World History 7

Prerequisites: none
Who the course is designed for: all 7th grade students

This course is the first year of a three-year world history sequence spanning grades 7 – 9.  History 7 introduces students to the skills, concepts and methodologies necessary for the study of history. During the first semester, students begin by examining early human origins and the development of human society through the period of the Neolithic Revolution. Then, ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia serve as case studies for in-depth analysis, with particular emphasis placed on the social, political, intellectual, cultural, and economic aspects of these ancient civilizations. This "SPICE" framework will be used to evaluate societies in all history classes in the Middle and Upper Schools. The second semester is devoted to the study of ancient Greece and Rome, with a continued focus on the categories of SPICE and the relationship between these ancient cultures and contemporary society.  Students are introduced to the major skills of historical inquiry, including critical thinking, reading, writing, research and public speaking. Throughout the year, creative projects stimulate students' imaginations while giving them practice in using academic skills