Heartland Community College
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students Fall 2013
Course Prefix and Number: HIST 101, Section 01
Course Title: History of Western Civilization to 1500
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets:
Classroom: ICB 2301
Time: Tuesday, Thursday 8:00-9:15
Catalog Description:
History 101 covers the mainstream of western civilization from the first millennium B.C. to the
year 1500. This course considers religious, economic and cultural developments, as well as the
major political events of the period. The primary focus of the course is upon Europe, but the
great Middle Eastern civilizations and their cultural contributions are considered, insofar as they
impact the European continent and help to shape the West. Special attention is given to the
significant contributions of individuals, as well as to the rise of nations.
Prerequisite(s)
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Dr. Scott W. Rager
Phone number to contact instructor: 268-8585, e-mail: scott.rager@hcc.cc.il.us
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2110
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: M-R 11:00-12:00, F 9:30-10:30
Textbooks:
Required: Spielvogel, Jackson (2011) Western Civilization, Volume I: To 1715,
Wadsworth
Required: Gregory, Candace (2006) Documents of Western Civilization, Volume I: To
1715, Wadsworth
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer
information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for
more information.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Outcomes
General Education Range of Assessment
Outcomes
Methods
Distinguish between primary and
secondary sources as the foundation of
modern historical scholarship from the
first millennium B.C. to 1500.
PS1
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, other
methods
Interpret primary sources critically by
analyzing their historical contexts.
CT3
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, other
methods
Formulate historical interpretations, both CO4
in discussion and in writing, and defend
them critically with reference to primary
and secondary sources.
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, oral
report, other methods
Incorporate into historical interpretations, CT3
both in discussion and in writing, an
understanding of historical causation
reflecting a) knowledge of important
figures and events and their chronological
relationship to each other and b) an
awareness of the contingent relationships.
Acquire at one and the same time a
DI3
comprehension of diverse cultures and
shared humanity, as evidenced both
orally and in writing.
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, oral
report, other methods
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, oral
report, other methods
Topic Outline for the Course:
The Civilization of the Ancient Near East
Hellenic Civilization
The Roman World
The Byzantine Recovery and the Challenge of Islam
Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire
The High Middle Ages
The Crusades
The Late Middle Ages
The Renaissance
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
1 midterm exam, 100 points
1 final exam, 150 points
2 quizzes, 50 points each (100 points total)
2 class discussion essays, 2-4 pages - 50 points each (100 points total)
5 document analysis exercises, 20 points each (100 points total)
research topic proposal, 1 page - 25 points
research status report, 3-4 pages - 50 points
1 research paper, 8-10 pages, 150 points
775 points total:
90% 775-698 =A
80% 697-620 =B
70% 619-542 =C
60% 541-465 =D
Below 60% =F
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the
activities of each class session. Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. All students
are allowed three unexcused absences. Additional absences may be excused at the discretion
of the instructor with proper documentation. College sanctioned activities are excused
absences. More than three unexcused absences will result in a penalty of a loss of 5% of the
total possible points in the class.
Note: Because starting class on time is extremely important, 10 minutes late arrival to class
3 times will count as an unexcused absence. Also, such actions as sleeping, gaming, or
texting are unacceptable during class time and will count as an unexcused absence.
Withdrawal from the Course:
Students who have not completed at least 80% of the assignments within the first eight weeks
of class will be withdrawn by the instructor at midterm.
Incompletes:
Under extra-ordinary circumstances an incomplete may be given at the instructor’s
discretion. No one has an automatic right to receive an incomplete.
Extra-Credit: No extra credit options are available.
Make-up of Tests and Assignments:
All make-ups are granted at the discretion of the instructor and will be determined according
to the individual merits of the case. Students are required to contact the instructor by
email or by phone within 24 hours after a quiz or an exam is missed to make
arrangements for a make-up at the testing center.
Deadlines: Assignments received late will not receive full credit.
