In module 1, the desired learning outcomes are learning:

the basic features of the planet Earth, namely:
- the planet is 25,000 miles in circumference
- it's 6,000 miles from the equator to the poles
- 70% of the planet is ocean
- 30% is land, in 7 continents
- these 7 continents vary in size, position, and weather
- 3 of them, Africa, Asia, and Europe are clustered--but the other 4 are scattered and (mostly) far away from each other
- land, weather, natural resources, of these continents vary drastically
- plants and animals adapt to their local conditions and, since local conditions vary drastically, so do humans and their cultures
the basic features of the Americas, specifically:
- the size of the Americas, and their general north-south orientation
- the relative isolation of the Americas from the other continents, due not just to sheer distance, but also to climate and ocean currents
- the isolation of North America from South America by the Darien Gap
- the profound and mostly negative consequences of this isolation:
- quasi-impossibility of long-distance trade with other continents which...
- resulted in neither being able to transmit nor receive technology or...
- domesticated plants and animals
- protected the Americas from external attacks/invasions
- protected the Americas from external pandemics
- HOWEVER...since external attack--whether by humans or microorganisms--can stimulate development and defense, the shorter term protection of isolation may, in the long term, have led to greater vulnerability
making a meaningful contribution to the weekly discussion
taking the quiz