Semester A begins with a recap of ancient civilizations, the rise of religions and the creation of empires. This starts with a review of early Asian, African, and European cultures along with explorations of the Americas, the influences of the Renaissance and Enlightenment (1500s), and its ideals that caused social and political shifts in thought worldwide. The course looks at the rise of imperialism and colonialism, the nations’ struggles with growing pains (1600s) and individual rights, conflicts and revolutions (1700s), and it concludes with the world rise of industrialization, civil wars, labor issues, and capitalism’s influence on countries’ and territories’ growth and expansion (1800s).
Each unit’s background and task information and activities will attempt to connect the past to the present through a series of current event “quick writes” and engaging tasks. Through this interactive component, students should gain a better understanding of how countries’ past decisions and actions have led to present situational accomplishments and crises around the world. World History A’s research project and writing components are scaffolded throughout the course, and its presentation in Unit 5 will be offered in a variety of modalities to best suit each student.
This semester, you will be reading the online World History, Vol. I textbook and other supplemental resources. In each unit, you will be responsible for reviewing vocabulary, reading text, and completing questions and activities for the readings and tasks presented. The work you complete will help you better understand the concepts for each lesson and help you make clearer connections to situations in the real world today.