History 100: Western Civilization
Instructor: Donna Trembinski
Class Hours: Monday 10:15-11:05, Wednesday 9:15-10:05, Friday 8:15-9:05
Office Hours: Tuesday 12:30-3:00, Wednesday 12:30-3:00, Friday 9:15-11:15
Office: NH 521
Phone: 867-3741
Email: dtrembin@stfx.ca
Abstract: This course explores the long and varied history of our modern western world
by reading important primary sources from various periods. From the temples and agorae
of ancient Greece and the Christianization of medieval Europe, from early modern
colonization to post-colonial and post-modern responses, this class will explore the
events that shaped the world we live in today.
Course Requirements and Marking Scheme:
10 % : October Quiz (1 x 10% = 10%)
The October midterm quiz will test material covered in class from the beginning of term
to the midterm and will consist of fill in the blanks, multiple choice, map tests and short
answer questions. Date: October 17, 2011
15% : Midterm Exam: December Exam Period
The midterm exam, written during the Christmas exam period, will consist of short
answer identifications and essay questions.
25% : Final Exam: April Exam Period
The Final Exam, written during the Spring Exam period, will text the material covered
throughout the entire year and will of short answer identifications and essay questions.
10% Friday Quizzes (21 x 0.5%- the lowest mark)
Most Friday classes are earmarked for class discussions of the presentation of material in
the textbook. To prepare for class discussions, students must read and understand the text
thoroughly. For this reason, at the beginning of (nearly) every Friday class, a five
question, five-minute quiz on the content of the assigned chapter will be given. Quizzes
will consist of multiple choice, T/F and fill-in-the-blank questions.
10% : Participation in Discussions
Participation marks are given for giving regular, informed comments during class and for
participating in group work during class hours. Full participation marks will only be
given to those students who attend all classes and fully participate in class discussion and
group projects.
10%: Book Review
Appraising and reviewing sources is an important part of any academic endeavor. This
means not simply summarizing a source but actively engaging with the argument
presented within it and evaluating the evidence that supports that argument. This year,
the class will be writing a review of Jonathan Riley-Smith’s Crusades, Christianity and
Islam, (New York: Columbia University Press, 2008). Please see assignment sheet for
more information. Due: November 14, 2011
10% : Primary Source Analysis
A primary source report is a close and detailed study of a source that was written in the
period that you are studying. It involves reading a text carefully and crafting an argument
based only upon evidence found within your primary source. No outside sources should
be consulted. Instead your argument should come out of your own reading and
understanding of the source. For more information and a list of sources to choose from,
see the assignment sheet entitled “How to Write a Primary Source Report”. Due:
February 6, 2012
10% : Written Analysis of Fanon and Colonialism
This analysis requires you to read Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth and to think
about his argument in the context of the histories of colonialism and post-colonialism
studied in the course. See the assignment sheet called “Analysis of Fanon and
Colonialism” for more information. Due: April 9, 2012
Course Policies
Attendance: Saint Francis Xavier University has a mandatory attendance policy.
Attendance at all classes is required. For further information regarding the policy please
see Section 3.8 of the Academic Calendar.
Bonus Marks: From time to time, I will announce lectures that are given on campus.
Students are encouraged to go to these lectures as they are often given in world-renowned
experts in the field and attendance can significantly enrich the intellectual life of a
university students. Students who chose to attend such lectures may write a two-page
analysis of the lecture and hand it in for bonus marks. The grammar, structure and
argumentation in the analysis will be marked out of 2% and added on to the student’s
final grade. Students may write one lecture analysis for a 3-credit class and 2 lecture
analyses for a 6-credit class.
Discrimination and Harassment Policy: “St. Francis Xavier University believes that
all members of the University community have the right to study, work and live in an
environment that promotes equity and that is free from discrimination and harassment.
Such an environment enhances each member of the University community’s ability to
achieve excellence. In support of the goal of establishing a campus free of discrimination
and harassment, and of creating a collegial study, work and living environment where all
individuals are treated with respect and dignity, the University adopts the following
Discrimination and Harassment Policy.
“Discrimination is distinctive treatment, whether intentional or not, on the basis of: age,
race, colour, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, physical disability or mental
disability, an irrational fear of contracting an illness or disease, ethnic, national or
Aboriginal origin, family status, marital status, source of income, political belief,
affiliation or activity, an individual’s association with another individual or class of
individuals having any one or more of the characteristics referred to in the list above.
Such discrimination is defined as treatment that has the effect of imposing a burden,
obligation or disadvantage on an individual or a class of individuals not imposed upon
others, or which withholds or limits access to opportunities, benefits and advantages
available to other individuals or classes of individuals.
“Harassment is offensive or objectionable conduct or comment toward another person or
persons, including sexual harassment, the instance or persistence of which is known or
ought reasonably to be known to be intimidating, offensive or unwelcome, including but
not limited to that on the basis of any characteristic referred to above, which has the
effect of creating an intimidating, humiliating, hostile or offensive work, study or living
environment.”
