Course Syllabus – Spring 2013
Early Western Civilization
The College at Southwestern
HIS 1103-A W/F 8:30-9:45 Room S-20
Instructor: Kevin Stilley
Office Hours: By Appointment
Email: kstilley@swbts.edu
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kevinstilley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kevin.stilley
Website: http://www.kevinstilley.com
Catalog Description
A study of the history and philosophy of western civilization from antiquity to the rise of
Christianity.
Course Objectives
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To gain knowledge of the main events, ideas and persons that have shaped western
civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity and assess their significance.
To develop the skill of applying history to contemporary ideas and issues
To understand how the Biblical record and western civilization are related and be able
to outline the relationship between revelation and historical records.
Appreciation of God’s providence in the overall pattern of history.
Required Texts
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Susan Wise Bauer. The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to
the Fall of Rome -- isbn. 039305974X
Thomas V. Brisco. Holman Bible Atlas: A Complete Guide To The Expansive
Geography of Biblical History -- isbn. 1558197095
Daniel J. Harrington. First and Second Maccabees -- isbn. 81462846X
Recommended Texts
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A good historically oriented study Bible is strongly recommended. Two of the better
ones are the ESV Study Bible and the NIV Archaeological Study Bible.
Blackboard
Blackboard and SWBTS student email will be used for class communications. Students
should check both Blackboard and student email daily for possible communications from
the instructor. WARNING: Use of Blackboard requires that students pass an e-license
test. Complete this test as early as possible during the semester to avoid being locked out
of Blackboard at the time the first exam is being conducted via that medium. Alternative
dates and formats for the test will NOT be offered.
Assignments
Grades will be determined based upon completion of three exams, two writing
assignments/projects and class participation.
·
Examination #1 (25%) - This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be
sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam. Mac users,
I encourage you to NOT use the Safari web browser when taking this test or
navigating the Blackboard interface.
·
Examination #2 (25%) - This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be
sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam. Mac users,
I encourage you to NOT use the Safari web browser when taking this test or
navigating the Blackboard interface.
·
Final Exam: (25%) - The date and time for the final exam may not coincide with
normal class days and times. You must make yourself available to take the final exam
at the scheduled time during finals week. No alternative times or venues for the
exam will be offered.
·
Writing Assignments / Projects (15%): Two writing projects have been assigned
for this semester.
o Create in the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons Why
Christians should be interested in history?” It may be helpful to consult the
list of quotations found at http://www.kevinstilley.com/history-select-quotes/
(5%)
o A timeline combining the main events from the Hebrew Bible with the
material from our textbooks. The timeline should include at least thirty-five
items from the Hebrew Bible and thirty-five items from our textbooks. This
project is NOT about compiling a list of data, it is about creatively
communicating the information in a manner that captures the attention of the
audience. The project can take many forms and students are encouraged to use
creativity in its creation (examples: board game, music, poetry, website, map,
art, PowerPoint presentation, etc.). (10%)
·
Participation (10%): All students are expected to
attend class, be punctual, and participate
appropriately in classroom discussion. To engage in
classroom discussion of the assigned reading it is
imperative that all reading assignments be conducted
in a timely fashion. Be prepared or we may have to
resort to the scenario found at the following url;
http://www.kevinstilley.com/a-warning-for-mystudents/.
“This is what I have tried to do for students
in insisting that they come to class
regularly, after having carefully read the
text. The student who does not do this work
himself is unteachable. No teacher can
really help him.” (James V. Schall, in A
Students Guide to Liberal Learning)
Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of all class sessions. Absences or
tardiness will adversely affect your grade. Absences in excess of six will result in an
automatic failure of the class. Students are free to record the class. Guests are
generally welcome, but please notify the instructor in advance. Laptops, iPhones, and
similar devices may NOT be used during class as their usefulness is far outweighed
by their ability to create a distraction and contribute to the cultural habit of
inattentiveness.
Grades
Grades will be determined by the following scale: 100-98 (A+); 97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-);
89-88(B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78 (C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68 (D+); 67-63
(D); 62-60 (D-); Below 60 = F.
“When a man is busy at study, the Evil Impulse whispers to him: Why tarryest thou here.
