First Quarter - Origins and Beginnings

These first quarter units describe the rise of civilization in both the West and East.

Our study starts first in a region stretching from the Persian Gulf to Egypt.  The early civilizations of this region emerged in the river valleys of the Tigris, Euphrates, and Nile Rivers and influenced religion, law, and education throughout world history.

We then will explore the civilizations that developed in India, China, and Japan and other Asian countries.

Second Quarter - Growth, Expansion and Conflict (Part One)

These units explore how, once they had taken hold, these early civilizations grew, expanded their influence, and eventually came into conflict both within themselves and with others.

First we look to how Greek culture has influenced Western civilization. The ancient Greeks developed classical models on which later architects, artists, and playwrights relied upon. Their thinking also laid the foundation for the disciplines of history, political science, and logic used by the founders of the United States as well as other nations. 

Then we explore the impact of the Roman empire on the Mediterranean world.  The Romans legal system, government, engineering feats and art formed the foundation of many of Europe’s cities.  The lasting legacies of the Roman empire are seen in the Latin language, engineering, and Christianity.

We will then be explore the impact of Chinese, Japanese and Indian civilizations on religion, philosophy, politics, technology and trade and how they have left a lasting impression on the world stage.

Third Quarter - Growth, Expansion and Conflict (Part Two)

Moving toward more modern times, we will explore the Italian Renaissance’s introduction of Europe to a secular worldview and a boom in artistic and intellectual development. Intellectual change led to Christian humanism and, finally, the Reformation—a break with the Catholic Church and the birth of Protestantism.  The Renaissance and the Reformation profoundly influenced the lands and cultures of northern Europe and eventually America.

This will lead us to a study of how the Italian Renaissance’s introduction of Europe to a secular worldview and a boom in artistic and intellectual development. Intellectual change led to Christian humanism and, finally, the Reformation—a break with the Catholic Church and the birth of Protestantism and how this movement profoundly influenced the lands and cultures of northern Europe and eventually America.

Finally, we will describe the revolutionary fervor that occurred throughout Europe in the fields of science and politics. Topics will include the Scientific revolution, The English Civil War, and the French Revolution including the rise and fall of Napoleon.

Fourth Quarter - Recent Past and the Growing Complexity of the Modern World

We begin the study of the more recent past by examining European exploration of the Americas and the establishment of overseas empires.  The discovery and exploration of the Latin America often left a negative impact on the cultures of those civilizations. The countries of Central and South America have been forever influenced by European exploration.

Related to that, we will describe the development of African nations as a result of Imperialism. The impact of the slave trade and Europe’s land acquisitions set the stage for many of the issues experienced by African nations today. 

Looking back to the East, will then explore Russia’s rise to power between Europe and Asia.  From the early czars to the Soviet Union to the modern world, this superpower has dominated world politics.

The course will conclude with an overview of the clashes of East and West as seen in the development of the Cold War and the ideological battles between modernism and the fundamentalist religions that seek to return the world to the 12th Century.