Course Description

WORLD HISTORY
Blog: http://skagwayworldhistory.blogspot.com
Instructor: Mr. Kent FIelding
Phone: 907-983-3604   Email: fieldingkent@hotmail.com

“History,” according to J.M. Roberts, “is the story of mankind, of what it has done, suffered, or enjoyed.  When historians write about a natural process beyond human control, such as the ups and downs of climate, or the spread of disease, they do so only because it helps us to understand why men and women have lived (and died) in some ways rather than others.”  World History will explore the development of human cultures from prehistory – the moment man steps out of the shadows – through the ancient world, the middle ages, down to the 20th century.  We will look at what gave rise to cities, how and why man was able to stop chasing his food source and begin to control and shape his environment; we’ll look the great inventions of specific civilizations and time, and discuss why they happen, how they changed people and how they influenced the future.  This class is less concerned with mote memorization, but more in looking at the story of mankind, the plotline of our ancestors, and how certain events shape and influence other events.   History is not a vacuum, and luckily for us man is a social being with the ability to communicate, and the tools to record, complex thoughts and records.  According to Jared Diamond writing, phonetic writing, was invented only once and then borrow, adapted, or stolen by every civilization that came in contact with it.  This along with the knowledge of fire, and how to create fire, and the cultivation of crops, are among the greatest achievements of mankind (why?).

 The first semester will deal with Ancient Civilizations through the Middle Ages.  We’ll look at Sumer, the Babylonian Empire, Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Vikings and the Crusades, among other things.  During this time we will read The Epic of Gilgamesh (the first known literary epic).   Students will keep blogs of reflections and classwork.  The class will develop projects, give presentations, take tests, and watch episodes of Crash Course: World History and The Great Courses: World History.

The second semester will deal with The Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, the Rise of Imperialism, World War I and II, and the Cold War.  Again, students will keep blogs of reflections and classwork, develop projects, give presentations and take test.  We will also be reading one book that corresponds with the time period.

Grades will be weighted according to the following:

Blog writing = 20%
Homework/Daily work = 10%
Tests = 30%
Projects = 30%
Quizzes = 10%

If you ever need to get ahold of me you can email me at fieldingkent@hotmail.com.  I check my email every night.