World History A

World History A is the first semester in a two-semester series. One-half credit is awarded for successful completion of each semester.

In World History you will examine the people, places, and historical events that shaped the modern world. You will learn how mankind adapted to its environment, the origins of world religions, and the struggles for power that defined borders. You will analyze the impact of past civilizations on the modern world and identify the philosophers, scientists, and inventors that make our way of life possible. You will compare and contrast the characteristics of the major world religions and other cultural aspects of ancient civilizations.

Upon completing this course you will be able to:

• explain the major events that led to the development of agriculture.
• understand the impact of farming on human life.
• understand how early civilizations started.
• be able to summarize the characteristics of civilizations.
• identify and describe the development of the River Valley Civilizations.
• summarize how the development of farming (Neolithic Revolution) led to the creation of River Valley Civilizations.
• describe the major political, religious/philosophical, and cultural influences that Greece had on human history.
• explain how democratic government has developed since its beginnings in classical Greece.
• identify the impact of Greek ideas about the right to a “trial by a jury of your peers,” and the concept of “innocent until proven guilty.”
• summarize the fundamental ideas and institutions of western civilizations that originated in Greece.
• describe the development of art, architecture, and culture in Rome.
• identify innovative technologies used by the Romans.
• describe the origins, practices, and influence of Judaism.
• describe the origins, practices, and influence of Christianity.
• describe the origins and main ideas of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism, and explain their influences on culture, particularly their effects on the role of women, children, and family in classical China.
• identify the causes for the fall of the Han Dynasty and compare and contrast its fall to the fall of Rome.
• identify and explain the development of Buddhism and Hinduism and their influence in the Classical Period.
• explain the political, economic, and social impact of Islam on the Middle East.
• describe the origins, beliefs, and practices of Muslims.
• describe the spread of Islam through Asia and Europe.
• summarize the major political, economic, and cultural developments in Tang China and their impact on Eastern Asia.
• summarize the major political, economic, and cultural developments in Song China and their impact on Eastern Asia.
• identify the major causes and describe the major effects of the Mongol invasions on Europe, China, India, and Southwest Asia.
• describe the factors that led to the development of the political/social system of feudalism and the economic system of manorialism, and explain characteristics of each system.
• describe the interactions between Muslims and Christians during the Crusades, and describe their importance
• explain how the Crusades, Black Death, Hundred Year’s War, and Great Schism contributed to the end of Medieval Europe.

• History Journal – In the form of a small composition notebook, a spiral notebook, or loose-leaf paper kept in a binder.
• Pencil or Pen – In order to do well in the course, you must take notes, sketch diagrams and graphs, and solve problems when instructed to do so.
• Internet Access
• Adobe Reader

Note: This course does not require a textbook.

Each semester contains 9 units and one final exam.

Each Unit contains:

• 3–8 lessons. Each lesson includes some or all of the following components: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.
• Self-assessments to help you check your own understanding of the material covered in each lesson. You must complete these assessments in order to advance in the course.
• 2 graded assignments

The final examination is comprehensive; it covers the material from all units. To pass the course, you must receive a grade of 70 percent or better. You can apply to take the Final Exam after 100 percent of your graded assignments have been submitted, and at least 70 percent have been graded and returned to you.

Format: Multiple-choice, online

Time Allowed: 3 hours

Materials Allowed: #2 pencils, graphing calculator

Topic 1: Pre-History, The Neolithic Revolution, and Civilizations

Topic 2: River Valley Civilizations

Topic 3: Classical Greece

Topic 4: The Roman Empire

Topic 5: Classical China

Topic 6: Classical India

Topic 7: Post-Classical – The Rise of Islam

Topic 8: Post-Classical – Asia

Topic 9: Post-Classical – Middle Ages Europe