Unit 1: The Global Tapestry, c. 1200 to c. 1450

The first unit sets the foundation for students to understand what is happening across the world at the course’s start date: the year 1200. Students cover six regions within the post classical period, comparing states within each region as well as around the world. Beginning with the Song Dynasty in China, the unit then progresses to dar al-Islam of the Middle East, religious spread across South & Southeast Asia, the creation of isolated states in the Americas, Africa’s richest nations, and finally Europe during the dark ages. Besides comparison, students should also focus on continuity and change over time in each region as they continue learning throughout the course. In the unit to follow, students will discover the threads that weave the global tapestry together.