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Welcome to IB History of the Americas II!September 5, 2006 Dear Parent or Guardian, I would like to
take this opportunity to introduce myself and to open a line of communication
with you. I will be your child's International Baccalaureate History of the
Americas II
teacher during this academic year. I anticipate
a very exciting year of
instruction and analysis in preparation for
Paper I, Paper II, and Paper III
of the I.B. exam, as well as the successful completion of their Internal
Assessment. This past year, 93% of my diploma candidates passed the
History of the Americas exam. I expect an even greater success rate from
this year's graduating class. During the second marking period we will examine the History of War through a comparative study of World War I, World War II, and the origins of the Cold War. Students will write the infamous "War Paper" in which they compare the social, political, intellectual, cultural, and economic causes of war; examine the execution of war, to include major battles, strategies, and guerilla warfare tactics; and analyze the long term military, political, economic, and societal ramifications of war, to include its impact on women and minorities. The third marking period will consist of an analysis of the causes and effects of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. We will discuss a number of themes such as the division of the world between two competing political and economic ideologies. Students will compare the Cold War in Europe and Asia and analyze the development of nuclear weapons and their impact on the escalation of the Cold War. Utilizing Socratic Seminars, we will debate the impact of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion on the development of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Students will also compare the Korean and Vietnam Wars as instruments of America’s policy of containment. Finally, we will explore the evolution of America’s foreign policy during the period, from containment to massive retaliation, to mutual assured destruction, and finally détente. We’ll wrap up with discussions of Pope John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and Mikhail Gorbechev, and the role each man played in the decisive conclusion of Cold War tensions. The attached syllabus explains my expectations and our activities for the next three weeks. Under separate cover, I will provide you with important information regarding the Internal Assessment. If you have any questions, you may contact me at the school, 591-4700, ext 2402. My e-mail address is mikael.davis@nn.k12.va.us and I maintain a Web site at www.mikaeldavis.com , which contains class notes, homework assignments, projects, as well as other useful information. Again, I look forward to partnering with you this year.
Mikael Davis TEXTBOOKS 1. Patterns of Interaction 2. On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace by Donald Kagan 3. We Now Know – Rethinking Cold War History by John Lewis Gaddis Outside reading assignments EXPECTATIONS In May 2008, students will take the I.B. History of the Americas exam as well as the I.B. European History exam. As such, reading, writing, and critical-thinking skills are integral parts of this course. In particular, students will be responsible for all assigned reading materials that accompany the syllabus schedule. Class lectures and additional information will supplement the assigned text. Students will be given Daily Reading Quizzes and it is their responsibility to complete all assigned reading regardless of absences, field trips, or other school activities.
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS Students are encouraged to work extensively on their Extended Essay as well as to make revisions to their Internal Assessments, per Ms. Rich and Mr. Valliant's recommendations. As such, no other summer assignments have been given. Students who fail to complete their Internal Assessment by the November deadline will be dropped from the I.B. Diploma Programme.
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