Journeyman Historian Core Lessons in World History

Now that you have finished up the Journeyman Historian Core Lessons in Writing, it's time to spread your wings a little bit with a series of exploratory exercises designed for you to explore your area of interest in World History by investigating it in great detail. The bulk of the research you complete here will be used to support your final research paper at the Master Level, so be methodical when you're researching and remember the tips you picked up from the Apprentice Historian Core Lessons in Research. Also, have fun. These lessons are driven by your personal interests. Take advantage of that and go as far as the road will take you in discovering all that you can about your area of History

We're going to kick these lessons off with the way many great adventures begin, by choosing your own way. The Apprentice Core Lessons in World History gave you a general introduction to all the various facets of World History. What interests you? Are you attracted to a particular country, civilization, or time period? It's time to choose your focus.


After you have decided what you want to explore further, answer the following questions in your journal:

- What did you choose to explore?
- Why did you choose this area to explore?
- What are some highlights about this area, civilization, or time period that you already know?
- What do you want explore further?

So begins your journey. Good luck!

History is shaped by events. What events have shaped your particular Area of Interest (AOI) ? In about 1000 words, write an essay describing the significant events that have had an impact on your area of history. Was there a great war or wars(s)? Were there any major conflicts with surrounding regions? Were there any significant advances in technology associated with your area of interest? Research your AOI and share the answers to these questions. As always, don't forget to cite your sources.

History takes people to shape the events that occur. Who are some of the people that shaped your Area of Interest (AOI)? In about 1000 words, write an essay describing the significant leaders, thinkers, inventors, and people of influence that are unique to your AOI. As always, remember to cite your sources.

Where does you Area of Interest (AOI) take place? What are some of the geographic features that make your area unique, and how have they influenced your AOI. In about 1000 words, write an essay describing the major geographic features of your topic of History how they have influenced that history. Share maps of the area for the time period that your AOI covers, and describe how it has changed over time.

Your Area of Interest (AOI) takes place during a certain time period. What time period is that? In about 1000 words, write an essay that describes the historical time period for your AOI. What is going on in the rest world at the same time? If your AOI concerns a particular historical time period, what years are covered by this time period? What are the major civilizations that are active during this period? As always, don't forget to cite your sources.

Explore the culture or cultures of your Area of Interest. What is there art like? Did they have any predominate literature?
What kinds of foods did they eat? Did they have a unified set of religious practices or beliefs? What is the style of their architecture? What language or languages are spoken? After you thoroughly investigate the culture of your area of interest, write individual essays of about 1000 words that address each of the following in your Area of Interest:

- Major Cities
- Major Religion or Religions
- Class Structure
- Language or Languages Spoken
- Art
- Architecture
- Diet
- Trade
- Major Works of Literature
- Governmental Structures and Law
- Military
- Daily Life for the Common Person

As always, don't forget to cite your sources.

Identify a list of Primary Sources that relate to your chosen area and share them in your journal. What is important about these sources? How can they relate to your future research project at the Master Level? In about 500 words or more, write an essay that covers these sources.

Pick 3 of the Primary Sources you identified in the previous lesson and give an analysis of their contents in 3 individual essays of 1000 words. Identify the author, the approximate year that it was written, and potential impact of the Primary Source as part of your response.

Spend the next 6 months exploring your topic on your own. Each week post an update in your journal telling us what you're exploring, new things that you've learned, etc. This is the time to become an expert in your area, take advantage of it!