In order to pass this class, students must complete every
assignment. Please note: Everyone must submit a research paper
on Thursday, November 7. Late papers will be significantly
penalized.
This course requires approximately 30-40 pages of reading per class session or 500 per
semester. Reading assignments will include both primary and secondary source materials. A
minimum of 15 pages of college level writing is required in this course. Writing assignments
include papers of various lengths, essay exams and various projects as deemed appropriate
by the instructor.
Student Conduct: Inappropriate behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated by the
instructor. At all times students should endeavor to conduct themselves in an honest and
mature manner. Cell phones should be turned off upon entering class. Please also note
that no food or beverages with the exception of water are allowed in the classroom.
HCC Portal
Just a reminder that to access IRIS and your Heartland Student Email, you will need to log
into myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu.
Course Calendar
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in
the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web
site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might
contain a message from the instructor.
Syllabi Disclaimer: Changes to the Course Calendar may be made during the course of the
class. This is sometimes unavoidable and students will be notified in class should changes
become necessary
Weeks 1 and 2 Topic: The Civilization of the Ancient Near East
Reading: Chapters 1 & 2
8/20, 22 Class introduction, Prehistoric Era and Mesopotamian Civilization
8/27, 29 Mesopotamia (cont.) Egyptians, Hebrews, Assyrians, & Persians
Document Analysis 1 Homework due 8/29: Gregory, pp.7-9, questions 1-3 p.7.
Weeks 3 and 4 Topic: Hellenic Civilization
Reading: Chapters 3 & 4
9/3, 5* Ancient Greece (Research Paper Topics Due*)
9/10, 12 Classical Greece
Document Analysis 2 Homework due 9/10: Gregory, pp. 28-31, questions1-3 p.28.
Weeks 5 & 6 Topic: The Roman World
Quiz over Chapters 1-4
Reading: Chapter 5
9/17, 19 Ancient and Republican Rome
Document Analysis 3 Homework due 9/17: Gregory pp. 69-74, questions 1-3 p. 69.
9/24, 26* Republican Rome (Research Paper Status Report Due*)
Student Meetings with Instructor
Weeks 7 & 8 Topic: The Roman World (continued)
Reading: Chapter 6 and 7
10/1, 3 Imperial Rome Student Meetings with Instructor
10/8, 10*The Early Christian Church, Midterm Exam* Student Meetings with Instructor
Weeks 9 & 10 Topics: The Byzantine Recovery and the Challenge of Islam; Charlemagne and
the Carolingian Empire
Reading: Chapters 7 and 8
10/15, 17 The Byzantine Empire (Discussion 1 on Greek and Roman contributions)
10/22, 24* The Nation of Islam & the Early Middle Ages (discussion essay on Greeks and
Romans due 10/24)
*Draft of Research Paper due to Writing Lab.
Appointment must be completed no later than Oct 25.
Weeks 11 & 12 Topics: The High Middle Ages; the Crusades
Reading: Chapter 9 & 10
10/29, 10/31 The High Middle Ages (pt. 1) and the Crusades
11/5, 7*The High Middle Ages pt. 2
Document Analysis 4 Homework due 10/31: Gregory pp.124-127, questions 1-3 p.124.
RESEARCH PAPER DUE 11/7!
Weeks 13 & 14 Topics: the Late Middle Ages
Quiz over Chapters 7-10
Reading: Chapter 11
11/12, 14 the Late Middle Ages pt. 1
11/19, 21 Late Middle Ages pt.2
Document Analysis 5 Homework due 11/12: Gregory pp.149-156, questions 1-3 p.150.
Weeks 15 &16 Topic: the Renaissance
Reading: Chapter 12
11/26, the Renaissance
12/3, 5 Semester Wrap-up (Discussion 2 on the value of the Middle Ages)
Week 17 Exam Week
Final Exam 8:00-9:50 Tuesday December 10
(class discussion 2 on the value of Middle Ages due, no late papers will be accepted)