A Brief History of the World

Overview

Course No. 8080

Embark on a whirlwind journey through human history with this enlightening course taught by an award-winning professor. Explore the expansive narrative of humanity’s development, from the construction of the pyramids to modern globalization, and understand how various cultures and civilizations have interacted throughout history.

Course Outline

• What and Why Is World History? (33 min)
  • An introduction to world history, its significance, and key subjects of inquiry.

• The Neolithic Revolution (31 min)
  • Examine the rise of agriculture and its profound impact on human civilization.

• What Is a Civilization? (32 min)
  • Explore the emergence of civilizations and key innovations in technology and culture.

4. The Classical Period in World History (32 min)
   • Discover the development of influential civilizations in Asia, the Mediterranean, and India.

5. Cultural Change in the Classical Period (32 min)
   • Analyze the creation of enduring cultural systems, including religions and philosophies.

6. Social Inequalities in Classical Societies (33 min)
   • Investigate the common beliefs regarding social inequality in classical civilizations.

• The Roman Empire and Han China (30 min)
  • Compare the achievements and societal structures of the Roman Empire and Han China.

8. The Silk Road: Classical Period Contacts (29 min)
   • Explore the trade routes that connected various regions during the classical period.

• The Decline of the Classical Civilizations (33 min)
  • Examine the factors contributing to the fall of major classical societies.

10. The Post-Classical Period, 500–1450 (32 min)
    • Understand the dynamics of the Post-Classical period, including the spread of religions.

• World Religions and Their Consequences (34 min)
  • Analyze the geographical expansion of major world religions and their societal effects.

12. The Impact of Islam (33 min)
    • Explore the significance and influence of Islam during the Post-Classical period.

• Post-Classical Trade and Contacts (31 min)
  • Review the changes in interregional trade and its impact on various cultures.

14. Post-Classical Patterns of Imitation (29 min)
    • Investigate how different societies adopted cultural elements from one another.

15. Western Civilization in World Context (30 min)
    • Explore the concept of Western civilization and its historical roots.

• The Mongol Years (29 min)
  • Understand the impact of the Mongol conquests on world history.

• Civilizations in the Americas and in Africa (33 min)
  • Compare the historical developments of civilizations in the Americas and Africa.

• The World in 1450 (30 min)
  • Identify significant changes that set the stage for future developments in world history.

• The Early Modern Period, 1450–1750 (31 min)
  • Examine how global exploration and trade transformed societies.

20. The World Economy, 1450–1750 (31 min)
    • Analyze the dynamics of world trade and the emergence of global economic systems.

21. Transformations in Western Europe (32 min)
    • Investigate pivotal changes in Western civilization during the early modern period.

22. The Rise of Russia (31 min)
    • Understand Russia’s unique position in world history during the early modern era.

• Asian Empires and a Shogunate (32 min)
  • Explore the developments in major Asian empires during the early modern period.

• The Long 19th Century (33 min)
  • Review the political and social revolutions that defined the 19th century.

• Abolition of Slavery and Serfdom (33 min)
  • Discuss the global shifts towards ending systems of coerced labor.

26. Modernization and Nationalisms (33 min)
    • Examine the impact of modernization and nationalism on world societies.

• Formation of Latin American Civilization (32 min)
  • Explore the developments leading to the establishment of Latin American nations.

• China and Japan – 19th-Century Pressures (29 min)
  • Investigate how China and Japan responded to Western pressures during the 19th century.

• The 20th–21st Centuries as a New Period (31 min)
  • Analyze the significant changes that transpired during the 20th century.

• The World Economy—Change and Continuity (32 min)
  • Explore the continuities and changes in the world economy into the 21st century.

31. An Age of Revolutions (33 min)
    • Review the various political and social revolutions of the 20th century.

• The United States in World History (32 min)
  • Discuss the role of the United States in global history throughout the 20th century.

• Contemporary Democracy (33 min)
  • Analyze the spread of democracy and its challenges in contemporary societies.

34. Contemporary Cultural Change (32 min)
    • Examine changes in belief systems and the rise of new ideologies.

35. Gender in Contemporary World History (32 min)
    • Review the shifts in gender relations and the status of women globally.

36. Globalization and World History (36 min)
    • Understand the concept of globalization and its implications for world history.