History 12

1. History 12 K.J. Benoy Fall Semester

2. Welcome to My World • Congratulations on selecting one of the most challenging and rewarding courses in high school. • History 12 is the reason I became a teacher.

3. Texts • You will work with three main text books this year: Tony Howarth, Twentieth Century History. Neil Demarco, The World This Century. Brian Catchpole, A Map History of the Modern World. You will read each from cover to cover.

4. Course Outline • Units are specified in the Ministry of Education’s IRP • see at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/history12_2006.pdf • The Study of History • Conflict and Challenge : The World of 1919 • Promise and Collapse : 1919-1933 • Turmoil and Tragedy : 1933-1945 • Transformation and Tension : 1945-1963 • Progress and Uncertainty : 1963-1991

5. The Final Exam • You will write either the Provincial exam (worth 40%) or a class final exam (worth 20%). You must elect to do one or the other prior to the end of classes. All students will write a final exam. • We will cover all curricular areas. • Sutherland students traditionally do better than the provincial and district average on the final exam.

6. Final Exam – Table of Specifications • Given the weight of the final exam, the best outline to follow in studying this course is the exam specification booklet. It can be accessed at: • http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/specs/grade12/hi/ at the handout.

7. Teaching Style • To cover everything, I use the most time-efficient teaching method to do so. I lecture in most classes. • This will also acclimatize you to the method of instruction used at college and university. • Though I post all work and even base lecture notes online – you mustdevelop your own note-taking skills. Writing your own notes is essential in remembering information! • Sutherland students moving on to University History are generally quite successful.

8. Your Responsibility • You must take concise notes in each class. • You will be given a plan at the start of each unit. • You must complete all work in the time given. You should try to keep roughly to the suggested schedule. This work will be handed in at the end of the unit and graded for completion and quality. • You will also have to write up to four essays. (more later.) • You will complete BIG unit tests at the end of each unit – often 100+ marks.

9. Unit Work • At the start of each unit readings, questions and other work will be assigned. A written outline of all work is provided and is available online at my blogsite & website. • You will be given page numbers from each of the three texts. • Web-site suggestions will be given. Consider these starting points for web research. • You should complete paragraph and longer answers to questions given. • Only the final deadline is firm. You budget time within this. Work is not checked daily. • Do not plagiarize!

10. Plagiarism • Plagiarism is an academic crime! • If it is detected in any work, you will be punished severely. • You will likely receive a zero on the assignment. • A letter will be sent home, to the principal, to the grade counselor and to your G-4 file (permanent school record). • At university plagiarism can result in expulsion.

11. Unit Tests • Expect unit tests to be in the 80+ mark range. These will consist of. • Multiple Choice questions (in the style of the provincial final). • Paragraph responses. • Sometimes essay questions may be given. • You may also be given short quizzes from time to time. This happens infrequently.

12. Essay Writing • Essay writing is the most important academic tool in the humanities – and is also significant in the sciences. • Three essays will be of the take-home variety. One will be written in-class, but with out of class preparation. • Essays are marked according to the Provincial exam rubric. • Graded out of 6 for composition. • Graded out of a multiple of 6 for content.

13. Bonus – Glossary Assignment • If you wish, you may also complete a bonus assignment worth up to 5% of your class mark. • This involves creating a glossary of historical terms. • This must be set up in chapters according to the units we study. • You should also include at least one illustration or map on each page. • An introductory paragraph must begin the assignment, and a bibliography must be included at the end.

14. Mark Postings • You can check your marks regularly on the front left wall – above the microwave. • All marks are cumulative and transparent. I do not employ bins or weight assignments differently to their assigned mark. • Marks are posted by student number and are updated after each mark is recorded. Check regularly to ensure that no errors exist in your marks.

15. Conclusion • This is one of the most challenging courses offered in grade 12 – particularly as it must be completed in a single semester. • It is also one of the most rewarding.

16. Conclusion • History helps us understand the world around us. • Historical knowledge is applicable in most fields. • Philosophers, Lawyers, Scientists, Businessmen and all other professionals need a grounding in history. • Non-professionals also need such knowledge – to ensure that they are not mere lambs, led to slaughter by others.

17. Conclusion • Work hard and find success in History 12 and I guarantee you will have the tools to succeed in post-secondary studies. • You will also be a more informed and interesting person.