ROWAN UNIVERSITY
HISTORY 05.100
WESTERN CIVILIZATION TO 1660
FALL 2008
M, W, Rowan 8-9:15AM/Cam 1-2:15PM
Mr. Robert S. Eastwick
609-923-4447
eastwick@rowan.edu
Course Objectives
This course is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the major historical
events and developments of Western Civilization to 1660. It traces the evolution of Western
Culture from the Stone Age through the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), with an emphasis on the
medieval and early modern periods. The course also introduces students to the principles,
practices, and methodology of historical analysis using both primary and secondary sources.
Required Text
Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization to 1715 6th edition.
Class Requirements
There will be 4 exams, including a mid-term and a final and one take-home exam, along with
a research paper of 5-8 pages. Students are expected to attend class regularly and participate in
discussions. Brief written assignments will be utilized randomly throughout the semester and
will be based on the daily readings.
Grading breakdown as follows:
Exam #1 = 15%
Take-home exam = 20%
Exam #3 = 15%
Final Exam = 20%
Research Paper = 20%
Class Participation/Class Assignments = 10%
Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism
Any form of academic dishonesty, cheating, or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student
found to be in violation of Rowan University’s policies on cheating and plagiarism will be
punished accordingly. The History Department’s statement on plagiarism may be found at
www.rowan.edu/history/plagiarism.html.
Office Hours
I will be available immediately after class for students who have questions or concerns. If not
after class, please contact me immediately by phone or email at eastwick@rowan.edu or
beastwick@verizon.net.
Course Schedule
September 3
Introduction and overview of class
S8
Lord Acton: “Inaugural Lecture on the Study of History,” “How to Read a Primary
Source”
Ancient Near East Spielvogel 14-29, Document 10
S 10
Ancient Near East Spielvogel 32-48, Doc 35
S 15
Early Greek Civilization Spielvogel 52-63
S 17
Classical Greece Spielvogel 64-80; Docs. 66/68
S 22
Hellenistic Greece Spielvogel 85-95 Doc 86
S 24
Alexander and Hellenistic Greece Spielvogel 95-103 Doc 95/Review
S 29
Exam # 1 (Chs. 1-4)
October 1
Early Roman Republic Spielvogel 107-135 Doc 112
O6
Roman Empire I Spielvogel 138-150 Doc 143
O8
Roman Empire II Spielvogel 150-162
O 13
Early Medieval Period Spielvogel 166-180 Doc 177
O 15
Early Medieval Period Spielvogel 180-195; Brief thesis statement due.
O 20
Middle Ages Spielvogel 199-224 Doc 200
O 22
Mid-term Exam #2 (Chs. 5-8).
O 27
Recovery/Growth Spielvogel 228-251 Docs. 233/245
O 29
Kingdoms and Church Spielvogel 255-280 Doc 258
November 3
Late Medieval Ages Spielvogel 284-296
N5
Late Medieval Ages Spielvogel 297-310
N 10
Renaissance I Spielvogel 314-329 Docs. 322/325
N 12
Renaissance II Spielvogel 329-343; Final Thesis statement due
N 17
Reformation I Spielvogel 347-363
N 19
Reformation II Spielvogel 363-375 Doc 364
N 24
Exam # 3 (Chs. 9-13)
N 26
Europe/New World Spielvogel 380-394; 401-406
December 1
17th c. New Order in Europe Spielvogel 411-425 Doc 416
D3
17th c. New Order in Europe Spielvogel 425-444; Research Paper Due
D8
Scientific Revolution Spielvogel 449-459 Doc 452
D 10
Scientific Revolution Spielvogel 459-469; Conclusions/Review
D 15-19
Finals Week Final Date TBA (Chs. 14-16)