MASTER COURSE OUTLINE
Big Bend Community College
Date: March 2008
DEPT. HIST&
NO: 116
(Formerly: HIS 101)
COURSE TITLE: Western Civilization I
CIP Code:
Intent Code:
Program Code
54.0101
11
N/A
Distribution Desig.:
Social Science
Prepared By:
Christopher P. Riley
Credits:
Total Contact Hours Per Qtr.:
Lecture Hours Per Qtr.:
Lab Hours Per Qtr.:
Other Hours Per Qtr.:
5
55
55
Course Description:
From the origins of civilization to the dawn of the modern world in the 1500s, this course
surveys the classical world of Greece and Rome, Western Christendom, Byzantium and
Islam, the Middle Ages, and the early Italian Renaissance.
Prerequisites:
None
Texts: The Western Heritage, 7th Ed., by Donald Kagan, et al.
Other appropriate texts as assigned by the instructor.
Course Goals:
1) To introduce students to their cultural and historical past from western civilization
2) To assist students in understanding the development of ideas and institutions that
define modern civilization
3) To give students perspective to better understand the present
4) To introduce students to religious and philosophical debates that have shaped
western civilization
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1) Identify and discuss the major civilizations that have contributed to the
development of western civilization
2) Identify and explain the contributions of the three major religions in western
civilization: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
3) Discuss the development of law in ancient civilizations
4) Identify and discuss the major players and events in the development of the
nation-state
5) Define the significant terms used in telling the story of western civilization from
3000 B.C. to 1500 A.D.
6) Define and give examples of the medieval synthesis
7) Discuss the achievements of the Roman civilization
8) Describe how the Middle Ages are a transitional age
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9) Discuss the power struggle between the Church and secular leaders during the
Middle Ages
Course Content Outline:
I)
Egypt
II)
Mesopotamia
III)
Palestine
IV)
Greece
V)
Hellenistic Civilization
VI)
Early Rome
VII) Roman Republic
VIII) Roman Empire
IX)
Rise of Christianity
X)
Byzantine Civilization
XI)
Rise of Islam
XII) Rise of the Western Church
XIII) Feudal Middle Ages
XIV) Crusades
XV) Development of the Nation-State
XVI) Church-State Relations
XVII) Hundred Years War
Evaluation Methods/Grading Procedures:
1) There will be a single one-hour exam consisting of terms for identification and
short and long essay questions.
2) There will be a two-hour final exam consisting of the same mix of questions as
above.
3) There will be one critical paper required, in which students must evaluate the
arguments put forward by the assigned authors and determine the historical
relevance of their varying attitudes.
Planned Teaching Methods/Learning Strategies:
X
__
__
__
Lecture
Laboratory
Supervised Clinical
Special Project
X
X
X
Small Group Discussion
Audiovisual
Individualized Instruction
Other (List)
____________________________________
Division Chair Approval
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