HIST 115 is the University of Maryland Global Campus survey of world civilization from prehistory to the 1500s.
UMGC lists it as a 3-credit course with three aims: to explain the impact of environmental conditions on the development of civilizations, using basic geographical knowledge; to describe how human contact, global connections and migrations contribute to that development; and to compare social, political, familial, cultural and religious institutions to explain their impact on societal transformations.
It also focuses on what history is and how to think critically about historical approaches and methods.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Course code | HIST 115 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Credits | 3 |
| Period | Prehistory to the 1500s |
| Companion course | HIST 116 (1500s to the present) |
| Typical work | Discussions, essays and source-based assignments |
What HIST 115 Covers
| Aim (UMGC wording, summarized) | In practice |
|---|---|
| Environment and civilization | How geography, climate and resources shaped early societies |
| Contact, connections and migration | Trade, movement of peoples and exchange of ideas |
| Institutions compared | Social, political, family, cultural and religious structures |
| Thinking about history | What history is and how approaches and methods differ |
Key Concepts Explained
Environment and Development
Rivers, deserts, coasts and climate influenced where societies formed and how they fed themselves. A strong answer links a specific environmental condition to a specific outcome, such as river valleys supporting large-scale agriculture.
Worked example: "How did environment shape early civilizations?" Choose two regions. For each, state the environmental conditions, the economic response (irrigation, herding, trade) and the political or religious result. Then compare: where did similar environments produce different outcomes, and why?
Contact and Migration
Movements of peoples, goods and ideas connected distant societies. Describe a specific connection, such as a trade route, and what traveled along it.
Comparing Institutions
Because the course lists social, political, familial, cultural and religious institutions, use a short table comparing them across two societies before writing.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Discussion | Understanding of themes | Make a claim, support it with a source, answer a peer |
| Comparative essay | Institutions and change | Set criteria and compare by criterion |
| Source analysis | Critical thinking about evidence | Identify author, audience and limits |
Where Students Get Stuck
- Too many societies. Pick examples that fit the question.
- Geography ignored. The course names geographical knowledge, so use maps.
- List instead of comparison. State similarities and differences explicitly.
- Weak methods awareness. Mention how evidence and approaches shape conclusions.
Revision Grid
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Maps | Mark major regions and rivers for each society studied |
| 2. Timeline | Place key developments in order |
| 3. Connections | Note trade routes and migrations |
| 4. Institutions | Fill a table of social, political, family, cultural and religious features |
| 5. Practice | Answer one comparison question in 300 words |
What a Strong Essay Looks Like
Survey essays reward focus and comparison. The table shows how weaker and stronger essays usually differ.
| Weaker response | Stronger response |
|---|---|
| Describes societies separately | Compares them on stated criteria |
| Mentions geography in passing | Links a specific environmental condition to an outcome |
| Lists trade goods | Explains what trade changed in each society |
| Ignores method | Notes how the type of evidence shapes conclusions |
A Second Illustration
Invented prompt: "Compare how two early societies organized religion and government." A strong essay picks the societies, sets criteria (who held authority, how rulers were justified, how beliefs shaped law), compares by criterion, and concludes which relationship was closer and why.
Before You Submit
A short final check helps survey essays stay focused.
- Does the thesis answer the question directly?
- Have you linked at least one environmental factor to an outcome?
- Do you compare societies on shared criteria?
- Are citations in the style the assignment requires?
If a discussion post is graded on replies as well, plan time to respond to classmates with evidence, not agreement alone.
Where HIST 115 Fits in the Program
HIST 115 is a 3-credit introductory course and the first of a two-course world history sequence with HIST 116. It is often taken early in an undergraduate program and introduces habits used in all later history courses.
Because UMGC says the focus includes thinking about what history is and analyzing approaches and methods, expect to be asked how you know something as well as what happened. Build the habit of naming your evidence and its limits.
Use feedback from early discussions to adjust how you cite and how you respond to classmates.
Terms to Define in Your Own Words
- Civilization: state how you use this contested term.
- Migration: movement of people from one place to another.
- Institution: an established structure of social, political, family, cultural or religious life.
- Primary source: evidence from the period under study.
Study Tips for HIST 115
- Make a one-page map for every unit.
- Write the question you are answering at the top of each essay.
- Use UMGC Library databases for scholarly sources.
- Check the assignment instructions for required citation style.
How We Help with HIST 115
Send the prompt, readings, rubric and any draft. We can explain context, help design comparison criteria, prepare a custom essay for study, or review your draft for argument, evidence and citation style.
Work you submit must be your own under UMGC's academic integrity policy. GradeEssays is independent and not affiliated with the University of Maryland Global Campus.
Make Sense of HIST 115
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Frequently Asked Questions
Global civilization from prehistory to the 1500s, including environment, contact and migration, and comparison of institutions.
UMGC lists 3 credits.
HIST 116, World History II, covers the 1500s to the present.
Yes, UMGC says the focus includes examining what history is and analyzing historical approaches and methods.
Yes, the aims refer to using basic geographical knowledge.
Yes. We can help with criteria, structure and review of your draft.