Dual-Enrollment: Western Civilization I

Current for 2026–27

BHSC is excited to offer Western Civilization I (HIST 2311) as part of the BHSC Dual-Enrollment Program in partnership with The Academy at Houston Christian University (HCU). This class offers a survey of Western Civilization from the Ancient World to the end of the Middle Ages in Europe. (Recommended as a full year of World History high school credit in addition to the 3 units of college credit awarded by HCU. Students must complete college-level reading and in-class exams with writing.)

Western Civilization I will be offered over the entire BHSC school year, so the pacing will be much more relaxed than taking an equivalent class at a college or university. Instead of the 3-unit college class lasting one semester, the same class will be offered at BHSC over the full year, August through May.

HIST 2311: Classical World of Greece and Rome, and the Middle Ages in Europe, acquainting students with the significant religious, political, and intellectual movements and key people in those periods and emphasizing a Christian understanding of history. The course focuses on reading and analyzing primary sources, particularly authors from the Western canon, and developing research skills with secondary sources.

The class is divided into five sections. The first three (i.e., The Ancient Near East, the Greeks, and the Roman Republic will be covered in the fall semester. The last two (i.e., Rome’s fall and the Late and High Middle Ages) will be covered in the second. The rise and growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire and early Western Europe is a major focus, especially in the second semester.

Lectures are part of the instruction method, but the class will be discussion driven. Students are expected to have read the assigned material before class and be prepared to offer their thoughts, comments, and questions about the material. Further, students should be prepared to engage other students in calm, respectful discussions. Role play activities designed to help students understand historical situations and decisions in context will also be used.

Course materials include a textbook as well as other primary and secondary source books, articles, essays, and other various primary source materials. Tests, quizzes, and essays will constitute the bulk of the student assessment material. However, class participation will be factored into the final grade.

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe important historical events from the period of study.
• Recognize the terminology, classifications, methods, and trends of historical inquiry.
• Apply analytical and critical reading skills to primary and secondary sources.
• Write clear historical analysis.
• Write a basic historical narrative using the tools of the discipline.
• Engage in well-articulated discussions of the subject matter.