HIST 1311
HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION I (ONLINE)
SPRING 2014
Prof. Sarah Archer
sasmith6@ualr.edu
Office hours via Skype by appt.
Special Note on Online Course Attendance: It is university policy to take attendance via
participation in online courses. Students who do not attend (participate) will be
administratively withdrawn (dropped) from the class after two weeks of inactivity,
including the first two weeks of class. No exceptions can be made. You may be required
to return financial aid money received for the semester if you are administratively
withdrawn for non-attendance and fall below full-time enrollment as a result.
Course Description:
History of World Civilization I is a survey of world history from the earliest records of
humankind through approximately 1600 CE. It familiarizes students with political, social,
economic, religious, intellectual, and artistic histories of the world, among other types of
history. Students will become familiar with major places, dates, individuals, regimes, and
movements in the period covered. Students will develop the ability to accurately associate
the cultural content described above with specific time periods and geographic areas.
Coursework emphasizes developing the analytical and critical skills necessary for working
with both primary and secondary historical texts. Discussions encourage students to share
their unique interpretations, commentary, insights, and views on Strayer’s vision of history
(our secondary source/textbook). Historical interpretations emphasize the ability to read
and present compelling interpretations of primary sources (the writings of individuals from
the historical periods under study). Weekly self-tests and two major exams assess the
degree to which the student has mastered the textbook material.
Required Text:
Robert W. Strayer, Ways of the World: A Brief Global History with Sources, 2nd edition.
(Bedford St. Martins, 2013). The version “With Sources” contains material used for the
Historical Interpretations, and there is a significant difference between the first and second
editions.
NOTE: This syllabus is required reading! It is your first reading assignment. Consider it an
instruction manual for a complex and important thing you are assembling (in this case, your desired
grade in this course). Reading it now will also help you determine if this is the right class for you, and
help you to decide if you have the time to invest in an online course requiring a great deal of reading
and writing instead of attending lectures and participating in verbal discussion.
If the instructor receives emails asking about something clearly covered in the syllabus, the
automatic reply will be to direct the student to the Discussion Board on syllabus questions.
Course Objectives
1. Students will demonstrate 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.
Entrance competencies for online classes:
Ability to use a computer and web browser is essential, as this is an online course. You
should also, at the barest minimum, be able to do the following:
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Using Blackboard
Logging on
Navigating Blackboard shell
Completing and sending assignments; accessing returned assignments
Navigating discussion boards
Using Word Processing Software
Saving, deleting, moving, renaming, and printing document files
Creating and managing document folders
Using the Internet
Searching the web for information
Downloading and printing information from websites
Downloading, viewing, or printing PDF files
Technology Requirements:
Students must have:
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A reliable working computer at home that runs Windows XP, Windows Vista or
Windows 7 and is capable of running current versions of Netscape, Firefox or (for Macs)
Safari. Students who use older browser versions will have compatibility problems with
Blackboard.
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Uninterrupted access to the Internet at home with a 56.9 kb modem or better. (High
speed connection such as cable or DSL preferred).
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If you have difficulties accessing Blackboard, you may require a plug-in. Visit
http://ualr.edu/extendedprograms/index.php/home/online-courses-mxl/equipmentreqt/ and scroll down to “Browser”, “Troubleshooting” and “Plug-ins” under “Is your
browser compatible with Blackboard?”. Follow these links to sort any problems that
may be related to your browser’s ability to display the Blackboard interface.
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Wordprocessing software (NOTE: Faculty should clearly state which package they
require students to use). If it is anything other than Word (and can be saved as a .doc)
you will have to make a PDF of the file to send.
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Virus protection software. Virus protection is provided to all UALR students free of
charge. Update it often. Visit http://ualr.edu/computingservices/mcafee.asp and follow
the instructions to download the virus software.
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Problems with your computer or internet access are not accepted as excuses for late
work. In the off chance that a hub or a whole provider goes down, the instructor can
(and will) confirm that with your service provider before making any exceptions. Have a
backup plan in place in case you have personal computer problems.
Distance Learning/Extended Programs at UALR
As a Distance Learning student you are required to read the UALR Information Technology
Acceptable Use Policy, found at http://ualr.edu/computingservices/aup.asp. This document
provides not only the proper expectations of you as the student using the Extended
Program services through the IT department, it also outlines your rights. Be advised that
you are expected at all times to follow the policies and procedures outlined in this
statement. All Distance Learning courses at UALR utilize Blackboard (abbreviated as Bb).
Accessing Blackboard
The easiest way to access Blackboard is via MyUALR. Go to my.ualr.edu and enter your
NetID username and password. If you do not know your NetID, you can find it in BOSS, the
UALR student access system (where enroll, check your class schedule, find your campus
directory, etc.). Go to Personal Information > Change passwords on UALR Computing
Systems to find your NetID and set/reset your password.
To Login to Blackboard:
1. Click on Blackboard on the MyUALR page after logging in.
2. Click on the course identifier link on the main Blackboard page. If you do not see
a course for which you believe you are registered, please check your schedule
in BOSS to confirm enrollment before calling for technical assistance.
If you are having problems logging into Blackboard that cannot be resolved by resetting the
NetID password in BOSS, you should contact the Computing Services Help Desk at 501-5698720. Additional support may be found on the Extended Programs/Distance Learning
assistance page at http://ualr.edu/extendedprograms/index.php/home/online-coursesmxl/get-help/.
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How to learn online
The online campus of UALR is designed to serve any student, anywhere in the world, via the
Internet. In order to be successful, you should be organized and well-motivated. You should
log in every 48 hours or more often. Check all announcements and discussion messages
that have been posted by the instructor. Start early in the week to complete the weekly
assignment. You should also understand and follow all instructions provided by the
instructor in this syllabus for participating in class discussions. Begin reviewing for exams
early in the semester. Do not wait until the last minute; your grade will suffer if you try to
cram for exams or rush an assignment.
Classroom Etiquette
Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally in this course; because it is an
online course, this entails three crucial components:
1. Being polite, respectful, and inclusive of others in your discussion forums, even if a
subject prompts debate or disagreement. This includes being respectful of the
instructor. It is more appropriate to speak to the professor as you would a
supervisor in a professional context, not as though they were a parent or a peer.
Part of your long-term success involves becoming comfortable in professional
contexts as well as informal contexts.
2. Using professional language; you should not use internet acronyms or texting
abbreviations. Your future professional image will be determined by how educated
you appear to be in your written communication (even in simple emails), so this is
important. Be attentive to grammar and spelling at all times; developing good
discipline as a writer now means that it will come naturally when college is over.
Any interpretation turned in with poor spelling and grammar will be returned
ungraded, and you will have to turn in a revision within 24 hours or take a zero for
that work. Discussion forums are also graded for poor spelling and grammar.
3. Make deadlines. I do not offer extensions except in case of extreme duress. In a
professional context, failing to make your deadlines or professional requirements
would result in being fired or disciplined; in this course it results in a failing grade
for the missed assignment.
Communication and Returning Assignments
Use regular email, not Blackboard messaging, to contact the instructor. My email address is
sasmith6@ualr.edu. I do not respond to “Mrs. Archer” – Prof. Archer or Sarah, please. You
will not wait more than 2 days for a response to an email; in general they will be returned
within 24 hours but this is not guaranteed. Assignments and discussion boards will usually
be graded within two weeks of their due date.
Attendance Policy
In an online course, attendance is determined by participation. The university expects
students to attend class regularly, and students who stop turning in their weekly work will
be administratively dropped from the course after two weeks of inactivity. No exceptions
can be made to this policy.
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Make-up Work
No make-up work can or will be offered, out of fairness to students who are performing
consistently. Missed discussions cannot be made up; when boards close on Friday night,
they are closed for good. The same goes for all other assignments. Exceptions for students
who are in extreme situations may be made at the instructor’s discretion, but please contact
me ASAP to discuss whether or not that will be possible in your case. Students who contact
me early are more likely to receive assistance.
Assignments and Grading:
There are a total of 1000 points for CIV I:
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Chapter discussion participation: 300 (15 discussions, 20 points per week, you must
post substantial contributions in at least two separate threads to receive points –
see discussion grading criteria in this syllabus for full details);
Chapter Self Tests: 300 (12 at 25 points each)
Historical interpretations: 200 (4 at 50 points each)
Midterm: 100
Cumulative final exam: 100
1. No late work will be accepted (unless you receive prior approval from the
instructor). Chapter tests and the historical interpretations are submitted using
Blackboard, and late submissions will not receive credit. Chapter tests are only
available during their respective grading periods, and must be completed in a
single sitting, saved, and submitted. If you do not take these three steps, the test
will no longer be available, and cannot be graded. Please follow those three
simple steps: take the test in one sitting, save, and submit.
2. Weekly participation can never be made up later; when the week is over, it’s
over. Participation in discussion is a community effort by everyone in the class
during the week, and is a group conversation. Late contributions are the
equivalent of talking to an empty room, so waiting until the last minute to
contribute has a significant point penalty (see criteria in the following section).
3. There will not be any extra credit assignments to take the place of regularly
assigned tests, interpretations, and discussion.
4. Each week of the course ends at midnight on Sunday, at which point the new
week of discussion scoring begins.
Grades are calculated on the following scale:
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A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
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Discussion and Chapter Self Tests:
There is no lecture component to this course. Instead, you are required to take full
responsibility for actively reading and participating in discussion boards during the week
instead of presenting yourself in person for a lecture and face-to-face discussion, managing
your schedule with respect to test-taking, and preparing assignments independently. This
means you need to read and engage with what other students are writing, and make an
effort to actively participate and collaborate with them on figuring things out, solving
historical puzzles, reading the primaries, developing content comprehension, and so on.
There are online multiple-choice self tests for every chapter – these are unlimited time,
open book and open note, but only one attempt; each is worth 30 points.
For each chapter, you must participate with substantive comments in in at least two threads
for each chapter, either by starting a new discussion, or by responding to questions and/or
engaging with the comments and questions of your peers. Each thread will be worth 10
points, for a maximum of 20 points per week.
Discussion Board Grading Criteria:
How to earn points:
 +2: Start your own thread or engage in someone else’s thread
 +5: Thoughtful, insightful analysis or contribution. Demonstrate that you are
internalizing and digesting the information from readings and class, and
then applying and relating that information to particular questions or
comments. NB: Simply restating material from the textbook is not
thoughtful, insightful, or interesting.
 +3: Freestyling. Demonstrate that you are thinking about historical and
geographic context, as well as taking into consideration the nuances and
subtextual influences of various social, power, gender, racial or ethnic, etc.,
factors that complicate the surface story. Tying the content into personal
experience: books, movies, news items, travel, etc. also scores these points.
 IMPORTANT NOTE: The discussion of the history of world religions is a
major feature of this class. Class will include students of diverse
backgrounds and faiths – Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindu, and
others - including secular humanism, agnosticism, and atheism. Assertions
that one religion is more “right” or more “moral” than other religions (or,
similarly, that atheism/agnosticism is more intelligent than religion) are
offensive to students who have different faiths or none at all. This course is
not an appropriate place to testify or proselytize about your faith: keep the
tone professional, academic, and historical. This is a secular, worldly
context: a public university classroom in America, in a university with an
international student body. Do not assume your faith is shared nor that it
should be. Respect cultural and religious diversity in this classroom by
refraining from personal religious testimony.
