• Global Studies Curriculum

      1. The Emergence of the First Global Age: Global Interactions and Colonialism

      • The methods of and motivations for exploration and conquest resulted in increased global interactions, differing patterns of trade, colonization, and conflict among nations. 
      • Colonization was inspired by the desire to have access to resources and markets, often at the expense of the indigenous culture, population, and environment.

      2. The Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and Enlightenment

      • Ideas developed during the Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, Reformation, and Enlightenment led to political, economic, and cultural changes that have had a lasting impact.

      3. Age of Revolutions: Political and Industrial Revolutions, Imperialism, Reform, and Global Impact 

      • Discontent with prevailing economic, political, and social conditions was the impetus for change which resulted in revolution or reform. 
      • The Industrial Revolution was a consequence of technological innovation and expanding economic activity and markets, resulting in massive population movement, urbanization, and the development of complex economic systems. Industrialized nations embarked on a competitive race for global resources and markets, resulting in the establishment of political and economic control over large regions of the world that had a lasting impact.

      4. A Half-Century of Crisis and Achievement: The Era of the Great Wars

      • Nationalism, imperialism, industrialization, and militarism contributed to an increase in economic and military competition among European nations, the Ottoman Empire, and Japan, and led to World War I. 
      • The failure of the Treaty of Versailles, the impact of the global depression, and the expansionist policies and actions of Axis nations are viewed as major factors that resulted in World War II. 
      • World Wars I and II were "total wars" in which nations mobilized entire populations and economies and employed new military tactics that resulted in unprecedented death and destruction, as well as drastic changes in political boundaries. 
      • World Wars I and II challenged economic and political power structures and gave rise to a new balance of power in the world. Economic, technological, and military power and bureaucracies have been used by nations to deliberately and systematically destroy ethnic/racial, political, and cultural groups.

      5. The 20th Century Since 1945: Challenges for the Modern World

      • Decolonization, the emergence of new independent nations, and competing ideologies changed the political landscape and national identities of those involved, and sometimes included military confrontations and violations of human rights. International migration and scientific and technological improvements in the second half of the 20th century resulted in an increasingly global economy and society that are challenged by limited natural resources. 

      6. Contemporary Issues

      • Technological innovation, economic interdependence, changes in population growth, migratory patterns, and the development, distribution, and use of natural resources offer challenges and opportunities that transcend regional and national borders.