Core Topics

• Rebirth of individualism
• Changes in artistic styles, techniques, and philosophies
• Philosophies of Machiavelli
• Humanism
• Great artists
• Great works of art

Unit Benchmarks

• Understand why the Renaissance occurred where it did and when it did.
• Understand how the Renaissance changed Europe.
• Know the basic principles of humanism.
• Know the talent and great works of art of the most significant Renaissance artists.
• Identify the improvements in artistic methods and equipment.
• Understand the principles of Machiavelli and their influence both then and now.

Core Topics

• Origins and effects of the Reformation
• Martin Luther
• Thirty Years War

Unit Benchmarks

• Understand why Protestants were successful at this time previous attempts had failed.
• Know the key concepts and people of the Reformation.
• Understand how the Reformation changed Europe forever.

Core Topics

• Scientific Method
• Major scientists of this period and their contributions
• The Enlightenment
• Noted scholars of the Enlightenment and their impact

Unit Benchmarks

• Students will understand the change in scientific methods of research.
• Understand the public resistance to accepting new scientific ideas.
• Know the major scientists of this time and their contributions as well as the application of their achievements.
• Know how rulers implemented Enlightenment ideas to improve the lives of their subjects.

Core Topics

• The relationship between James I and Parliament
• The relationship between Charles I and Parliament
• The Puritan Revolution
• The Restoration
• Changes in the British government
• The persecution of Irish Catholics

Unit Benchmarks

• Understand the tumultuous relationship that existed between James I and Parliament and worsened with Charles I.
• Identify the reasons for the war between parliament and the king better known as the Puritan Revolution.
• Understand why the monarchy was restored after being abolished.
• Explain the changes in the British government that drastically reduced the power of the monarchy and assured a succession of Protestant rulers.
• Understand the background and present status of the current "Troubles" in Ireland.

Core Topics

• Louis XIV
• Peter the Great
• Catherine the Great

Unit Benchmarks

• Know that policies of Louis the XIV put France so deeply in debt that they eventually have a revolution.
• Know about the palace of Versailles, its significance at the time it was built and during the 20th century.
• Identify the achievements of Peter the Great, his impact on Russia then and now.
• identify the achievements of Catherine the Great, her impact on Russia then and now.

Core Topics

• Unrest and financial troubles prior to Revolution
• The social structure of the French in the 1700s
• The role of the Third Estate in the Revolution

Unit Benchmarks

• Identify the conditions of the Old Regime.
• Understand the unrest among the people of the Third Estate.
• Understand the role played by the Third Estate in the Revolution.
• identify the major stages of the Revolution.
• Know the short and long term effects of the Revolution on France.
• Know the short and long term effects of Napoleon's rule on France and the world.

Core Topics

• Conditions in czarist Russia
• Overthrow of Czar Nicholas
• The Bolshevik Revolution
• Demise of the Romanov family
• Stalinist era

Unit Benchmarks

• Understand the conditions of Russia living under the rule of the czars and how they created a desperation among the people.
• Know the basics of the overthrow of Czar Nicholas and the revolution that followed shortly after.
• Identify the reasons behind the elimination of the Romanov family and today's controversy surrounding the discovery of their remains.
• Know how Stalin came into power; the principles behind the Five Year Plan of Stalin and it's effects on the Soviet Union.

Core Topics

• History of Anti-Semitism
• Diaspora and Pogroms
• Nazism and the Final Solution
• Righteous Gentiles
• Lessons of the Holocaust

Unit Benchmarks

• Understand the origins of anti-Semitism and its repercussions.
• Understand how historical anti-Semitic practices played a role in the acceptance of modern practices instituted by the Nazis.
• Know how the Final Solution was implemented and the roles played by the German citizens.
• Identify the significance of the Righteous Gentiles.
• Understand the "power of one", whether positive or negative.
• Understand the responsibilities of citizens to protect the civil rights of all.
• Recognize hate and prejudice and how individuals can stand up to it.

Core Topics

• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Islam
• Christianity
• Judaism
• varied small religions

Unit Benchmarks

• Know the basic tenets of all the major religions
• Understand how religion has influenced the cultures of the world.
• Know how important understanding other religions is to international relationships.