HIST 116 - World History: A Comparative Survey from the Ancient World to A.D. 1500

(HUMD, GEIR, GEEL, GCP)

One of two related courses (with HIST 117), which may be taken in either order. These courses cover the world’s great cultures, religious, and political systems. They offer the student an opportunity to understand contemporary life in terms of the accumulated cultural experiences of the world and to appreciate the growing interdependence of modern nations. HIST 116 is a comparative inquiry into the emergence and flowering of ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean civilizations; the Christian Middle Ages and Renaissance in Europe; China and the development of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism; Hinduism and Indian empires; Islam- its conquests and the rise of the Ottoman Empire; civilizations of the Americas, and African developments. Assessment Level(s): ENGL 101/ENGL 011. Three hours each week.

3 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Chart the spread of humanity from Africa and demonstrate an understanding of the impact of the Neolithic Revolution on further human developments.
Explain the geographical and environmental reasons for the varying rates of social and historical development throughout the world.
Trace religious developments from ritualistic and communal forms to theologically more sophisticated forms that allow for personal spirituality and contain explicit codes of morality.
Analyze the process of globalization or interconnectedness, as evidenced for example by the history of Central Asiatic peoples and the Silk Road or by the Indian Ocean trade, is a very old phenomenon.
Explain the basic chronological framework of world history and will demonstrate understanding of cause and effect and comment upon contemporary developments in different parts of the world.

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