CHY4U: World History (University Preparation)
PREREQUISITE: Any university, university/college preparation course in Canadian and world studies, English, or social sciences and humanities
GRADE: 12 (University)
AVAILABILITY: Spark Asher Academy Online
THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM: Canadian and World Studies
Course Overview
CHY4U online is a comprehensive course designed to explore key developments in world history from 1450 to the present. This course examines transformative events and periods such as the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution, as well as the global conflicts of the 20th century. Students will analyze social, economic, and political changes, understand the historical roots of contemporary issues, and evaluate the roles of conflict and cooperation in shaping the world. Through CHY4U online, students will enhance their skills in historical thinking and inquiry, critical analysis of evidence, and assessment of historical progress or decline.
Course Content and Structure
The course is organized into seven thematic units, each centered on a pivotal era or set of events that significantly shaped human history. These units encourage students to connect past events with current global challenges and societal developments.
UNIT ONE: The World Re-invented
Essential Question: How did innovations in science and exploration during the Renaissance shape and impact society?
- This unit focuses on the Renaissance as a period of rebirth in art, culture, and intellectual pursuits in Western Europe. Students will explore how this era set the foundation for modern science, exploration, and cultural exchanges that reshaped societies.
UNIT TWO: Contact and Conflict
Essential Question: How did contact between European explorers and Native Americans influence each other? What were the short and long term effects?
- Students will delve into the early European explorations and their encounters with Native Americans, analyzing the mutual influences and the profound long-term social, economic, and political effects of these interactions.
UNIT THREE: An Age of Enlightenment and Revolution
Essential Question: In what ways did the ideals of the Enlightenment encourage and support social change across the world?
- This unit examines the Enlightenment and subsequent revolutions, focusing on how new ideas about rights, governance, and reason led to significant social and political transformations across Europe and eventually the world.
UNIT FOUR: Industrialization, Liberalism, and Nationalism (1815-1871)
Essential Question: How did the rise of industrialism change the structure of society? What implementations during this period are relevant to us today?
- Students will study the Industrial Revolution and its effects on the social and economic structures of societies. The rise of liberalism and nationalism during this period and their lasting impacts on modern nation-states are also key focuses.
UNIT FIVE: European Hegemony (1871-1914)
Essential Question: How was the shifting political landscape in 19th century Europe a contributing factor to World War One?
- This unit covers the period leading up to World War I, exploring how political, social, and economic factors in Europe set the stage for the conflict and reshaped global alliances and structures.
UNIT SIX: The World at War (1914-1945)
Essential Question: How did international allegiances change between 1914 and 1945?
- The focus here is on the First and Second World Wars, their causes, major events, and consequences. Students will analyze the shifts in international relations and the emergence of the United States and Soviet Union as superpowers.
UNIT SEVEN: The West and the World, From 1945
Essential Question: How can we solve and navigate through modern issues such as terrorism, immigration, threat of nuclear war, social movements, etc., by investigating the past?
- This final unit examines the post-World War II era, the process of decolonization, the Cold War, and contemporary global issues. Students will assess how historical events inform current global challenges and potential solutions.
Assessment
- Coursework (70%): Evaluations throughout the course will include essays, document analyses, and multimedia presentations that assess students’ mastery of historical concepts and their ability to connect historical events to contemporary issues.
- Final Evaluation (30%): The course concludes with a major research project where students investigate a contemporary issue through a historical lens, demonstrating their ability to apply historical thinking to real-world problems.
CHY4U online not only provides students with a rich understanding of world history but also equips them with critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for responsible global citizenship and academic pursuits in history, politics, and related fields.
For more details on final exams and the exam fee, please consult to us directly via contact page. Additional information can be found in our download section in courses page.
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