A Brief History of the World

Overview

Embark on a sweeping journey through human civilization—from ancient agricultural revolutions to modern globalization—in this 36-lecture course by an award-winning historian.

Course No. 8080

This global survey connects the histories of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, revealing how cultures interacted through trade, technology, and conquest across six millennia.

Course Content

Foundations of Civilization

1. The Neolithic Revolution (31 min)
   • How agriculture transformed human society

2. What Is a Civilization? (32 min)
   • Key innovations from Mesopotamia to Mesoamerica

3. Classical Civilizations Compared (32 min)
   • Parallel developments in Rome, Han China, and Gupta India

Global Connections Emerge

4. The Silk Road Network (29 min)
   • Ancient trade routes linking East and West

5. World Religions Expand (34 min)
   • Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam reshape cultures

6. The Mongol World System (29 min)
   • How nomadic conquerors created history’s largest empire

Early Modern Transformations

7. Columbian Exchange (31 min)
   • Biological and cultural impacts of 1492

• Gunpowder Empires (32 min)
  • Ottomans, Mughals, and Ming China

9. Atlantic Slave Trade (33 min)
   • Forced migration’s global consequences

Modern World Takes Shape

10. Industrial Revolution (33 min)
    • How steam power changed everything

11. 19th Century Nationalism (33 min)
    • The rise of modern nation-states

12. Colonialism and Resistance (32 min)
    • From the Sepoy Rebellion to Boxer Uprising

Contemporary Challenges

13. World Wars Era (31 min)
    • The collapse of European dominance

14. Cold War Divisions (32 min)
    • Capitalism vs. communism on a global stage

15. Globalization 2.0 (36 min)
    • Digital age connections and conflicts