Course Outline
History 105: European Civilization to 1648
Number of Credits: 3
Transferability of Course within Nevada: Transfers to all NSHE institutions
Prerequisites: No course prerequisites but it is recommended that students taking
this course are eligible to enroll in English 101, are currently enrolled, or have
completed English 101.
Instructor:
Kim DesRoches
Contact Info:
kim.desroches@wnc.edu
327 Bristlecone: 445-4288
M-W:
5:30-6:45
I.
Course Description
Covers the development of Western civilization and history from its beginnings in the
valleys of the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates rivers to the mid-17th century rise of strong
nation-states.
II.
Course Objectives and Linkage to General Education Program
The purpose of this course is provide a foundation of knowledge that allows students to
further their study of Western Civilizations and European History and/or apply this
knowledge to meet their personal and professional needs. The information in the
parenthesis after a course objective refers to the specific general education (GE) learning
outcome that the objective meets. Objectives without this information are not linked to
WNC’s general education program.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated they can:
1. Exhibit factual knowledge of fundamental principles, distinct historical events,
ideas and concepts of Western Civilizations from their beginnings to the onset of
the modern age (GE 1)
2. Examine and explain the forces leading to historical change and political,
economic, and social transformation through the location and evaluation of
information including primary and secondary sources (GE 4).
3. Demonstrate an appreciation of cultural, political, and religious diversity through
the examination of various Western Civilizations before the modern era (GE 5)
4. Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking through substantially error-free
prose suitable in style and content to the purpose of the document and the
audience (GE 2, 9).
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5. Draw a conclusion about a contemporary or enduring issue in Western
Civilization, such as achievements and/or resilience of peoples, and support the
conclusion with appropriate reasoning and evidence (GE 10)
Required Texts:
Western Civilization: Beyond Boundaries, 7th Edition, Noble, Strauss, Osheim, et al,
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Boston, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-133-60271
This course is also designed to encourage the critical analysis of ideas, argument, and
points of view. This is demonstrated through written communication, asynchronous
discussion posts and in class discussions. Students will learn to apply course materials
and in class experiences to improve analytical skills and rational thinking. This goal is
achieved by formulating questions, seeking answers, and participation during class. As
such, attendance is mandatory and will be monitored each class session. Should you
need to miss class, contact me prior to the event to make any necessary alternative
arrangements.
Policies and Procedures
1. Classroom conduct: This course is designed to encourage a great deal of
discussion about a variety of topics and issues including controversial themes
and adult material. It is quite possible that there will not be a consensus on these
issues; thus, we will work together to create an environment where all
participants feel free to express themselves. This will be accomplished by
following basic rules of courtesy: no name-calling, interrupting, or use of
pejorative language directed at either classmates or outside groups.
2. Academic Dishonesty: This category includes: plagiarism, cheating, and /or
falsifying medical excuses for absences. This includes the use of “cut and pasted”
information from the internet without attribution, submitting passages of
quoted text without use of quotation marks or attribution. Any violation will
result in a failing grade on the particular assessment where the infraction
occurred, and may result in a failing grade for the overall exam or assessment,
and could result in a failing grade in the course at the instructor’s discretion. The
determination to assign a failing grade is subject to the College’s Appeal process.
To avoid the issue in the first place, review the following from WNC’s Academic
Dishonesty policy at http://wnc.edu/policymanual/3-4-5.htm.
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From WNC Manual Section 4: What are Specific Acts of Academic Dishonesty?
A. Cheating
Cheating is an act of deception by which a student misrepresents that he or she
has mastered information on an academic exercise, which in fact has not been
mastered. Examples include:
 Copying from another student's test or assignment.
 Allowing another student to copy from a test or assignment.
 Collaborating during a test with any other person without instructor
permission.
 Using the course textbook or other course materials during a test
without instructor permission.
 Using prepared materials during a test (e.g., notes, formula lists,
notes written on the student's clothing, etc.) without instructor
permission
 Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone to take a test
for the student.
B. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is presenting someone else's words, ideas or data as
one's own. When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas or
data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged
through complete, accurate and specific references, and if verbatim
statements are included, through quotation marks as well. In academically
honest writing or speaking, the student will acknowledge the source
whenever:



