World History

World History: A Connected, Global Survey is a comprehensive, secular high school world history curriculum that challenges students to move beyond memorizing dates and events to explore the complex connections that have shaped human civilization. Through analysis of primary sources, historical evidence, and multiple perspectives, students learn to think like historians while examining the rise, interaction, and evolution of societies across every inhabited continent. The course emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and thoughtful discussion rather than rote memorization, encouraging students to evaluate historical narratives, recognize bias, and understand how different perspectives influence our interpretation of the past.

Designed as a full-year, one-credit high school course, this curriculum spans 36 weeks of instruction with a consistent four-day weekly schedule that allows students to work independently while giving parents clear guidance for grading and discussion. Rather than presenting history through a solely European lens, students explore Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania as interconnected civilizations whose exchanges of ideas, technology, trade, religion, and culture shaped the modern world.

Throughout the course, students engage with:

• Primary source analysis
• Weekly critical thinking worksheets
• Analytical mini-projects
• Historical mapping and timeline activities
• Socratic-style discussion questions
• Two analytical essays
• Two major research-based projects
• Two student presentations
• Evidence-based writing and historical argumentation

Instead of simply asking what happened, students investigate why events occurred, compare civilizations across time and place, evaluate competing historical interpretations, and develop well-supported arguments using historical evidence. They examine topics including early human societies, ancient civilizations, world religions, global trade networks, empires, colonialism, revolutions, industrialization, the World Wars, the Cold War, globalization, and contemporary world issues while continually exploring the interconnected nature of human history.

Built for independent homeschool learners in grades 9–12, this curriculum requires no purchased textbook. All required readings, videos, primary sources, and research materials are freely available through trusted educational resources, making the course both rigorous and accessible. Comprehensive grading rubrics, structured assignments, and guided discussions make it easy for parents to facilitate learning without needing a background in history.

Course Highlights

• Secular curriculum
• One full year (36 weeks)
• One high school credit
• College-preparatory rigor
• Critical thinking and analytical focus
• Primary source-based instruction
• Non-Eurocentric global perspective
• Independent learner friendly
• Complete grading rubrics included
• Research, writing, discussion, and project based
• No textbook purchase required
• Free online resources included