Western Civilization

Mentor: Jody Goff

Length: Two Semesters

Type of Class: Group Class with Independent Study

When: Tuesdays, 12:25 - 1:40 p.m.

Credit: 10 Credits,

World History Course Description: This course explores world history from 1600 to 2000, focusing on Modernity and the maturity of Western civilization. Students will learn how to apply and refine a Christian worldview to major developments in philosophy, science, and government; personalities such as Newton, Bach, Napoleon, and Austen; and movements including the Enlightenment, Darwinism, Nationalism, and Victorianism.

Modernity is a one-year class that consists of:

  • 27 lessons (5 videos per lesson, 47 total hours)

  • 4 projects

  • Student Reader, 308p (PDF, EPUB and MOBI)

  • Weekly Exams

  • Year-long Portfolio

Full Course Description here - please read all details.

Curriculum materials may be found at https://compassclassroom.com/shop/product/modernity-world-history-curriculum

Class Expectations and Brief Overview:

  • Students will view five video lectures per lesson, and will take notes during each lecture. Note taking is a key component to this course; therefore, students will purpose to employ a strong work ethic in this area.

  • Students will strive to improve their work ethic throughout the year. It is expected that students will strive to put their best effort into all assignments.

  • Students will consistently complete the assignments on time.

  • Students will actively participate in the once-weekly group class.

  • Use of AI tools such as ChatGPT and other generative AI tools is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. In addition, students are not to use CliffsNotes, SparkNotes or similar sites as a foundation for their essays or other assignments. Students need to write their essays based on their own ideas and knowledge. Students/parents may be asked to sign or affirm that the work is entirely the student’s own work, with appropriate help and guidance from the parent. The mentor reserves the right to ask students to rewrite their work from scratch and/or to orally present/defend their work if the essay/work sounds as if it was not written using the student’s ideas.

My commitment as your mentor is to provide weekly instruction, discussion, and encouragement to you and to evaluate your work. I will be available to help you; please feel free to come to me with any questions or email me during the week. Together, we will journey through the halls of history and glean an understanding of our times and future.

Levels of course available:

  • Standard College Prep

  • Honors: In addition to the Standard College Prep course assignments, students will read The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization by Vishal Mangalwadi (ISBN: 978-1595555458) and will complete a project based on the book. Students will have from September to April to read the book and complete the project. Projects will be presented in class during May and will be evaluated on completion, presentation, craftsmanship.

  • Curriculum:

  • Modernity Student Reader by Dave Raymond www.compassclassroom.com

  • Modernity Video Lectures by Dave Raymond www.compassclassroom.com

  • Materials may be obtained through other sources if you can find a discount for used material. Students from a previous class may wish to offer materials.

Assignment Submission

  • Students will submit all assignments in class.

  • Exams will be taken weekly in class and will be based on the guided lecture notes. Students may use their completed lecture notes when taking the exams.

  • Student portfolios and projects will be submitted quarterly.

Workload

  • View five lectures per week, taking copious notes.

  • Complete daily readings in Student Reader. (Readings longer than 2 pages are optional.)

  • Complete daily lesson assignments as assigned in the Student Reader.

  • Create yearly portfolio making entries after each lesson.

  • Take weekly exams.

  • Complete 1 project per quarter.

Grading and Assessment:

As the students’ mentor, I will provide an assessment in the form of an earned grade for the course; however, every parent remains his/her student’s teacher, and as such retains the right and responsibility of awarding the final grade in the course.

Students’ work will be evaluated according to the following:

  • Portfolio: 30% - Portfolios will be evaluated on completion, presentation, craftsmanship, and following directions.

  • Quarterly Projects: 30% - Projects will be evaluated on completion, presentation, craftsmanship, and following directions.

  • Exams: 40 % - Exams will be evaluated on knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Contacting the Mentor:

Contact Mrs. Goff via email at thegoffclub@gmail.com or by phone at (408) 515-5494