In this course, we will survey the history of major world cultures, important states, and expansive empires of world history; we will also, however, think about larger themes in world history, such as the importance of trade, the formation and
fall of empires, the development of technology, the spread of religion, and the historical relationship between society and the environment. In short, this course should give you more than information about the human past; it should also challenge you to think about our relationship with the past.

In this course, students will be evaluating the close relationship people have with their environment and the way this interaction has shaped civilizations. We will attempt to understand the various perspectives that create historical narratives by immersing ourselves in people's social, political and religious structures. Beginning in the 1300s, the course will continuously grapple with the outcomes of the conflicts and achievements of world history.