Course Description

World History explores the changes created by the events and people of the past, and explains how these changes impacted modern times. The material is organized sequentially, exploring history from 1400 CE to the present day. Starting with the Renaissance and the Reformation, the course will highlight the cultural, economic, political, and social impact of innovation and intellectual thought. Further changes will be uncovered with the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and the rise of imperialism and nationalism. The closing topics emphasize global conflicts and diplomacy, as seen in World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. Upon completion of the course, students have an appreciation for the patterns of historical change and their impact on modern society.

Course Breakdown

• Influence of the Italian Renaissance
• Factors leading up to the Protestant Reformation
• Rise and fall of the Spanish empire
• Importance of the monarchies in England, France, and Russia
• Reasons for the Age of Exploration Central America
• South America
• Europe
• Greece
• Russia

Course Goals

1. Investigate the emergence of the Renaissance and examine its impact on the political, economic, and social landscapes of Europe.
2. Analyze religious reforms associated with Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Henry VIII, and John of Leiden and the effects of the Reformation on Europe.
3. Evaluate major achievements in literature, music, painting, sculpture, and architecture in sixteenth-century Europe.
4. Assess the political atmosphere of post-Reformation Europe and analyze the conflicts that arose during this period. Explore the human and physical geographical features of Central America and South America.
5. Analyze the human and physical geographical features of Europe.
6. Examine the human and physical geographical features of Russia.