• The Big Ideas Part 1 – UNDERSTANDING OUR MODERN WORLD – An Introduction to the Humanities

This is a multidisciplinary course designed to introduce the student to the history and evolution of civilization from prehistory to present. We will explore the evolution of technology, science, art, mythology and any other major movement throughout the history of humankind.

Students will develop critical thinking and communication skills through research, reading, writing, comprehension and literacy skills needed for success in school and their daily life. Students will read, interpret, and create a variety of informational, literary, and graphic texts. Students will explore and critically analyse information and ideas through historical events, literature, art, science and technology.

Students will develop an understanding of the importance of great ideas throughout human history and how great thinkers affect their world ( this includes Western, Eastern. Each week Students will be assigned a short reading or research topic and corresponding critical thinking questions to be reviewed at he beginning of each class.

1. Introduction: Why Study the Humanities?

2. Introduction: Prehistory and Myth – How did the world begin? Science and Mythology

3. Ancient World – Mesopotamia, The Hebrews, Ancient Egypt, Europeans

7. Ancient India and China – the Eastern Mind / history / philosophy

8. Early Aegean Civilizations

9. The western mind -Athens and the Golden Age of Greece, Greek Drama and Philosophy. Classical and Hellenistic Style

10. The Rise and Fall of Rome – Early Christianity – The Arts of Early Christianity. Dark Ages, Islam

11. Cultures of Early Medieval Europe – Medieval Christianity and the Arts

12. The East – India and Hinduism,

13. Confucianism and the Chinese Rise to Power – Buddhism and Buddhist Cultures – The Arts of China and Japan

14. Clash of Culture / The Age of Exploration – Africa and the Global Trade – Native American Cultures – Meso- and South American Empires Meso- and South American Empires,

15. The Italian Renaissance

• The Big Ideas Part 2 – UNDERSTANDING OUR MODERN WORLD – An exploration of the ideas, people

and historic events of modernism from the Renaissance to today. We will examine the evolution and

advancement of literature, art, technology and philosophy from these eras. Each week Students will be

assigned a short reading or research topic and corresponding critical thinking questions to be reviewed at

he beginning of each class.

Areas of Exploration;

Institutions and Traditions of The West – The course begins in early modern Europe during the

Renaissance period (1400-1600) and discusses the exciting cultural and intellectual developments brought about through this & quot;rebirth.& quot;

Age of Exploration – Students assume the role of the explorer and look beyond Europe to what was going on in North America, or what was called the "New World." Students study the lives of peasants in Europe in the 1500s, as well as the indigenous peoples living in America. They examine the changes that occurred for these peoples as a result of contact and European settlement.

Age of Enlightenment -Students look closely at the period of enlightenment and the rise of scientific

thought, between the years 1650-1800. Students discuss European society in the 1700s and how

Enlightenment ideals such as of reason, human autonomy, progress, universalism, popular government,

and secularism, changed people's day-to-day lives. From a cultural standpoint, students explore how political and social changes were reflected in literature, art and music.

Age of Revolution – This unit focuses on the period from 1750-1800 to present an in-depth study of the

French and American Revolutions. Students analyse important themes common to most revolutions

throughout history, including social inequality and hunger. Students examine the conflict through the

rebellions, Rights of Man, Freedom, Liberty, the “idea” of America, Napoleon’s rise to power and spread of liberalism and nation states.

Industrial Society – Students examine the massive social consequences of the Industrial Revolution

throughout Europe and the rest of the world. The invention of the factory (mass production) completely

changed how people structured their days. The 19 th Century world as a tension between the old and new.

The new ideas, ie: Marx, Darwin, and new developments in health sciences. Imperialism and colonialism and Western dominance (and arrogance) 20 th Century – MAELSTROM – Students examine the 20 th century events (from the titanic, WWI, Russian Revolution, the roaring 20’s, the dirty 30’s (great depression),Rise of Fascism, WW2, The Atomic Age and the Cold War. Modern China’s rise) and ideas like Existentialism, Relativity, the electronic environment (radio / T.V.) Space exploration, etc. And students will connect all these dots and make sense of this century and how it directly connects with the present age of Information.

Age of Information – Students critically examine our current age, the rapid change of values, as a result of our interconnectedness ( internet / microchip) – social media, propaganda and the future – possible

futures, technologies etc.