Before we begin our study of history, we're going to spend a few weeks inquiring into prehistory - specifically into ideas about the origins of humanity and the archaeological evidence of human activities during the Stone Age. For the story of our origins and purpose, we are dependent on religion, philosophy, and the sciences.
Unit Guide and Primary Sources  |
"No Arts; no Letters; no Society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; And the life of man solitary, pore, nasty, brutish, and short." |
Lessons |
Click on one of the buttons to proceed directly to one of the lessons in this unit.
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What is History?
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As students begin their first high school history course, it is appropriate to inquire about what history is. Oftentimes, there's a misconception that history is simply "the past," but Herodotus, the first historian, used the Greek word historiai (inquiry), to describe his work. History is not just about things that happened in the past - history is an inquiry into why things should still matter to us today and how the past continues to make an impact on the present.
Classroom Activity: The Iceman of the Alps |
PowerPoint Presentation |
Hominids and the Stone Age
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Although we know a lot about our history, we have no direct knowledge of the origins of human life. Both science and religion have attempted to provide answers to these questions. As we investigate the realm of prehistory, this is not so much an explanation of what happened but more of an inquiry into what might have happened.
Fossils of hominins (often called hominids - the terminology I used in class), according to scientists, date back several million years. The 1974 discovery of the seemingly half-ape / half human "Lucy" in Ethiopia mystified the scientific community but still leaves many questions unanswered. Humanlike remains of hominins, such as Homo erectus and Homo neandertalensis may provide clues about our origins. The Stone Age is divided into three periods: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic. Students should know the key characteristics of all three of these periods. |
PowerPoint Presentation |
Humanity and Human Rights
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What does it mean to be human? What makes us different from other animals? Are humans special? Is every human being entitled to natural rights of life, liberty, and property? These are some of the questions that will be explored in our discussion of the idea of humanity.
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PowerPoint Presentation |