HIST 120 — World History to 1500
This is an introductory survey covering the history of the global past from the origins of humanity through the 15th century, from the rise of early civilizations through the moment of European contact in the western hemisphere during the late-15th century. This course will introduce students to the process of thinking historically: students will seek to understand the problems, events, and p eople of the global past under their own terms and in the broadest contexts. Historians wage vigorous debates over such questions as: How did human society first evolve? What constitutes “civilization”? How has religion changed over time? What has been the significance of cultural exchange between peoples? Students will become attuned to how different the past was to our own lifetimes, being ever mindful of how even ancient world history has and continues to shape our present. Prerequisite(s): ENGL-080 or ENGL-101 or appropriate placement Corequisite(s): none