History 1311: History of World Civilization I Course Syllabus, Instructor C. Gale Fall 2010, MW 1:40pm-2:55pm Instructor Information Name: E-mail: Office Location/Hours: Carol Gale clgale@ualr.edu by appointment Required Text Strayer, Robert W., Ways of the World: A Brief Global History with Sources volume 1 (or combined volume), Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011 UALR Department of History Core Course Student Learning Objectives 1. Students will demonstrate a knowledge of historical information such as names, dates and chronologies, events, terms, and concepts. 2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the diversity and complexity of the historical context that shapes human experience. 3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the inter-relatedness of historical events as expressed in such concepts as continuity and change, causation, interdependence of cultures, and the interaction between differing groups and societies. 4. Students will organize and articulate their ideas through an essay that presents a thesis relevant to the question. 5. Students will support their ideas with historical evidence and will reach conclusions based on that evidence. Course Description & Goals This class is designed to offer students an understanding of the major events, people, ideas and basic structure of western civilization from ancient civilizatons to the 1500s. In order to understand the evolution of western civilization, students are asked to participate in the critical evaluation of cultural, social, political, intellectual and economic developments. Assignments & Grading Grading is based on the following: Attendance 40 points Discussion days: 60 points Exam #1 100 points Primary Source Assignment #1 100 points Exam #2: 100 points Primary Source Assignment #2 100 points Exam #3: 100 points 1 Total Points 600 points Letter grades will be based on the following scale: 90-100% A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D 0-59% F Instructions and grading information for the Primary Source writing assignments are at the end of the syllabus and will be reviewed in class. Late work will only be accepted with permission from the instructor. Students will not be allowed to make up tests without permission from the instructor. Any make-up exams approved by the instructor will be taken at the end of the semester unless otherwise negotiated. Course Outline Students are expected to have completed chapter readings on the first class date listed. Date January 19, 21 Topic Syllabus, Introduction; First Civilizations Required Reading Ch. 3 January 24, 26, 28 First Civilizations Ch. 3 Jan. 31, Feb 2 Part Two Intro (pgs. 132-142), Eurasian Empires Ch. 4+ February 7, 9, 11 Eurasian Empires Ch. 4 February 14, 16, 18 Eurasian Cultural Traditions Ch. 5 February 21, 23, 25 Eurasian Social Hierarchies Ch. 6 Feb 28, March 2 March 4 Discussion Day #1; Exam #1 Classical Era Variations: Africa & the Americas Ch. 7 March 7, 9, 11 Classical Era Variations; Part Three Intro (pgs. 324-332) Ch. 7+ March 14, 16, 18 March 18 Commerce & Culture Primary Source Assignment #1 Due (Ch’s 5 & 6) Ch. 8 March 28, 30, Ap 1 China & the World: East Asian Connections Ch. 9 April 4, 6 April 8 Discussion Day #2; Exam #2 The Worlds of European Christendom Ch. 10 April 11, 13, 15 The Worlds of European Christendom Ch. 10 April 18, 20, 22 The Worlds of Islam: Afro-Eurasian Connections Ch. 11 April 25, 27, 29 Pastoral Peoples on the Global Stage: The Mongols Ch. 12 2 May 2, 4, 6 May 9 The Worlds of the Fifteenth Century Ch. 13 Discussion Day #3, Primary Source Assignment #2 Due (Ch’s 10 & 12) May 13 (Friday) 10:30am-12:30pm, Exam #3 Attendance Policy: Consistent attendance is critical to the successful completion of this course. Students who are absent miss important information from lectures, class discussions, handouts and assessments, and can easily fall behind on the material. All absences are “equal,” meaning there are no excused or unexcused absence differences made in this course. You are either present or absent. This is especially important on discussion days, as your attendance is required for participation. Absences will affect your final attendance grade. Students with Disabilities It is the policy and practice of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to create inclusive learning environments. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or to accurate assessment of achievement – such as time-limited exams, inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos – please notify the instructor as soon as possible. Students are also welcome to contact the Disability Resource Center, telephone 501-569-3143 (v/tty). For more information, visit the DRC website at www.ualr.edu/disability. Academic Integrity: In order to foster a positive learning environment, inappropriate conduct of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for the college experience and in accordance with stated UALR student policies regarding behavior, attendance, cheating, and plagiarism. Students violating these codes will be reported for potential disciplinary action. The UALR Student Handbook is available online at http://www.ualr.edu/deanofstudents/assets/archive/HANDBOOK.pdf, or through the Office of the Dean of Students in Room 215 of the Donaghey Student Center, 501-569-3328. Additional Classroom Policies If your phone calls and text messages are answered while in class, it will appear you consider them to be more important than paying attention and it is recommended you reconsider whether you wish to take this class. In other words, turn off your electronic devices or be prepared to explain their disruption of class time and sustain potential point deductions that may affect your grade. The instructor reserves the right to address any other classroom behavioral issues at the time of their occurrence and assess penalty, if necessary, at her discretion. Disclaimer 3 The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus and schedule as necessary. 4 PRIMARY SOURCE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS History 1311: History of World Civilization I Assignment #1 due no later than 11:59pm Friday, March 18, 2011 Assignment #2 due no later than 11:59pm Monday, May 9, 2011 EVALUATION Primary Source Assignment #1: Chapter 5 Document Chapter 5 Visual Source Chapter 6 Document Chapter 6 Visual Source Opinion Statement 20 points 20 points 20 points 20 points 20 points Total points possible: 100 points Primary Source Assignment #2: Chapter 10 Document Chapter 10 Visual Source Chapter 12 Document Chapter 12 Visual Source Opinion Statement 20 points 20 points 20 points 20 points 20 points Total points possible: 100 points In the document and visual source sections of each chapter highlighted, choose one primary source within each and answer the questions written in the text pertaining to the sections you chose. For example, within the Chapter 5 Documents section there are four documents to choose from (5.1 Reflections from Confucius, 5.2 Reflections from the Hindu Scriptures, 5.3 Reflections from Socrates, 5.4 Reflections from Jesus). In the Visual Sources section there are five visual images to choose from (5.1 Footprints of the Buddha, 5.2 A Classic Indian Buddha, 5.3 A Bodhisattva of Compassion, 5.4 The Chinese Maitreya Buddha, 5.5 The Amitabha Buddha). After you have answered all the questions from the text for each Primary Source Assignment, write your opinion about the sources you just reviewed. Be sure to include 5 why you liked, disliked or found any particular source(s) interesting, puzzling, amusing, disturbing, etc. 6