Early World Civilizations

Unit 1 – Early World Civilizations: Prehistory Intro

Unit 2 – Neolithic Revolution: Agriculture Emerges

Unit 3 – Ancient Mesopotamia: Cradle of Civilization

Unit 4 – Ancient Egypt: Three Kingdom Periods

Unit 5 – Early Indus Valley and Ancient India

Unit 6 – Ancient China: Key Dynasties (Shang-Han)

Unit 7 – Early American Civilizations: Olmec to Chavin

Unit 8 – The Persian Empire and Zoroastrianism

Unit 9 – Classical Greece and Hellenistic Era

Unit 10 – The Roman Republic and Empire

Unit 11 – Silk Road and Indian Ocean Trade Routes

Unit 12 – Rise and Spread of Christianity and Islam

Unit 13 – Early African Kingdoms: Kush, Axum, Ghana

Unit 14 – Byzantine Empire and Eastern Orthodoxy

Unit 15 – Mongol Empire's Influence on Eurasia

Unit 16 – The Americas: Aztec and Inca Empires

Unit 17 – The Renaissance and Age of Exploration

## What do you learn in Early World Civilizations

Early World Civilizations covers the development of human societies from prehistoric times to around 1500 CE. You'll explore ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and India. The course digs into cultural practices, political systems, technological advancements, and major historical events that shaped these early societies. You'll also learn about trade networks, religious beliefs, and artistic achievements across different regions.

## Is Early World Civilizations hard?

Early World Civilizations can be challenging because of the sheer amount of information covered. You'll need to remember lots of names, dates, and events from various cultures. But honestly, it's not too bad if you stay on top of the readings and take good notes. The concepts aren't super complex, it's more about keeping track of different civilizations and understanding how they influenced each other over time.

## Tips for taking Early World Civilizations in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Create timelines for each civilization to visualize how events connect
3. Use mnemonic devices to remember key figures (e.g., "Hammurabi's Code" = "Ham and Rye with Coke")
4. Watch historical documentaries like "The Story of Human Civilization" for visual context
5. Form study groups to discuss and compare different civilizations
6. Use maps to understand geographical influences on cultural development
7. Read primary sources like "The Epic of Gilgamesh" or "The Art of War" for deeper insights

## Common pre-requisites for Early World Civilizations

1. World History Survey: This course provides a broad overview of global historical events and trends. It sets the stage for more in-depth study of specific civilizations.

2. Introduction to Anthropology: This class explores human cultures and societies from various perspectives. It gives you tools to analyze cultural practices and social structures you'll encounter in Early World Civilizations.

## Classes similar to Early World Civilizations

1. Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations: Focuses on the cultures around the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Rome, and Egypt. You'll dive deeper into these specific civilizations and their interactions.

2. East Asian Civilizations: Explores the development of China, Japan, and Korea from ancient times to the modern era. This course offers a different regional perspective on early civilizations.

3. Medieval World History: Picks up where Early World Civilizations leaves off, covering the period from 500 CE to 1500 CE. You'll learn about the rise of new empires and the development of global trade networks.

4. History of Religion: Examines the origins and evolution of major world religions. It provides context for understanding the role of belief systems in early civilizations.

## Majors related to Early World Civilizations

1. History: Focuses on studying and interpreting past events, societies, and cultures. Students develop critical thinking skills and learn to analyze primary sources.

2. Anthropology: Explores human cultures, behaviors, and societies across time and space. Students learn about cultural practices, social structures, and human evolution.

3. Archaeology: Involves the study of human history through the excavation and analysis of artifacts and physical remains. Students learn field methods and how to interpret material culture.

4. Classical Studies: Concentrates on the languages, literature, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. Students gain in-depth knowledge of these influential civilizations.

## What can you do with a degree in Early World Civilizations?

1. Museum Curator: Organizes and manages collections of historical artifacts. Curators research objects, plan exhibitions, and educate the public about historical topics.

2. Archaeologist: Excavates and analyzes physical remains of past human cultures. Archaeologists work on dig sites, in labs, and sometimes in academic settings to uncover and interpret historical evidence.

3. Historical Consultant: Provides expert knowledge for films, TV shows, or video games set in historical periods. Consultants ensure historical accuracy in costumes, set designs, and storylines.

4. Cultural Resource Manager: Protects and preserves historical and cultural sites. These professionals work with government agencies or private organizations to manage archaeological sites and historical landmarks.

## Early World Civilizations FAQs

1. How much reading is involved in this course? Expect to do a fair amount of reading, including textbook chapters and primary sources. It's usually manageable if you stay on top of it and don't leave it all for the last minute.

2. Are there any field trips in this class? Some professors organize trips to local museums with relevant exhibits. It depends on your school and instructor, but these trips can be super helpful for visualizing ancient artifacts.

3. How does this course relate to current events? Understanding early civilizations helps us see patterns in human behavior and societal development. You might be surprised how often ancient history pops up in modern political and cultural discussions.

History

Ancient Studies

1.3 Methods and sources for studying early civilizations

1.1 Defining civilization and world history

1.2 Paleolithic and Mesolithic societies

2.3 Early settlements and the emergence of complex societies

2.2 Social and economic impacts of the Neolithic Revolution

2.1 Origins and spread of agriculture

3.4 Mesopotamian religion and daily life

3.1 Sumerian city-states and early writing systems

3.3 Assyrian military and cultural achievements

3.2 Akkadian and Babylonian empires

4.2 Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period

4.4 Egyptian religion, art, and monumental architecture

4.3 New Kingdom: imperial expansion and cultural zenith

4.1 Unification and the Old Kingdom

5.3 Rise of Hinduism and the caste system

5.2 Aryan migration and the Vedic period

5.1 Indus Valley Civilization: urban planning and trade

6.4 Han Dynasty: Confucianism and imperial expansion

6.3 Qin unification and legalism

6.2 Zhou Dynasty and the Mandate of Heaven

6.1 Shang Dynasty: oracle bones and bronze technology

7.3 Chavin culture and religious centers

7.2 Maya city-states, writing, and calendars

7.1 Olmec civilization and its influence

8.3 Persian art, architecture, and cultural achievements

8.2 Zoroastrianism and its impact on Persian society

8.1 Achaemenid Empire: administration and military conquests

9.1 Greek city-states and the rise of democracy

9.3 Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic kingdoms

9.2 Greek philosophy, science, and arts

10.4 Decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire

10.3 Roman law, engineering, and cultural achievements

10.1 Roman Republic: government and expansion

10.2 Transition to Empire and Pax Romana

11.1 Establishment and routes of the Silk Road

11.3 Cultural and technological exchanges along trade routes

11.2 Indian Ocean maritime trade

12.2 Rise of Islam and the early Islamic caliphates

12.1 Origins and early spread of Christianity

12.3 Religious doctrines and their impact on society

13.3 Ghana and trans-Saharan trade networks

13.2 Axum: Christianity and Indian Ocean trade

13.1 Kingdom of Kush and its relationship with Egypt

14.1 Continuation of Roman traditions in the East

14.3 Byzantine art, architecture, and religious practices

14.2 Justinian's reign and legal reforms

15.3 Long-term effects of Mongol conquests on Eurasia

15.2 Mongol rule in China, Persia, and Russia

15.1 Rise of Genghis Khan and Mongol expansion

16.1 Aztec Empire: social structure and religious practices

16.3 Mesoamerican and Andean art and architecture

16.2 Inca Empire: administration and infrastructure

17.1 Italian Renaissance: humanism and artistic innovations

17.3 Columbian Exchange and its global impact

17.2 European maritime technology and early explorations

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