Norristown Area High School
World Cultures
102
I. Course Description
World Cultures will provide students with the opportunity to develop an appreciation of the various
cultures of the world. The course progresses from the emergence of Islam in 600 AD to the present
time. This is a survey course that examines the roots and development of Europe, the Middle East,
Africa, the Americas and Asia throughout modern day history. The course investigates the factors that
shape civilizations and how different civilizations interact throughout different time periods. This
course studies the relationship between historical culture and present day issues to help students
understand the interaction and cultural influences throughout the world.
II. Materials & Equipment
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Textbook - World History – Patterns of Interaction McDougal Littell
Supplementary Materials
Technology
III. Course Goals & Objectives
World Cultures presents an overview of the world through examination of primary and secondary
sources, research skills and examining how different cultures and time periods connect to the modern
world. Students will be able to evaluate how people and societies have shaped different regions of the
world, how the distribution of wealth varies throughout the world and explain how nationalism is both
a source of unity and disunity throughout time. Students will also evaluate the formation and use of
different types of government in regions around the world. Students will examine the global economy
and the interaction between countries and people. Students will be actively engaged throughout the
course to develop critical thinking skills to gain an understanding of the global world.
IV. Assignments & Grading
Grades will be based on a combination of classwork, homework, quizzes, tests, projects and exams.
The Norristown Area School District grading system and scale will be used to determine letter grades.
V. Course Topics (Summary Outline)
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Geography
Map Skills
National/Local Geographic features
World Geographic features
Geographic vocabulary
II.
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World Religions
Islam
Christianity
Judaism
Eastern Religions – Buddhism,
Hinduism, Confucianism
Polytheistic
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III.
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Times of Change in Society and
Arts
Feudal System
Crusades
Bubonic Plague
Renaissance
Growth of towns/villages
Guilds
Reformation
Nationalism
Enlightenment
IV.
Types of Government
 Early Democratic Governments –
Greek, Roman
 The formation of Empires – Asia,
Africa, Americas and Europe
 The Rise of Absolutism
 Movement towards democratic
governments
 Modern Day governments
 Connections between different forms of
government
V.
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Imperialism
Early Civilizations
Explorations around the world
European Imperialism
Self-Rule for colonies
Modern Day Imperialism
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o Africa
o Asia
o South America
Impact of Colonization in the Modern
World
VI.
Revolutions
 Scientific Revolution
 Industrial Revolution
 Discoveries/Inventions of the 1900s
 French Revolution
 Latin America/South America
Revolutions
 Russian/Chinese Revolution
 Modern Day Revolutions
VII. Modern World Connections
 Global Conflict
 Struggles for Democracy
 Global Interdependence