Course Work
Unit One – Physical and Human Geography
The five themes of geography. Mapping the world. Latitude and longitude. Physical phenomena (e.g., weather, climate and landforms). Culture – what does it mean? How are cultures formed and maintained. How does geography influence destiny?
Unit Two – Before Civilization
Human evolution. Nomadic societies. Human migration. Lost civilizations.
Unit Three – Early and Ancient Civilizations
The Agricultural Revolution. Mesopotamia: Sumer and Mesopotamia. The Nile Valley: Egyptian Civilization. Eastern Empires: Indus River, Shang China. Ancient Civilizations: Greece and Rome. Rise of Christianity.
Unit Four - Africa
The physical and human geography. Ancient kingdoms. Slave trade and imperialism. Apartheid, independence, struggles. African development and the legacies of colonialism. Regional issues, conflicts, resources.
Unit Five – The Middle East / Southwest Asia
World Religions. The rise and spread of Islam. Muslim culture.
The Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Resources.
Unit Six – Asia
Asian Empires. Chinese Dynasties. Enduring traditions and culture. Indian Empires. Religious traditions and influences. Hinduism. Buddhism. Globalization. World population issues. Southeast Asia, Japan, Mongolia and Korea. Economies of today.
Unit Seven – Central and South America
Early America. Mesoamerican Cultures. Aztec and Incas. European countries expanding overseas. Columbus and others. Columbian Exchange and colonization. Modern Native Americans, California and the future. Current economies and political development.
Unit One – Physical and Human Geography
The five themes of geography. Mapping the world. Latitude and longitude. Physical phenomena (e.g., weather, climate and landforms). Culture – what does it mean? How are cultures formed and maintained. How does geography influence destiny?
Unit Two – Before Civilization
Human evolution. Nomadic societies. Human migration. Lost civilizations.
Unit Three – Early and Ancient Civilizations
The Agricultural Revolution. Mesopotamia: Sumer and Mesopotamia. The Nile Valley: Egyptian Civilization. Eastern Empires: Indus River, Shang China. Ancient Civilizations: Greece and Rome. Rise of Christianity.
Unit Four - Africa
The physical and human geography. Ancient kingdoms. Slave trade and imperialism. Apartheid, independence, struggles. African development and the legacies of colonialism. Regional issues, conflicts, resources.
Unit Five – The Middle East / Southwest Asia
World Religions. The rise and spread of Islam. Muslim culture.
The Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Resources.
Unit Six – Asia
Asian Empires. Chinese Dynasties. Enduring traditions and culture. Indian Empires. Religious traditions and influences. Hinduism. Buddhism. Globalization. World population issues. Southeast Asia, Japan, Mongolia and Korea. Economies of today.
Unit Seven – Central and South America
Early America. Mesoamerican Cultures. Aztec and Incas. European countries expanding overseas. Columbus and others. Columbian Exchange and colonization. Modern Native Americans, California and the future. Current economies and political development.