What if history wasn’t something to memorize—but something your learner could live, navigating its most pivotal moments?
This comprehensive self-paced course transforms learners into explorers, monarchs, revolutionaries, and philosophers as they navigate the triumphs and challenges of 1450–1815.
This isn’t just history—it’s an adventure. Learners will live the past as they advise Henry VIII on his political and religious dilemmas, navigate uncharted seas as an early European explorer, or take on the role of an Ottoman sultan’s trusted advisor. As citizens of revolutionary France or even Napoleon himself, they’ll tackle the challenges of diplomacy, innovation, and social change, making history an experience, not just a subject.
Through hands-on projects like Renaissance Training and Enlightenment Meme Creation, learners will explore the bold ideas and creative energy of the era. They’ll get crafty with the Peep-Into History Diorama Project, recreating pivotal moments in 3D, and dig up dirt on infamous rulers like Louis XIV and Ivan the Terrible in the Who’s the Worst? Absolute Monarch Competition. Here, they’ll go head-to-head to prove their monarch was the ABSOLUTE worst!
From the Renaissance’s artistic rebirth to the chaos of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, this course brings history to life through dynamic simulations, creative challenges, and critical-thinking activities that keep learners engaged and inspired.
Spotlight: The Absolute Monarch Project
In this crowd-favorite activity, learners compete to determine the most notorious absolute ruler of the early modern era. Armed with teacher-provided resources—and with adult approval to dig deeper through independent research—they’ll craft compelling presentations showcasing their chosen or assigned monarch.
Whether they create a Google Slides presentation, a dramatic skit, a puppet show, or even a video documentary, students will build a case for why their ruler deserves the title of "The Absolute Worst." Their work will include a brief biography and highlight the questionable (or outright terrible) decisions that made their monarch infamous. It’s history with a dose of drama, creativity, and critical thinking!
The Renaissance and Humanism
Investigate the origins and evolution of humanism, assessing its contributions to Renaissance literature, arts, and science.
Critique Renaissance art and literature to understand their embodiment of humanist principles.
The Reformation and Counter-Reformation
Analyze grievances against the Catholic Church, including Martin Luther's 95 Theses, and their impact on the Reformation.
Assess responses to the Reformation, including Henry VIII's establishment of the Church of England and the Catholic Counter-Reformation's effectiveness.
Global Empires and Interactions
Compare Ottoman and Mughal governance, military influence, and diversity management, and analyze their interactions with Europe in diplomacy, trade, and military affairs.
Examine Asian reactions to European expansion and its impact on indigenous populations.
Investigate the Dutch Golden Age’s influence on global trade, European exploration motives, and the Columbian Exchange's effects, including the slave trade.
Absolute Monarchies and Enlightenment
Research and evaluate the emergence and impact of absolute monarchies through the Who's the Worst Absolute Monarch? project.
Analyze Enlightenment thinkers' contributions to science, culture, and the development of constitutional monarchy in England.
Evaluate Enlightenment ideals' influence on the French and American Revolutions, Latin American independence movements, and European politics.
Revolutions and Their Impact
Identify causes of the American and French Revolutions, including social inequalities, economic factors, and Enlightenment ideas.
Compare and contrast the American and French Revolutions, analyzing the implementation of reforms, violence, and their outcomes.
Summarize Napoleon’s conquests, their role in arousing nationalism, and efforts at the Congress of Vienna to restore order in Europe.
Evaluate the influence of nationalist movements on the creation of new nations.
Course Type: Self-Paced | 120-Day Access
Structure: 10 flexible modules
Work through 10 engaging modules at your own pace within a 4-month window. Each one is packed with rich historical content, simulation-based lessons, and creative activities designed to bring the past to life.
What You’ll Get:
⭐ Short, high-interest video lessons
🎮 Simulation-based learning experiences
📄 Printable handouts and visual guides
🎨 Creative, project-based assignments
📬 Personalized feedback (optional)
📌 Note: This version includes all core content in printable and video formats. For access to interactive digital tools (like Google-based versions), check out our Membership Plans.
Support & Feedback:
Have a question or want feedback on your work? You can message me directly through your course page at any time. I review submissions and provide personalized feedback twice a week—on Mondays and Fridays.
Learners can also request:
📊 Letter grades
📝 Progress reports
📚 Custom assessments
Absolute Monarch Project: Students will engage in a friendly competition to determine the most notorious absolute ruler of the early modern era. Using teacher-provided resources and optional additional research with adult approval, learners will create presentations in various formats, such as Google Slides, videos, skits, plays, or puppet shows. These presentations will include a brief biography of the ruler and highlight why they are considered the "most absolute" ruler.
Peep-Into History: An Early Modern Era Diorama Project: As an alternative to the Absolute Monarch Project, learners can choose to create a PEEPS diorama. This project involves crafting a three-dimensional scene from a significant event in early modern history using PEEPS candies. Students will select an event, gather ideas from class resources, and construct a diorama that creatively represents the chosen historical moment.
Frequency: 3-5 per lesson
Details: Upon enrolling, you will gain access to all course materials and assignments, with most being digital-friendly and a select few requiring printing. Assignments and activities will typically take 15-60 minutes each. Larger projects will have extended notice, and all tasks will be manageable within the time given.
Type: Assessment (available upon request)
Details: Upon request and prior to the start of the course, assessments can be conducted to evaluate learner progress and understanding. These assessments may include quizzes, tests, projects, or feedback. A detailed rubric will be provided for projects to ensure clarity and fairness in evaluation.
The study of world history in this course will encompass topics that may include sensitive subjects such as war, slavery, racism, religion, and genocide. All content will be approached with the utmost respect and sensitivity, ensuring that discussions are age-appropriate and considerate of diverse perspectives.
Religion: Religion will be discussed in a historical context, focusing on its impact on societies and events throughout history. The goal is to provide an understanding of how religion shaped various civilizations without promoting any specific religious beliefs.
Balanced Perspectives: Multiple perspectives will be introduced through peer-reviewed and scholarly sources, encouraging critical and reflective thinking. Viewpoints from marginalized groups will also be explored to provide a broader understanding of history from different social, cultural, and ethnic perspectives.