Eloy Zárate
Office: C405
Phone: (626)585-3108
Email: eizarate@pasadena.edu
Office Hours: MW 1045-12, 430-530, TT 12-1245
Fall 2011, section #0078
Mon-Wed 1:35-3:10
History 2A
History of World Civilizations to 1500
History 2A is a course designed to introduce students to the civilizations of the Ancient World and to the
field of World History. Primary attention will be given to urban cultures that developed writing systems,
trade networks and complex social hierarchies. Special emphasis will also be placed on understanding the
larger patterns, shared features and the most important differences among civilizations in social life,
political organization, and dominant systems of ideas.
Objective of the Course
Through lectures, discussion of readings, position papers and films the
student will gain an accurate and greater understanding of the study of
world history. This objective will be accomplished by:
1. Developing a degree of independence and thought in the study of
World History.
2. Developing and/or improving skills in written expression.
3. Developing a better understanding of the relationship between
people and the historical process.
Required Texts:
Required Texts:
1. Main Textbook: Traditions and Encounters Vol. 1, Jerry H. Bentley 978-0-07-333062-4
Selected Books
3. Cultures in Motion, Peter Stearns (ISBN: 0-300-08229-0)
4. House of Wisdom, Jonathan Lyons (13: 978-1596914599)
5. When China Ruled the Seas (CRS), Louise Levathes (0-19-511207-5)
Course Requirements: Click on links below to get guidelines for assignments.
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Students are required to take one mid-term and one final examination, and
will write (1) one brief (4-5 page) paper based on one of the selected
books, (Folder, HW) readings. The paper must be typed and doublespaced with one-inch margins in Courier 12 font. Papers that do not
fulfill these standards will not be accepted. Essays must fulfill all
standards for historical interpretations. A student will not receive a
grade in the class without completing the required essay and taking the
final. To clarify, there are 2 essay opportunities during the semester,
a student can only turn in one essay. No rewrites.
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50% of the discussion grade is a one page discussion paper that is due
the Friday before discussions are scheduled. The other 50% of the
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discussion grade is given to students who actively and meaningfully
contribute to class discussions.
WORD COUNT: A page of written material is equivalent to between 250275 words regardless if the page fulfills font and margin standards.
Theme and discussion papers have minimum counts. Essays must fall
within 4-5 pages or 1000-1350 words.
Essay deadlines are 10 minutes before the beginning of the class
session they are due.
All written assignments will only be posted electronically (no hard
copy is necessary).
I DO NOT OFFER MAKE-UP EXAMS AND LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Grading
Grading will be based on the following work (total points):
Mid-Term
100 points
Final
100 points
Chapter Quizzes
150 points 10 x 15
Essay
100 points
Map Quizzes (10)
100 points 10 x 10
Discussion Papers and Quizzes
450 points
Total
1000 points
-point assignment grade break-down: Final Grade break down:
A
100-90
1000-900
B
89-80
899-800
C
79-70
799-700
D
69-60
699-600
F
59 and below
599 and below
Classroom Etiquette, Cheating/Plagiarism & Attendance
·
Please remember that college policy forbids eating, drinking, or smoking in classrooms. If
you engage in any disruptive behavior I will ask to speak to you about it. The classroom
must be a place where there can be a free exchange of ideas. In order to create this
environment, everyone must feel comfortable to express ideas in a manner they
believe is reflective of their understanding of the material regardless of their
educational or cultural background. Freedom of speech and the tenets of academic
freedom are highly valued in this classroom. The best way to avoid any sort of difficulty is
to be consistently professional and treat the instructor and classmates with courtesy. If you
have concerns, do not hesitate to discuss it with the professor.
·
If you are planning on cheating or plagiarizing….DON’T. When you are caught, you will
receive a zero on the assignment. If you are found to be cheating or guilty of plagiarism on a
paper or the final you will receive an “F” in the course.
·
Class will begin and end as scheduled. I expect you to be on time, in your seat by the
beginning of class and to remain for the entire class period. All class meetings are required,
if you cannot attend class make sure to contact me by phone or e-mail.
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Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken each class session. 20 points will
be deducted from the students final grade total for every combination of 3
absences/tardies. Absences will be excused with the proper medical or legal
documentation. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP THE
CLASS. ALL CLASS MATERIALS MUST BE RETURNED FOR THE PROFESSOR
TO DROP A STUDENT OR GIVE A FINAL GRADE IN THE COURSE.
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Cell Phone Policy All cell phones must be turned off (powered off) and
put away before the student enters the classroom. Any student* that does not
comply with this policy will be excused from the class meeting.
No electronic reproductions of the in-class lectures and/or images are allowed
without the written consent of Prof. Zarate.
*Students that have special circumstances that require access to a cell phone
during the class period must have approval from the instructor prior to the
start of class.
Student Learning Outcomes
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Students will demonstrate through original written and/or oral analysis their
ability to identify important events in historical eras; evaluate variables of
historical phenomena; and analyze the causes and impact of significant change in
a global context.
