PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS
7th Grade Social Studies
Course Title: World Civilizations and Cultures I
Textbook: Journey Across Time: The Early Ages, Course 1, McGraw-Hill.
Course Description:
The curriculum of this course focuses upon major historical civilizations and themes that spanned Africa, Asia, and
Europe between the dawn of civilization and 300 CE. Particular emphasis is paid to the impact of geography and natural
resources, trade, technological innovation, and government on the development of civilizations and cultures over time.
Students will continue to develop the skills that will permit them to succeed in high-school and college level historical
study; among those skills include critical thinking, historical document analysis, reading comprehension, writing, effective
note-taking, and study.
Course Schedule: Scope and Sequence
Approximate Time Frame
Topic
1st Marking Period
Early Humans and Mesopotamia
 Explain what factors led to the first human civilizations
 Analyze how the division of labor in agricultural
civilizations caused changes in the classical world
 Evaluate the code of law in Mesopotamian civilization
Egyptian Civilization
 Evaluate the factors that permitted Egyptian civilization to
become so powerful and the factors that led to its decline
 Examine the differences in social classes in Egyptian society
 Explain the cultural contributions of Egyptian civilization
Journey Across Time: The Early Ages,
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3
Discovery Techbook
Possible DBQ Topics:
 Justice and Hammurabi’s Code
 Effects of the Nile River
Additional Study
 Constitution Day, September 11th
2nd Marking Period
Journey Across Time: The Early Ages,
Chapter 6 and Chapter 7
The Israelites
 Explain the significance of the development of monotheism
to today’s world
 Evaluate the ways in which Old Testament stories and ideas
still are relevant to today’s world
Discovery Techbook
Possible DBQ Topics:
 The Great Wall: Was it worth it?
 Asoka: Ruthless or enlightened?
 Traveling the Silk Road
Ancient China
 Explain how China developed its own unique culture
 Explain how emperors justified their power through the
Mandate of Heaven
 Discuss the principles of Confucianism, Daoism, and
Legalism
 Discuss how the Silk Road trade network caused changes in
the societies it connected
 Explain why the era of the Han dynasty is considered a
“golden age”
Ancient India
 Discuss the impact of the Aryans and their caste system on
Indian civilization
 Explain the principles and beliefs of Hinduism and
Buddhism
Identify the accomplishments of early Indian civilizations
Discuss the cultural contributions of Indian literature, math,
and science
Ancient Greece
 Compare and contrast Athenian democracy with other forms
of government
 Discuss the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship
 Evaluate the historical importance of the conquests of
Alexander
 Explain how themes within Greek mythology are still present
in modern literature and culture
 Identify the lasting cultural contributions of the Greeks


3rd Marking Period
Journey Across Time: The Early Ages,
Chapter 4 and Chapter 5
Discovery Techbook
Possible DBQ Topics:
 Education in Greek city-states
 How great was Alexander?
4th Marking Period
Journey Across Time: The Early Ages,
Chapter 8 and Chapter 9
Discovery Techbook
Possible DBQ Topics:
 Citizenship in Athens and Rome
Additional Study
 Black History Month
 Women’s History Month
Ancient Rome
 Evaluate the degree to which Greek and Roman ideas about
government are present in American government
 Explain the factors that led to the rise and fall of the Roman
republic
 Explain how social class caused conflict between patricians,
plebeians, and slaves
 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Roman society