joanna ennis

Welcome back, girls!

Okay, what we laughingly call your first week is safely over, so you can all prepare to actually start working next week. You all have your course handbooks for this term, but just a quick recap of what to expect:


1st period World History I
Next week we'll be starting at the beginning with Ancient Civilizations. Buckle up for Mesopotamia, where the sun shone, gardens hung, and civilization was born! No prep required, just for once, but don't get used to it.

2nd period World History II
Those of you who completed World History I will remember that we left off with the excitingly named Era of Exploration, and so we're kicking off with the 1600s. Next week will be a whistle-stop tour of the Enlightenment. Please read the hand-out I provided, and the chapter I assigned from your textbooks. No written homework, but woe betide those who don't do the reading...

3rd period Government
Next week we'll be continuing our introduction to systems of Government through the ages. We've already had a brief historical overview, so you'll know what to expect from your textbook reading, which is listed on the second page of your course handbook. No written homework, but there may be a test.

4th period Ethics
Having established on Thursday that we all have different ideas as to what the concept of 'Ethics' actually means, we set you homework: a short (600 words will do) research paper for Thursday July 9th. I'd like a brief summary of both Normative Ethics and Modern Ethics, covering basic concepts central to each. No set reading for this although points will be given for citation. There are plenty of resources on the net, and if not, there's always (shock! horror!) the school library. Remember what I said about Wikipedia: it's fine as a jumping-off point, but if you recap their entry without any evidence of further reading I will flay you. I mean fail you.

5th period AP Government
Welcome to the 9th circle, ladies. Here is the link I said I'd post for The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli at Project Gutenberg. There are I think four hard copies only in the library, so if you haven't bought it, get hold of it fast. Next week we'll continue with our overview (or recap for those who've taken Government) of basic principles, and the week beginning the 13th will be a series of discussion groups for The Prince before you get your assignment topics.

8th period AP World History
Back to the beginning, ladies! As I discussed with you on Wednesday, we are going to be moving very fast in this class, cramming World History I and II into one year with more depth than before. If you haven't taken either of those classes, or if you have a seive-like memory, I suggest you (re)familiarise yourself with their syllabus, and fast. I will reminded you, I will not be covering all the basics over again. Because I'm nice occasionally, I'm not setting any homework for the next couple of weeks so that those of you who need to can read up. Enjoy it while it lasts, and use it well. Those of you who have taken WH I and II and do remember it, read up anyway, it'll do you no harm.


If you have any questions, feel free to either comment here, drop me an email, or if you're feeling terribly old fashioned and just can't stay away from my classroom you can as usual find me there around most lunchtimes or for a half hour or so at the end of the day.

Name: Joanna (Jo) Ennis
Concept: The Manhattan
Subjects Taught: World History, Government, Ethics
Age & DOB: Aged 39 - born 15th May, 1970

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