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How to lose points:
 -10: Instead of participating regularly, all contributions are perfunctory and
just “get it over with” rather than contributing to a real conversation. If all
your contributions are done on the last day, you will receive this penalty. If
you repeat something that has already been said, you will also receive this
penalty: read posts and respond to posts, do not repeat them. I do not want
to see 20 threads about foot-binding; use the thread already in action.
 - 5 (per thread, max of -10 for the week): Poor grammar and spelling.
 -10 (per violation): Failure to cite sources and/or plagiarism. Support your
assertions and opinions with reference to the textbook page affirming your
position in simple brackets, like this: [Strayer, p. XX]. If you are getting your
data from another source, online or print, reference it with a URL or the full
author, title, date, and page number. Wikipedia is not an acceptable source.
Only scholarly sources should be used in academic work.
 -10 (per violation): Proselytizing. Do not assume your faith is shared nor
that it should be. Respect cultural and religious diversity in this classroom
by refraining from personal religious testimony. If you make assertions as to
the truth or superiority of your personal religious beliefs you will receive no
credit for that thread. This is a secular classroom environment and anything
resembling “testifying” or “witnessing” or religious worship/praise will not
be accepted as a scholarly contribution to discussion.
 -20: Poor class citizenship. That means being rude, inflammatory, or
insulting to other students or the professor, participating in a flamewar,
trolling, any online violations of the student codes of conduct and ethics as
written in the Student Handbook, Section VI, “Statement of Behavior.”
Review that document here:
http://ualr.edu/deanofstudents/assets/archive/HANDBOOK.pdf.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON BOARD USE:
Inappropriate use of the discussion boards will lead to a ban from the board until
we can discuss the inappropriate behavior in person via phone or email. Continued
inappropriate use of the board (three or more instances) will lead to an
administrative drop from the course and potential disciplinary action. Do not:
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Attempt to sell, promote, or otherwise spam the board for personal gain.
Start a thread completely unrelated to the course on a hot button issue
unless it is directly related to the course content.
Violate the student code of conduct on the discussion board.
Complain about the textbook, pace, another student, instructor, etc. – bring
complaints to me personally and professionally, not to the discussion board.
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Historical Interpretation assignments
The primary source analysis assignments are 200-500 word historical interpretations. The
assignments will vary; you may be asked to do critical analyses of a specific primary source,
either an excerpt of text or an image. You may have a film option, where you use your
historical content mastery to evaluate the historical authenticity of a particular movie.
There may also be “alternate history” assignments, in which you will write about what
history would have looked like if there was one critical difference in the historical record.
You are allowed and encouraged to use the first person ("I") when developing your insights,
analysis, opinions, and creative approaches in these essays, which are intended to elicit a
strong historical point of view. However, you will be asked to engage the course content in
your interpretation; it cannot be purely speculative. These are not research papers;
additional reading outside of the assignments is optional and should be chosen carefully (in
consultation with the instructor).
Guidelines:
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Use citations (short, informal, clear ones are find) to account for any additional
sources you have used and to avoid plagiarism.
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Always keep copies of your essay until you receive your grade for the assignment,
just in case any files are lost or corrupted.
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Write your essay in Word (so you can save, edit, etc.) your essay, and then cut and
paste it into the discussion board for the assignment; be sure to recheck and repair
your formatting after entry if necessary. Do not submit your document as an
attachment, you must use the text box. Attachments will not be downloaded,
opened, or graded. Students may NOT submit these assignments via email; the
gradebook is integrated with Blackboard, not my email account.
Exams:
The exams will cover assigned readings from the textbook and the companion website (see
weekly Course Documents). Doing the assigned readings, using the Second Thoughts at the
end of each chapter to review your reading and lock in key concepts, and participating
regularly in discussion will help you stay current with the material and thus prepared for
the chapter self-tests and the final exam.
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Exams will be administered via the Blackboard Assessment interface. Each exam
will consist of some combination of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short
answer questions.
