Western Civilization to 1660
HIST 100.07
Prof. Anthony Nardini
MW 12.15—1.30
Library 403
Fall 2011
Course Objectives
This course is designed to give a student a broad understanding of the major historical
developments and events occurring in Western Civilization to 1660. Students will be challenged
to recognize these developments within the context of modern life and critically evaluate their
historical significance. Emphasis will be placed on a variety of themes, especially the concept of
civilization. Both primary and secondary sources will be consulted, allowing for greater analysis
and interpretation of history.
Required Texts
Mortimer Chambers, et al. The Western Experience, Volume 1: To the Eighteenth
Century, 10th ed.
Mark A. Kishlansky. Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, From the
Beginning to 1715, Vol. 1, 8th ed.
Class Requirements
There will be one (1) mid-term, one (1) take-home exam and a final exam, along with one (1)
analytical essay (3-4 pgs), whose topic will be announced later in the semester. Students are
expected to consistently attend class and participate, or their grades will reflect their lack of
effort. Short written assignments may be given randomly throughout the semester, based on daily
readings, so students need to always be prepared.
The grading breakdown:
Mid-Term Exam=20%
Take-Home Exam=20%
Analytical Essay=20%
Final Exam=25%
Class Participation/Class Assignments=15%
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism and any form of academic dishonesty (cheating) will not be tolerated. If any student is
found to be in violation of the University’s policies on plagiarism and cheating they will be
punished accordingly. The History Department’s statement on plagiarism can be found at
http://www.rowan.edu/history/plagiarism.html
Office Hours
I will be available before and after class for students who have any questions or problems. If
these times do not work, speak with me for an appointment or e-mail me at nardini@rowan.edu.
Do not hesitate to speak with me if there are any issues or problems concerning the class.
Your academic success is important. If you have a documented disability that may have an impact upon
your work in this class, please contact me. Students must provide documentation of their disability to the
Academic Success Center in order to receive official University services and accommodations. The
Academic Success Center can be reached at 856-256-4234. The Center is located on the 3rd floor of Savitz
Hall. The staff is available to answer questions regarding accommodations or assist you in your pursuit of
accommodations. They look forward to working with you to meet your learning goals.
Course Schedule
7 Sept.
Introduction and Overview of Class
12 Sept.
The Discipline of History; Themes in Western Civilization
Lord Acton. “Inaugural Lecture on the Study of History, 1906,” found at
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1906acton.html
“How to Read a Primary Source,” found at http://www.bowdoin.edu/writingguides/primaries.htm
Chambers. xxiii-xxv
14 Sept.
Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Near East
Chambers, 3-30
19 Sept.
Early Greek Civilization: Crete and Mycenae; the Polis and War
Chambers, 33-57; Kishlansky, Thucydides (History of the Peloponnesian War)
21 Sept.
Classical Greece
Chambers, 63-76; Kishlansky, Plato (Apology and The Republic)
26 Sept.
Alexander’s Empire and the Hellenistic World
Chambers, 76-86; Kishlansky, Aristotle (Politics)
28 Sept.
Early Rome and the Republic
Chambers, 89-110; excerpts from Livy, History of Rome, found at
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/livy-rape.html
3 Oct.
Rome and Empire
Chambers, 111-32; Kishlansky, Suetonius (The Life of Augustus)
5 Oct.
Decline of the Roman Empire; Christianity
Chambers, 132-51; Kishlansky, St. Paul (Epistle to the Romans), St. Augustine of Hippo
(City of God)
10 Oct.
Change and Stability in the ‘Dark Ages’
Chambers, 155-75; Kishlansky, Tacitus (Germania), Justinian, (Code)
12 Oct.
Kingdoms of the Early Middle Ages: Muslims, Franks, and ‘Raiders’
Chambers, 181-207: Kishlansky, The Koran
17 Oct.
MID-TERM EXAM
19 Oct.
High Middle Ages I: Feudalism
Chambers, 211-32; Kishlansky, “Feudal Documents”
24 Oct.
High Middle Ages II: Expansion and the Crusades
Chambers, 232-239
26 Oct.
Medieval Society: Culture, Government, and the Church
Chambers, 243-69; Kishlansky, Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica), Magna Carta
31 Oct.
The Development of Commerce and Government
Chambers, 273-94; Kishlansky, Dante (The Divine Comedy)
2 Nov.
Late Middle Ages: Breakdown
Chambers, 297-324; excerpt from Boccaccio, The Decameron, found at
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/decameronintro.asp
7 Nov.
The Renaissance I
Chambers, 327-40; Kishlansky, Petrarch (Letters), Leon Battista Alberti (On the Family)
9 Nov.
The Renaissance II
Chambers, 341-53; excerpt from Pico della Mirandola, “Oration on the Dignity of Man,”
found at http://www.thecaveonline.com/APEH/renaissancedocument.html
14 Nov.
Crisis and Reformation I
Chambers, 355-70; Kishlansky, Erasmus (In Praise of Folly), Martin Luther (The
Freedom of a Christian and Of Marriage and Celibacy)
16 Nov.
Crisis and Reformation II
Chambers, 370-82; Kishlansky, Ignatius Loyola (Spiritual Exercises)
21 Nov.
Commercial Expansion and Political Power
Chambers, 385-415; Kishlansky, Niccolò Machiavelli (The Prince)
23 Nov.
NO CLASS---WORK ON TAKE-HOME EXAM, ANALYTICAL ESSAY
24-25 Nov.
NO CLASS—Thanksgiving Break
28 Nov.
International Rivalries, Internal Crises, and War I
Chambers, 419-31; Kishlansky, Henri IV (Edict of Nantes)
Take-home Exam Due
30 Nov.
International Rivalries, Internal Crises, and War II
Chambers, 431-45; Hans von Grimmelshausen (Simplicissimus)
5 Dec.
Culture and Science in the 16th-17th Centuries I
Chambers, 449-69
7 Dec.
Culture and Science in the 16th-17th Centuries II
Chambers, 469-76
12 Dec.
The Western Legacy: The Emerging “Modern” World
Supplementary Readings TBA
Final Analysis and Reassessment
14-16, 19-20 Dec.
Final Exams Week