Course Description
Making sense of the unique and fascinating places in the world requires a broad range of knowledge and skills. Students explore how Earth’s geography has affected human life and culture as they learn about the development of early civilizations in Asia and the Mediterranean. Students examine the great religious traditions born during this time, witness the growth of dynasties in the Far East, and learn about the ideas that spawned the Renaissance. As the world became caught up in the excitement of the Age of Exploration, the Americas were “discovered,” although vibrant and thriving civilizations had existed there for thousands of years. Students learn about the struggles of these native civilizations, the slaves who were brought to build new nations, and independence movements in the Western world. The issues addressing modern nations include trade, migration, urbanization, and human rights. In an exploration of recent history, students learn about dictators and witness revolutions in Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. In the final section of the course, students study the impact of globalization and the technology driving it.

Course Breakdown

Earth’s features
Map reading
First humans
Hunter-gatherers and early civilizations
City-states
Cultural diffusion Early empires
Spread of goods and ideas in Europe and Asia
Religion in medieval Europe
Science and reason
Exploration

Course Goals
Recognize the study of geography and its significance in the study of social sciences.
Analyze maps and the five components of the study of geography: location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region.
Examine factors that led early human populations to come together to form ancient civilizations.
Analyze the effects of the Silk Road on trading and cultural diffusion and explain how these helped develop cultures around the world. Assess the beginnings of early Greek and Roman cultures by examining their governments’ structures, their economies, and their religious systems.
Recognize the impact of trade routes on cultural diffusion from the Chinese dynasties.
Examine the influence of the spread of Christianity throughout Europe and the religious conflicts that arose as a result, including the Crusades.
Analyze the rise and fall of feudalism in medieval Europe, as well as its effects on Europe’s social structure.