Course Syllabus for History of European Civilization I (AHIS 130)
Spring semester 2006 SUNY Albany
LC 14 T,Th 8:45-10:05am
BA 130 T,Th 1:15-2:35pm
Professor Anthony Anadio
Office: Ten Broeck 305-2
Office Hours: Tues, Thur 10:05-11:30am and by appointment
email: renman@nycap.rr.com
In this course, we will cover a period from approximately 5000 BCE to the middle of the
sixteenth century, as we study the emergence of the first civilizations and the trajectory of
their development into Western society. We will examine the contributions of Greece and
Rome and how they expanded their empires; how ideas are conceived, put into practice,
and have social consequences; how and why their empires collapsed; how people and
societies existed during the Middle Ages; how numerous cultures developed values and
coexisted/clashed with others; and how a broken Europe, after several starts,
reinvigorated itself with the Renaissance, and split again in the Reformation. Throughout
the period of this study, I will emphasize culture and the role of ideas as a means of
analyzing and connecting the people and events that make up the trajectory of history. In
addition, I will teach you what history is; why we study it; how to think about it
(especially that); and why it is important in how we live our lives.
Grading: There will only be two papers to write for this course. For each paper, I will
hand out guidelines that explain the assignment in detail. The guidelines will also contain
a plagiarism policy as well as formatting requirements such as font style and size,
spacing, etc., which must be met, or I will not accept the paper. The first paper must be at
least five pages and the second paper must be at least eight pages. The material needed
for the assignments will come predominately from my lectures, then from the readings
and images, then from research sources that are additionally necessary for the final paper,
but please bear in mind that you will be expected to provide your own analysis, rather
than a reiteration of course material. Failure to submit either paper, or both papers, will
result in failure of the course. There is no extra credit. In addition, I will conduct a
writing seminar during one of our classes. I have taught this seminar with great success
many times in the past, so I would encourage you not to be absent on the day it is offered.
Requirements: Attendance is required, and please show up on time. Each day you will
sign the attendance sheet next to your name. This list will be passed out at the beginning
of class, and no one will be allowed to sign in after it has made the rounds (yet another
reason to show up on time). If you miss the sheet, but attend class, it is an absence. If you
have more than 3 unexcused absences, I will begin shaving points off of your final grade
(it is my sole discretion how much). More than 5 unexcused absences and you will fail
the course. If you are absent for some legitimate reason, you must bring some sort of
documentation, or it will be unexcused. If you are ill and cannot attend class, you must
send me an email before class is scheduled to begin. If for some legitimate reason you
have to leave class early, you must tell me before class begins. You must complete all
assigned readings. You must turn off your cell phones. I will not tolerate disruptions in
class. If you must, please get something to drink and use the bathroom beforehand.
Textbook: Western Civilizations volume I – Judith G. Coffin and Robert C. Stacey (2005
W.W. Norton and Company) ISBN: 0-393-92536-6.
There is also a website for the course, where you will find the syllabus, images, music,
and an email link to me - www.albany.edu/faculty/wer52
I will announce in class what you should read and when you should read it, so if you
should miss a class (which you shouldn’t), you are still responsible for what I have
assigned.