Email Policy: Email is a wonderful medium that allows for communication of
uncomplicated issues. However, some discussions are still better in person. If you have
a question that requires only a short answer, please email me. I will do my best to answer
your email within 1 business day. However, if your question requires more than a twosentence response, please come and see me during office hours or telephone me.
Late Penalties: THIS CLASS HAS NO LATE PENALTIES. ANY PAPER THAT
IS HANDED IN LATE WILL RECEIVE A 0. Should you be forced to hand in your
paper late, you may PETITION your grade of 0 by writing a short explanation of why
the paper was late, handing the explanation, paper and any supporting documentation (ie:
a doctor’s note) together.
Rewrite Policy: Any written assignment in the class (with the exception of exams) can
be rewritten in an effort to improve your mark. Make sure you take all comments into
consideration when crafting your rewritten assignment. Students should be aware that,
although it is rare, it is possible to receive a grade lower than the grade on the original
paper. In this case, the second, lower grade still stands as the mark received.
Technology in the Classroom: Students are allowed to use laptops in the classroom.
All other technology including cell phones, smartphones and ipods MUST be switched
off and put away during class hours.
Course Outline and Assigned Readings
Date
Topic
Sept 8
Introduction
Sept 12
Meanings of Civilization
Readings
NB: Completed BEFORE Class
WW, Chapter 1
Sept 14
The Peloponnesian Context
Archaic Greece
Sept 16
Discussion
Sept 19
The Peloponnesian Context
Classical Greece
Sept 21
The Rise of Macedon
Sept 23
Discussion
Sept 25
Rise of Rome
Sept 27
From Republic to Empire
Sept 30
Discussion
Oct 3
Early Christianity
Oct 5
The End of Empire?
Oct 7
Discussion
Oct 10
THANKSGIVING—NO CLASS
Oct 12
Islam
Oct 14
Discussion
Oct 17
MIDTERM
Oct 19
Germanic Migrations
Oct 21
Carolingian Renaissance
Oct 24
Y1K: Everything Changes
Oct 26
Feudalism and Manorialism
Oct 28
Oct 31
Discussion
Religious Fervour in the High Middle Ages
Nov 2
Education, Art and Technology of the High Middle Ages
Nov 4
Discussion
Nov 7
The Four Horsemen I
Nov 9
The Four Horsemen II
Nov 11
Remembrance Day--
Nov 14
Humanism
Book Review Due
WW, Chapter 2
WW, Chapter 3
WW, Chapter 4
WW, Chapter 5
WW, Chapter 6
WW, Chapter 7
WW, Chapter 8
WW, Chapter 9
NO CLASSES
Nov 16
The Renaissance?
Nov 18
Discussion
Nov 21
Reformations
Nov 23
Wars of Religion
Nov 25
Discussion
Nov 28
Periodization and Marginalization
Nov 30
YOU CHOOSE, I LECTURE
Dec 2
Review
Jan 4
Europe beyond Europe
Jan 6
Discussion
Jan 9
Early Colonialism and Mercantilism
Jan 11
Absolutism
Jan 13
Discussion
Jan 16
Breaking from Absolutism
Jan 18
Enlightenment
Jan 20
Discussion
Jan 23
The Eighteenth Century (All of It!)
Jan 25
Rising Expectations?
Jan 27
Discussion
Jan 30
The French Revolution
Feb 1
Napoleon
Feb 3
Discussion
Feb 6
The Industrial Revolution
Primary Source Report Due
Feb 8
The Middle Classes
Feb 10
Discussion
Feb 13
Romanticism
Feb 15
Revolts of the Nineteenth Century
WW, Chapter 10
WW, Chapter 11
WW, Chapter 12
WW, Chapter 13
WW, Chapter 14
WW, Chapter 15
WW, Chapter 16
WW, Chapter 17
Feb 17
Discussion
WW, Chapter 18
READING WEEK
Feb 27
The “isms” of the 19th c: Nationalism, Imperialism, Colonialism
Feb 29
More “isms”: Marxism, Feminism, Optimism
WW, Chapters 19 and 20
Mar 2
Discussion
WW, Chapter 21
Mar 5
WW I
Mar 7
WWII
Mar 9
Discussion
Mar 12
Reparations and Depression
Mar 14
Fascism
Mar 16
Discussion
Mar 19
WWII
Mar 21
WWII
Mar 23
Discussion
Mar 26
The Cold War
Mar 28
Decolonization
Mar 30
Discussion
WW, Chapter 25
April 2
Discussion
Wretched of the Earth
April 4
1960s
April 6
No class- Good Friday
April 9
REVIEW
Fanon Assignment Due
WW, Chapter 22
WW, Chapter 23
WW, Chapter 24