Curated OER
Reading Multicultural Literature
High schoolers read several fictional pieces which examine issues of urbanization and rural cultures. They discuss how the place a person lives affects the kind of person they become.
Curated OER
Looking Through Lenses
Students explore the various societal and cultural "lenses" which color their perspectives and life experiences by reading the short story "What Means Switch" by Gish Jen. They discuss how the cultural ideas and beliefs affect the...
Philosophy Pages
Philosophy Pages: A Timeline of Western Philosophers
A online timeline of western philosophers that allows you to click to images and short biographies of many of the great thinkers of the Western world. Site includes a study guide and a dictionary to help students learning philosophy....
Society of Archbishop Justus
Samuel Johnson, Writer of an Age
James E. Kiefer's extensive biography features anecdotes from Samuel Johnson's childhood plus discussion of his struggles with disability and the metamorphosis of his religious and philosophical beliefs. This site includes excerpts from...
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Age of Anxiety: Europe in the 1920's
This site provides text from a lecture that looks at European culture after WWI. Looks at the literary and artistic developments during and as a result of the war. With links to several biographical websites on authors and philosophers...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Wright of Derby, a Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery
Joseph Wright of Derby's painting, "A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery", encapsulates in one moment the age of Enlightenment. View pictures and read details of this painting in this essay.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Developments in Democracy
Learning activity in which students study the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers, Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. Lesson includes individual, group and whole class activity in which students write, discuss and debate the role...
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: Global Studies: China: The Age of the Philosophers Quiz (2)
Test your knowledge of Chinese philosophy, including concepts of Buddhism, Confucianism, Legalism and Taoism with this interactive quiz.
Victorian Web
Brown University: The Victorian Web
This is a comprehensive resource on literary, philosophical, religious, scientific and technological advancements of the Victorian age. Learn about famous Victorian authors, literary genres and more.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Modernist Portraits: F. Scott Fitzgerald
This brief biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald draws on his ability to realistically portray life during the "Jazz Age," a phrase coined by Fitzgerald. "F. Scott Fitzgerald Activities" offers related materials.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Imperialism
Collection of primary sources that supports study of imperialism. Sources include contemporary narrative accounts, letters, memoirs, songs, newspaper reports, and a variety of legal, cultural, philosophical, religious, and scientific...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Urbanization 1870 1900: Change Reflected in Thought and Writing
American writers and intellectuals played an important role in articulating the changes taking place in Industrial America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Learn about some of the prominent writers, scientists, and philosophers at that...
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Maimonides
A highly detailed biography of the famous Jewish philosopher and religious thinker. The article provides a thorough analysis of his religious ideas.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: Global Studies: China: The Age of the Philosophers Quiz (1)
Quiz your knowledge on philosophers of China.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Jean Jacque Rousseau, 1712 1778
A good biography of French Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, his philosophical writings and his influential idea of a 'Social Contract' between people and their ruler.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Abu Nasr Al Farabi
Find out about the philosopher, Al-Farabi, who is credited with preserving the original Greek texts during the Middle Ages because of his commentaries and treatises, and influencing many prominent philosophers
The History Cat
The History Cat: The House of Wisdom
Describes how Baghdad grew into a place of scholarship during the Golden Age of Islam. The Caliph, Abdullah Al Ma'moun, brought many foreign scholars to translate books by renowned thinkers and philosophers for Baghdad's House of Wisdom....
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Historical Influences on Morality: A Basis for Literary Study
Using this PDF lesson plan, students will get a general overview of the historical span of philosophical thought and how it may have been a product or reaction to the time period. Students will research philosophies and time periods...
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: The Enlightenment
A great essay on the Enlightenment period of the 18th century with hyperlinks to many individuals and movements of the time. A very scholarly look at the "age of enlightenment."
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: On Colonies and Colonization
British economic philosopher John Stuart Mill's article from the Fordham University dealing with the economical benefits of colonization in other countries. This writing illustrates not only arguments in favor of imperialism, but also...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Philosophy and Literature: Intellectual Climate
Discusses the intellectual atmosphere in the 1800s as America struggled to find its identity. The influences of the Enlightenment and Romanticism are described, and the ideas of various writers and philosophers.
University of Oregon
University of Oregon: Renascence Editions: Milton and the Obedient Moment [Pdf]
A very extensive analysis from the University of Oregon of John Milton's three most popular works: "Paradise Lost," "Paradise Regained," and "Samson Agonistes." Has religious and philosophical perspectives.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759 1797
From a college lecture on "The Language of Politics: England and the French Revolution," this biographical sketch connects Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797 CE) to the major political and philosophical thinkers of her time.
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Adelard of Bath
History for Kids presents information on the life and works of Adelard, a 12th Century philosopher and translator from the Roman city of Bath. Includes links to teacher resources.