This course surveys a wide range of the human experience through history, examining economics, science, religion, philosophy, politics and law, military conflict, literature, and the arts. The course will involve viewing films about historical events and issues, using those films as a pathway to understanding the stories we tell ourselves about our own past, and interpreting the purposes behind those stories. Students will uncover patterns of behavior, identify historical trends and themes, and explore historical movements and concepts. Second semester covers warfare, women in history, abuses of powers and human rights violations.