Social Studies Scope and Sequence for Grade 8

2004 Course of Study Objectives Weeks 1 and 2 Unit 1 Introduction to History and Early Civilizations (Chapters 1 3)
Explain how artifacts and other archaeological findings provide evidence of the nature and movement of prehistoric groups of people. Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, calendar, and writings. Comparing significant features of civilizations that developed in the TigrisEuphrates, Nile, Indus, and Huang He River valleys 1. Examples: natural environmen t, urban developme nt, social hierarchy,

SAT Objectives

AHSGE Objectives

Date Taught

written language, ethical and religious belief system, governmen t and military institutions, economic systems a. Identifying on a map locations of cultural hearths of early civilizations Examples: Mesopotamia, Nile River Valley, Huang He, Indus River Valley

Week 3 Classical India and China (1st Golden Age) Ch. 4 Describe the development of a classical civilization in India and China. Examples: India religions, arts and literature, philosophies, empires, caste system; China religions, politics,

centrality of the family, Zhou and Han Dynasties, inventions, economic impact of the Silk Road and European trade, dynastic transitions Identifying the effect of the monsoons on India Identifying landforms and climate regions of China 1.

Weeks 4 and 5 World Religions/ Ch. 2 Sect. 5, Ch. 6 Sect. 4, Ch. 4 Sect. 1, Ch. 11 Section 1

Compare the development of early world religions, philosophies. Examples: Judaism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Greek and Roman gods, philosophies, and their key tenets.

Identifying cultural contributions of early world religions and philosophies Examples: Judaism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Greek and Roman gods, Phoenicians

Weeks 6 and 7 Unit 4 The Hellenic and Hellenistic World/Ch.5 Identify cultural contributions of Classical Greece, including politics, intellectual life, arts, literature, architecture, and science. Describe the role of Alexander the Great in the Hellenistic world Examples: Alexander the Great

served as political and military leader, encouragin g cultural interaction, allowing religious diversity 1. Defining boundari es of Alexand er the Greats empire and its economi c impact 2. Identifyin g reasons for the separati on of Alexand er the Greats empire into success or

kingdom s 3. Evaluati ng major contribut ions of Hellenist ic art, philosop hy, science, and political thought Weeks 8 and 9 Unit 5 The Republic, Empire, and Decline Trace the expansion of the Roman Republic and its transformation into an empire, including key geographic, political, and economic elements Examples Expansion of Roman power and noting the accomplishments of Augustus and the effects of the Pax Romana. Describe the widespread impact of the Roman Empire

Example: The spread of Roman law and political theory, citizenship and slavery, architecture and engineering , religions, sculpture and paintings, literature, and the Latin language 1. Tracing importan t aspects of the diffusion of Christian ity, including its relations hip to

Judaism, missiona ry impulse, organiza tional develop ment, transitio n from persecut ion to accepta nce in the Roman Empire, and church doctrine 2. Explaini ng the role of economi cs, societal changes , Christian ity, political and military

problem s, external factors, and the size and diversity of the Roman Empire in its decline and fall Describe the rise of the Byzantine Empire, its institutions, and its legacy, including the influence of the Emperors Constantine and Justinian, and the effect of the Byzantine Empire upon art, religion, architecture, and law. 1. Identifying factors leading to the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Church Week 10 Unit 6 - Islamic Empire Ch. 11 Describe early Islamic civilizations, including the development of religious, social, and political systems. 1. Tracing the spread of Islamic ideas

through invasion and conquest throughout the Middle East, northern Africa, and western Europe Week 11 and 12 Unit 7 Spread of Civilization in East Asia (Feudal Japan and 2nd Golden Age of China Describe Chinas influence on culture, politics, and economics in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Examples: culturedescribing the influence on art, architecture, language, and religion; politicsdescribing changes in civil service; economicsintroducing patterns of trade

Week 13 Unit 8 African Civilization Compare the African civilizations of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai to include their geography, religions, slave trade, economic systems,

empires, and cultures. 1. Tracing the spread of languag e, religion, and customs from one African civilizatio n to another 2. Illustratin g the impact of trade among Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Week 14 Unit 9 Pre- Columbian Civilization Americas including the Olmecs, Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, and North American tribes.

Examples: Pyramids, wars among preColumbian people, religious rituals, irrigation, Iroquois Confederac y

1. Locating on a map sites of preColumbian cultures 2. Examples: Mayan, Inca, Inuit, Creek, Cherokee Week 15 and 16 Unit 10 Middle Ages Describe military and governmental events that shaped Europe in the early Middle Ages (600-1000). Examples: Invasions, military leaders

1. Describing the role of the early medieval church 2. Describing the impact of new agricultural methods on manorialism and feudalism Describe major cultural changes in Western Europe in the High Middle Ages (10001350). 1. Describi ng changin g roles of church and governm ental leadersh ip 2. Compari ng political develop ments in

France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire, including the signing of the Magna Carta 3. Describi ng the growth of trade and towns resulting in the rise of the middle class Week 17 and 18 Unit 11 Later Middle Ages/Origins of the Renaissance Explain how events and conditions fostered political and economic changes in the late Middle Ages and led to the origins of the Renaissance.

Examples: Crusades, Hundred Years War, Black Death, rise of middle class, commercial prosperity Identifying changes in the arts, architecture, literature, and science in the late Middle Ages