This course focuses Europe's influence on the development of western culture. Continuing chronologically where the 7th grade Western Civilization course concluded, this course will examine the impact of Europe's history on the American political, social and economic systems. Major topics will include European geography, emergence of the market economy, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the evolution of parliamentary government, industrialization, the French Revolution, nationalism and World War I and its impact on the 20th century. Main topics include geography, western expansion, industrialism, immigration, and the emergence of the U.S. as a world power, and the boom and bust of the 1920's. Examples of local and Pennsylvania history are used throughout the course to explain the changes in this time period.
Special attention is given to skills development, reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Continuing chronologically where the eighth grade course ended, this course covers the time period from 1865 - 1932. Major topics include industrialism and economic development, immigration, reform movement, emergence of the United States as a world power, the boom and the collapse of the 1920's and the impact of this period on later history. A major objective is the attempt to help students understand contemporary society by illustrating its origins. Examples of local and Pennsylvania history are used in order to demonstrate this connection. Using the foundation established in 7th grade Western Civilization 1, this course develops the major themes of the western world from the late middle ages to the present century.