Big History examines our past, explains our present, and imagines our future
Big History is a social studies course that spans 13.8 billion years. It weaves insights from many disciplines to form a single story that helps us better understand people, civilizations, and how we are connected to everything around us.
For an overview, see David Christian’s TED Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/david_christian_big_ history.html.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
BHP works with a wide range of educators, scientists, writers, curriculum experts, and artists to bring the ideas of Big History to life and provide students of all ages with unique views into different fields of knowledge. These individuals and organizations played a critical role in getting BHP off the ground.
David Christian, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
David is a Distinguished Professor of History and Director of the Big History Institute at Macquarie University. David is the father of Big History, and has been at the cutting edge of Big History scholarship and the development of Big History courses. David crafted BHP’s course design and narrative, and is the star of many BHP videos and lectures.
Bob Bain, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bob Bain is Associate Professor of History and Education. Bob has overseen all curriculum design and delivery for the classroom course, with an emphasis on professional development, assessments and standards.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through pre-eminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. The University of Michigan School of Education is committed to advancing educational knowledge and improving educational practice, and has provided support to the pedagogical design and implementation of BHP and driven evaluation efforts.
Tracy Sullivan, Macquarie University
Tracy is Education Leader at the Big History Institute. Tracy was on the curriculum development team for BHP, contributing to the pedagogical design of the course. Tracy has overseen implementation in Australian schools and supported the growth of BHP globally.
CONTRIBUTORS
BHP works with a wide range of educators, scientists, writers, curriculum experts, and artists to bring the ideas of Big History to life and provide students of all ages with unique views into different fields of knowledge. These individuals and organizations played a critical role in getting BHP off the ground.
Walter Alvarez
Bob Bain
David Baker
Craig Benjamin
Cynthia Stokes Brown
David Catling
David Christian
Bill Gates
Henry Louis Gates
Larry Gonick
Ursula Goodenough
Emily Graslie
Hank Green
John Green
John Haught
Jacqueline Howard
Sal Khan
Janna Levin
Charles Mann
Tim McKay
Anne McNeil
Anita Ravi
Cathy Renaud
Sanjayan
Kathy Schick
David Shimabukuro
Tamara Shreiner
Peter Stark
Saul Straussman
Nick Toth
John Wallace
Nicole Waguespack
PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP
Bill Gates is providing ongoing program support to establish the Big History Project and prepare it for free, public access.
PUBLIC COURSE WRITING CREDIT
We are grateful to Peter Stark for his contribution to the editorial narrative for the Big History threshold stories.