Social Studies 8 Course Outline
Teacher: Ms. von Bremen
Email: kvonbremen@sd19.bc.ca
Blog: vonbremensocials.blogspot.com
Room 205
Course Summary:
The goal of Social Studies is to help students become thoughtful, responsible, articulate, active and informed citizens who are able to acquire the necessary information to have an informed opinion on issues and can back up their ideas. Students will work on considering different points of view and making reasoned judgements from the information they gather. Social Studies 8 will also focus on communicating information clearly in various forms from written to oral. In order to become active, informed citizens it requires practice and experience, welcome to class!
In Social Studies 8 we will look at a variety of ideas and topics through six historical thinking concepts/lenseswhich include:
-historical significance
-evidence
-continuity & change
-cause & consequence
-perspective
-ethical judgement
We will look at the following subject matter/contentto help us better understand and practice all of the above skills:
A. Geography of the world, with a focus on Europe.
B. The Roman Empire & Age of the Vikings and their role in the Dark Ages/Middle Ages
C. 500-1200- Europe’s Early and High Middle Ages
-including the feudal system, the role of the church, medieval law, Crusades and
and Royal power
D. 1100-1400- Europe’s Late Middle Ages
-including knighthood, chivalry, the emergence of towns and trade, women’s role in society and the Black Death
E. 1400-1700- European Renaissance
-geographical and historical conditions, City-States, art and architecture, Humanism, Printing Press, Scientific Revolution, Protestant Reformation and early European Exploration, Imperialism and Colonialism.
F. Current Events
What you need to be successful:
-a good attitude
-come to class prepared and ready to work
-bring texts, notebook & writing utensils, be organized and stay organized!
-participate and be present in class
-be respectful of yourself and others
-complete homework and assignments to the best of your ability
-ask for help
-turn off and put away cell phones/music devices, unless they are being used for educational purposes under the teacher’s direction. Responsible use in an educational form!
***Act on teacher feedback and better your assignment, your understanding and your grade, often!
***Agendas need to be in class daily to update homework
***-if you are away, stay up to date on teams - email me if you have questions about what you are supposed to be doing
Late Assignments:
“Stuff happens”. If you are reasonable, I will be reasonable. Bottom line: I’m a reasonable person however once an assignment has been handed back the maximum mark you may receive is 50%. Plagiarism and Cheating will result in a zero, a serious conversation and sometimes a learning opportunity.
Assessment:
To be announced. We are changing our reporting order, so this will affect how you are assessed. More information as it happens.
