Week of Sept. 18

This week we will begin to practice some skills that we need to develop for the AP exam. We will start with the two FRQ essays; the "comparative" and the "change-over-time." We will also start to compile a body of knowledge that we can draw from when preparing for the exam this spring. Please bring to class some kind of folder in which to collect this information. For now, just a simple paper folder will suffice. As our collection grows you may want to move up to something more intricate. Here are the reading and homework assignments for the week:
  • Monday, Sept. 19
    • Read: Strayer 24-29; Reilly 10-16
    • DUE: Reading question (1 type-written paragraph)
      • Is the life story of a 20th century hunter-gatherer useful to our understanding of Paleolithic human culture? Include both advantages and limitations.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 21
    • Read: Strayer 29-32; Reilly 1-9
    • DUE: Comparative outline
      • details to be discussed in class

Week 1 - Welcome & Introductions

Welcome to World History Intensive. This week in class we will discuss how the course works, including how to use this blog. One of its most important functions is that you can find homework and reading assignments here. So for this week:
  • Thursday Sept. 15th
    • Read: Strayer, 3-20 (its really only 10 pages of reading)
    • DUE: Summer Reading Assignment
See you soon...

Week of May 29th

Last week of classes!! (We'll only have one class period this week.)

Wednesday
  • In class - Time will be provided to complete the film analysis essay. I will be available to answer questions, fill in research holes, read drafts, etc.
Friday
  • Due - 3-5 page film analysis essay
  • *note* Friday is our field trip to Green Lakes, so we won't have class this day. Please hand in a hard copy of your paper before the end of the day.

Week of May 22

Tuesday
  • Due - Analysis of Battle of Algiers (see below)
  • In class - meet with Stegeman to approve film choice
    • begin research on film's background
Thursday
  • Due - view film choice for homework
  • In class - discuss film choices in roundtable format

Note on Film Analysis Assignment:

Your assignment is to write a two-to-three page analysis of The Battle of Algiers, generally following the rubric distributed on Friday. Be aware that you have some greater flexibility to determine how you meet the parameters outlined in the rubric. Feel free to be creative in how you engage the assignment, but try to address as many of the criteria as you can while still constructing a coherent essay. Remember, the idea is to view the film as a historian and answer the question, "Does this film do a good job of telling history?" At the same time, the essay should make sense to a reader who has not viewed the film. Try to strike a balance between "movie review" and "critical commentary." Discussing the three concepts we introduced last class will help you to do that (Compression, Historical Fiction/Drama/Romance, True/False Invention).

    Links to Historical Film Resources

    "100 Films Reviewed by Historians" page discussed in class:

    http://blog.historians.org/resources/1316/100-films-reviewed-by-historians

    Internet Movie Database


    http://www.imdb.com/


    History on Film - Check out the "historical background" tab to search for films about a given subject. Also, the "movie reviews" and "commentary" tabs may be helpful to read what others have already said about the film you're researching.


    http://www.historyonfilm.com/

    Reel History - A column on historical films in an independent British newspaper.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/series/reelhistory

    world-history-movies.com - Searchable by era

    http://www.world-history-movies.com/

    Week of May 15th

    Congratulations on completing the AP section of the course!! For the last three weeks of the year we will be learning about historical films. This unit will include three components. First we will watch the The Battle of Algiers in class this week, and complete a film analysis assignment. Then, you will select a historical film of your own choosing and analyze it for its historical significance. Finally, you will conduct research into the historical context of the film's setting, and perhaps it's making (as appropriate). The time frame for the completion of this unit will roughly follow the last three weeks of school, with the first film viewed in class this week, your own film analysis due the following week, and the research component due the last week of school. Schedule for this week is as follows:

    Monday
    • View Battle of Algiers, first half
    • discuss parameters of assignment
    • begin analysis
    Wednesday
    • View Battle of Algiers, second half
    • complete analysis
    • begin selection of second film
    Friday
    • Stegeman approves of second film selection
    • Analysis of B of A due
    • Watch film over the weekend

    Week of May 8th

    AP EXAM WEEK!!!

    Tuesday
    • read - complete second review packet
    • lecture - review 600-1450 CE
    • due - self-assessment of Comparative Essay (including score derived from AP rubric and one-paragraph explanation of your score)
    • study - flash cards
    Thursday
    • AP Exam - 8:00 am, Pebble Hill Church basement
    • due - Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast :)