HISTORY 1103 X1
Introduction to Western Civilization
Autumn 2010
Class Meeting Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:00 to 1:30 pm
Professor: Dr Leigh Whaley
Office: BAC 411
Phone: 585-1119
Fax: (902) 585-1070
E-Mail: leigh.whaley@acadiau.ca
OFFICE HOURS: In Office or On-line: Tuesdays: 11:30- 1230 and 1:30-2:20 p.m. You
can reach me by e-mail or phone. Every effort will be made to answer inquiries as
soon as possible.
Course Description:
This course will introduce students to some of the major themes, events and people of
Western civilization. We shall begin our study with a brief overview of the first
civilizations, move on to the Greeks and Romans who provided the basis of our
civilization and proceed to the 18th century. Gender relations and the lives of ordinary
people comprise the framework of analysis for the course.
Course Overview:
History 1103, An Introduction to Western Civilization, focuses on the history of
Western Civilization from the beginnings of human history to the Scientific Revolution of
the seventeenth century. The course introduces students to the major themes, events
and significant individuals who shaped the course of human history. The concentration
on Europe enables the exploration of themes of global significance; between the city
and the country; among empires and monarchies and republics; in life before and the
Renaissance and Protestant Reformation, in revolutions and wars of international
importance.
The course seeks to achieve a balance between narrative and analysis. An Introduction
to Western Civilization provides students with a record of human struggles and
achievements, of conflict and community, of cultural diversity and social change.
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Although the aim is not to overload the student with facts, history is by definition,
synonymous with fact. Abstract analysis, while important to critical thinking, is not a
substitute for factual knowledge.
Each module is arranged both chronologically and thematically. The aim is to provide
students with a broad range of topics from the more traditional political, diplomatic and
military to cultural and gender specific history.
The Aims and Objectives of the Course are as follows:
o Factual Knowledge and Interpretation of this knowledge: the who, what, why,
when and how of history.
o Historical Skills: You will learn how to read and understand the nuts and bolts of
history: primary source documents.
o Writing and Research Skills: You will learn the mechanics of writing: how to
conduct historical research, how to work with sources, how to develop an
argument, how and when to cite sources and how to do a bibliography.
o Teaching Format:
This course will be taught primarily by PowerPoint lectures, in-class written exercises,
and relevant films with accompanying questionnaires. The lectures will be designed to
provide background and context for the written exercises and films.
Required Texts:
Mortimer Chambers, et al, The Western Experience, 10th ed., Volume One.
Chambers is the course textbook. You should have read the appropriate pages
before the lecture. The Chambers book provides you with the contextual
information required to know to understand the Perry documents. This book
will not be used in the classroom, but you still need it. Reading the book is
essential. Essay questions for mid-terms and final and quizzes are based on the
Chambers text. This same text will be used for "Introduction to Western
Civilization II."
Marvin Perry, Joseph R. Peden and Theodore H. Von Laue, eds., Sources of the
Western Tradition, Vol. I., 7th edition. This is a collection of primary sources. You
will need this text to do the homework assignments, for the mid-term and for
the final examination.
Use of Acadia Advantage Technology:
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All lectures will be delivered in PowerPoint. A summarized version of the lecture from
the classroom will be posted to Acorn. Your attendance in class on a regular basis is
mandatory to pass this course. If you are going to miss class, please let me know. You
are expected to be present and attendance will be taken. E-mail will be used as a
method of communication. We will be using the dedicated website to your textbook. It
will provide for the quizzes. Homework answers and essays may be posted to ACORN or
submitted in class by hard copy. Instructor will show you how to post your work. In
addition, your instructor will use the weekly schedule boxes in Acorn for more details
and for precise homework assignments.
Textbook Website: http://paris.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073385530/student_view0/
Course Requirements and Method of Evaluation:
1. Two quizzes based on readings from The Western Experience, films and lectures.
Each quiz is worth 5% totaling 10% of your grade.
2. A mid-term test: 20%. This test will be composed of short answers (definitions
and identifications) and one essay question.
