History 1111

World Civilization I.

Fall 2005

Instructor: Dr. Justin Stephens

Lecture: M W F 1:00-1:50 TLC 1200

Office: TLC 3224

Office Hours: 9-10 and 11-12 MWF and 2-3 MW and by appointment

Email: jstephen@westga.edu

Course Description:

This course is a survey of world civilizations from c. 3,500 BCE to c. 1,600 CE. The goal of this course is not to achieve a comprehensive understanding of each culture examined, but rather a broad understanding of these civilizations and how they have helped to shape the modern world. Several themes such as law, political organization, religion and cultural heritages will be used so that students will be able to compare and contrast the civilizations surveyed. An additional theme will be contact (trade, warfare, cultural exchange etc.) between civilizations and the resulting consequences. This course also teaches students how to think like historians. Students will learn how to use historical evidence to construct an effective argument for exams.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete this course will:

• Have the ability to demonstrate both verbally and in writing a basic knowledge of world history.
• Have a better understanding of philosophical, religious, political, and cultural heritages that have helped to shape the modern world.
• Learn the fundamental methods of historical inquiry.
• Have improved writing and critical thinking skills.

Course Requirements:

1. Attending lectures is essential for success in this course. While there is no attendance policy, all exam questions will be taken from material covered in lecture.

2. There will be three essay examinations during the semester including the final examination. All exams will have short identifications and essays. The final will include an essay question which is cumulative.

3. In addition to attending all lectures, you must also complete all of the assigned reading. While this course is primarily lecture based, we will discuss primary source documents during lecture on certain days. Because reading is important for success in this class, I have scheduled several reading quizzes. Your participation grade will be based upon contributions during discussions and your performance on quizzes.

Grading:

Quizzes and Class Participation: 10%

First Exam: 25%

Second Exam: 30%

Final: 35%

Cheating:

Cheating of any kind will result in an "F" for the course and further disciplinary action may be taken.

Miscellaneous:

There will be no make-up exams.

There will be no extra-credit.

Grade information will not be given out via email.

Readings:

Civilization Past and Present Concise version to 1650, Brummet et al.

Selected primary source readings on electronic reserve through the library

Textbook reading assignments:

Week 1:

Brummet, pp. 1-12

Week 2:

Brummet, pp. 13-33

Week 3:

Sherman, pp. 11-13

Week 4:

Brummet, pp. 35-43

Week 5:

Brummet, pp. 43-50

Week 6:

Brummet, pp 51-59

Week 7:

Brummet, pp. 61-69

Week 8:

Brummet, pp. 69-82

Week 9:

TBA

Week 10:

Brummet, pp. 84-95

Week 11:

TBA

Week 12:

Brummet, pp. 95-106

Week 13:

Brummet, pp. 116-119, 162-176

Week 14:

Brummet, pp. 135-140

Week 15:

Sherman, pp. 200-202

Lecture Schedule:

Week 1:

Aug. 22 (M): Introduction

Aug. 24 (W): Rediscovery of the Past

Aug. 26 (F): From Old Rocks to New Ones

Week 2:

Aug. 29 (M): The Fertile Crescent (Reading Quiz: Epic of Gilgamesh; Code of Hammurabi)

Aug. 31 (W): Egypt: The Gift of the Nile (Reading Quiz: Hymn to Nile; Isis and Osiris)

Sept. 2 (F): Iron Age Empires

Week 3:

Sept. 5 (M) Labor Day

Sept. 7 (W): Gods and More Gods (Reading Quiz: Hymn to Aton)

Sept. 9 (F): The God Who did Wrong (Reading Quiz: Book of Job )

Week 4:

Sept. 12 (M): First Exam

Sept. 14 (W): Ancient India

Sept. 16 (F): The Hindu Synthesis (Reading Quiz: Bhagavad Gita)

Week 5:

Sept.19 (M): Ancient China

Sept. 21(W): Confucius says. . .(Reading Quiz: TBA) )

Sept. 23 (F): Mauryan India

Week 6:

Sept. 26 (M): Imperial China

Sept 28 (W): Re-discovery of Greece

Sept. 30 (F): Greek Political Developments (Reading Quiz: Iliad selection)

Week 7:

Oct. 3 (M): Sparta and Athens (Reading Quiz: Spartan Constitution)

Oct. 5 (W): The Golden Age of Athens

Oct. 7 (F): Science, Sophistry and War (Reading Quiz: Antigone)

Week 8:

Oct. 10 (M): Socrates

Oct. 12 (W): Alexander the Great

Oct. 14 (F): The Hellenistic World

Week 9:

Oct. 17 (M): TBA

Oct. 19(W): Second Exam

Oct. 21 (F): Here Come the Romans

Week 10:

Oct. 24 (M): Res Publica (Reading Quiz: Polybius selection)

Oct. 26 (W): The fall of the Republic

Oct. 28 (F): Caesar and Octavian

Week 11:

Oct. 31 (M): The Problem of the Fall

Nov. 2 (W): Christians and Romans (Reading Quiz: Celsus)

Nov. 4 (M): Barbarians and Romans

Week 12:

Nov. 7 (M): Christianity Succeeds

Nov. 9 (W): Christianity and the Empire

Nov. 11 (F): Fall of Rome?

Week 13:

Nov. 14 (M): The Empire Restored?

Nov. 16 (W): Islam (Reading Quiz: TBA)

Nov. 18 (F): Expansion of Islam

Week 14:

Nov. 21 (M): Charlemagne (Reading Quiz: Life of Charlemagne handout)

Nov. 23 (W): No Class

Nov. 25 (F): No Class

Week 15:

Nov. 28 (M): Carolingian Renaissance

Nov. 30 (W): Vikings and Friends

Dec. 2 (F): Crusades (Reading Quiz: TBA)

Week 16:

Dec. 5 (M): What if?

Dec. 7 (W): TBA

Dec. 8 (F): TBA

Final Exam:

Friday, Dec., 11-1

**Graduating Seniors must take final at an earlier time