Mr.Ballou's Honors World History Page

Brief Course Description

This Honors World History course studies the history of the world by looking at politics, art, society, economics, and religion of cultures from the European Renaissance to the present.  It develops skills in study and analysis of world history from the late 18th century through the present, including causes and consequences of the two world wars. The background study of world cultures, religion and earlier movements which also shape the modern world may be augmented to the curriculum.

 I am glad to see that you have signed up to take Honors World History next year.  As you are no doubt aware, taking an honors course is quite challenging in terms of workload and intellectual rigor.  The final decision to take Honors World History should not be made in haste, but with consideration of all the relevant factors.

 

Two terms—motivated & qualified— I will not use lightly.  It is essential that you ask yourself whether you are right for Honors World History, but it is also necessary for you to ask whether the course is right for you.  As with all challenging tasks, Honors World History will force you to ask tough questions of yourself at times during the school year, forcing you to consider why you chose to take this particular course.  Make sure that when you ask these questions of yourself next year, you will be ready with a straightforward, honest answer.

Intrinsic motivation is something that every student should possess in order to succeed in Honors World History.  There is very little even the best teachers can do to truly motivate a student in an honors or AP class.  The workload & rigor of such courses usually overwhelm artificial forms of motivation.  Good teachers can, however, aid in the development of the skills & qualities necessary for a course such as Honors World History.  Below are the skills & qualities of a successful history student.  Developing these will be a major element of Honors World History, but students entering the course should be well on their way in each of the categories below:

Each Honors World History Student:

  • Must be self-motivated, self-directed & self-disciplined in approaching this history course.
  • Must be willing to keep up with the reading load & read with a purpose, mastering both the factual & analytical content of the material.
  • Must have basic library & research skills in order to navigate the many sources of information available.
  • Must be willing to consider & develop an understanding of the concepts of geography, environment, economy, social organization & government in world history.
  • Must be willing to subject all historical assumptions to analysis, interpreting & drawing conclusions from historical data within a chronological framework.
  • Must be willing & able to take a position on a multitude of historical subjects, formulating effective oral & written arguments based on evidence & logic.

 

If you possess the above skills & qualities, and more importantly are motivated to develop them further, then Honors World History is the course for you.