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
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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
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The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus and schedule as necessary.
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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
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why you liked, disliked or found any particular source(s) interesting, puzzling, amusing,
disturbing, etc.
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