ANCIENT EGYPT

Topics include the development of Egyptian culture, religion, political systems, historical periods, influence of the Hyksos, and Ptolemys.

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KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES OF THE FERTILE CRESCENT: Sumer to Persia 3000-300 BCE

Topics include the origin of governmental institutions, the foundations of Western law, the expansion of Sumer , Babylonia , the Chaldeans, Hitties, Persians, and Egyptians.

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AEGEAN CIVILIZATIONS: Neolithic Greece to the Hellenistic Age

Topics include Mediterranean culture from the Phoenicians to the Macedonians, trade, city-states and democracy, Greek philosophers, Hebrew monotheism, Aegean battles, conquests, and technology.

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ANCIENT ROME

History of ancient Rome from its founding in the eight century BCE through the collapse of the western empire in 476 CE. Republic and Empire contrasted. Expansion of the Empire traced. Barbarian invasions discussed.

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MEDIEVAL EUROPE

Beginning with a series of maps and a review of Constantine to Charlemagne, this presentation covers the Magyars, Vikings, Normans, Catholic Church, art, architecture, feudalism, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Crusades, and ends with the Black Death. It explores the rise of universities, science, philosophy, literature, warfare, the rise of city states, and the social consequences of the Black Death.

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HISTORY OF AFRICA

Introduces geography of the continent, starts with ancient African civilizations, highlights major empires by region, and traces the slave trade through pan Africanism.

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CHINA: Ancient Civilization to Communist Revolution

Overview of regional geography, traces the history of China beginning with early Chinese civilizations, Confucius, the dynasties, Mongolian conquest, the Manchu, and People’s Republic of China.

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INDIA and SOUTHEAST ASIA

Starts with geographic background, Aryan conquests, Mauryan and Guptan empires, and the development and spread of Hinduism and Buddhism throughout Asia.

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ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

Covers the history of Islamic civilization beginning with pre-Islamic Arabia, includes Mohammed, factions, spread of Islam, crusades, Ottomans, North Africa and Persia and Islam today.

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MESOAMERICA and ANDIAN CIVILIZATIONS

Opens with a discussion of the geography of the regions and highlights the major civilizations including the Olmecs, Teotihuacán, Mayans, Zapotec, Mixtec, Toltec, and Aztecs.

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THE BLACK DEATH AND OTHER PANDEMICS

Begins with epidemics in the ancient world, origins of the Black Death, economic and social effects, plagues after the Black Death and a brief background of the science of plagues and mass epidemics.

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HERNAN CORTES AND THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO

This presentation employs a variety of media and primary sources to take students back to 1519 and the epic collision between the Spanish and the Aztecs. The program traces the conflict from its origins to its dramatic conclusion and long-term aftermath.

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THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Topics include events leading up to the revolution, major people, places, and events.

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EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM: 1800-1914

Topics include industrialization and technology, the partition of Africa, imperialism in India, Southeast and Southwest Asia, China, the East India Company, and the Boxer Rebellion.

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EUROPEAN NATIONALISM: 1814-1848

Topics include the characteristics of 19th century European nationalism, the influence of the French Revolution on the spread of nationalism, the unification of Germany and Italy, and tensions in the Balkans.

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