Students in this course will expand their understanding of history by studying the people and events that ushered in the dawn of the major Western and non-Western civilizations. Geography is of special significance in the development of the human story. Continued emphasis is placed on the everyday lives, problems, and accomplishments of people, their role in developing social, economic, and political structures, as well as in establishing and spreading ideas that helped transform the world forever. Students develop higher levels of critical thinking by considering why civilizations developed where and when they did, why they became dominant, and why they declined. Students will analyze the interactions among the various cultures, emphasizing their enduring contributions and the link, despite time, between the contemporary and ancient worlds.
Our study begins with Early Man and Hunter-Gatherers and explores the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece and Rome. Students will apply various study strategies in the exploration of these civilizations, make models, do Reader’s Theatre, present short plays, debate, and write and present speeches.