History 205: European History from Antiquity to 1700
Dr. Carolyn Aslan
Office: SOS 261, phone ext. 1511
e-mail: caslan@ku.edu.tr
Office hours: Tues/Thurs. 2:00-3:30 or make an appointment
In this course students will gain a broad knowledge of key developments in
European History beginning from the Palaeolithic period to 1700 A.D. This semester we
will especially examine the two themes of religion and power. We will be tracing
developments and manifestations of these themes through the time periods and also
examining specific cases illustrating how these themes intersect with gender, artistic and
literary expression, political forms, warfare and cultural encounters. Students will
practice analysis of different sources of information including historical texts, art,
architecture, and archaeological evidence. Much of class time will be dedicated to the
discussion of historical texts and other primary source evidence. Students will also
receive help and guidance in improving their writing and research skills.
Assignment:
Research paper
In class essay 1 (Ancient period)
In class essay 2 (Medieval period)
In class essay 3 (Early modern period)
Class participation
Book review
Percentage
20%
20%
20%
20%
15%
5%
Date
Nov. 18
Oct. 23
Nov. 27
Dec. 25
throughout semester
Jan. 6
Readings and Class discussions
The textbook for the class is Western Civilization by Margaret King, which is
available at the bookstore or on reserve at the library. There is an additional set of
readings for the course specifically intended for the class discussions that needs to be
photocopied and brought to class each day. Although discussions will be held throughout
the semester, special time will be spent on in-depth discussion of certain texts that are
indicated in the syllabus. The class participation grades are based on student’s
preparation and participation in discussions.
In-class essays
Three times during the semester, students will write an in-class essay. The essay
questions will be based on the class readings and discussion.
Research Paper
One of the main learning exercises in the course is a research paper. First you
need to pick one of the primary sources either in the reader, the textbook or in the CDROM that comes with the textbook. It could be a written document, or material culture
such as artwork or architecture. For your paper, you will then research the background,
events, controversies and interpretations relating to this source.
On October 9, you need to submit a proposed topic and a preliminary
bibliography of at least five sources that you have read. In the following week I will
make a schedule for individual consultations with me about your paper. Final papers will
not be accepted unless you have met with me to discuss your topic.
The paper should be 8-10 pages long (double-spaced, typed) with a bibliography
of at least 10 sources, in addition to your main primary source. Use MLA format for
bibliography and citations. There will be lessons during class on proper citations and
bibliography as well as research methods. You will need to first submit the paper to the
“Turn-it-in” service and I will explain how to do this in class.
After your paper has been corrected and graded, you have the option to revise
your research paper in order to improve your writing and correct your mistakes. If there is
significant improvement, the grade will be increased. Students can revise multiple times,
but no revisions will be accepted after Dec. 23. If you do not submit your paper on time
(Nov. 18), you will not be allowed to revise and resubmit the paper.
Book Discussion and Review
During the course we will be reading the book: Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared
Diamond. We will discuss the book during the last week of class. To prepare for
discussion, students should write a 2-3 page review of the book. You should describe the
main issues and thesis of the book. Then you need to give an evaluation of the book,
discuss which aspects you find problematic or controversial or which aspects you agree
with and why.
Academic honesty
Students are expected to do their own work on all the writing assignments and to
follow the university rules on plagiarism and cheating. Cases of cheating will be sent to
the academic disciplinary council. Be very careful to properly paraphrase and give
reference citations for all the information and ideas in your papers. I will check your
citations and paraphrasing when reading your papers. An accidental mistake in citations
or paraphrasing can easily look like a case of deliberate cheating. We will discuss proper
citations and paraphrasing in class. All of the work you do for this course should be
originally completed for this course. For example, if you did a Com 102 paper on a
similar topic, you cannot reuse parts of the paper. Instead you should pick a topic that you
have never researched before.
