Course title
World History and Geography: Ancient Honors (Pre-AP)Pre-requisite
Proficiency or above on AZMerit ELA 8; Completion of Humanities 8 Honors with a grade of B or better OR completion of Humanities 8 with a grade of A and teacher recommendation; Qualify on placement rubricCourse description
Pre-AP World History and Geography Honors: Ancient focuses deeply on the concepts and skills that have maximum value for high school; college; careers; and civic life. The course builds students' essential skills and confidence and helps to prepare them for a range of AP history and social science coursework during high school; including AP Human Geography and AP World History. The learning model is that of a disciplinary apprenticeship; with students using the tools of the historian and geographer as sources; data; and analytical reading and writing take center stage in the classroom. In this course; students learn that historians and geographers are investigators intent on using the tools of their disciplines to uncover new evidence about the world and its inhabitants.In Pre-AP Honors World History and Geography: Ancient students investigate significant events; individuals; developments; and processes over multiple historical periods from approximately 8;000 B.C.E. to 1200 C.E. Students develop and use the same skills; practices; and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical comparisons; and utilizing reasoning about contextualization; causation; and continuity and change over time. The course provides five themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: interaction between humans and the environment; development and interaction of cultures; state building; expansion; and conflict; creation; expansion; and interaction of economic systems; and development and transformation of social structures.
This course also aligns with the National Collegiate Honors Council’s expectations for university Honors course pedagogy. The course format will follow these objectives in the delivery of the content:  1. Discussion and writing are the hallmarks of Honors classes. Students will consistently use writing; both in class and out; as a means to express ideas and prepare for discussions.2. The course is discussion-oriented rather than lecture. The instructor provides background to inform the discussion and guide the research; as students are given time in advance to read; research and prepare their responses in writing.3. Students work to develop the ability to think about a broad range of ideas and come to understand how scholars and artists work by reading and responding to primary source material; by exploring issues and problems in depth rather than quickly and superficially; and by being carefully exposed to and guided through the methods of many disciplines. Students learn to see the broad implications of each issue; as well as learn to analyze and synthesize the material.4. Students work to become more independent as critical thinkers; demonstrating the ability to use knowledge and logic when discussing an issue or an idea; while considering the consequences of their ideas; for themselves; for others; and for society. The classroom environment is open to many perspectives and points of view; where students are encouraged to take intellectual risks and feel safe doing so.
School country
United StatesSchool state
ArizonaSchool city
PhoenixHigh school
Horizon CLC Honors High SchoolSchool / district Address
16233 S. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZSchool zip code
85048Requested competency code
Social ScienceDate submitted
Approved
YesApproved competency code
- SSCI
- 1 year of other Social Science