Hist 1110-03
Fall 2014
MW 2:20-3:45 p.m.
Dr. Yüan-ling Chao
Peck Hall 265 (898-2629); e-mail: ychao@mtsu.edu
Office Hours: TR 8:30-9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m.-1: 30 p.m.; MW 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:30-2:15
p.m.,3:45-4:30 p.m. & by appointment
WORLD CIVILIZATIONS TO 1500
This course is designed as a general survey course. Its purpose is not only to introduce
students to the many diverse cultures that helped to shape our world today, but also to develop 1)
critical thinking skills though discussion of primary sources and focus issues, and 2) writing
skills and the ability to formulate and sustain an argument through the use of evidence,
particularly from primary sources.
We will be mainly concerned with broad patterns of human development across cultural
boundaries and emphasize the exchange of ideas, goods, and technology. We will also explore
interaction among the diverse cultures and the processes of change and transformation. Each
civilization developed their own distinctive cultural and religious values and organizational
systems, yet interaction through trade, migration, religious missions, and war helped to foster a
dynamic energy that gave vitality to the pre-modern world. It is hoped that this course will
provide the students with a greater understanding of the past and a vision for the future.
During this course we will be examining three major topics: origins of civilizations, the
classical period, and the postclassical period. Class time will consist of lectures, visuals such as
videos and slides, and discussions of readings of primary documents. Students should complete
the assigned readings prior to class time and are expected to actively participate in discussions.
These goals fulfill TBR and MTSU’s General Studies Learning Outcomes:
1. Analyze significant primary text and works of art, ancient, pre-modern, and modern, as forms
of cultural and creative expression.
2. Explain the ways in which humanistic and/or artistic expression throughout the ages expresses
the culture and values of its time and place.
3. Explore global/cultural diversity.
4. Frame a comparative context through which they can critically assess the ideas, forces, and
values that have created the modern world.
5. Recognize the ways in which both change and continuity have affected human history.
6. Practice the critical and analytical methodologies of the humanities
1
Course Requirements:
1. 5% Class Attendance: Class attendance is required and roll will be taken each class.
(grade for attendance will be calculated as follows:0-1 absence: A; 2-3 absences: B; 4-5 absences
C; 6-7 absences: D; 8 & over: F. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late or leave early
will be counted as absent)
2. 5% Class Participation
3. 35% Three Tests
4. 30% 2 writing assignments
5. 25% Cumulative final examination
(+/- will be used for this course)
A
B+
B
BC+
C
90 and above
88-89
84-87
80-83
78-79
74-77
CD+
D
DF
70-73
68-69
64-67
60-63
59 and below
Rules for Classroom Behavior
Turn off/Silence all cell phones. Points will be deducted from assignments and the final grade if
you use your cell phone in class. Text messaging is forbidden, and after two warnings, points will be
deducted from tests and examinations. You may use a laptop computer to take notes only with the
approval of the instructor.
Make-up Policy
There will be NO make-ups and missed tests and examinations will count as Fs. Exceptions will
only be made in cases of emergency and illness documented with a note from a doctor. No
make-ups will be given after the test has been returned.
Statement on Cheating
Any form of cheating (including plagiarism) on any assignment or examination will result in a
grade of “F” for the course. “Plagiarize” is defined in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary as
“to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own,” “use (a created production)
without crediting the source,” “to commit literary theft: present as new and original an idea or
product derived from an existing source.” Outright plagiarism or any form of cheating,
intentional or unintentional, will result in a failing grade in the course and disciplinary action by
the university.
2
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions
related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as
soon as possible. Students may also contact the Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783)
with questions about such services.
Writing Center
Students are encouraged to use the University Writing Center for writing assignments in this
course. The center is located in The Walker Library in Room 362. They can also be reached by
phone at 904-8237 or by e-mail at uwcenter@mtsu.edu.
