CBSE 8th Class Social Science Syllabus

Course Structure

Units	Topics
Term I
1	Emergence of New Ideas: Renaissance in Europe
2	Renaissance and Humanism
3	Renaissance in Art and Literature
7	Basic concept of Weather and Climate
8	Resources
12	Constitution
13	Kinds of Constitutions (Case Studies)
17	Why Nations Trade
Term II
4	Renaissance and Science
5	Renaissance and Religion
6	New World Order
9	Natural Regions of the World I
10	Natural Regions of the World II
11	Natural Regions of the World III
14	Peace and Conflict Resolution: Meaning; Coexistence; Causes
15	Need for Peace in the Society and Combating Terrorism
16	Importance of Economics in Human Life

Course Syllabus

Unit 1: Emergence of New Ideas: Renaissance in Europe

• Meaning and Definition of Renaissance
• Rebirth and Cultural changes of this period
• Growth of Urban Culture and Revival of the Towns
• New disciplines (subjects) taught

Unit 2: Renaissance and Humanism

• Growth of humanist culture in Italian Universities
• Man as an individual, capable of making his own decision and developing his own skills

Unit 3: Renaissance in Art and Literature

• The Work of great artists like Leonardo -Da- Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, etc
• The new style of architecture the “Classical Style”
• The element of realism added to art and architecture by studying, Geometry bone structures, use of light and oil
• Printing of Classical texts which helped in spreading the torch of knowledge amongst readers

Unit 4: Renaissance and Science

• Development of Scientific thinking
• Humanism and Science
• Scholastic thinking and Science
• Role of Print Media
• Scientific revolution

Unit 5: Renaissance and Religion

• Decline of Catholic Church
• Religious Growth
• Protestant Reformation
• Protestant Movements

Unit 6: New World Order

A. Industrialization of Europe: The Industrial Revolution

• Industrial Revolution
• Growth of new Cities
• Urban Migration
• Changing Economy
• Inventions and Inventors
• Impact of Industrialization on Handicrafts and Cottage Industries

B. Capitalism

• The Concept and the Meaning of Capitalism
• Difference between Haves and Have-nots
• Factor giving birth to Capitalism
• Characteristic Features of Capitalism

C. Colonization

• Concept of Colonization
• Role of Mother Country
• Political, social and economic changes in the ruled country

D. Imperialism

• Drain of wealth from the ruled country to the mother country
• Meaning − Social political and economic domination of one country over the other
• Causes for the growth of Imperialism

Unit 7: Basic Concepts of Weather and Climate

• Concept of weather and climate
• Elements of weather and climate
  • Temperature
  • Pressure
  • Wind -Surface and Upper Air Circulation
  • Humidity – Absolute, Relative
  • Precipitation and types
• Correlation between temperature and pressure
• Concept of isotherms, isobars.
• Local weather conditions
• Chief characteristics of Tropical,Temperate and Polar regions

Unit 8: Resources

• Resources and their types −
  • Natural
  • Human
• Classification of resources based on utility, renewability and sustainability
• Types of resources −
  • Land – Soil
  • Vegetation
  • Wildlife
  • minerals
  • Water
  • Human
• Need and conservation of resources

Unit 9: Natural Regions of the World – I

• Equatorial region
• Savannah Region
• Hot Desert Regions
  • Location
  • Climate
  • Natural vegetation
  • Animal life
  • Human response

Unit 10: Natural Regions of the World – II

• Mediterranean Region
• Temperate grassland
• Temperate Desert Regions
  • Location
  • Climate
  • Natural vegetation
  • Animal life
• Human response

Unit 11: Natural Regions of the World – III

• Coniferous Forests
• Tundra Region
  • Location
  • Climate
  • Natural vegetation
  • Animal life
• Human response

Unit 12: Constitution

• Meaning, Features, History and growth
• Meaning of the term Constitution
• Key features of the Constitution
• History of the growth of the Constitution

Unit 13: Kinds of Constitutions (Case studies)

• Kinds of constitution −
  • Codified
  • Uncodified
  • Rigid
  • Flexible
• Case Studies: Constitutions of England (uncodified) and India (codified)

Unit 14: Peace and Conflict Resolution: Meaning; Co-existence; Causes

• Meaning of the terms ‘peace’ and ‘conflict’ resolution’
• Co-existence of peace and conflicts in a society
• Peace as a natural social condition
• Kinds of conflicts −
  • Economic
  • Socio-cultural
  • Political
  • Religious
• Causes of Conflicts

Unit 15: Need for Peace in the Society and Combating Terrorism

• Need for peace
• Need for Peace Education in schools
• Concept of Terrorism
• Effects of Terrorism on various aspects of society
• Case studies: WTC destruction, Militancy activities
• Role and responsibility of citizens in combating Terrorism

Unit 16: Importance of Economics in Human Life

• Importance of economics in human life
• Concept of
  • Demand
  • Supply
  • Trade

Unit 17: Why Nations Trade

• Meaning of trade
• Concept of Domestic trade
• Concept of International trade