Transcript 131935_WH_seven_themes

Themes in World History
Questions to ask about a civilization.
Honors World History
• This course will examine a variety of cultures throughout history, paying
particular attention to seven important themes; geography, social systems,
humanities, belief systems, government, economics, and science.
• The legacy and influence of each culture will be examined through these
themes, with connections being drawn between historical cultures and the
world we inhabit today.
• The same seven themes will be
explored next year in United States
History, resulting in an integrated
grade 9/10 history program.
Geography
• Where in the world was the
culture located?
• What was the land like?
The climate?
• Were there natural
boundaries?
• How did people respond
to their environment?
• How did the land affect
their way of life?
Social Systems
• How were families organized?
• Were there designated
gender roles?
• What were the most
important customs, traditions
and values?
• What was the social
hierarchy? Was there social
mobility?
• How did social taboos affect
daily life?
Humanities
• What were the most important
forms of art, music and
entertainment.
• How were the values and
symbols of the culture
illustrated in various forms of
art?
• What legacy have they left us?
• What language did they use?
What was their alphabet like?
• What role did education play?
Religion & Beliefs
• How did religion and philosophy
affect the culture?
• What were the most important
religious practices?
• What values were stressed in the
culture?
• What relationship did religion have
to government, the economy, the
environment, art, etc.
• How were religious beliefs passed
on?
Politics & Government
• What type of government did they have?
Who or what ruled?
• How was power transferred?
• What rights and freedoms did people
have?
• In what ways was government related to
societal structure and religious beliefs?
• What was the role of the military?
Economics
• What was the economy based
on? What were the main
products or services?
• Who controlled the
resources?
• How were goods distributed
across society?
• In what ways were goods
exchanged or traded?
Science & Technology
• What were the major technological
innovations and how did they
affect society?
• How did technology spread?
• Which scientific theories were
widely held?
• What can we learn when we
examine specific technological
areas such as communication,
transportation, agriculture,
building, machines, etc?