In this 5-week course, we will explore the early river civilizations of Egypt, China, and Mesopotamia, focusing on their governments, economic systems, social structures, religions, technologies, and agricultural practices. The overarching goal is to help learners understand how these foundational elements shaped the ancient world and continue to influence modern societies in the Eastern Hemisphere.

What will be taught?
Learners will be introduced to the key cultural practices and innovations of these early civilizations, such as governance, religion, agriculture, technological advancements, economic systems, and social structures. We will emphasize how these developments provided the foundation for many aspects of today's global society.

What topics will you cover?
Throughout the course, we'll cover how these civilizations:
Formed governments to manage resources like irrigation and trade.
Developed religious systems to explain their environments and guide societal norms.
Used agriculture and technology to thrive in favorable geographic conditions.
Established economic and social hierarchies that laid the groundwork for urbanization.
Produced cultural legacies that remain influential in today's Eastern Hemisphere.

How is your class structured?
The course is structured as a blend of interactive learning activities and informative content delivery. Each week, a new facet of these civilizations will be explored through a variety of methods, ensuring students engage with the material in multiple ways. While there will be overarching themes tying the weeks together, the content will progress naturally from government to religion, agriculture, technology, and finally, economic and social systems.

How will you teach?
The class will be taught using a mix of lectures, multimedia resources, and active learning. I will use clear, concise explanations of each topic paired with relevant visuals, slides, and video clips to help illustrate key points. The lectures will be supplemented by interactive activities that encourage learners to actively engage with the material, such as group discussions, simulations, and creative projects.

What's your teaching style?
My teaching style is engaging, student-centered, and interactive. I believe in fostering curiosity by connecting ancient practices with modern-day relevance, ensuring the material feels accessible and exciting. I aim to create a space where students feel comfortable asking questions and contributing their thoughts. While I will provide the necessary foundational knowledge, I encourage learners to take part in critical thinking and collaborative learning.

How much will learners get to interact with you?
Learners will have multiple opportunities to interact with me and each other throughout the course. In each session, I will use a combination of:

Lectures to present core information.
Discussions to encourage active participation, where students can share ideas and ask questions about the civilizations.
Group activities and games such as role-playing ancient trade systems or simulating agricultural planning, which will deepen their understanding of the material.
Multimedia like slides and video clips to visually reinforce the content. The course will also include hands-on projects, such as constructing irrigation models or analyzing ancient legal codes, which I will facilitate and guide.
Overall, this course will be highly interactive, balancing traditional teaching with dynamic, collaborative learning experiences that help students grasp the enduring legacies of early civilizations.