Course Syllabus

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Syllabus World History A

Welcome

Welcome to World History A! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

World History A is the study of people and how they lived throughout the world and time.  It helps us understand political, economic, and cultural development and how we have arrived at our present condition. Course topics include the rise of civilization in all parts of the world (Europe, Asia, Africa, and the American continents), and conclude with the development of industrialization.

Course Essential Questions

  1. How do geography and natural resources shape the rise, growth, and interactions of civilizations across world history?
  2. How do systems of government, law, and political ideas develop over time, and in what ways do earlier civilizations influence those that come after them?
  3. How have religions, belief systems, and cultural exchanges influenced societies, conflicts, and connections across different regions of the world?
  4. How do trade, technology, and innovation contribute to the spread of ideas, the growth of economies, and the transformation of societies?
  5. How have major revolutions (social, political, intellectual, agricultural, and industrial) reshaped human societies and altered the course of global history?

PreRequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Overview

World History A

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: Waterways and the Development of Early Civilization

1.1 Locate the four major river civilizations on a map.

1.2 Summarize the factors that contributed to the rise and development of the civilizations.

1.3 Compare the political, economic, and cultural aspects of the four key civilizations.

1.4 Analyze the factors that contributed to the transformation of the ancient civilizations over time. 

10 MCQ

N/A

2: Establishing Governments

2.1 Compare and contrast the governments of Ancient Greece, Rome, and Byzantium.

2.2 Describe the political, social, and economic contributions of the three civilizations to our world today.

2.3 Discuss how each civilizations’ systems were adopted and diffused into the next one, i.e Ancient Greek to Ancient Rome, Ancient Rome to Byzantium (aka the “New Rome”).

N/A

L2 Assignment: Ancient Law

3: Religion and the Crusades

3.1 Describe some of the basic elements of three main monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

3.2 Explain the purposes and consequences of the Crusades from different perspectives.

3.3 Discuss how religion affects our world today.

N/A

L3 Assignment: Religions and the World Today

4: Pathways and Empire Building Along the Silk Road

4.1 Explain how the Mongols successfully expanded their empire across Asia and into Europe.

4.2 Discuss the cultural assimilation and diffusion that took place along the Silk Road.

4.3 Describe the contributions of the Mongols to the world today.

10 MCQ

N/A

5: Innovations

5.1 Discuss how each Chinese Dynasty contributed knowledge and innovations to the global community.

5.2 Explain how China, Korea, and Japan developed in relation to each other.

10 MCQ

N/A

midterm exam - 2 parts

Part 1: Writing Assignment

Part 2: Objective Quiz - 50 MCQ

6: Trade in Africa

6.1 Explain how geographic resources and trade impact the growth of African civilization. 

6.2 Discuss how Africa’s isolation created issues for the continent later.

10 MCQ

N/A

7: Agriculture in The Americas

7.1 Discuss the role that agriculture played in the development of the Americas.

7.2 Compare and contrast the different cultures that existed in the Americas prior to European contact.

10 MCQ

N/A

8: The Power of Ideas

8.1 Explain the impact that new ideas had on intellectual and physical exploration.

N/A

L8 Assignment: The Power of Ideas

9: The Power of Revolution

9.1 Discuss the causes and consequences of the revolutions.

N/A

L9 Assignment: The Power of Revolution

10: The Power of Industrialization

10.1 Analyze how the Industrial Revolution influenced the emergence of new political and economic ideologies.

10 MCQ

N/A

Final exam - 2 parts

Part 1: Writing Assignment

Part 2: Objective Questions - 50 MCQ

 

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 120
Lesson Quizzes 60
Midterm Exam 125
Final Exam 125
Total 430

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

The World History A/B textbook is available online at no cost to you. It can be retrieved at https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Courses/Mizzou_Academy/World_History_A_B  For those students who prefer a paper copy, you can download a printable version or purchase a physical copy at the same link.  

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

  • audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due