit 5: Islamic Middle East (February)
v
Islamic culture/ art/ architecture
v
The impact of the Crusades
v
Myths and legends – “One thousand and One Arabian
Nights”.
v
Constant Turmoil
Unit 6: Medieval Europe (March)
v
Charlemagne – Growth in learning
v
Gothic tradition, architecture and art
v
The Medieval church
Unit 7: The Renaissance (April/May)
v
Humanism – “Man is the measure of all things”
v
Italy – Florence, Medici – Dramatic growth of art,
architecture and culture
v
Artists – Donatello, Boticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo,
Raphael
v
New Politics – Machiavelli, Nietzsch, Voltaire …
v The Northern Renaissance – Erasmus, Holbein, Durer, Luther (The Reformation), Montaigne, Shakespeare