World History Honors

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This World History course is designed for highly motivated students and provides the opportunity for the development of critical thinking skills and concepts commensurate with their ability through an in depth study of World History.  The emphasis will be placed on research and essay writing to prepare the student for a successful college experience in World History.  This course fulfills the World History requirement for graduation.

This one-year survey course will examine World History through the disciplines that compromise the humanities: the arts, philosophy, literature, history, political institutions, and religion.  It explores the great ideas and actions of humankind that have shaped life.  The emphasis is on European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern civilizations.

COURSE OUTLINE

As you might expect, a survey World History course is extremely broad in its scope and content.  As such it will be impossible to devote the necessary time to each era and culture.  Using the text and CCSD curriculum guides as an outline, the following areas will be addressed in some detail:

Semester 1

1.  Early Civilizations

·      Prehistory, First Civilizations (Africa & Asia); First Civilizations (India & China)

2.  Empires of the Ancient World

·      India & China; Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome; Rise of Christianity; Civilizations in the Americas

3.  Regional Civilizations

·      The rise of Europe; The Byzantine Empire & Russia; Muslim World; Kingdom of Africa; Spread of civilizations in Asia

4.  Early Modern Times

·      Renaissance & Reformation; The First Global Age- Europe, Asia, Africa, The Americas

Semester 2

5.  Enlightenment & Revolution

·      The French Revolution; The Industrial Revolution; Revolution in Latin America & Europe

6.  Industrialism and the New Global Age

·      Industrial Life; Nationalism in Europe; Growth of Western Democracies

7.  World Wars & Revolution

·      The Rise of Totalitarianism; WWI; Russian Revolution; Nationalist Movements; WWII

8.  The World Today

·      The World since 1945-North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America

Just as your personal history influences the person you are today, so too the influences of history influence the thinking, culture & politics of nations.  It is the goal of this course to enable you to see and draw these connections to gain a greater understanding of the world in which you live.

World History Honors Course Expectations (pdf file)

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