Unit #5: December 2011 Archives

It is a pretty straight-forward plan for today. You'll take the objective portion of the Unit #5 Exam. It has 60 multiple choice questions. (I should have those graded and back to you tomorrow.)

Remember that your Unit #5 Essay is due. Please print them out. (Double-sided is fine, and I prefer at least 1 and 1/2 or double spacing.)

If you need to finish up the DBQs, you can also do that after.

"70% Second Chance" Policy - Ms. Murr and I have decided to experiment with a new policy in World 9/10. There's no doubt that these multiple choice questions can be challenging. If the exam does not go well for you, we're offering you a second chance to get your score up to 70%. (That would be 42 out of 60.)

If you score below 42, you are allowed to come in and make corrections to your exam. (These may be done open book and open notes.) You will receive the average of your "original" score and your "second chance" score, with a maximum of 42 possible.

For example, let's say you scored 36. You then corrected your exam to a 58.
 (36 + 58 = 94. 94/2 = 47, but you would receive the maximum of 42.)

You are expected to do this relatively soon after the exam, and you should also attempt to correct all of the exam, even if that would put you above the maximum.

HOMEWORK for tomorrow: Tuesday, December 6th

Ms. Murr would tell you that only a real meanie assigns homework the night of the exam. I guess that makes me a meanie...  Please read Section 1 in Chapter 25, "The Beginnings of Industrialization." (pp. 717- 722) This is a relatively short quarter, so we need to keep going. (We may again need to double up once on the reading.)  I will give you the quiz today and you can complete it as a take-home activity. (That does NOT mean you should simply copy someone else's answers. If I see anyone doing that, it is "0" for both people. I am fine with you working together in study hall or elsewhere, but not simply copying.)

If you plan to word-process, you can download a copy of the
Unit #5 Identifications answer sheet.

REMINDER: You must finish the identifications before you leave class. Start with those. You do NOT need to be done with the DBQs.

Unit #5 Identifications: You'll receive (or download) a handout from which you will write on your choice of 5 of the 8 identifications that appear. You may have 10 words of "notes" for each of the 15 possible identifications to the exam. You will need to turn in these notes, and I reserve the right to count symbols, acronyms, etc. as one or more words. Each of the five identifications is worth 5 points.

A good identification is typically in the range of 4 to 6 sentences in length. (You do need to write in complete sentences.) You should demonstrate both an understanding of just who / what the ID "is" and place it in the appropriate historical context. In addition, you need to explain the significance of the ID. In other words, answer the "So what?" question.

Unit #5 Essay Exam - Questions and Format - Your essays are due at your arrival to class on Monday. Please have them printed out. Double-sided is fine. Please use something other than single spacing.

You should prepare for a five (or six)-paragraph essay. That means that you should include an introduction (with a clear thesis statement), three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. (Note that the questions lend themselves to such a format. That is on purpose.)

Remember that the questions are not designed for you to tell us everything you have learned. Focus on what the question is requiring you to do.

1. We considered the reigns of a number of absolute monarchs. Choose THREE specific monarchs and evaluate the impact of their reigns. Overall, was absolutism a positive or negative force in the Europe of the time?

2. The Enlightenment was a time of significant changes in thinking and values. Identify and evaluate the significance of what you consider to be the THREE most significant contributions of the Enlightenment. Which specific figure do you believe best embodied the spirit of the Enlightenment? Why?

3. We studied the causes of political revolution in places such as England, the American colonies, France, Haiti and Mexico. Choose THREE of these revolutions and evaluate whether each was justified. Which of the revolutions that you discuss do you believe was ultimately the most successful? Why?

HOMEWORK for next session - Monday, December 5th

You have the Unit #5 Objective Exam Monday. There are 60 multiple choice questions.

Your Unit #5 Essay is due upon your arrival to class on Monday.