Societies, Networks, and Transitionsis a world history text that connects the different regions of the world through global themes. This innovative structure combines the accessibility of a regional approach with the rigor of comparative scholarship to show students world history in a truly global framework. The text also features a strong focus on culture and religion. Author and veteran teacher Craig Lockard engages students with a unique approach to cultural artifacts such as music and art. A range of pedagogical features--including focus questions, section summaries, and web-based study aids--supports students and instructors as they explore the interconnectedness of different people, places, and periods in the global past. Author Craig Lockard--a founding and active member of the World History Association--applies his expertise in world history instruction to this breakthrough textbook program. His extensive experience teaching this challenging course is evident in the approach and accessibility of the text, particularly its strong pedagogical apparatus. Comparative mini-chapters at the end of each part, called "Societies, Networks, and Transitions," link the different regions of the world. These brief sections help students understand the interconnectedness of people, places, and periods. AccompanyingHistorical Controversyboxes examine scholarly debates such as Afrocentricity, Eastern predominance, and globalization, among others. Carefully crafted and tested by the author for optimal student learning, the pedagogical program is the most comprehensive available in world history. Chapter-opening focus questions, brief and comprehensive chronologies, key terms, pronunciation guides, section and chapter summaries, and online study aids encourage active review and promote mastery of the material. A complete online support program for students features ACE practice tests, interactive maps, primary sources, and flashcards--all of which correlate to content in the text via web icons. Technology resources for instructors include Houghton Mifflin's Eduspace course management tool and Blackboard course cartridges/WebCT ePacks. IllustratedProfilebiography features present common and key players in world history such as Hammurabi, the Trung sisters, and slave rebel Caetana. Witness to the Pastprimary source boxes expose students to documents that examine such topics as Hindu values, shopping in Aksum, and the rights of Egyptian women.Thinking About the Readingquestions accompany each source, prompting students to think critically about the documents under review.