Schedule
Sept 16
Introduction to the course,
Early human developments: Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods
Sept. 18
The ancient Mediterranean
Bronze age cultures – Minoans, Mycenaeans
Reading: Margaret King, Western Civilization, chs. 1-2
Sept 23
Ancient Greece
Troy, Homer and the cultural impact of the Trojan epics
Reading: 1. selections from Homer: the Iliad and Herodotus:
Histories (in reader)
2. Western Civilization, ch. 3-4
Sept 25
Ancient Greece
Art, literature and political systems
Class discussion of the Trojan Women, by Euripides
Reading: The Trojan Women, by Euripides (in reader or available
on reserve in library)
Holiday Sept 29-Oct. 3
Oct 7
The Hellenistic period
Reading: Western Civilization ch. 5
Oct. 9
Romans: early Roman period - Emperor Augustus,
Reading: selections from Virgil, The Aeneid (in reader)
Western civilization ch. 6
Research topics and preliminary bibliography due
Oct. 14
Roman Civilization: city life, art, architecture, literature, religion
Readings: selections from Plutarch “Life of Cato the Elder,”
Horace, Satires, Ovid, Amores (in reader)
Western Civilization ch. 7
Oct. 16
Early Christianity
Class discussion of the gospel of Mary
Reading: 1. primary source “The Gospel according to Mary
Magdalene,”
2. secondary source: selections from Karen King The Gospel of
Mary Magdela
Oct. 21
Fall of Rome, invasions and new kingdoms
Reading: Western Civilizations ch. 8
Oct. 23
In class essay (ancient period)
Oct. 28
no class, holiday
Oct. 30:
Byzantine empire
Class discussion of Procopius’ Secret history
Readings: Primary source: selections from Procopius, The Secret
History
Secondary sources: G.A. Williamson, “Introduction, Procopius the
Secret History”
Lynda Garland, Byzantine Empresses – Theodora
Nov. 4
Early Middle Ages
Early kingdoms, Charlemagne, Pope Gregory I
Reading: Western Civilization ch. 9
Primary sources: The Burgundian Code, selections from Beowulf
(in reader),
Nov 6
The Vikings, European Kingdoms, Norman conquest of England
Class Discussion of Bayeux tapestry
Primary source: images of the Bayeux tapestry (in reader)
Secondary source: W. Grape. “The Bayeux Tapestry” (in reader)
Nov. 11
Medieval church and state
Class Discussion of Benedict and monasteries
Reading: Primary sources: “the Rule of Saint Benedict,” Gregory I:
“Life of St. Benedict”
Secondary sources: C.H. Lawrence. Medieval Monasticism ch. 1-2.
Nov. 13
Crusades and Cultural Encounters
Reading: Western Civilizations ch.10
Primary source “The Noble and Magnificent City of Hangzhou”
Marco Polo in China
Nov. 18
Feudalism, medieval economy, political developments
Western Civilization ch. 11
Primary source: The Magna Carta (in reader)
Research Papers Due
Nov. 20
Life in medieval towns and cities
Foundation legends of European kingdoms
Reading: sections from the Prose Edda (in reader)
Ordinances of the Guild Merchant of Southampton
Western Civilization ch. 12
Nov. 25
Medieval culture – literature, art, architecture
Class discussion of courtly love
Primary sources: selections from Chrétien de Troyes, Lancelot,
Andreas Capellanus De Amore
Secondary sources: D. Kelly, Medieval French Romance, p. 120129, F. Mount “The Troubadour Myth”
Nov. 27
In-class essay exam (Middle Ages)
Dec. 2
Late Middle Ages – 14th cent., The Black Death, Hundred Years’ War
Reading: Primary sources: Jean de Venette on the Progress of the
Black Death, Boccaccio: The Decameron – Introduction (in reader)
Dec. 4
Renaissance
Reading: Western Civilizations, ch. 13
Primary source: excerpts from Macchiavelli, The Prince
Giorgi Vasari: Life of Leonardo da Vinci (in reader)
Dec. 8-12
Holiday
Dec. 16
Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Henry VIII
Reading: Western Civilizations ch. 14
Primary sources: Raimon de Cornet, Poem Criticizing the Avignon
Papacy, Martin Luther: Letter to the Archbishop of Mainz.
“Witchcraft documents” “Aecerbot Ritual,” Caesarius of
Heisterbach “The Eucharist as a Charm”
“Magic as a Crossroads” by R. Kiechhefer.
Dec. 18
Age of Exploration
Christopher Columbus, Portuguese explorers, Spanish conquest
Reading: Western Civilizations ch. 16
Class discussion of Christopher Columbus
Primary sources: Christopher Columbus, Extracts from Journal,
Letter to the King and Queen of Spain”
Secondary sources: W. H. McNeill “Introduction,” M. Falcoff “
Modern Attacks on Columbus are unwarranted,” S.S. Harjo
“Modern Attacks on Columbus are Justified,” R. Irvine and J.
Goulden “History Should Continue to Acknowledge Columbus as
a Discover.” M. Marable ”History Should Acknowledge Columbus
as a Ruthless Exploiter”
Dec. 23
Religious wars and State Building,16th –17 cent.
French and English monarchies
Reading: Western Civilizations ch. 15
Dec. 25
In-class essay writing (Early Modern Period)
Dec. 30
Society and economy in the 16th-17th centuries
Jan 1, no class
Jan 6
Class discussion of Guns, Germs and Steel
Book review due in class
Jan. 8
Class discussion of Guns, Germs and Steel