World History
World history is the study of human history as it transcends the boundaries of individual states and cultures. It involves looking at a wide range of connections among peoples and between different regions, including movements (of peoples, ideas, commodities, diseases, and goods), exchanges, and interconnections. World historians often engage in comparative history.
The most important aspect of a good World History Curriculum is that it allows students to develop an understanding of the common humanity shared by all humans throughout our history. It should prepare students for international studies, active participation in civic life both at home and abroad, and the roles they will inevitably play as citizens of their local communities as well as of the entire globe.
A good world history curriculum will also provide a broad overview of a wide range of historical topics from pre-modern to modern times and include coverage of the most significant events, changes, and trends that have had a major impact on global patterns in human society. It should also cover the most significant world religions and cultures, the development of Western civilisation, and the rise of the global economy and global wars.
What Is World History As a Subject?
An excellent world history curriculum will incorporate a range of methods to help make learning fun and interesting. Some approaches focus on teaching specific skills, for example map reading and research. Others encourage learners to think critically about the events of each era by asking questions about why people acted in a particular way.
For example, in this unit on the Cold War students will investigate why the United States and the Soviet Union fought, what effects the conflict had on world politics, and whether the outcome of the war was justified.
The curriculum also includes a number of interactive, fun activities and projects that are ideal for bringing world history lessons to life. One of these is a poster-style map quiz that allows students to compare and contrast various parts of the world. It is easy to use and could be adapted for any topic from ancient to modern.
Another great project is a mind map activity that helps students visualize how the development of the modern world has been shaped by cultural, political and economic trends. This simple but effective assignment can be used as an assessment of a specific unit or as an end-of-year project.
Suitable for ages 14-16, the course is designed to be used independently by teens, saving parents time and helping them to stay involved in their student’s education. With daily lesson plans written directly to the student, as well as helpful key terms and directions, it is easy to teach and manage. With the curriculum covering three high school subjects, students can easily earn required credits. The lessons are also flexible, so they can be adjusted as needed to fit a busy schedule. Lessons can even be done online or on a tablet or computer. This makes it an ideal option for homeschooled teens.
