World History 1: Foundations & Empires

Duration: One Semester (16 weeks) Credit: 0.5 High School Credit Grades: 9-11 Delivery Mode: Online (asynchronous with weekly deadlines) Course: 450835

Tom Buchan

English

Certificate Course

0 Students

13h 22m

Course Overview

World History 1: Foundations & Empires is a semester-long high school course that invites students to embark on a sweeping journey across time and geography, exploring how early civilizations laid the groundwork for the modern world. This engaging and rigorous course covers human development from prehistoric societies through the rise and fall of powerful empires across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. It is designed to meet state standards in global history while fostering curiosity, cultural understanding, and critical thinking.

Beginning with the dawn of human civilization, students will examine how geography influenced settlement patterns, how agriculture and domestication led to complex societies, and how early belief systems and writing systems emerged. As the course progresses, students will study influential civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, Ancient China, the early African kingdoms, and the empires of Mesoamerica. From there, the course moves through the classical periods of Greece and Rome, the rise of major world religions, and the expansion of empires such as the Maurya, Gupta, Han, and Persian empires.

Students will not only learn about great rulers and monumental architecture, but also explore the everyday lives of people, the development of trade routes like the Silk Road, and the philosophical, religious, and scientific contributions of early societies. Special attention is given to examining how power was structured, how technology and innovation spread, and how early human interactions shaped cultural identities and systems of belief that still resonate today.

Using an inquiry-based approach, the course challenges students to think like historians by analyzing primary and secondary sources, constructing timelines, mapping historical movements, and investigating essential questions such as: What makes a civilization? How do empires rise and fall? In what ways do culture, religion, and technology influence the development of societies?

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of World History 1: Foundations & Empires, students will be able to:

Describe the key characteristics of early human societies and the development of agriculture and settlements.
Identify and explain the political, cultural, and technological contributions of early civilizations and empires.
Analyze the rise and fall of major classical civilizations and their long-term impact on global development.
Compare and contrast belief systems such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and early animist traditions.
Evaluate the causes and consequences of trade, migration, and cultural exchange among early societies.
Develop historical thinking skills through critical reading, evidence-based writing, and source evaluation.

Instructional Approach:
World History 1 is presented through a series of thematic and chronological modules. Each week features video lectures, assigned readings, primary source investigations, and interactive learning tools such as maps, timelines, and student journals. Learners are encouraged to think deeply, ask questions, and draw connections between ancient history and the modern world. Assessments include short writing assignments, quizzes, project-based learning, and a culminating portfolio presentation.

Trauma-informed and culturally responsive teaching practices are embedded throughout the course to ensure that diverse perspectives are honored and students feel supported while engaging with sometimes difficult topics such as conquest, slavery, and cultural conflict. Instructors maintain a safe, respectful virtual classroom that invites inclusive discussion and reflection.

Course Highlights:

Aligned with state and national social studies standards
Emphasizes critical thinking and cultural awareness
Includes downloadable worksheets and interactive tools
Flexible pacing with built-in teacher support
Prepares students for World History 2 and AP World History

Ideal For:
High school students in grades 9–11 who are beginning their study of global history, whether to meet graduation requirements or to build a strong foundation for advanced coursework in social studies.

FAQ

• Weekly quizzes and unit tests. • Written assignments and source analyses. • Final project and reflection essay.

Course curriculum

Understanding the Past

World History Maps

Requirment

Teacher: Mr. B. Course Grading System: Quizzes 75% Project 5% Term Paper 10% (2 pages) Final Exam 10%

Outcomes

Course Objectives By the end of the course, students will 1. Understand key events, figures, and themes in ancient, classical, and medieval world history. 2. Analyze the influence of geography, culture, and innovation on the development of societies. 3. Evaluate the causes and consequences of interactions among civilizations. 4. Develop critical thinking skills through primary and secondary source analysis. 5. Create connections between historical events and modern issues.

Instructor

Tom Buchan

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$ 399.99

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Students
0
language
English
Duration
13h 22m
Level
intermediate
Expiry period
4 Months
Certificate
Yes