The seventh grade curriculum focuses on Western Europe after the fall of the
Roman Empire and continuing through the Age of Exploration. It is in this time
period that western civilization with its blend of two significant world views,
Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian, emerges and flourishes. At the beginning of
the year the students investigate the aftermath of the fall of the unified Roman
Empire. They learn about the role of Latin Christendom, feudalism, chivalry,
the Crusades, and the emergence of towns and trades -- the institutions and
significant events of medieval Europe. Following this, students study the exciting
changes in attitudes, values, and institutions that emerged in the Renaissance,
the time period often referred to as "the beginning of the Modern Age."
As their final unit, the students learn about the Age of Exploration, which
brought explorers, entrepreneurs, and colonists from Western Europe to new continents
and far-flung empires.
Goals and Objectives
The goal of the course is to bring students to an understanding of the major
transformations in Western European institutions and values that occurred in
the centuries after the fall of Rome and through the Renaissance. Students should
also understand how the transoceanic interlinking of all major regions of the
world from 1450-1600 led to global transformations.
Skills
Reads for content and understanding
Writes analytical essays
Continues to use varied sources for research
Works toward mastery of geography skills
Continues to develop critical thinking skills; understands point of view;
compares and contrasts; understands fact versus opinion
Develops historical empathy
Understands time and time periods
Refines listening skills; practices active listening in all class activities
Continues to develop speaking and debating skills
Refines social and group process skills
Continues to develop skills related to organization, time management, note-taking,
punctuality
Content
Review of the Fall of Rome
The geography of the late Roman Empire
The emergence of a decentralized, feudal Europe
Europe in the Middle Ages
The fragmented geography of Europe
The rise of Latin Christendom
The emergence of feudalism: lords, vassals, knights, and castles
The Byzantine Empire in the east
The Crusades: East meets West
The growth of towns and trade
Disease and its impact on cities
Black Death and religion: impact on Christianity and Judaism
The arts, architecture, literature, and music of medieval Europe
The Renaissance
Greco-Roman heritage
The rise of humanism
Renaissance origins in Italy
Individualism: a Renaissance value
The social and economic consequences of urbanization
The rise of trade and capitalism
Developments in art, music, literature
Science and innovation in the Renaissance: Gutenberg, Leonardo, Galileo, Copernicus,
et al.
The rise of nation states and powerful monarchs
Women in the Middle Ages and Renaissance
Women's roles
Women and music
Important women of the Middle Ages and Renaissance: Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc,
Mary Tudor, Mary Queen of Scots
Women during the Crusades
Age of Exploration
Geography of the world in the 1400s
Portuguese contact with Africa and African kingdoms
Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese court
Ferdinand and Isabella: Spain's age of exploration begins
Columbus, Magellan, Balboa, et al.
The conquest of the Americas
Holland, England, France explore and colonize
Lasting effects of exploration and colonization
Textbook Across the Centuries. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1999.
Books The Sword and the Circle
Tristan and Iseult
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, E.L. Konigsburg What Happened in Hamlin, Gloria Skurzynski Young Joan
The Door in the Wall
The Daughter in Time
The Second Mrs. Gianconda, E.L. Konigsburg The Story of Valentine
The Shakespeare Stealer, Gary Blackwood The Midwife's Apprentice, Karen Cushman
Videos Masters of Illusions. James Burke
References and Resources
Resources for teachers include: California History-Social Science Curriculum Framework, 1998 National Standards for History, 1994. Document published by: National
Center for the History in the Schools
School membership in the National Council for the Social Studies
