Unit I and II (8000 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.)

This time period covers units one and two, but will be taught and assessed as a single unit. It is very important for later units that you learn the material in this first time period well. You will learn about the discovery of agriculture, the development of metal technology, and the rise of civilizations. After learning about the first major civilizations that emerged in river valleys, you will study the classical civilizations of India, China, and the Mediterranean region (Greece and Rome). You will learn many major belief systems and religions in this unit, and understand how they support and influence political, social and gender structures. After comparing the ways in which these classical civilizations fell, you will see that at the end of this time period civilization is defined more by religious zones (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, etc) than by political empires.

Agriculture, Metals, and Civilization

The Neolithic Revolution

The Bronze Age (Sample Article)

The Use of Metals in History

Civilization: Its Meaning and Controveries

Empires

River Valley Civilizations

River Valley Civilizations: Egypt

River Valley Civilizations: Mesopotamia

River Valley Civilizations: Indus

River Valley Civilizations: China

Classical Civilizations

Classical Civilizations: South Asia

Classical Indian Society

Classical Indian Political Structure

Classical Indian Economy

Classical Civilizations: East Asia

The Zhou Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty

Qin ShiHaung Di

The Han Dynasty: Society

The Han Dynasty: Political Structure

The Han Dynasty: Economy

The Han Dynasty: Culture

Classical Civilizations: Greeks

Classical Greek Society

Classical Greek Political Structure

Classical Greek Economy

Classical Greek Culture

Classical Civilizations: Roman

Classical Rome: Society

Classical Rome: Political Structure

Classical Rome: Economy

Classical Rome: Culture

The Decline and Fall of the Han

The Decline and Fall of the Romans

The Decline and Fall of the Gupta

The Silk Roads

Classical Belief Systems and Their Social and Political Implications

Ancestor Worship

Hinduism

Buddhism

Confucianism

Daoism

Legalism

Polytheism

Judaism

Christianity

Course Theme Summaries: Units I and II

Interaction between Humans and the Environment:Units I and II

Development and Interaction of Cultures: Units I and II

State-building, Expansion, and Conflict: Units I and II

Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems: Units I and II

Development and Transformation of Social Structures: Units I and II