Unit One: Early Civilizations

Unit One: Early Civilizations

We will begin our study of World History starting with the first major civilizations. We will study Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and the Indus River Valley.

The guiding question for this unit is: What does it mean to be civilized?

By the time you are finished with this unit you will understand the following ideas:

• There are basic characteristics that all civilizations share.


• Physical geography shapes civilizations.
  


• Foreign interaction can result in a civilization’s development or downfall.
  


• Civilizations develop at different times and different places.
  


• Institutions and civilizations of the past continue to impact our world.
  


• A variety of governmental systems and political institutions develop over time.

Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) Addressed in Unit 1 are:

SSWH1 The student will analyze the origins, structures, and interactions of complex societies in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean from 3500 BCE to 500 BCE.
a. Describe the development of Mesopotamian societies; include the religious, cultural, economic, and political facets of society, with attention to Hammurabi’s law code.
b. Describe the relationship of religion and political authority in Ancient Egypt.
c. Explain the development of monotheism; include the concepts developed by the ancient Hebrews, and Zoroastrianism.
d. Identify early trading networks and writing systems existent in the Eastern Mediterranean, including those of the Phoenicians.
e. Explain the development and importance of writing; include cuneiform, hieroglyphics, and the Phoenician alphabet.
SSWH2 The student will identify the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE.
a. Describe the development of Indian civilization; include the rise and fall of the Maurya Empire, the “Golden Age” under Gupta, and the emperor Ashoka.
b. Explain the development and impact of Hinduism and Buddhism on India and subsequent diffusion of Buddhism.
c. Describe the development of Chinese civilization under the Zhou and Qin.
d. Explain the impact of Confucianism on Chinese culture; include the examination system, the Mandate of Heaven, the status of peasants, the status of merchants, and the patriarchal family, and explain diffusion to Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea.
SSWH3 The student will examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE to 400 CE.
a. Compare the origins and structure of the Greek polis, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire.
b. Identify the ideas and impact of important individuals; include Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle and describe the diffusion of Greek culture by Aristotle’s pupil Alexander the Great and the impact of Julius and Augustus Caesar.
c. Analyze the contributions of Hellenistic and Roman culture; include law, gender, and science.
d. Describe polytheism in the Greek and Roman world and the origins and diffusion of Christianity in the Roman world.
e. Analyze the factors that led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

Below are your assignments for this unit. Read the directions for the due date, expectations, and method for receiving points for each assignment.

Assignment 1: Preview Reflection
Write a paragraph response to the following questions to get you thinking about this unit. This will be your first blog post.

What does it mean to be civilized? What makes something or someone "civilized"?

* Write your response as a paragraph long blog post. Be sure to give your post an appropriate title and use proper grammar and spelling. Notify Mrs. Siegmund after you have published your post. *20 possible points

Assignment 2: 4 Part Vocabulary Slides and Vocabulary Quiz

Complete a four part vocabulary slide (1. the definition 2. supporting fact 3. interesting fact 4. visual) for each of the following terms associated with this unit: polytheism, monotheism, cuneiform, hieroglyphics, Hammurabi's Code, "Golden Age" under Gupta, Mandate of Heaven, Greek polis, Roman Republic, Roman Empire

* This should be typed using power point and following Mrs. Siegmund's example. Place finished vocabulary assignment in Mrs. Siegmund's drop box, and notify Mrs. Siegmund after you have completed this task to get points for completing the assignment. Add graded slides to your GPS ring. You will take a vocabulary quiz after you have turned in your vocabulary assignment.

*40 possible points for vocabulary assignment, and 10 possible points for the quiz.

Assignment 3: Civilizations Maps

Pick up the packet of maps from Mrs. Siegmund. Each map contains the directions for completing the map (the page numbers you'll use, the items you should label, and a key to complete).

*After completing your maps show them to Mrs. Siegmund so she can award your points. These maps should go in your map section of your notebook. You will need to study these maps to prepare for map test. 60 possible points.

Assignment 4: Civilizations Map Test

Study your completed maps from assignment 3. Be prepared to identify major geographic features (rivers, mountains, oceans) and important cities from the 6 civilizations we're studying. Also, be prepared to explain the geographic similiarities that all of the 6 civilizations share.

*You must pass the map test with an 80% or higher. You can retake the test if necessary.
50 possible points.

Assignment 5: 5 Traits of Civilizations Chart

Click here to open the charts you will need to complete for this assignment. All directions for completing the charts are located on the document.

*Save the completed charts in your documents, and place in my drop box when they are complete. Be sure to notify Mrs. Siegmund when you put the completed charts in her drop box. 65 possible points.

Assignment 6: Unit Project- Are We Civilized? Time Capsule

Click here to read the instructions for this project. Be sure to ask any questions that you have about the project. Click here to get the brainstorm chart that you need to complete first.

*Everyone's work will be due on _______________ TBA. You must present your work and well as turn it in to be graded and added to the time capsule. 100 possible points.