What is World History?

World history is an important subject that students will learn about throughout school and beyond. Study.com provides a variety of courses that supplement learning about this topic, with some offering credits that can be applied to over 2000 colleges and universities.

Study.com includes thousands of resources to help students and educators with content related to world history. The variety of available content is inclusive for every grade level and skill set. Teachers and students can use the lessons to support learning in and outside the classroom. Lesson plans, tutoring assistance, videos, quizzes, and various other resources related to world history can be found on this page.

World history is also called global history. The terms may be used interchangeably, as they both relate to studying past events that helped develop our world as we see it today. World history is taught throughout the world and gives context to events happening right now by helping students to examine the past and think critically about how it has influenced our world today. Additionally, students learn about important global figures that have shaped society. Students also learn about worldwide cultures, including Ancient Greece and India, as well as topics like colonization and how world wars influenced society. y studying the concepts and ideas taught in these courses, students are able to earn course credits and develop a deeper understanding of the world as it has developed throughout civilization.

Teachers can use the resources below to help support their curriculum or plan daily lessons or entire units, depending on the topic. With such a vast amount of resources included, there is something for everyone wanting to learn more about world history.

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World History Topics

Ancient History

Study an overview of ancient history. Review what ancient history is and examine the achievements of ancient civilizations in various periods with a timeline.

Contemporary History

Study contemporary world history and read a summary of the contemporary era. Learn the definition of contemporary history and why studying it is important.

Early Modern Period

Study the Early Modern era. Learn the definition of the Early Modern period and read an overview of significant trends and events in Early Modern history.

Later Modern Period

Learn about the Late Modern period. Discover a Late Modern period timeline. Explore significant late modern historical events, innovations, and people.

Post-Classical Period

Learn about the post-classical era and its significance. Review important events of the post-classical period in world history and see a post-classical era timeline.

Prehistory

Learn the definition of prehistory. Explore the timeline of prehistory and examine its distinct periods.

World History Resources

Study.com has multiple resources to support and extend the learning of students from all grade levels, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the history of the world. The lessons provide timelines to give learners a frame of reference and build context about global events. The resources included are vast and dive into topics such as ancient societies, pre-Colombian civilizations, and Western civilizations.

World History Courses

World history includes a wide variety of topics, including the earliest beginnings of civilization through the modern era. Learners can choose the course depending on their interest in the level they need. Some courses are credit-bearing and accepted at over 2000 colleges and universities.

History 100: Western Civilization from Prehistory to Post-WWII

This course explores Western Civilization from its beginnings of civilization to immediately after World War II. Students have the option to watch videos and take quizzes about topics such as the fall of the Roman Empire, the Reformation, and World War II.
History 101: Western Civilization I

This course begins when the last ice age ends. Students will explore topics that include the Middle Ages, the Reformation, and colonialism. The factors that led to these major events will be analyzed as students learn about this interesting time period.
History 102: Western Civilization II

This course begins at the dawn of the modern age in Europe and continues through World War II. Many different and exciting events are explored through videos and primary sources. Students can earn semester hours as they proceed through the course.
Survey of World History & Cultures

This overview of world history includes major events from civilizations around the world. Students will explore indigenous peoples and civilizations and Indian dynasties. Important ancient figures will be examined as students progress through the course.
World History for Kids

This course includes world history lessons for elementary-aged children. Topics include famous explorers, the Middle Ages, and Asian History. Children can watch engaging videos to get a better understanding of these topics as they progress through this course.

For teachers and parents

World History Lesson Plans for Teachers

Teachers can find many resources to use with their students to supplement classroom learning and help them plan units. These resources can help support curriculum development in many world history courses. Topics are organized chronologically to help teachers quickly find the necessary links. Lessons contain quizzes and chapter exams so that teachers can assess how well their students learn the content.

Lesson plans
  • Ancient World History: Lesson Plans & Resources

    This course guides teachers through various engaging learning opportunities for their students. Students will learn about many early civilizations over eleven chapters differentiated between elementary and high school.

  • World History 1600-1900: Lesson Plans & Resources

    These lessons focus on agricultural and scientific revolutions taking place around the world, as well as important historical figures. Resources include videos, timelines, and quizzes to assess student knowledge.

  • World History 500-1650: Lesson Plans & Activities

    This course looks at societies around the world, including the Byzantine Empire. Teachers have access to a wide variety of resources to support their students, including videos, quizzes, and daily lessons.

  • World History Since 1900: Lesson Plans & Resources

    Students will look at the events and historical figures that have shaped the world since 1900, including two world wars and the restructuring of societies worldwide. Teachers can use this to plan daily activities.

World History Skills and Practice

In the skills and practice section, students can choose the topic or lesson they want and answer additional questions related to that topic. Studying world history provides students with many academic skills that can be translated beyond world history and applied to other subjects. World history teaches students to think critically about how cultures around the world developed. Students can demonstrate their comprehension skills as they progress through the course by taking quizzes throughout each chapter. They can prepare for these checks for understanding by watching videos, taking notes, and answering questions.

Students who study world history and geography learn additional skills throughout the course. Memorization is an important skill that students often need when learning details about history. Students are encouraged to take notes as they go through each chapter. Each chapter progresses in a way that helps expand students' knowledge of the content. Courses are typically organized chronologically. Students are able to revisit past lessons to maintain and add to their knowledge of each topic as they progress through the individual courses.

History is often presented in a chronological format. Students learn to read timelines as they progress through various courses. Learners will also explore the importance of cause and effect, and how the actions of certain groups of people directly influence the outcomes for others in the world. This can help prepare students to understand text formatting and features better.

The world history course will teach students the critical thinking skills they need to analyze the events of history and significant historical figures. Students will learn to examine different types of sources, including primary sources, and to think about the significance of these important documents and images. Analysis of primary source material is an important skill, as it helps students think more deeply about the artifact's context.

Throughout the subject of world history, students will practice reading comprehension as they read passages and sources relevant to the topic they are studying. The lessons on Study.com provide students with definitions and context surrounding events to help them understand the content they are reading. Students will also read texts presented in a variety of formats, including timelines and letters.

Skills
Father and son doing homework

Global History Homeschool Curriculum

This homeschool curriculum is a great resource for anyone teaching middle or high school students. The 6th Grade World History I: Homeschool Curriculum course provides homeschoolers with a curriculum that encompasses early world cultures. The 7th Grade World History II: Homeschool Curriculum course helps students continue their journey through the Enlightenment. Middle School World History: Homeschool Curriculum combines early civilizations and continues through the Enlightenment. High School World History: Homeschool Curriculum gives students a look at early cultures and continues chronologically through the 21st century. The course AP World History: Homeschool Curriculum helps students who plan on taking the Advanced Placement test prepare for the exam and learn about a wide variety of people and cultures from around the world.

Homeschool solutions Father and son doing homework

Study.com is an excellent program that can help my children learn anything. The incredible library of videos is more than I could have ever hoped for.

Gloria H.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the study of global history?

    Global history is another term for the study of world history. World history is a large topic that encompasses all societies, inventions, and the important events and figures that have shaped civilization.

  • What are the six major time periods in world history?

    The six major time periods in world history are:

    • Prehistory: includes the world up until 600 BCE
    • The Classical era: from the end of prehistory until 476
    • The Middles Ages: from 476 until 1450
    • The Early Modern Era: from 1450 until 1750
    • The Modern Era: began after 1750 and continues to the present day
  • What is learned in world history?

    Many topics are covered in world history. A survey course can begin with early civilizations and go through the modern day. People, cultures, and important events and figures are typically covered.