Students will demonstrate awareness and critique the value of varied sources of
historical information including professorial lectures, secondary texts, primary
documents, visual arts, fiction, oral histories, community studies and/or current
journalistic reports.
Students will demonstrate responsibility as self-directed listeners, readers, and
researchers.
Students will compare and contrast the experiences and issues of subsets of
minorities with that of mainstream in power, including concerns of race, class,
and gender.
Students will demonstrate respect for the diversity of opinions on historical
debates.
Students will apply their analysis of history to create a plan for fulfilling
their own civic responsibilities as community and international citizens.
Syllabus and Reading Assignments
Week 1 – August 29- September 2
Topics:
Introduction to World History
Euro-centrism, Historiography
Development; Diffusion or Independent?
Readings: Bentley Ch. 1, Folder
Assignments Due:
Wednesday, August 31
1. Syllabus Quiz, Optional
Week 2- September 5-9
Topics:
Origins of Middle East
Egypt
Readings: Bentley Ch. 1-2, Folder
Assignments Due:
Monday, September 5—NO CLASS Labor Day
Friday, September 9
1. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 1-2
2. Map Quiz 1-2
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Week 3- September 12-16
Topics:
Indus Valley
China
Readings: Bentley Ch. 3-4, Folder Articles
Assignments Due:
Friday, September 16
1. Discussion Paper for Folder Articles (500 words)
2. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 3-4
3. Map Quiz 3-4
Week 4—September 19-23
Topics:
World History as a Way of Thinking
Euro-centrism, Traditional History, Politics of History
Readings: Entire Folder Reading Completed, Bentley 5
Assignments Due:
Monday, September 19
1. Discussion in-class on Folder reading
Wednesday, September 21
2. Discussion continued on Folder readings
Friday, September 23
3. Bentley Chapter Quiz 5
4. Map Quiz 5
Week 5—September 26-30
Topics:
China
Americas
Readings: Bentley Ch. 6, House of Wisdom
Assignments Due:
Monday, September 26
1. Essay Option #1 on Folder Reading. (1000-1350 words required)
Friday, September 30
2. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 6 and 8
3. Map Quiz 6 and 8
Week 6—October 3-7
Topic:
Greece
Readings: Bentley Ch. 7, 10 House of Wisdom
Assignments Due:
Friday, October 7
1. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 7 and 10
2. Map Quiz 7 and 10
Week 7 – October 10-14
Topics:
Alexander/Persia
Byzantium
Classical India
Readings: Bentley Ch. 9, 11
Assignments Due:
Friday, October 14
1. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 9 and 11
2. Map Quiz 9 and 11
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Week 8-October 17-21
Topics:
Islam
Readings: Bentley Ch. 12-13
Assignments Due:
Monday, October 17
1. Midterm Due
Friday, October 21
2. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 12-13
3. Map Quiz 12 and 13
Week 9- October 24-28
Topics:
China after the Han
Silk Road
Readings: Bentley Ch. 14-15
Assignments Due:
Friday, October 28
1. House of Wisdom Discussion Paper Due (500 words minimum)
2. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 14-15
3. Map Quiz 14 and 15
Week 10— October 31- November 4
Topics:
Crusades
Readings: Bentley Ch. 16, 19
Assignments Due:
Monday, October 31
1. Discussion of House of Wisdom
Wednesday, November 2
2. Discussion of House of Wisdom
Friday, November 4
4. Bentley Chapter Quizzes 16 and 19
5. Map Quiz
6. House of Wisdom Quiz
Week 11—November 7-11
Topics:
Mongols
Black Death
Readings: Bentley Ch. 17
Assignments Due:
Monday, November 7
1. House of Wisdom Essay Option #2
Friday, November 11
1. Bentley Chapter Quiz 17
2. Cultures In Motion Discussion Paper Due (250 words)
3. Map Quiz 17
Week 12—November 14-18
Topic:
Cultures in Motion
Readings: Bentley Ch. 21, Completion of Cultures in Motion
Assignments Due:
Monday, November 14
1. Cultures in Motion discussion
Friday, November 18
2. Cultures in Motion Quiz due
3. Bentley Chapter Quiz 21
4. Map Quiz 21
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Week 13—November 21-25
Topic:
Africa
The Sahel
Readings: Bentley Ch. 18, China Rules the Seas
Assignments Due:
Friday, November 25
1. Bentley Chapter Quiz 18
2. Map Quiz 18
Week 14---November 28-December 2
Topics:
Americas
Readings: Bentley Ch. 20
Assignments Due:
Friday, December 2
1. Bentley Chapter Quiz 20
2. China Ruled the Seas Discussion Paper Due (250 words)
3. Map Quiz
Week 15—December 5-9
Topics:
A Global World
Reconnaissance
Readings: China Ruled the Seas
Assignments Due:
Monday, December 5
1. Discussion of China Ruled the Seas
Friday, December 9
2. China Ruled the Seas Quiz
Week 16— Final
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