Go and join the men who flirt with pretty women.” - Talmud, Zohar, ii, 265b
Tentative Schedule
HIS 1103
Topic
Assignment Due Today
January 25
Introduction to Course Discussion of Syllabus
Please print out and bring your syllabus to
this class session.
Be prepared to share the following in 30
seconds – 1) where you are from, 2) why
you are at Southwestern, and 3) something
about you that is interesting.
January 30
What Is History and Why Should Read:
It Be Important to Christians?
· Chapter 1 of Old Testament Times, by
R.K. Harrison [available as a pdf on
Blackboard]
Turn In: In the style of a David Letterman’s
Top 10 List, “Reasons Why Christians
should be interested in history?”
Read:
· Genesis 1-11;
· Bauer, Preface;
· The Everlasting Man - Chapter 2
(available on Blackboard)
February 1
Pre-history & Genesis 1-11
February 6
Sumer & Akkad (Mesopotamia) – Read:
The Cradle of Civilization
· Bauer, chapters 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 17
February 8
Egypt – The First Empire
Read: Bauer chapter 4, 7, 9, 11, 15
February 13
The Patriarchal Period
Read:
 Genesis 12
 Bauer chapter 17, 23
 HBA pages 41-62
Egyptian Art & Architecture
February 15
Moses, Canaan, & The Hittites
Battle of Kadesh
Read:
 Bauer chapters 32, 33, 34
 HBA pages 63-74
February 20
The United and Divided Kingdom Read:
of Israel
 Bauer chapter 45
 HBA pages 97-120
February 22
Assyria, Babylon, the Medes &
The Persians
Read:
· Bauer pp. 371-390, 410-417, 443-468,
· Old Testament book of Daniel
Recommended:
·The Old Testament Books of Ezra,
Nehemiah, and Esther
Additional Resource: HBA pages 131-173
are relevant to this day’s lecture.
February 27
Examination #1
Examination #1 – On Blackboard
Expect geography questions to
be on this first exam.
March 1
“Meanwhile in Greece…”
Read: Bauer pp. 183-190, 224-228, 253257, 281-284
The Minoans, Mycenaeans and
Trojan War
March 6
Greek Mythology & Religion
Read: Hellenistic-Roman Religions, by
Everett Ferguson (available on Blackboard)
March 8
Research Assignment
March 13
Spring Break
Research Assignment
Spring Break
March 15
Spring Break
Spring Break
March 20
Read: Bauer pp. 514-534
The Persian Wars
History Channel Video: The 300
March 22
History Channel Video: The 300 Read: Bauer pp. 350-352, 354-358, 418(pt. 2), and
430
The Birth of Democracy
March 27
The Peloponnesian Wars &
Alexander the Great
Read: Bauer pp. 539-554; 570-582; 591607
March 29
Good Friday – no classes
Good Friday – no classes
April 3
Pre-Socratic Philosophy
Recommended:
· Presocratics, by Gordon Clark (available
on Blackboard)
· Philosophy Before Socrates, by John
Mark Reynolds (available on
Blackboard)
April 5
The Humanistic Philosophers:
Socrates, Sophists, Plato, &
Aristotle
Recommended:
· The Sophists, Socrates and Plato, by A.
H. Armstrong (available on Blackboard)
· Plato and Aristotle, by Donald Palmer
(available on Blackboard)
April 10
Hellenistic & Early Roman
Philosophy
Recommended: Stoics, Cynics,
Epicureans, and Skeptics, by A. H.
Armstrong (available on Blackboard)
April 12
Examination #2
Examination #2 – On Blackboard
April 17
Romulus to Hannibal
Read: Bauer pp. 358-360, 431-436, 469480, 555-561, 584-590, 607, 625-627, 629641
April 19
Roman Republic
Read: Bauer pp. 641-647, 659-673, 676678
Turn In: A timeline combining the main
events from the Hebrew Bible with the
material from our textbooks.
April 24
Roman Empire & The Roman
Provincial System
Read: Bauer pp. 680-696, 697-711, 717734
Read: The First Book of Maccabees
April 26
Six Flags Over Israel
May 1
The Jewish War, Destruction of Read: Bauer pp. 735-744, 751-756, 759the Temple & The Fall of Masada 777
Final Examination
Final Examination In Class