HISTORY 1: WESTERN CIVILIZATION I
Gene Larson
e-mail: eugenelarson@yahoo.com
larsones@piercecollege.edu
Course Description
Teaches historically the major elements in the Western heritage from the earliest Middle Eastern
civilizations through the sixteenth century AD/CE.
Student Learning Objectives:
To be able to evaluate the origins of western civilization and compare the impact of those origins
with later historical developments.
To be able to assess the significance of the major events and personages who have contributed to
the history of western civilization.
To be able to analyze the relationship between historical events and their geographical settings.
To be able to assess the impact of the major intellectual and cultural events of early western
civilization.
To be able to compare and contrast the lives and contributions of those individuals and groups
who have often been ignored by historians, e.g. women, workers, serfs and slaves, to some of the
same groups in the modern world.
During the semester, all students will be assessed on one of the above Student Learning
Objectives.
Texts:
Hollister, McGee, and Stokes. THE WEST TRANSFORMED. Vol. I.
Larson. STUDY GUIDE. Vol. I. (Available in the Pierce library.)
Examinations, Papers, and Grades:
There will be four examinations, three during the semester and the final. See lecture schedule
for dates. The examinations will be a combination of objective questions (multiple-choice/truefalse) and paragraph identifications. The test material will be drawn both from the lectures and
discussions and from the assigned readings in the textbook. The final exam will not be
cumulative. There will be an optional essay component on the third exam and the final.
All examinations, including the final exam, are worth a maximum of 80 points. The instructor
will automatically drop the lowest of the three mid-semester tests, thus a student can miss one
examination without penalty, or one can take all three mid-term exams with the lowest score
being eliminated. There will be no make-up examinations other than if the final exam is missed.
The three scoring exams (two mid-terms and the final) will be worth a total of 240 points. To
receive an “A” grade the student must compile a minimum of 210 points. The “B” grade range is
180 points to 209 points. The “C” grade range from 120 points to 179 points. A grade lower than
"C" is a non-credit grade.
In addition, four brief (100-200 words) written summaries or reports are required, one from
each section of the course. The subject matter of these reports can vary: movies, articles, plays,
concerts, museum visits, Web sites, etc., but the paper must have something to do with that
segment of the course. In a short and typed paper, specifically identify (what museum, what
website, what magazine and date) what you read/saw/heard/experienced, and then give your
personal response: what did you get out of it? These reports must be turned in within one
week of the relevant examination. Failure to complete these reports will result in the final
course grade being lowered by one full grade.
Class discussion is encouraged. My experience as a teacher of history has been that the best
comments, questions, observations, and criticisms are usually contributed by those students who
have done the assigned reading before class, and my lecture method is most successful when a
student brings to the class some knowledge of the subject matter under discussion.
Disabilities: If you have a disability, you are encouraged to contact Special Services at
(818)719-6430.Their office is in the Student Services Building, Room 48175. They will help you
determine what assistance is available.
Cheating on any examination will result in “0” points on that examination, which will be a
scoring examination and not an exam that can be dropped. Also, the names of individuals who
engage in cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students for the appropriate disciplinary action.
Incomplete grades will be given only at the written request of the student. If the instructor
has not received such a written request, a grade will be awarded based upon what the student has
accomplished during the course.
Attendance is important, not only for one’s own benefit in preparing for the examinations, but
also for the success of the class as a whole. Three or more consecutive absences may result in the
student being excluded from the course. After six (6) absences, three (3) points will be deducted
for each additional absence and will thus affect the final course grade.
For reasons of common courtesy and to avoid class disruption, leaving class before the end of
the hour is not acceptable and could lead to exclusion from the course. If one has to leave
before the end of class because of a medical appointment or work requirement, etc., please inform
the instructor at the beginning of the class. Also, please turn off all cell phones and other
electronic devices before entering the classroom.
Finally, it is the student’s responsibility to drop the course if he/she finds it impossible to
complete the course. Never rely upon the instructor to exclude a student. If a student’s name
is on the final grade roster, a grade must be assigned.