As the early middle ages came to a close, kingdoms and empires from across the eastern hemisphere began to come into conflict with one another. The Mongol Empire spread across Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East while the Kingdoms of Europe were fighting in the Crusades against the Islamic Caliphate. These conflicts, along with regional trade, created the perfect circumstances for the spread of a plague which permanently changed the world. 

This new era was characterized by a more interconnected world with regional conflicts happening as important developments in science, technology, finance, and trade are being made. In this course students will study the increasing interconnection between kingdoms and empires from all corners of the known world, and the way these developments shaped our modern world.

Unit 1: Imperial China
• Reunification of China
• The Song Dynasty
• The Ming Dynasty and the Great Wall of China

Unit 2: Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire
• Genghis Khan and the Mongol Tribes
• Conquests of the Mongol Empire
• The Mongol Dynasty of China

Unit 3: The High Middle Ages
• Feudalism and the Kingdoms of Europe
• William the Conqueror
• Causes and Effects of the Crusades
• Richard the Lionheart and Saladin

Unit 4:The Late Middle Ages
• The Hundred Years War
• The Black Death
• Decline of Feudalism

Unit 5: Renaissance
• Foundations of the Italian Renaissance
• Art and Literature of the Renaissance
• The Northern Renaissance

Classes are taught with a mix of learning strategies including; instructor presentation, maps, videos, activities, and student discussion. All classes will include informal assessments to check for student understanding such as review activities or short writing assignments. Students are provided with guided notes to assist them in organizing the material covered. Units will conclude with a formal assessment for students to practice their historical knowledge and skills. These assessments are given to check for student understanding, and will be used to asses student progress as part of a growth mindset. Grades are available upon parent request.

**This class is the fourth of a four part series that will cover World History 1: Prehistory to 1450 CE. The full series is made up of Ancient Civilizations, The Rise and Fall of Classical Empires, The full series is made up of "Ancient Civilizations", "The Rise and Fall of Classical Empires", "The Dark Ages, Vikings, and the Islamic Golden Age ", and "The Late Middle Ages and World Conflict". Completion of all four parts of this course is designed to fulfill the requirements for 2 credits of World History at the Middle School level, or 1 credit at the High School level. Students do not need prior knowledge of world history to take this class. These courses can be taken individually, and in any order students prefer.**