Central Catholic Jr. Sr.

High School

World History & Mr. Braden Vorhees

Civilization bvorhees@lcss.org • Room 302

High School World History • 2023-24

Course description
In this course, you will be learning about the history of
our Earth through the lens of the world’s greatest
civilizations. We will examine geographical locations,
maps, historical contexts, & the greater significance
(importance) of each civilization & how our lives are
affected in the modern-day.
Course objectives
In this course, we will be following the World History
Indiana State Standards for each unit & chapter that we
cover. You will find these on the Weekly Agenda. By the
time we finish this course, you should be able to create
inferences & utilize critical thinking skills via primary
source/case study material, have an understanding of
the larger scope of the world (including the significance
of great historical events, exposure to culture, &
analyzing civilizations in greater detail than ever before).
Materials Needed
-MacBook (Fully-Charged w/ charger)
-1 - 150 Sheet Package (College Ruled) Filler Paper
-1 - Spiral Notebook (College-Ruled)
-Art Supplies (Markers, Scissors, Colored Pencils, etc.)
-Folder
Grading Scale
Your grade is weighted in this class across homework,
participation, quizzes, tests, & projects. For each
quarter, that is 42.5% of your total grade. At the end of
each semester, you will take a cumulative final exam
worth 15% of your grade. Thus:
● Quarter 1/3: 42.5%
● Quarter 2/4: 42.5%
● Semester Final Exam: 15%
This creates a total of 100% for your semester grade.
Here is the Jr/Sr. High Grading Scale:
Classroom Expectations
Seating Rules/Tardiness: For the beginning of the school year,
you will be given a seat according to a seating chart; this policy
is to help me memorize names & get to know people! After a
couple of weeks, I will open up the seating arrangement & let
you all sit where you like. You will receive a tardy if you are
late to class.
Homework/Late Work Policy: I expect homework to be turned
in on time, on the expected due date at the expected time. If
you have any issue whatsoever, please communicate with me…
I’m more than willing to accept late work, but only if you can
communicate. If homework is late without receiving any such
communication (i.e. unexcused), it will automatically receive a
25% deduction the first day & an additional 10% each day after
that. After a week & no communication, I will note on
Schoology whether or not I am accepting it anymore.
Incomplete work will be given a zero.
Cheating/Plagiarism: Don’t do it. If you think it’s cheating or
plagiarism, it probably is. That said, if you are worried and/or
have been caught cheating, talk with me. I’m willing to resolve
issues as long as communication is present. Consequences for
cheating will be determined by me if/when it occurs. Typically
these consequences include an automatic zero, a conversation,
& a referral to the principal. Just don’t do it--it’s not worth it.
Communication: If you or your parent/guardian needs to
contact me, feel free to email me at bvorhees@lcss.org or send
me a Schoology message (which is much easier to do). If
parents would like to have a meeting with me, please make
sure the student is also present. Communication between all
parties is very important & keeps us all on the same page!

A 96-100 Electronics/Cell Phones: Cell phones are not permitted into

A- 90-95
the classroom. The only device you need is your MacBook on a
B+ 87-89
B 83-86 daily basis. It is used every single day that we’re here.
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79 Other Thoughts: Always come into class with an open mindset,
C 73-76 be proactive, and be prepared to learn. Social Studies is unique
C- 70-72 in that we’re studying human (social) interactions throughout
D+ 67-69 the world, whether that’s through history or modern-day
D 63-66 geography. We use Social Studies as a lens to better understand
D- 60-62
our place on this Earth. Let’s make the best of it!
F 00-59
Topics Covered (Give or Take a Few)
Early Humans: Mesopotamia
We will take a look at the earliest humans of our world. Early humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers, but as they
developed agricultural skills, they settled & formed their first civilizations along fertile river valleys.

Egypt
We will examine the rise of the Egyptian kingdoms. We will be taking a look at the social structure under that of the
pharaoh, learning about early forms of government used by the Egyptians, & examining life in Ancient Egypt
(including Egyptian accomplishments & contributions to the greater world).

Greece
We will learn about the geography of Greece & the rise of its city-states. We will see the results of these city-states as new
political ideas & culture emerge through them; these ideas influencing both the ancient world & future civilizations.

Rome
We will learn about the great Roman Empire. During its republic & early empire, Rome gradually conquered,
controlled, and influenced the culture of the entire Mediterranean world. We will analyze the creation of the
Roman Republic government & society, along with examining their significant achievements & the impact they had
on the modern world.

The Middle Ages

We will study European social, political, economic, & religious institutions and cultural and intellectual phenomena
in the light of the changing historical environment from the end of the Ancient World (Rome) to the Renaissance.
We will examine major milestones from roughly 300 to 1500 AD. Special emphasis includes the importance of the
Crusades, development of the Mediterranean as an important venue for the exchange of goods and ideas, and
changes in medieval military organization, strategy, and technology.

Islamic Empires
We will examine the history of Islam as it spread across Arabia to Persia and India in the east. The period under study will begin
with the high point of Islamic expansion under the Umayyad and Abbasid empires and then focus on the period of transition and
fragmentation that followed. We will also look at the development and exchange of ideas, technological innovations, spread of
material culture/science and learning, the role of women/religious minorities, and the place of art.

The Renaissance
We will learn about Western Europe (specifically Italy) from 1350 to 1600. We will examine the political, military, and social
events surrounding the “rebirth” of classical knowledge & artistic expression in Italy known as the Renaissance. This unit also
traces the movement of the Renaissance northward, focusing on the coming Reformation era. In the last part of the unit, we will
study the Protestant & Catholic Reformations to include how the Reformations affected the growth of the modern nation-state.

The Scientific Revolution

This topic traces the evolution of ideas about nature, and how best to study and explain natural phenomena, beginning in ancient
times (Rome/Greece) and continuing through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Scientific Revolution emphasized
experimentation as the most valid research method. It resulted in developments in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and
chemistry. These developments transformed the views of society about nature.

The Age of Exploration

We will examine the “Age of Exploration.” It was a period from the early 15th century and continuing into the early 17th century,
during which European ships traveled around the world to search for new trading routes and partners, “discovering” the new
lands of the Americas. The Age of Exploration was rooted in new technologies and ideas growing out of the Renaissance, these
included advances in cartography, navigation, and shipbuilding.

The Enlightenment
The Scientific Revolution of the 16th & 17th centuries led to 18th-Century doubts about religion & optimism about progress
based on "enlightenment," or reason. If science could share the secrets of nature, perhaps the same methods could be used in
economics and politics. The resulting conflict between new ideas & ancient inequities led to political revolutions in America &
France, and to cultural revolutions in industry, literature, philosophy, and the arts. We will look at prominent writers, thinkers, and
artists of the time.