World History I

World History I introduces students to the broad sweep of human history up to c. 1500 C.E. The course examines many foundational developments in human history, including the origins of homo sapiens; the development of agriculture; the relationship between humans and the environment; the emergence of complex societies, states, and empires; worldwide cultural and artistic expressions; the origins of major world religions; the evolution of power structures, class, and gender divisions, and social hierarchies more broadly. Students will also be introduced to the nature of historical evidence and methods.