3. Homework and In Class Assignments: 15%:
Workshops: Every other Thursday, if we are not having a film or test, we will
have a document session in class for approximately 45 minutes. You will work in
groups and answer questions from the Perry book. Please read text before class.
Answers are to be done in class. The answers will be submitted at the end of
class. Worth: 7.5 %
Homework: The weeks where we do not have in-class work, or a test, you will
be expected to submit written homework assignments based on the Perry book
4. One short thematic essay based on documents and textbook. 1500 words: 15%
5. Final (Christmas) Examination: 40% . The date for the exam will be set by the
Registrar. I will provide you with a study guide.
Marking Scheme
Assignment
Due Date
Value
Three Workshops & Homework
Throughout the term
15%
2 Quizzes @ 5% each
14 October; 16 November
10%
Mid-Term Test
28 October
20%
Short Document Essay
25 November, 1500 words
15%
December Exam
TBA
40%
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Acadia University Policies
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity demands responsible use of the work of other scholars. It is
compromised by academic dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism. A student who is
uncertain whether or not a course of action might constitute cheating or plagiarism
should seek in advance the advice of the instructor involved.
Cheating is copying or the use of unauthorized aids or the intentional falsification
or invention of information in any academic exercise.
Plagiarism is the act of presenting the ideas or words of another as one's own.
Students are required to acknowledge and document the sources of ideas that
they use in their written work.
Self plagiarism is also a form of plagiarism. It is the presentation of the same
work in more than one course without the permission of the instructors
involved.
A student who knowingly helps another to commit an act of academic
dishonesty is equally guilty.
Penalties are levied in relation to the degree of the relevant infraction. They
range from requiring the student to re-do the piece of work, through failure on
that piece of work, to failure in the course, and to dismissal from the university.
Lecture, Workshop, and Film Schedule and Required Readings
Every effort will be made to adhere to this schedule, but instructor reserves to make
changes as she sees fit.
September:
8: Introduction to History 1103, distribution of course outlines.
14, 16: Introduction to Ancient Civilizations in the West (Film: Mesopotamia
(the land between the rivers!) with Questionnaire on Thursday)
Readings: Chambers (afterwards CH), Chapter 1; Perry, Chapters 1 & 2
21, 23 : Ancient Greece
o Readings: Chambers (afterwards CH), Chapters 2 & 3
o Perry, 3
28, 30 : The Achievements of Ancient Rome
o Readings: CH, Chapter 4
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Perry, 4 and 5 to page 148
Film with Questionnaire: Ancient Greece
October:
October: 4, 6: Decline of Rome and Rise of Christianity
o Readings: CH, Chapter 5
o Perry, 5 from 149 to end and 6
October 6: Perry Workshop # 1 (Chapter 5 from p. 149 and Chapter 6)
12, 14: Byzantium, Islam and Early Medieval Worlds
o Readings: CH, Chapters 6 & 7
o Perry, 7 pp. 193-205.
First Quiz, Thursday, 14 October: Ancient Civilizations: Near East, Greece and
Rome
Film with Questionnaire: Ancient Rome
19, 21: The Early Medieval World
Readings: CH, Chapters 8 & 9; Perry, 7, 205-end
October 21: Perry Workshop # 2 (Perry Chapter 7)
26, 28: The High Middle Ages
Readings: CH, Chapters 9, 10; Perry, 8
Mid-term 28 October
November:
2, 4: The Renaissance : Readings: CH, Chapter 12; Perry, 9
Film & Questionnaire: Leonardo da Vinci
9: The Protestant Reformation
o Readings: CH, Chapter 13, Perry, 10
11: No class, Remembrance Day
16, 18: Protestant Reformation, cont’d; Catholic/Counter-Reformation
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Readings: CH, Chapter 14; Perry, 11, pp. 336-363
23, 25, 30: Wars of Religion, Colonialism Witch-hunt
Readings: CH, Chapter 15.
December:
2: Absolutism 1660-1789
o Readings: Perry 11, 365 to end
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