Apr 29, 2026  
2026 - 2027 Cowley College Academic Catalog 
    
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2026 - 2027 Cowley College Academic Catalog

HIS6420 WORLD HISTORY I COURSE PROCEDURE

HIS6420 WORLD HISTORY I

3 Credit Hours

Student Level:

This course is open to students on the college level in either Freshman or Sophomore year.

Catalog Description:

HIS6420-World History I (3 hrs.)

This course is an introductory history survey of the birth and early development of world societies to the 16th Century.  The scope of the course includes the emergence of human communities, the formation of new empires, interaction of cultural communities and patterns of exploration and conquest.  Of specific emphasis are the important political, social, economic, intellectual, religious, technological, environmental and cultural trends that have shaped the world to A.D. 1550.

KRSN: HIS1030

Course Classification:

Lecture

Prerequisites:

None

Controlling Purpose:

This course is designed to introduce the student to world history to 1500CE. Students will study the major political, cultural, economic, and social developments of both Western (Near East, Greece, Rome, Medieval and Renaissance Europe) and non-Western (China, Japan, India, sub-Saharan Africa, the Islamic Empire, and the Americas) societies and civilizations, and their interconnectedness and interactions. 

 

Learner Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to have a workable knowledge of important individuals, major events, and important geographic locations which have shaped world history.  The student should recognize, understand and appreciate the unique contributions of the various ancient civilizations.  In addition, he/she should develop an understanding of the interdependence of one civilization to another, and should also begin to develop personal philosophy of history.

Core Outcomes:

The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this course meet, or exceed the learning outcomes and competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Project for this course, as sanctioned by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:

The following outline defines the minimum core content, not including the final examination period.  Instructors may add other material as time allows.

UNIT 1:  EMERGING HUMAN COMMUNITIES (Prehistory - c. 7,000BCE)

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully identify the components leading to the emergence of humans and human civilization.

  • Identify the stages of human evolution
  • Discuss the reasons for the Neolithic/Agricultural Revolution
  • Evaluate the impacts of the Neolithic/Agricultural Revolution.

UNIT 2:  THE RISE OF CIVILIZATIONS (c. 7,000 - 3,000BCE)

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully discuss the origins and characteristics of the earliest major civilizations.

  • Discuss the origins and characteristics of the earliest civilizations.
  • Compare and contrast the development of the earliest civilizations.

UNIT 3:  THE ANCIENT & CLASSICAL WORLDS (c. 3,000BCE - 500CE)

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to compare and contrast significant developments in the ancient and classical worlds.

  • Trace the evolution and downfall of major civilizations and societies of this era.
  • Analyze how classical civilizations interacted with and borrowed from one another.
  • Compare and contrast significant developments within, and contributions of, classical civilizations.

UNIT 4:  THE POST-CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS (c. 500 - 1,000CE)

Upon completion of this unit students will be able to compare and contrast significant developments within and contributions of post‐classical civilizations

  • Discuss the impacts and interactions of civilizations of this era
  • Compare/contrast the significant developments of civilizations of this era.

UNIT 5:  SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, OCEANIA, AND AMERICA (c. 1000 -1500CE)

Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to compare and contrast significant developments in Sub‐Saharan Africa, the Americas, and Oceania between 1000 and 1500 C.E.

  • Examine early cultures and civilizations of Sub-Saharan Africa during this era
  • Examine early cultures and civilizations of Oceana during this era
  • Examine early cultures and civilizations of the Americas during this era
  • Ccompare and contrast significant developments in those societies.

UNIT 6:  MEDIEVAL CIVILIZATIONS (c. 1000 - 1450CE)

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to compare and contrast significant developments within, and global interactions involving medieval European civilizations.

  • Analyze the development of Christianity and Islam.
  • Trace the creation of the European states and the Islamic Empire.
  • Discuss the political, cultural, social, scientific, and religious developments of this era, c. 600 - 1300CE.

UNIT 7:  GLOBAL INTERACTIONS AND INTEGRATION (c. 1450 - 1550CE)

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to describe and analyze significant developments in regional and global interaction and integration.

  • Trace the scientific, religious, political, economic, and cultural reasons for the Age of Exploration.
  • Discuss the reasons for the development of global interactions, including both long-distance trade and colonization.
  • Analyze the impacts of those interactions on both the explorers and those with whom they came into contact.

Textbook:

Contact Bookstore for current textbook.

Materials/Equipment Required:

Attendance Policy: 

Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Grading Policy:

The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Maximum class size:

Based on classroom occupancy

Course Time Frame:  

The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission, and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching, and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.

Refer to the following policies on the Cowley Policies and Procedures webpage:

402.00 - Academic Code of Conduct

263.00 - Student Appeal of Course Grades

403.00 - Student Code of Conduct

Accessibility Services Program:

Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, accommodates all students with a documented disability. If a student has a disability that will impact their ability to be successful in this course, please contact the Student Accessibility Coordinator for the needed accommodations.

DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.