Another person's actual words are quoted.
Another person's idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is
completely paraphrased in the student's own words.
Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless
the information is common knowledge
3. Americans with Disabilities Act: This institution and this instructor are
committed to accommodating any student who requires additional or optional
resources in order to succeed in this course. Disability support services are
available to any student requiring accommodations. You can access the Disability
Support Services office at (775) 445-3268 or by email at
http://www.wnc.edu/studentservices/dss/index/php.
4. Electronics: Use of cell phones, PDA’s, and any audio or video recording devices
is prohibited unless prior permission of instructor obtained. To comply with
WNC’s Emergency Management plan, cell phones are to be left on but set to
vibrate so emergency communications are received.
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5. Instructor Communication: I will make every effort to respond to email
requests/correspondence within 48 hours Monday through Friday. I will notify
the class prior to any changes in this schedule.
6. For Student Grievances: Any issues with the class are to be addressed first to
me. If you are not satisfied that a just solution has been reached, you have 30
days to contact the division head and file a written grievance. The attached link
provides the College Policy for Student Grievance procedures.
http://www.wnc.edu/policymanual/3-5-2.php
7. Canvas Learning Management System. ALL written work is to be submitted to
Turnitin via the Canvas Learning Management System. Canvas is also used for
all Discussion Forum assignments. All students are required to create a login to
Canvas if not already established. You will have received an invitation to join the
course prior to the start of the semester.
8. Ask the Class Forum on Canvas: This is a semester long opportunity to pose
specific questions about navigating the course, issues concerning access to
external links or material, areas of concern in the readings, or to pose questions
of related interest that can benefit the whole class. This provides an opportunity
for peer-to-peer problem solving as you are encouraged to ask questions and
provide answers to others.
9. Canvas Orientation: You will find an orientation to Canvas provided in the class
modules. Complete this orientation by the end of week one. Please review the
topics and refer to the orientation for technical and navigation questions.
Assessments
Assessment Overview: Course evaluations will be based upon scheduled exams, short
papers, online discussion posts, research projects, and a presentation. Schedule your
time accordingly as no late work will be accepted. All exams are scheduled and no
makeup exams will be allowed except in the case of verifiable medical emergency.
Should you anticipate the need to reschedule an exam please contact me prior to the
scheduled exam date.
1st Exam
100 points
2nd Exam
100 points
rd
3 Exam
100 points
4th Exam
100 points
th
5 Exam
100 points
Reading Quiz
50 points
Five Discussion posts @ 30
150 points
Information Literacy
50 points
Research Project paper
200 points
Research Project Presentation
100 points
Total:
1050 points
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Grade Scale
100-94%
93-90%
89-87%
86-83%
82-80%
79-77%
76-73%
72-70%
69-60%
59-00%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD No plus or minus grades will be earned below 69% achievement.
F
Withdrawals are the sole responsibility of the student. The last day for a student to
withdraw from the class is Friday of Week 9. Students who discontinue attendance
without going through the withdrawal procedure will earn a final grade based upon
total number of points earned by the last date of attendance.
Discussion Forums
After completing the assigned primary source readings for the Discussion Forum,
select themes from one or both readings, think critically, and then respond at least
twice during the week. Your first response is due on Thursday the week it is
assigned. Your two (or more) responses must be posted by 11:59 on Sunday the
week it is due. Participation in the discussion is mandatory—failure to participate
will result in the loss of available points. A specific grading rubric is attached to each
forum.
 Format: Using paragraphs of 200-250 words, provide a thoughtful and
analytical discussion of selected themes. Unlike the short papers, you are not
required to compare the readings but have the discretion to select what you
believe to be the most salient points to discuss.
 Submit at least two substantive “reply” posts of 100-150 words. Substantive
replies to other students or the instructor make up your participation grade.
Substantive replies go beyond “I agree,” or “I see your point.” Effective
responses relate course readings, theory, research, or personal experience to
the discussion topic.
Grading Criteria: This assignment will be graded on adhering to the above format and
the following provisions: Tie your analysis to the readings or other media for the week in
direct ways (such as citing a key phrase). I do not want a summary of the readings by
any means, but this can improve and support your argument. The ultimate goal is for
you to address the readings in a critical way (positive or negative). Cite a key phrase,
analyze intent, sources, structure, thesis, and apply this to your own ideas about the
subject. This means including an in-text citation for any section of the text or another
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source used for developing ideas and including a full reference page for citations. An intext citation includes the publisher(s) name and the year of publication; for a direct
quote the page number should also be included.
Written Assignments-Information Literacy and Research Project: “Letters from the
Front”
This section contains information on the Information Literacy Project and the Research
Paper/Project assignment. For more information on APA style information go to Purdue
Owl site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Information Literacy Assignment (50 points) Due Week 9
This assignment is designed to introduce you to the academic research resources
available at WNC, the APA style format, and collect your research materials for the
research paper

