In this engaging and thought-provoking course, students will embark on a journey through history, geography, culture, and human innovation. 

Each week, we will dive deep into the forces that shaped our world, from ancient civilizations to the modern era, uncovering the stories, people, and events that have influenced humanity’s progress. Through the study of geography, key historical figures, and cultural achievements, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how societies have evolved and interconnected over time.

With a focus on critical thinking, this course invites students to not only learn about history but to analyze the relationships between geography, politics, and culture. 

Through interactive discussions, map work, analysis of primary sources, and creative projects, students will explore how civilizations rose and fell, how geography influenced settlement and trade, and how art, religion, and philosophy have shaped human experience.

Whether examining the ancient wonders of Egypt, the revolutionary ideas of the Enlightenment, or the cultural impact of the Renaissance, this course encourages students to ask questions, debate ideas, and make connections that will deepen their understanding of the world around them.

What sets this course apart is our emphasis on creating a personal, beautiful journey through learning. All writing, diagramming, and drawing will take place in each student’s personal workbook. There are no worksheets here—only the opportunity to craft a unique and visually rich record of your discoveries. As we explore the foundations of civilizations, students will actively engage in creative expression allowing the learning to unfold naturally and artistically.


KEY FOCUS AREAS:

➮ Geography’s role in shaping civilizations

➮ Major historical achievements and innovations

➮The interplay of politics, culture, and economics

➮ Analysis of primary sources to understand historical perspectives

➮ Engaging projects that reinforce learning through creativity

This class is designed to foster a sense of curiosity, empathy, and respect for the diversity of human experience while building critical skills in research, analysis, and presentation.


MATERIALS:

Every week, we'll post a list of topics, questions, and resources (articles, videos, images) in our Outschool classroom. Additionally, each week will have a specific materials list for the creative projects, with materials that are easy to find.

In addition to the weekly materials list, please have the following on hand for each class:

Plain sketchbook for writing and drawing
Painting paper
Watercolor paints 
Brushes
Pens
Coloring pencils
Pencil
Stick and block crayons

CLASS SCHEDULE (48 TOPICS TOTAL):

16-Sep-2024	‣ Ancient Civilizations: Exploring Ancient Egypt's Achievements and Daily Life

23-Sep-2024	‣ World Geography: A Journey Through the Diverse Landscapes and Cultures of Asia

30-Sep-2024 ‣ Historical Events: Uncovering the Stories of the American Revolution

7-Oct-2024 ‣ Civics & Government: Understanding Different Systems of Government Around the World

14-Oct-2024 ‣ The Rise and Fall of Ancient Greece: Democracy, philosophy, and art in ancient Athens.

21-Oct-2024 ‣ The Roman Empire: Innovations and the impact of Roman law, architecture, and culture.

28-Oct-2024 ‣ The Silk Road: Trade routes that connected East and West, and their influence on culture.

4-Nov-2024 ‣ The Middle Ages: Knights, castles, and the social structure of feudal Europe.

11-Nov-2024 ‣ The Renaissance: Art, humanism, and the scientific revolution.

18-Nov-2024 ‣ The Age of Exploration: Navigators, new lands, and the impact of exploration on indigenous cultures.

2-Dec-2024 ‣ Mesoamerican Civilizations: The Mayans and the Aztecs—architecture, religion, and society.

9-Dec-2024 ‣ The Industrial Revolution: Technological advancements and their impact on society.

16-Dec-2024 ‣ The French Revolution: Ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

OUR APPROACH:

Our classes are interactive and engaging. We believe in creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas and exploring their creativity. We encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and a love of learning.