Class Description

This course traces the development of Western civilization and the Christian church. Church History is taught in context of the world history events of the time period studied. This is actually two courses blended into one and it taken in the freshman year.

 

Class Expectations

Tests: Every unit will include chapter quizzes worth 50 points each and a unit test worth 100 points.

 

Daily/weekly work: Readings and current events (10 pts)

 

Reports/Projects:  There will be short research/ presentation assignment periodically. The due dates will be posted under assignments on the Internet site.

 

Discussions, videos, notes, handouts, textbook, etc... will be used in the classroom throughout the year.

 

National History Day:  History Day is an option that freshmen may choose in lieu of taking the first semester exam.

More information will be given to the students and due dates will be posted.

National History Day Website:  http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/

 

Final exam:  Each semester there will be a final exam worth 15% of the semester grade.

 

Contact:  My e-mail link is at the top of the page.

 

Class Outline

Introduction:

World / Church History is a freshmen required course, starting with ancient civilizations and continuing until the start of the Cold War.

Objectives: The student will be able to understand , appreciate and demonstrate that:

1. God is an active God whose ultimate will is carried out in history.
2. History is a battle of good and evil, in which Jesus' death and resurrection is the focal point of human history that fulfilled God's promises made in response to the fall of mankind into sin.
3. We are God's agents called to carry out his will in human history as we works towards the second coming.
4. The past is helpful to understand who we are-being the products of what has happened before us.
5. The past is helpful in understanding others as they too are a product of their history.
6. The past is very helpful in understanding current events in politics, culture, economics, science, etc. as those developments resulted from the past.
7. The past is helpful in guiding decisions for the present as our lives are the result of everything that has happened in the past.(both mistakes and benefits). This is true in many areas of life- political, religious, economic, cultural and technological .
8. All areas of life influence and are influenced by each other. One should not, for example, believe that only one area of life is important. (i.e. economic)
9. Our ancestors in history, and in our Christian faith, made efforts and sacrifices that have greatly benefited our lives.
10. The study of history is not pure science. God only partially reveals himself in history- history does not enable us to figure out or bypass God. In fact, it helps to show how dependent we are, and need to put our faith in Him.

The student will be able to demonstrate a competence in :

1. Knowledge of the facts of history that enable us to achieve the broader objectives of the course.
2. Explaining cause and effect and multiple cause and effect.
3. Making occasional class presentations and class projects.
4. Historical analysis and critique -especially from a Christian viewpoint.
5. Geography and map work as as it relates to history.

Textbook -World History. Glencoe.  2005

Course Outline

A. Ancient Egypt and the Fertile Crescent

1. A Christian view of history
2. Contributions of Egyptian science, technology and agriculture
3. Contributions of the Hebrews and Sumerians

B. The Greeks

1. Contrast totalitarian Sparta and the democratic Athens
2. Persian and Peloponnesian Wars
3. Family life and Greek gods
4. Greek art, Olympics, philosophy and theater
5. Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age.

C. The rise and fall of Rome

1. The rise of the Roman republic.
2. Growing pains in the republic and Julius Caesar
3. Pax Romana- Roman peace.
4. The decline , partial recovery, and fall of Rome

D. The rise of Christianity

1. Persecution and martyrs
2. Apostolic Age
3. Constantine and the Edict of Milan
4. Augustine and early church councils
5. Pagan influences hurt the church.

E. The Middle Ages

1. The economic, social and political system of feudalism
2. Great power and abuse of power of the Roman Catholic Church.
3. The rise of Islam
4. Events and results of the Crusades
5. The Commercial Revolution and capitalism.

F. The Renaissance

1. Renewed interest in the ancients-especially the Greeks.
2. The philosophy of humanism
3. Renaissance art and literature
4. Renaissance science and technology
5. A Christian looks at reason.

G. The Reformation

1. Indulgences and the 95 theses
2. Luther's excommunication, trial and Wartburg.
3. The Lutheran Church
4. John Calvin in Geneva and the influence of Calvinism on history
5. Religious wars and the Counter Reformation
6. A more secular Europe

H. The Age of Exploration

1. Marco Polo and Italian trade
2. Portuguese explorers go east, Spain west. Gold,God,Glory
3. Dutch independence and exploration
4. The French and English become powers in the New World.
5. The Great Exchange- the good and the bad of exploration

I. Monarchs to revolution and Enlightenment

1. Louis XIV and Peter the Great- absolute monarchs and the rise of nationalism
2. Enlightenment thought and the French Revolution
3. Napoleon spreads ideas of the revolution for France and himself.
4. Monarchs and native nationalism defeat Napoleon.
5. A Christian looks at Enlightenment thought and Deism.

J. The Industrial Revolution

1. Changes in agriculture create surplus
2. Steam power in textiles,industry and transportation.
3. Domestic system to factories.
4. Living and working conditions in factory cities
5. Free enterprise, moderate reformers and Marxism.
6. A Christian looks at capitalism and Marxism.

K. Imperialism and WWI

1. Industrial power and political stability of colonial powers
2. Selected examples of colonies
3. Spreading the gospel or "white man's burden" -a Christian looks at imperialism
4. Seven causes of the Great War
5. Selected European battles and a "war to end all wars"
6. The impact of the war on Europe.

L. Philosophies and events change Europe and the world

1. Rise of totalitarian regimes of fascism, military rule and communism in Germany,Japan and Russia
2. A Christian looks at social Darwinism and existentialism.

M. World War II

1. Nazi occupation and expansion
2. Resistance and collaboration
3. Persecution of the Jews, "Final Solution" and Dietrich Bonhoffer
4. Japan seeks an empire in east Asia.
5. Selected battles in the European and Pacific theaters
6. The end of the war becomes the start of the Cold War that dominates world history for decades

N. The Future and Challenges We Face

1. Positives and Negatives

2. Terrorism

3. What are we to do as Christians?