History of the Renaissance and Early Modern World

Full-year course. This world history course explores events from the fall of Constantinople to the dawn of the modern era in 1800. Delving into pivotal events and transformations, such as the European Renaissance, the Reformation, and the age of exploration, students will examine the interplay of cultural, social, and political forces across continents. From the emergence of European empires in the New World to the rise of the Mughal Empire in India and the Ottoman threats to the West, students will gain a thorough understanding of global interactions and power dynamics of the Renaissance and Early Modern world. Through engaging with primary and secondary sources, students will analyze key developments, including the Enlightenment, the American and French Revolutions, and the onset of industrialization, and the continued effects of these events on the modern world.

Students complete weekly discussion questions or reading identifications to measure understanding of overall historical material.  Short analytical papers give students an opportunity to examine primary source documents closely. Longer papers and comprehensive semester exams offer students the opportunity to identify and explain patterns in Renaissance and Early Modern history.