History

IB History of the Americas HL Prerequisites: World History (honors level preferred), American Government 10

The aim of the course at the higher level will be to promote: *an ability to communicate historical knowledge; *an understanding of the present with an understanding of the past; *an acquisition and understanding of how the many different cultures found in America have impacted the United States; and *an empathy with and an understanding of people in different times.

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to: *assess and interpret historical materials for content, relevance, and validity; *evaluate, interpret and use source materials critically as historical arguments; *propose, research and write formal history papers for internal assessment; *recognize the importance of historiography when evaluating a source; and *analyze and interpret primary sources, including documents, tables, graphs, maps and pictorial evidence. Year 1 Course Description The first year of the course covers the Mexican and Russian Revolutions, political and economic developments throughout the Americas (1860-1940) and World War I.

Course Requirements:

Review File Students will begin to put together a file of note cards that are intended to help them as they study for their External Assessments taken in May of Year 2. Cards will be due at the end of each unit on or about the day of the unit exam.

Historical Investigation During the first trimester students will be required to complete a practice Historical Investigation concerning the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This is an opportunity for students to practice skills necessary for the Investigation that will be completed in year 2 as well as other areas of assessment for the exams at the end of the course. Before the end of Year 1, students will be required to complete the Investigation Pathfinder and a rough draft of Section A of their Investigation so they are prepared for more extensive research during the summer. In June between Years 1 and 2 each student will spend time doing research at the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Kansas, and/or the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri in preparation for writing the Investigation. That research will allow time to study primary and secondary sources concerning the early years of the Cold War.

Other Book report (along with oral presentation), power-point presentation (covering WW I), weekly quizzes (covering reading assignments) as well as essay based exams.

=** Year 2 **= Course Description This year of History of the Americas will provide the student with a survey of the United States, Latin American and Canadian history focusing on the U.S. from World War II through the end of the Cold War. In addition, a special emphasis will be placed on Cuba from 1921-1992. The rise of dictators prior to WW II will also be covered.

Course Requirements

Review File Student will continue to add note cards to their review file that will be handed in for evaluation at the end of each unit on or about the day of the unit exam. These cards are intended to serve as a study tool for students to use in preparation for the exams at the end of Year 2. Historical Investigation

In late August students will be expected to turn in an outline of each of the sections of their Investigation. They will be expected to turn in a rough draft of each of the sections by mid October. The final copy will be due in November usually right before the Thanksgiving Break. Other Throughout the course students will be giving presentations, leading discussions and completing other short research projects. One such project requires students to select primary and secondary sources related to a topic of the Cold War and preparing a series of related questions. This activity is designed to help students prepare for the Paper 1 assessment by IB. Quizzes over daily reading assignments and essay tests will also be given.

External Assessment:80%

Paper 1: A document-based paper set on prescribed subject- the Cold War. Candidates must select one section to answer. All four questions from the chosen section will be answered. This paper will constitute 20% of the external assessment. Paper 2: An essay paper based on 20 th century world history topics- “Causes, Practices and Effects of War,” “”The Rise and Rule of Single-Party States,” and “The Cold War” will be specifically targeted. The examination paper will be comprised of 30 questions, five of each of the six 20th century world topics. Candidates must select two questions to be answered, each chosen from a different topic. This paper will constitute 25% of the external assessment. Paper 3: An essay paper based on the regional topic- the United States. Candidates are expected to study their chosen sections in appropriate depth in order to demonstrate in-depth historical knowledge and skills. Each examination paper will be comprised of 25 questions. Candidates must Select three questions out of 25. This paper will constitute 35% of the external assessment.

Internal Assessment:

Historical Investigation: 20%

A Candidate must undertake an historical investigation consisting of a written account between 1500 and 2000 words. The paper is divided into six parts: a plan of investigation, a summary of evidence, evaluation of sources, an analysis, a conclusion and a bibliography. It will be internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by IBO.