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Self tests are available all week, but must be completed in a single sitting, saved, and
submitted. The midterm and final exams will be on a timer, and the exam will have
to be completed in 90 minutes. Make sure you set aside enough time to take selftests and exams, and be sure you will not be interrupted while taking it. Please note
prior content in this syllabus about technology requirements; computer crashes,
storm outages, etc., are not grounds for an extension. If Little Rock (or your
community) loses internet access completely the instructor will be able to verify
that independently and offer the extension to the whole class.
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The exams in this course are open book and open note, but exams are designed to
reward those who have learned, studied, prepared, and have solid content mastery
over the material. Those who have not prepared in advance by keeping up with the
course may find it difficult, if not impossible, to complete the exam in the time
allotted. Students with documented disabilities may take extended time tests which
are not open book or open note; the timed tests assess mastery of the material via
speed; extended time tests will assess mastery of the material via retention without
requiring speed. These tests will need to be taken in the DRC.
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If you discuss tests and exams and share information about them with students who
have not yet taken them, the grade distribution will indicate that the exam has been
exploited. The final exam will be made harder to compensate for the effect of the
exploit. It is therefore not in your best interest to divulge the content of the exams.
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The instructor reserves the right to randomize exams (having multiple versions of
each exam with different questions on each, to be distributed randomly). The exam
you take may not be the same as the exam a friend or fellow student takes.
Students with Disabilities
Your success in this class is important to me. It is the policy and practice of UALR to
create inclusive learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you
have a documented disability (or need to have a disability documented), and need
an accommodation, please contact me privately as soon as possible, so that we can
discuss with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) how to meet your specific needs
and the requirements of the course. The DRC offers resources and coordinates
reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Reasonable
accommodations are established through an interactive process among you, your
instructor(s) and the DRC. Thus, if you have a disability, please contact me and/or
the DRC, at 501-569-3143 (V/TTY) or 501-683-7629 (VP). For more information,
please visit the DRC website at www.ualr.edu/disability.
Academic Integrity
All work must reflect your own thoughts, words, opinions, and efforts. When you copy
phrases, sentences, or paragraphs verbatim (word for word) from any source, you must
indicate that you have done so by putting it in quotation marks and inserting a footnote that
clearly indicates the source of the information, including author, book title, and page
number (or URL). If you use the thoughts, words or opinions of others in paraphrase (ie
changing words around, or putting someone else’s words into your own words), you must
still insert a footnote that clearly cites the source of the information: author, title, and page
number (or URL). If the source is a website, the footnote must include the complete web
address. PLAGIARIZED CONTENT WILL RESULT IN A ZERO FOR THE ASSIGNMENT. You
will be notified of my discovery, and offered the option of a formal hearing with respect to
the plagiarism.
Multiple instances of plagiarism will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students, and
may result in a failing grade for the entire class. If you are unclear about what constitutes
plagiarism, please ask me before using work that someone else put online or in text.
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Annotated Calendar: Spring 2014
NOTE: The professor reserves the right to adjust this schedule and assigned readings.
Date:
Week 1:
Mon. 8/18
Reading:
Strayer, lliv-lxi:
Prologue : “From Cosmic History
to Human History”
Assignment:
Introduce
yourself in the
“Introductions”
board.
Other deadlines and resources:
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 1
Wed. 8/20
Friday 8/22
Week 2:
Mon. 8/25
Strayer 3-44:
I.1: “First Things First” (Big Picture
section) and “First Peoples; First
Farmers.”
Discussion #1
due by Friday
at midnight.
Ch. 1 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight. All Self-Tests are located in
the Student Resources tab in each
chapter folder.
Strayer 61-107:
I.2 “First Civilizations: Cities,
States, and Unequal Societies.”
Discussion #2
due Friday by
midnight.
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 2
Strayer 108-116:
The Big Picture. “After the First
Civilizations”
Discussion #3
due Friday by
midnight.
