Big History Project (BHP) is an interdisciplinary course aimed at middle- and early high-school students that takes on big questions that originate with the dawn of time, and gives students a framework to tell the story of humanity’s place in the universe. It asks students to consider where we came from, what causes change, and where we are heading. Students will still achieve many of the same outcomes of a middle- or high-school world history, world geography, and world civilizations course, in addition to science-course complements to Earth, Physical, and Life Sciences.
However, Big History is more than a history course. It helps students see the overall historical picture and make sense of the pieces: it looks at the past from the Big Bang to modernity, and seeks out common themes and patterns that can help us better understand people, civilizations, and the world we live in. Big History arose from a desire to transcend traditional self-contained fields of study and grasp history as a whole, looking for linked ideas and connections across history’s entire spectrum. By teaching students to explore these connections, and to effectively question, analyze, and postulate, BHP provides a foundation for thinking not only about the past, but also the future and the changes that are reshaping our world.
Instructor: Gary Reinbolt
Gary began his education as a music major, but quickly realized this was not to be his professional calling. Although he never abandoned his passion for the arts, he turned his attention to a second calling: television production. He spent almost 40 years working in various capacities for public broadcasting. He has served on multiple nonprofit Boards supporting media and the arts in the region. Previous teaching experience has been through Tompkins Cortland Community College and other adult education and mentorship programs. He resides in Brooktondale with four cats who rule his life.
Required Materials: pen or pencil; notebook and folder or looseleaf notebook
TEEN DAY Ithaca 