Lottery Scholarship
To retain the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS
GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. A grade of
C, D, F, FA, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility. If you drop this class, withdraw, or
if you stop attending this class you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship, and you will not be
able to regain eligibility at a later time.For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement
of Understanding form (http://www.mtsu.edu/financial-aid/forms/LOTFOD.pdf) or contact your MT One
Stop Enrollment Counselor (http://www.mtsu.edu/one-stop/counselor.php)
Books Required for the Course:
Bentley, Jerry, Herbert F. Ziegler and Heather E. Streets. Traditions and Encounters: A Brief
Global History. Vol. 1. 2nd edition New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.
Andrea, Alfred J. and James H. Overfield. The Human Record: Sources of Global History.
7th edition. Vol.1. New York: Cengage Learning, 2011.
2
Lecture and Reading Schedule:
Aug.
Sept.
25
Organizational meeting
27
The Neolithic Revolution
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch.1: pp.5-8; Andrea/Overfield: Prologue
“Primary Sources and How to Read Them” (P1-P14)
*Jared Diamond, “The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race,”
in Applying Anthropology: An Introductory Reader, ed. By Aaron
Podolefsky and Peter J. Brown, 5th ed. (London: Mayfield Publishing Co.
1999): 80-84. (available in D2L, https://elearn.mtsu.edu)
1
Labor Day
3
Ancient Mesopotamia
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 1: pp.8-21; Andrea/Overfield #1, 2
“The Epic of Gilgamesh” “The Judgments of Hammurabi”
8
Early Africa
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 2; Andrea/Overfield # 3,4
“The Satire on the Trades” “Tale of the Eloquent Peasant”
10
Ancient India
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 1: pp. 21-24, Ch. 3: 47-55; Andrea/Overfield
# 9, 14
“The Rig Veda” “The Upanishads”
15
Ancient China
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch 3: 56-64; Andrea/Overfield # 7
“The Book of Documents”
17
Test 1
22
Classical China
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 6
24
Classical China
Readings: Andrea/Overfield # 20-22, 27
“Laozi, The Classic of the Way and Virtue” “Confucius, The Analects”
“Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian” “Huan Kuan, Discourses on
Salt and Iron”
29
Classical India
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 7
3
.Oct.
Nov.
1
Classical India
Readings: Andrea/Overfield # 15, 16, 31
“The Bhagavad Gita” “Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Law” “Asoka,
Rock and Pillar Edicts”
6
Classical Greece
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch.8: pp. 139-153
Writing Assignment 1 due
8
Classical Greece
Readings: Andrea/Overfield # 24-25
“Euripides, The Bacchae” “Plato, Phaedo”
13
Fall Break
15
Classical Civilizations compared
Readings: Andrea/Overfield, Multiple Voices II: The Healing Arts in
China, India, and Greece, pp. 116-125
20
Rome
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 8: pp. 153-163
22
Rome
Readings: Andrea/Overfield #34, 41
“Caesar Augustus, The Accomplishments of the Deified Augustus” “The
Gospel of St. Matthew”
27
Test 2
29
The Silk Road
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 9; Andrea/Overfield, #83
“Marco Polo, description of the World”
3
The Silk Road
Writing Assignment II due
5
The Rise and Spread of Islam
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 11, Ch. 15: pp. 290-297
10
Islam
Readings: Andrea/Overfield # 46, 47, 49
“The Qur’an” “Abu Abdullah ibn Ismail al-Bukhari, The Authentic
[Traditions]” “Mahmud Kati, The Chronicle of the Seeker”
4
Dec.
12
Empires in East Asia
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 12
17
Empires in East Asia
Readings: Andrea/Overfield, 37, Multiple Voices VI: Buddhism in China:
Acceptance, Rejection, and Accommodation , pp. 294-301
“Tales of Guanshiyin”
19
Test 3
24
The Byzantine Empire and Medieval Europe
Readings: Bentley et.al. Chs. 10, 16
26
Thanksgiving
1
Medieval Europe
Readings: Andrea/Overfield , Multiple Voices VII: Byzantium and the
West in the Age of the Crusades: The Dividing of Christendom? pp. 324334
3
The Mongol Empire
Readings: Bentley et.al. Ch. 14, Andrea/Overfield # 82
“William of Rubruck, Journey to the Land of the Tartars”
Final Examination: December 10 (Wednesday): 12:30-2:30 p.m.
5