Unit 1: South and Central Asia
We recommend that teachers new to Investigating History review the Curriculum Guidebook before preparing to teach their first unit.
Cluster 1: Geography of South and Central Asia (Lessons 1-6)
How do geography and climate influence the development of societies and the lives of people in South and Central Asia?
How do geography and climate influence the development of societies and the lives of people in South and Central Asia?
Lesson 1: The “Influencers” of Today and of Ancient South and Central Asia
Lesson 2: South Asian Geography: Influences on People and Society
Lesson 3: Challenges and Benefits of Central Asia’s Geography
Lesson 4: Putting It Together: Analyzing the Geography of South & Central Asia
Lesson 5: Human-Environment Interaction: The Ganges River and the Aral Sea (Part I)
Lesson 6: Human-Environment Interaction:The Ganges River and the Aral Sea (Part II)
Cluster 2: Harappan Society (Lessons 7-11)
If you were a curator, which three artifacts would you choose to communicate what is most important about Harappan society?
If you were a curator, which three artifacts would you choose to communicate what is most important about Harappan society?
Cluster 3: Post-Harappan Developments in South Asia (Lessons 12-21)
What are the origins and essential beliefs of the religious traditions that developed in ancient South Asia?
What are the origins and essential beliefs of the religious traditions that developed in ancient South Asia?
Lesson 12: The Indo-Aryan Migration
Lesson 13: Brahman: The Hindu Concept of God
Lesson 14: Key Hindu Beliefs: Dharma and Karma, Samsara and Moksha
Lesson 15: The Bhagavad Gita, Caste and Society
Lesson 16: Taking Action to Reduce Inequality: The Work of Bishnu Pariyar
Lesson 17: Key Aspects of Buddhism: Buddha, The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
Lesson 18: Buddhism: The Middle Way, Meditation and the Meaning of Brahmin
Lesson 19: The Appeal of Buddhism in Ancient South Asia
Lesson 20: The Buddhist Community in Ancient South Asia (Part I)
Lesson 21: The Buddhist Community in Ancient South Asia (Part II)
Cluster 4: Kingship and Golden Ages in Ancient India and Central Asia (Lessons 22-31)
How did the Mauryan Empire use philosophical ideas and belief systems to guide its leadership?
Who created the Golden Ages of India and Central Asia?
How did the Mauryan Empire use philosophical ideas and belief systems to guide its leadership?
Who created the Golden Ages of India and Central Asia?
Lesson 22: The Roots of Mauryan Power
Lesson 23: Governing Kautilya-Style
Lesson 24: From Bindusara to Ashoka: Analyzing Shifts in Mauryan Rule
Lesson 25: Ashoka’s Edicts: Governing through the Teachings of Buddhism
Lesson 26: Kautilya and Ashoka — Making Ancient and Modern Connections
Lesson 27: Inquiry Cycle: Who Created the Gupta Golden Age? (Part I)
Lesson 28: Inquiry Cycle: Who Created the Gupta Golden Age? (Part II)
Lesson 29: Inquiry Cycle: Who Created the Gupta Golden Age? (Part III)
Lesson 30: Central Asia and Baghdad: Land of Libraries and Learning
Lesson 31: The Gifts of the Polymaths of Central Asia
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