And so the journey continues....

Hi folks! Well, we have now finished the first quarter of your freshman year. Congratulations! By now you have figured out how to navigate the school, figured out how to use the library, found your favorite table in the cafeteria and come to understand just what is expected of you both in and out of the classroom.

During the course of the next couple of months we will be taking a look at the rise of absolute monarch's in Europe. We will see how they rose, and how they ruled. We will get to see "Mr. J's Rule of Thumb Number One" in action - you know, the one about "Poverty and Inequality Will Always Lead to Revolution." We will see Louis XIV, Peter the Great, Queen Elizabeth I, Philip II of Spain and take a look at an upstart group of colonists in the New World who wish to see something different in their land. Towards the end of the marking period, we will learn about Napoleon, emperor of France.

Later in the year, we will take a look at the Industrial Revolution and how it led to the Age of Imperialism, when European empires spread around the entire planet. We will see how European rivalries for empires led to the first great conflict of the 20th century - World War I. Finally, we will see how that conflict led directly to World War II, and the Cold War that came about at its end.

It is a great deal to cover, but do not worry. Many have come before you - and if they can do it, so can you! The key to doing well in High School is to make sure you are keeping up with the assignments, doing your homework, reading the materials and reviewing a bit each night.

Keep your head in the game and remember:
1) Pay attention to detail
2) Follow all directions
3) Do your homework


And now for the standard boilerplate.

Welcome to Mr. J's Western Civ. Class Webpage. On the left, you will find links to classwork / homework, notes, handouts, examples of student work, pictures and whatever else we decide to put on here. The Assignment calendar has all of your the class assignments for the next couple of weeks as well as links to handouts and other useful items. Go ahead, surf around and check it out. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

OK, with that out of the way, lets make sure you put your tray tables up, bring your seats to the upright position and let us begin this journey through history and enjoy a facinating study of Western Civilization!

Thanks,
Mr. J