Assignment Details: You will select a topic from the timeframe of the course
and keep the same topic through the Research Paper and Project. You must
select ten (10) academic/peer reviewed articles and /or books on the selected
topic. You will write a brief proposal introducing the topic and briefly identifying
the combined theses of selected sources, also known as an abstract, and attach a
references page. This assignment must be completed and submitted by Sunday
of Week 9.

Abstract: Your abstract contains your research topic, research questions, and
conclusions. Your abstract should be a single paragraph double-spaced. Your
abstract should be between 150 and 250 words.

Sources: Your sources must come from peer reviewed/academic sources
available through WNC Library database resources (http://library.wnc.edu/). NO
NON-ACADEMIC INTERNET SOURCES ALLOWED including Wikipedia,
Encyclopedia or .com sites found through Google type searches. Do not use
Blogs, Newspaper articles, Trade Journals, or news weeklies. Failure to use
acceptable sources will result in the rejection of the project.
Academic sources that are acceptable are books, online academic journals or
articles available in EBSCO, JSTOR, or other library databases (public libraries). All
projects must be submitted following APA formatting for cover page, abstract,
and reference material. Assignment grade will be based on appropriate choices
of reference material, proper use of APA style bibliography and proper spelling,
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grammar, and punctuation of abstract and cover page in APA style. For more
information on APA style information go to Purdue Owl site:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Research Paper: (200 points)
Analytical Essay: No later than the end of Week 13 (Sunday) you will submit a 5-7 page,
double-spaced (excluding cover page, abstract and references) analytical essay that
addresses your topic. Your essay must be documented following APA criteria.



Research paper and presentation project outline: You will select a conflict from
the time periods under study and conduct scholarly research utilizing academic
books and academic journals identified in the Information Literacy project. You
will use a minimum of 5 academic sources identified in the Information Literacy
Project to develop an essay covering the causes of the conflict, conditions
endured, weaponry, tactics, strategies, and outcomes.
A complete research paper contains the following: Cover page, abstract, body
content, and references page.
Your abstract contains your research topic, research questions, and anticipated
conclusions. Your abstract should be a single, non-tabbed, paragraph that is
double-spaced. Your abstract should be between 150 and 250 words.
o You must select a minimum of five (5) academic sources on the selected
topic. Sources: Your sources must come from peer reviewed/academic
sources and can include books, or journals articles available through WNC
Library resources (http://library.wnc.edu/). NO NON-ACADEMIC
INTERNET SOURCES ALLOWED including Wikipedia, Encyclopedia or .com
sites found through library or Google type searches. Do not use Blogs,
Book Reviews, Newspaper articles, Trade Journals, or news weeklies. Do
not include any source that does not contain a bibliography (for example
WWI Magazine or WWII Magazine) Failure to use acceptable sources
will result in the rejection of the project.
o All projects must be submitted following APA formatting for cover page,
abstract, and annotated bibliography. Assignment grade will be based on
appropriate choices of reference material, proper use of APA style
bibliography and proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation of abstract
and cover page in APA style.
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Sample Reference Entry in APA style
Example: Annotated Entry for a Scholarly Journal Article
Author, A. A., Author, B.B., & Author, C. C. (Year of publication). Article title: Article
subtitle. Journal Title: Journal Subtitle, volume number, page range. doi: (doi
number, if available)
Osthaus, B., Marlow, D., & Ducat, P. (2010). Minding the gap: Spatial perseveration error
in dogs. Animal Cognition, 13, 881-885. doi:10.1007/s10071-010-0331-z
Grading Criteria: The research paper will be graded according to the following essential
elements: 1) introduction providing a thesis statement; 2) body providing a discussion
of central themes supported by primary / secondary sources; 3) conclusion drawing
together the themes of the paper in a succinct, organized, and persuasive manner; 4)
citations that are properly used for quoted and paraphrased material, and 5) APA
formatting used correctly including header content, pagination, citations, and format of
reference page .
Format: The research paper will be 5-7 text pages using Times New Roman or other
common 12-point font and double-spaced throughout. The title of your paper found on
the cover page and in headers should accurately reflect the content of your paper’s text.
The research paper must include a reference page of at least six of the ten annotated
academic sources. See acceptable sources list above. If there is a question about
whether a source meets the academic criteria, contact the instructor. You are
encouraged to use as many sources as appropriate. However, a huge bibliography will
not compensate for a weak or poorly-constructed paper.
Research Paper Grading Rubric
College level writing (40 Points)

