Hist 1110/06 Introduction to World History
Spring 2011
Kennesaw State University
Time: MW 12:30-1:45 P.M. Instructor: William E. Allen, Ph. D.
Room: SO 3029 Office: SO 4083
Office Hours: 2:00-2:30 P.M. and by appointment anytime
E-mail: wallen14@kennesaw.edu
Tel. 770 423 6526
Class Website: GA View Vista
Course Description
The course explores some of the major themes in world history from antiquity to the twentieth century. Throughout the class, we will focus on convergence of cultures and peoples. The underlying principle here is that history unfolds as a web of intricate interrelationships. In other words, humans are constantly interacting with one another and their environments. Through these interactions, ideas and materials are exchanged, at times leading to significant changes. We will track these important changes. Besides learning historical accounts, the class will develop analytical and writing skills.
Objectives
The primary concern is that the class acquires the basic knowledge of how peoples in different parts of the world interacted and developed their individual societies. Everyone will be required to participate in small and large group discussions. The goal is that through these discussions, the class will elevate its level of critical thinking.
Books Required for Course
Robert W. Strayer, Ways of the World: A Brief Global History
Benjamin, J. R. A Student's Guide to History
Course Requirements
Areas % of Course Grade
2 exams 40
2 map quizzes 30
2 short analytical papers 20
NOW (News of the World) 10
Exams (midterm and final)
These exams required that you write short answers in complete, grammatically correct sentences. I will draw the exams from the lectures. Excellent tips for taking notes and studying can be found in A Student's Guide to History (Chapters 2 & 3). Dates of the exams are listed below.
Quizzes
The quizzes fulfill part of the geography requirement for the course. First, you will be quizzed on Africa and Asia and then Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Study guides, along with blank maps, are posted on GA View Vista to help you prepare for the
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quizzes. You will identify regions and geographical features on blank maps and answer questions from the study guides. The dates for the quizzes (and regions) are listed below.
2 Short analytical essays
You will write two short essays, two pages each, single-spaced, Times New Roman, and font size 12. Essays that disregard this rule will not be disqualified, but stand to lose substantial points. I will post the instructions for the essay on GA View Vista , and you will do likewise with the completed paper. Format for the papers will be discussed and posted on GA View Vista . We will also review Chapters 4 & 5 in A Student's Guide to
History ( Plagiarism and Documenting Your Paper).
Plagiarism is presenting someone’s ideas as yours (without indicating so). The consequence is simple: I will give you an F.
(Also see KSU’s
Academic Integrity Policy below.) There are consequences for tardy assignments: A grade of “B” is the highest you can earn on a late assignment. You will have two days from the original deadline to turn in the paper or forfeit the points.
Papers will be graded for content as well as grammar. If you need help with writing, read this: “The KSU Writing Center is a free service offered to all KSU students.
Experienced, friendly writing assistants work with you throughout the writing process on concerns such as topic development, revision, research, documentation, grammar, and mechanics. Rather than edit your paper for you, writing assistants will help you learn strategies to become a better writer on your own. For more information or to make an appointment (appointments are strongly encouraged), visit http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter
, or stop by Room 242 in the
English Building.”
News of the World (NOW)
Each week you can present one piece of news about any place in the world. You must give the source, date of publication, and show the relevance of the news to the topic under discussion in class. There are various authoritative news sources including the national cable networks. Others are http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/ , The New York
Times , and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Each news item is worth one point. In the end, the highest total number of points equals A, the next B, then C, and D: no news, no points .
Attendance, Make-ups, Late work
Class attendance is mandatory. Drop the class if you expect to miss more than the three absences allowed. Absences will adversely affect your final grade. As a rule, I do not give make-ups.
Final grade
To convert your numerical grade to a letter, follow this formula: 90-100=A; 80-89=B;
70-79=C; 60-69=D; 0-59=F.
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KSU’s Academic Integrity Policy
“Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of
Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the
Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to
University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an
“informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.”
Class Etiquette
The consequence for “abusive, profane, threatening and/or inappropriate behavior” is severe; see Disruption of Campus Life Statement in the KSU Faculty Handbook, pp.
3.10-3.12. Accordingly, proper behavior and respect for class decorum is essential.
Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices that tend to disrupt the decorum of the class. Laptops can be used to take notes.
March 14: (LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY )
Tentative course schedule
Part I Introduction to class, to syllabus; what is history? why history? why world
history? What can you do with a history degree?
Jan. 10-12 Readings: Strayer, Prolouge; Beginnings in History; discussion and lecture
Jan. 17 No class
(M.L. King’s natal day)
Part II Populating the Planet
Jan. 19-24 Readings: Strayer, Chapter 2; answer questions 1 and 2 under Big Picture
Questions , P. 53; class discussion
Part III First Civilization
Jan. 26-Feb. 2 Readings: Strayer, Chapters 3; lecture, discussion, and exercise
Assign Paper #1 Feb. 2
Part IV
Feb.7-14
The Eurasian Empires
Readings: Strayer, Chapters 4
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Feb. 7
Part V
Quiz # 1 (Africa and Asia)
Eurasian Cultural Traditions
Feb. 16-23 Readings: Readings: Strayer, Chapter 5; answer questions 1 and 3 under
Big Picture Questions , P. 152; class
Part VI Eurasian Social Hierarchies
Feb. 28-March 2 Readings: Strayer, Chapters 6; answer question 1 under Big Picture
Questions , P. 178
Paper # 1 due Feb. 25
March 2 Exam # 1; assign Paper # 2
March 7, 9 No classes: Spring Break
Part VI I Classical Era Variations
March 14-16 Readings: Strayer, Chapter 7
Part VIII Commerce and Culture
March 21-30 Readings: Strayer, Chapter 8
March 25 Paper # 2 due
March 30 Quiz # 2 (Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean)
Part IX Revolutions and Industrialization
April 4-11 Readings: Strayer, Chapter 18
Part X Colonial Encounters
April 13-18 Readings: Strayer, Chapter 20
Part XI Accelerating Global Interactions
April 20-May 2 Readings: Strayer, Chapter 24
May 9 Final exam, 1:00 -3:00 P.M.
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