HIST 151 World History I to c. 1500
addresses the history of the world, including the origins and development of its peoples and cultures. This course surveys the deep history of humanity from human origins through roughly 1500 C.E., emphasizing non-Western perspectives and global patterns rather than Eurocentric or nationalist narratives. We examine how societies emerged in Africa, Eurasia, the Americas and Oceania; how environmental conditions and technological innovations shaped complex societies; and how long-distance connections such as trade routes, migration, and the the spread of ideas wove an increasingly integrated world. Using frameworks like world systems theory, we explore how peripheral and core regions interacted, how empires rose and fell, and how major belief systems evolved across diverse civilizations. Readings and discussions encourage students to analyze primary sources from multiple traditions, consider perspectives often marginalized in Western histories, and asses how early global forces continue to influence contemporary societies. This course is applicable toward all certificates and degrees; group requirements include social science; areas of concentration include history, social science (credit hours 3.0, lecture hours 3.0). IAI: S2 912N