HIST 1111

SURVEY OF WORLD HISTORY TO 1500

Spring 2005

Dr. Aran MacKinnon, Office: TLC 3220

Tel: O: (678) 839-6038, E-mail: amackinn@westga.edu

 

Office hours: M/W, 10:00-12:00 a.m., 1:00-2:00 p.m. or by appointment.

Lectures:  M/W 2:00-3:15, Pafford, 208

 

Course Description and Learning outcomes: This is an introductory survey course on selected topics in the history of major world civilizations that have shaped the foundations of our modern world. From the origins of humans in Africa to the age of discovery, we 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 fulfill 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. Students who miss more than three classes without documented medical excuses may have their grade dropped by one whole letter grade, students who miss more than six classes may receive  an ‘F’ for the course. We will be covering material in the lectures which is not available in the texts, and class discussions are vital to the course so attending class is essential.

 

Required texts:

J.R. and W. McNeill, The Human Web (Norton)

Riley et al. The Global Experience. Readings in World History to 1550, 4th or 5th edition (Prentice Hall)

S. Hamdun and N. King, Ibn Battuta in Black Africa (Markus Wiener)

E. Gilbert and J Reynolds, Trading Tastes, (Prentice Hall)

 

 

 

 

GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS                                                   Grade Scale

Document reports: 20% (10% for each of each two)                           A = 90% and above

Trading Tastes reports 10%                                                                  B = 80-89 %

In-class review of Ibn Battuta 10%                                                      C = 70-79%

Mid-Term 30%                                                                                     D = 60-69% 

Final Exam: 30 %                                                                                 F = below 60%

 

1) Each student must read and analyze two (2) sets of document readings assigned to them, write a brief report (750-1000, 3-4 pages typed, 12-point font) on each set and make a class presentation on their findings. In your analysis you need to explain the historical context in which the documents were written, who wrote the documents and why, and what significance they have for understanding the nature of the given civilization and its connections to global webs. We will then have a class debate where we consider the arguments made in the documents.

 

2) Each student will read an assigned section of the Trading Tastes book, write a brief report and synopsis of the section (3-4 pages typed, 750-1000 words, 12-point font) and present their findings to the class.

 

3) Each student will write an in-class review of the Ibn Battuta book.

 

4) Each student will write both the mid-term and final exams. Students must write the exams and complete assignments in or for the time periods noted.  From time to time, the instructor may need to change dates of assignments, and the syllabus is provisional and subject to change. Students are responsible for noting any changes made by the instructor and fulfilling their responsibilities on the dates the instructor indicates. Students are responsible for coming to each and every class and they should not schedule anything that may conflict with this responsibility. 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 or assignments missed unless in case of a verifiable and documented health matter.

 

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.

 

 

 

Assignments and lectures:

 

9-11 Jan.

1) Introduction and Course Handouts

2) The Human Apprenticeship; the emergence of modern humans

Readings: McNeills Chp. I

 

16-18 Jan.

1) Shifting to Food Production

2) Food Production II

Readings: McNeills Chp. II

 

23-25 Jan.

1) River Valley Civilizations

2) Civilized achievements and synthesis: *** Doc. Reports 1 and 2 Due***

Readings: McNeills, Chp. III, pp 41-61 Documents. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

 

30 Jan.-1 Feb.

1) Civilized Variations

2)  Indian documents *** Doc. Report 3 Due ***

Readings: McNeills, Chp. III, pp. 62-82 and documents 19, 20, 21,

 

6-8 Feb.

1) Chinese documents: ***Doc. Report 4 due***

2) Greek and Roman documents ***Doc. Report 5 Due***

Readings: Documents 25, 26, 27, 28, 32, 34

 

13-15 Feb.

1) The growth of webs: ‘Old World’ and religion

2) The growth of webs: ‘America’

Readings: McNeills, Chp.  IV

 

20-22 Feb.

1) Expansive monotheistic religions: Christianity

2) Expansive monotheistic religions: Islam ***Doc. Report 6 Due***

  Readings: Documents 40, 41, 47, 48, 49

 

27 Feb.- 1 March

1) Video

2)**1st Exam***

 

6-8 March

1) Thickening Webs: Trade

2) Trade

Readings: McNeills, Chp. V, pp. 116-136

 

13-15 March

1) Trading Tastes reports: ***Spice and Salt Reports***

2)  Trading Tastes: ***Silk Report***

Readings: Gilbert and Reynolds, Trading Tastes

 

 

20-22 March

NO CLASSES: SPRING BREAK

 

27-29 March

1) Ibn Battuta, Africa and the Global economy

2) Ibn Battuta

Readings: Hamdun and King, Ibn Battuta in Black Africa

 

3-5 April                                        

1) ***Ibn Battuta In-class review***

2) Setting the stage for the global web: Europe

Readings: McNeills, chp V, pp. 137-154

 

10-12 April

1) The emerging worldwide web

2) The Columbian Exchange

Readings: McNeills, chp. VI pp.155-174, 206-212

 

17-19 April

1) Trading Tastes: Sugar: *** Sugar Report***

2)  Slavery, the plantation complex and the Atlantic world

Gilbert and Reynolds chp. on sugar and handout

 

24-26 April

1) The Age of expansion

2) The Age of European Expansion ***document Reports7 and 8 Due***

Documents: 92, 95, 98,100,101

 

1 May

1) Conclusion and Review for final exam: TBA Final EXAM

 

***FINAL EXAM***: The Final Exam is schedule for Wed. 3 May 2004 from 2:00-4:00 P.M. All students must sit the exam in this scheduled slot unless the instructor changes the date to the last day of class in which case they must sit the exam that day.

 

N.B. All students must write the exams and complete assignments at the times and dates specified or as instructed by the instructor if a change of date is needed. No exceptions will be made for other than documented and verifiable medical excuses. No make-up exams will be provided and a grade of A0" (zero) will be recorded for any missed assignments or exams. Late assignments will not be accepted.

 

-There is no extra credit provided for this course.

-The instructor will not accept work that has been submitted for another course in this course.

-N.B. This syllabus is subject to change, and the instructor has final say regarding these changes and their implementation.