HIST 1111
SURVEY OF WORLD HISTORY TO 1500
Fall 2005
Dr. Aran MacKinnon, Office: TLC 3220
Tel: O: (678) 839-6038, E-mail: amackinn@westga.edu
Office hours: MW 10-12, 1-2, or by appointment.
Lectures: MW, 2-3:15; W 3:30-6 :00
Course Description and Learning outcomes: This is an introductory survey course on selected topics in the history of major world civilizations which have shaped the foundations of our modern world. From the origins of humans in Africa to the age of discovery, Students will explore how societies emerged, developed and interacted to create a synthesis of ‘civilization’. The course will introduce students to basic historical enquiry and prepare them to execute the oral and written presentation of ideas. This will prepare students to write about and discuss their understanding of the forces which shaped our world in order for them to live and work more effectively in it. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to demonstrate their understanding, through written and verbal communications, of important themes in world history including those related to: environment, social stratification and gender relations, urbanization, warfare, technology, philosophy, government and the state, religion, economics and culture. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to conduct basic research and write essay format responses, and be able to prepare for class discussions. They will also develop basic map reading skills and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the geographic and environmental context of world history.
This is a lecture-based course. Students are reminded, however, that reading and writing are essential parts of the course. READ. READ. READ. Students are expected to complete reading assignments in order to follow the course, participate in discussions and complete written assignments. The texts and assignments are designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the course. They are by no means an exhaustive list of what you should be reading. Students are expected to ATTEND ALL LECTURES. Failure to do so will adversely affect your grade and you may be dropped from the class for more than 3 absences. We will be covering material in the lectures which is not available in the texts, so attending class is essential.
Required texts:
P.J. Adler and R. L. Pouwels, World Civilizations, Vol. II: to 1700, 4th Edition
M. Kishlansky, Sources of World History, Vol. I, 3rd Edition
M. Crichton, The 13th Warrior
GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS
Document reviews: 10% (1% for each of 10)
In-class Document Analysis: 15%
In-class Book review: The 13th Warrior: 10%
Mid-Term Exam 30%
Final Exam:35 %
ASSIGNMENTS
A) Document Reports. Each student must read, analyze and write a brief report on at least 10 (ten) documents during the course of the semester. In the report, you must answer the following questions:
1. What is the context in which the document was written (time, place, society/civilization)?
2. Who wrote the document and why (this may be a class/type of person such as a priest or a specific individual?
3. What are the key issues and elements of the document?
4. What course themes ( relation to the environment, the nature of the state, social hierarchy, ideology, hegemony, material/technological progress, gender, etc.) does the document relate to?
5. How does the document help you better understand the nature of a civilization, or major historical development, and why is the document important?
You must answer in complete and grammatically correct sentences. Each report should be about ½ a page in length. The reports must be handed in to me, or the class graduate assistant at the start of the class for which the documents are to be read.
B) In-class document analysis. In part of a class period noted below, students will have to read, identify and analyze an excerpt from one of the documents assigned for class. In the analysis, students will need to answer the same questions used for the document reports, and explain why the document selection is important for understanding elements of the course.
C) In-Class Book analysis: The 13th Warrior. Students must read and then analyze in-class the main themes and issues that pertain to the course from this book including the nature of Islamic civilization, features and practices of Islam and gender relations; the nature of Northmen (Viking) society; how the story compares and contrasts ‘civilization’ in the form of Ibn Fadlan and Islamic society with ‘barbarian’ society in the form of the Northmen and the Wendol and the positive and negative features of each society.
D) Exams: Mid-term and Final . Students must write all both exams and the document analysis response in the time periods noted.
The exams will be based on all course material from the texts and lectures. They will be comprised of a map section, identifying and explaining the significance of select terms, and short essay answers. You must write the exams in the time periods noted below (unless advised otherwise by the instructor) No re-writes will be granted for any exams missed.
A NOTE ON ACADEMIC HONESTY
All students are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and to DO THEIR OWN WORK. Cheating, in whatever form not only does a disservice to you, fellow students and the University community, it is fraud and brings severe disciplinary action. I refer all students to the section on Academic Honesty in the University Catalogue. I reserve the right to fail any student for academic dishonesty, and further disciplinary action may be taken.
Weekly Assignments and lectures:
22-24 Aug.
1) Introduction and Course Handouts
2) The emergence of human communities: The Stone-Ages
Readings: Adler Chp. 1
29-31Aug.
1) Sumerian Society and Mesopotamia
2) Civilization and Stratification: Ancient Egypt
Readings: Adler Chps. 2, 3 and Document 3
5-7 Sept.
1) Labor Day: No Class
2) Egyptian Civilization; Emerging empires
Readings: Adler Chp. 3, 4 and Document 9
12-14 Sept.
1) Empire and Bureaucracy: Law
2) Empire and synthesis: The Iron Age
Readings: Adler Chp. 4, Document 7
19-21 Sept.
1) Indian Civilization
2) Indian Spirituality
Readings: Adler Chp. 5, Documents 16,17and 18
26-28 Sept.
1) Ancient China ***In-class Document Analysis***
2) Chinese Politics and Philosophy, Ancient Social relations
Readings: Adler Chps. 6 and 7, Documents. 19, 20 and 21
3-5 Oct.
1) Review and video
2)**** Mid-term Exam ****
10-12 Oct.
1) Greek Civilization
2) Hellenism and Greek Political Philosophies
Readings: Adler, Chps. 8, 9 and Documents 11, 14, 15
17-19 Oct.
1) The foundations of Rome
2) The Roman Empire,
Readings: Adler Chps. 10,11, Document 27
24-26 Oct.
1) The Americas
2) Africa
Readings: Adler chps. 12, 13, Document 34
31 Oct.- 2 Nov.
1) The Context of Islam
2) Islamic Civilization
Readings: Adler Chps.14, 15, Document 31
7-9 Nov.
1) China Reunified
2) China, Japan and the Mongols
Readings: Adler, Chps. 17, 18, and Document 61
14-16 Nov.
1) Western Europe
2) The rise of Western Europe: Class discussion of The 13thWarrior
Readings: Adler, Chps.19, 20 and Documents 47, 53, The 13th Warrior
21-23 Nov.
1) The Renaissance; ****In-class analysis of the 13th Warrior****
2) *** NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING***
Readings: Adler, Chp. 21.
28-30 Nov.
1) The Age of European expansion
2) Conquest
Readings: Adler Chps. 23, 30 Documents 69,70,71 73
5-7 Dec.
1) Conclusion and Review for Final Exam
***FINAL EXAM***: The Final Exam is Wed. 14 Dec., 2-4. All students must sit the exam in this scheduled slot.
N.B. All students must write the exams and the document analysis response at the times and dates specified. No exceptions will be made for other than verifiable medical excuses. No make-up exams will be provided and a grade of “0" (zero) will be recorded for any missed assignments or exams. Late assignments will not be accepted.
THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE INSTRUCTOR DIRECTLY ABOUT ANY POSSIBLE CHANGES.