Students study the rise of the nation state in Europe, the French Revolution, and the economic and political roots of the modern world. They study the origins and consequences of the Industrial Revolution, 19th century political reform in Western Europe, and imperialism in Africa, Asia, and South America. They will explain the causes and consequences of the great military and economic events of the past century, including World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and the Russian and Chinese revolutions. Finally, students will study the rise of nationalism and the continuing persistence of political, ethnic, and religious conflict in many parts of the world. An emphasis is placed on the development of reading and listening skills in addition to the writing of paragraphs and essays. Cooperative learning and alternative active learning strategies are stressed. Students must register for two sequential semesters of this course (Part I and Part II) in Grade 9 and for one semester of this course (Part III) in Grade 10.

(These courses qualify for the G.L.O.B.A.L Citizenship Program)