Description:

Students will be immersed in detail and fully engaged in this intensive history course led by well- known homeschool instructor and historian Hugh Gardner. This history class is unlike other high school history course. Instead of learning a sequential set of names, dates, and battles, students will learn how to analyze and interpret history. Much like a college seminar, this approach to world history incorporates historiography (the history of the history.) Mr. Gardner does not teach a narrow view from a single textbook or static set of prepared notes. Instead, he presents the back story and multiple interpretations for the "why" questions in world history. Class discussion considers interpretations from a wide array of scholars and is updated as new sources are published. Rather than running through a timeline of outcomes, students will evaluate contributing factors (the "how" questions) and will learn about the personalities, prejudices, and biases of the people involved ("who").

The first semester will introduce the Roman way of war beginning with Caesar and examine the Roman conquest of Gaul and invasion of Britain. Students will explore the Celts, Germanic tribes, and other "barbarians." The class will navigate the dark ages and early middle ages, including the collapse of Roman-Britain, the so-called "Age of Arthur," the letters of Saint Patrick, the voyage of Saint Brendan, and the Book of Kells.

This is no ordinary history class as Mr. Gardner surrounds the students with vivid posters, maps, charts, primary sources, and artifacts to supplement his story-telling style. Students will be able to examine and handle period pieces such as antique and replica weapons and military accoutrements of the era while learning how these tools helped shape the battlefields and turning points in history. Students will be introduced to the art, music, and literature of the times in addition to warfare and politics. With an emphasis on primary sources, students will scrutinize historical atlases and original writings, all in a collaborative and interactive setting. Just for fun, students earn historical trading cards for class participation.

This is a 14-week (semester) class. It is the first part in a four semester (two-year series). Second semester will include Vikings, Saxons, and Normans, concluding with the epic battles of 1066 and the Bayeux Tapestry (winter/spring 2022). The second year of Medieval study will include Robin Hood, Byzantium, the Rise of Islam and the beginning of the Crusading Era (Fall 2022); the end of the Crusading Era, the Mongols, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce (winter/spring 2023).

Topics in this Series: Early Medieval History: Rise of Roman Empire through 9th c. British Isles (Semester 1), Early Medieval History: The Vikings (Norse), Saxons, and Normans (Semester 2). Students continuing from first semester receive priority pre-registration for second semester. Prerequisites: None Workload: Students should expect to spend 1-2 hours per week outside of class. Assignments: Reading assignments will be assigned in class and noted in the weekly e-mail. Assessments: Will not be given. Textbook/Materials: Students should purchase: (1) The Historical Atlas of the Celtic World , by John Haywood, Thames & Hudson, 2009 (Paperback Edition, ISBN 978-0500-28831-3) OR (1)
Atlas of the Celtic World by John Haywood, Thames & Hudson, 2001 (Hardback Edition, ISBN 0-500-05109-7); (2) Patrick The Pilgrim Apostle of Ireland (Analysis of St. Patrick's Confessio and Epistola), by Maire B. De Paor, P.B.V.M., Veritas, Dublin, 1998. (ISBN 0-06-000902-0), and (3) The Voyage of Saint Brendan by John J. O'Mears, trans., Smythe, 1991 (ISBN-13: 978-0851055046). What to Bring: Paper or notebook; pen or pencil; assigned texts. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in world history for purposes of a high school transcript.