Early History [Competency Based]

Early American History provides students with a comprehensive and engaging look at early American history from the impact of the early Spanish explorers through the Civil War. Students learn about key events of European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Students learn about the establishment of the United States as an independent country, the importance of the US Constitution, and the impact of the Constitution on the continued development of the country. At the completion of this course, students have both a knowledge of and appreciation for the early history of the United States. Starting at the dawn of civilization and arriving at the doorstep of the Renaissance, Early World History introduces students to the major events that laid the foundations of the modern world. This course exposes students to the development of the world’s early civilizations and the cultures that created them. Students experience the rituals of the Aztecs, the might of the Roman legions, and the building of the Great Wall of China. From these ancient beginnings, students trace the development of empires, the emergence of the world’s major religions, and the mechanisms of trade and conflict that brought cultures together. Thematically, the course focuses on how empires have interacted to spread goods, ideas, and technological innovations such as silk and gunpowder. The course traces major events from ancient Mesopotamia through the Black Death of the fourteenth century, preparing students to explore more recent world history in future courses