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 3
Ch. 2 Self-Test
Wed. 8/27
Fri. 8/29
Week 3:
Mon. 9/1
Wed. 9/3
Fri. 9/5
Strayer 117-164:
I.3 “State and Empire in
Eurasia/North Africa”
Ch. 3 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Historical Interpretation 1 due
Sunday by midnight.
Week 4:
Mon. 9/8
Strayer 165-216:
II.4. “Culture and Religion in
Eurasia”
Discussion #4
due Friday by
midnight.
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 4
Strayer 217-260:
II.5 “Society and Inequality in
Eurasia”
Discussion #5
due Friday by
midnight.
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 5
Wed. 9/10
Ch. 4 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Fri. 9/9
Week 5:
Mon. 9/15
Wed 9/17
Fri 9/19
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Ch. 5 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Week 6:
Mon. 9/22
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 6
Strayer 261-305:
II.6 “Commonalities and Variations:
Africa and the Americas”
Discussion #6
due Friday by
midnight.
Ch. 6 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Wed. 9/24
Historical Interpretation 2 due
Sunday by midnight.
Fri. 9/26
Week 7:
Mon. 9/29
Strayer 306-314
The Big Picture. “Defining a
Millenium.”
Discussion #7
due Friday by
midnight.
Midterm on Monday 9/29. The
midterm covers Ch. 1-6.
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 7
Wed. 10/1
Fri. 10/3
Strayer 315-364
II. 7 “Commerce and Culture
Ch. 7 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Week 8:
Mon. 10/6
Strayer 365-410
III.8 “China and the World: East
Asian Connections, 500-1300”
Discussion #8
due Friday by
midnight.
Wed. 10/8
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 8
Ch. 8 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Fri. 10/10
Fall Break
No classes
No classes
Week 9:
Mon. 10/20
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 9
Strayer 411-462
III.9 “The Worlds of Islam: AfroEurasian Connections, 600-1500”
Discussion #9
due Friday by
midnight.
Ch. 9 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Wed 10/22
Historical Interpretation 3 due
Sunday by midnight.
Fri 10/24
Week 10:
Mon.10/28
Strayer 463-512
III.10 “The Worlds of Christendom:
500-1300”
Discussion #10
due Friday by
midnight.
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 10
Strayer 513-558
III.11 “Pastoral Peoples on the
Global Stage: The Mongol
Moment, 1200-1500”
Discussion #11
due Friday by
midnight.
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 11
Wed.10/30
Ch. 10 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Fri. 10/31
Week 11:
Mon. 11/3
Wed. 11/5
Fri. 11/7
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Ch. 11 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Week 12:
Mon. 11/10
Strayer 559-609
III.12 “The Worlds of the 15th
Century”
Discussion #12
due Friday by
midnight.
Wed. 11/12
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 12
Ch. 12 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Historical interpretation #4 due
Sunday by midnight.
Fri. 11/14
Week 13:
Mon. 11/17
Strayer 719-752
III.15 “Cultural Transformations:
Religion and Science 1450-1750”
Discussion #13
due Friday by
midnight.
Wed. 11/19
Optional: Study Resources for Ch. 15
Ch. 15 Self-Test due Sunday by
midnight.
Fri. 11/21
Week 14:
Mon. 11/24
Civ I: in the news.
Wed.11/26
Thanksgiving Break
Fri. 11/28
Thanksgiving Break
Week 15:
End-of-semester review week:
review all self-tests and weekly
materials.
Mon. 12/1
Your news story
and context is
due 11/25
Discussion
topic: final
reflections. See
announcement.
Demonstrate how the course has
improved your understanding of current
events even though the subject matter
is pre-modern: Connect a current event
or recent news story and put it in
historical context using specific
reference to Strayer content.
Last day of classes at UALR: 12/8.
Wed. 12/3
Fri. 12/5
FINAL EXAM: Opens Tuesday December 9, 2013, closes Thursday at midnight on Dec. 12
© Sarah Archer 2013, with acknowledgement that portions of this syllabus are derived from standard departmental
content.
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