Course Description
History, government, economics, sociology, geography, and anthropology all come together to show how modern culture arose from ancient and classical civilizations. Beginning with the New Kingdom of Egypt, students witness the growth of ancient civilizations into the classical empires that gave rise to medieval Europe. They discover how feudal Europe moved toward the Renaissance, and how its ideals of humanism and constitutional government ignited the scientific revolution and the Protestant Reformation. Students study the development of spirituality in the Middle East, the growth of dynasties in the Far East, and the formation of Mesoamerican civilization. As students learn about the development of modern nations and their quest for overseas colonies, they see how the competition for colonies and extreme nationalism led to international conflicts, including the Seven Years War and the Cold War. Students discover how the American political identity has evolved through developments including the Industrial Revolution, the labor and progressive movements, the struggle for civil rights, the economics of a modern society, and the dawn of the Information Age.

Course Breakdown

First humans
Early civilizations
Bronze Age
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Chinese dynasties
Iron Age
Greek mythology
Roman civilization
Black Death Rise of the monarchy
Events of the Crusades leading to the Renaissance
Catholic Church
Protestant Reformation
Colonialism
Absolute monarchs
French Revolution
Industrial Revolution
Nationalism and imperialism

Course Goals
Summarize the ways in which early humans adapted to their environments through the developments of the Stone Age, agriculture, and the domestication of animals.
Assess the beginnings of early Egyptian and Chinese cultures by examining their governments’ structures, their economies, and their religious systems.
Consider the influence of Greek culture and the reign of Alexander the Great on western civilization.
Evaluate the growth and influence of the Roman empire through conquest and intellectual expansion.
Analyze the rise and fall of feudalism in Europe. Evaluate the impact of Mongol rule on the growth of the Ottoman Empire and examine its effect on Europe.
Evaluate the factors that led to the Renaissance and Protestant Reformation and how they led to change throughout Europe.
Compare and contrast the monarchies of England, France, and Russia during the Age of Exploration.
Analyze the causes and effects of the French Revolution and explain how the revolution led to the Napoleonic era.
Evaluate European colonialism in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.