Proper use of reference material (40
points)

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Essay is well organized, contains
an introduction, thesis statement,
logical body paragraphs and
conclusion. Paragraphs adhere to
5-7 sentence model and are
internally coherent.
Reference material is well
summarized and relevant. Quoted
passages are kept to a minimum
and all paraphrased information is
properly cited.
8
Accuracy and Proper use of APA citation
format (40 Points)

Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, and
Sentence Structure (40 Points)

Sufficiency and Relevancy (40 Points)

Citations are formatted and used
properly. This includes proper
citation format (APA), avoiding
plagiarism, and accurately
representing the author’s work.
Few to none errors in grammar,
spelling, or punctuation. Few to
none instances of incomplete or
run-sentences.
Writing is sufficient according to
the requirements of the
assignment. You have explored all
questions posed from thesis or
through analysis. Your writing is
relevant. You have stayed on topic
Research Project Presentation: (150 points)
Project Presentation: From this research, you will write two letters from the front lines
to be presented to your group at the end of the semester. Your letters will be from
soldiers or civilians experiencing the conflict from either side of the lines. In the letters,
written from an on the ground perspective, you will identify salient points from your
research as well as develop a “voice” and perspective from the letter writers that
portrays the time in which the letters would have been written.
You will be divided into groups for the project presentations. The presentations are
scheduled for the last calendar day of the class and are MANDATORY. You will prepare a
10 minute presentation on your research topic letter and include visual aids. As part of
your presentation grade, you will upload the letters to the presentation portal.
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Schedule of Readings and Assignments
Week I:
August 31-September 2 2015
Course Introduction and Canvas Introduction
Historical Thinking and exercise
What is Civilization?
Read Chapter 1
Introduction Discussion Due
Ancestors of the West-Egypt
Read Chapter 2
Week II:
September 7-9 2015
September 7 Labor Day No Class
Western Asia and the Levant
Discussion 1 Due
Read Chapter 3
Week III:
September 14-16 2015
Exam 1
The Greeks in the Polis
Read Chapter 4
Week IV:
September 21-23 2015
Alexander the Great and Hellenistic Greece
Read Chapter 5
Week V:
September 28-30
Exam 2
Rome from Republic to Empire
Read Chapter 6
Week VI:
October 5-7, 2015
Imperial Rome
Discussion 2 Due
Read Chapter 7
Week VII:
October 12-14, 2015
Fall of Rome and Late Antiquity
Read Chapter 8
Week VIII:
October 19-21, 2015
Exam 3
Islamic East and Byzantine Empire
Read Chapter 9
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Week IX:
October 26-28, 2015
Quiz
Expansion, High Middle Ages and the Crusades
Information Literacy Due
Read chapter 10
Week X:
November 2-4, 2015
Medieval Civilization
Discussion Forum 3
Read Chapter 11
Week XI:
November 9-11, 2015
November 11 Veterans Day
Late Medieval Europe
Read Chapter 12
Week XII:
November 16-18, 2015
Exam 4
The Renaissance
Read Chapter 13
Discussion 4 Due: . . .Holy Grail
Week XIII:
November 23-25, 2015
European Overseas Expansion and conquest
Happy Thanksgiving 25-27
Research Paper Due Sunday
Read Chapter 14
Week XIV:
November 30-December 3, 2015
The Reformation and Conflict
Read Chapter 15
Week XV:
December 7-9, 2015
Era of Religious Warfare
Discussion Five Due
Week XVI:
December 14-16, 2015
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Exam 5
Letters from the Front presentations
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SIGN THIS PAGE, DETACH FROM THE SYLLABUS AND RETURN TO THE INSTRUCTOR.
COURSE: HIST 105
INSTRUCTOR: Kim DesRoches
My signature below indicates I have read and understand this syllabus and have been
given a copy of my own to keep.
I understand that the syllabus may be changed at any time.
Student Signature
Student Name (print)
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