History 86- Introduction to World Civilization I

Fall, 2009- Section #0730 9:35-11:00, NEA-128

Instructor: Dr. Ellen Joiner, Office NEA-181, Office Phone: 310-233-4582

e-mail: joinere@lahc.edu  Office Hours: 1-3 p.m. MW or by appointment

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Course Summary and Objectives:  The class will survey the socio-economic and political development of world civilization from the pre-history period to 1500.  Integral to this study will be an analysis of historical documents and the writing of history.  The Student Learning Outcomes are as follows:

1. Define the basic components of culture and explain the impact of such factors in the development of early world civilization.
2. Identify individuals and people groups that have contributed to the political, economic and social development of world civilization up to 1500.
3. Evaluate institutional formation and its influence on cultural organization and control.
4. Analyze the major world religions and philosophies and compare their implications for cultural development.
5. Categorize the central technological contributions to world development.
6. Evaluate the process of cultural exchange and interaction.
7. Formulate a chronology of major civilizations in world history up to 1500.
8. Differentiate between primary and secondary sources in World History.

9.   Identify and locate classical and post-classical civilizations on a world map.

10. Identify and locate evidence (College Library and Internet) used to create and support an argument in historical analysis and writing.

Text, Course Organization, and Requirements:

Textbook:  Jerry H. Bentley & Herbert F. Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past, 4^th ed., vol. 1, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008. (ISBN 978-0-07-333062-4)

The class will survey world civilization chronologically through the text, lecture, and discussion.  Before coming to class students will read specific pages or chapters from the text and complete assignments from the Etudes on-line site.  In the event that the class cannot meet students are responsible to stay in contact with me via the Etudes site.  Every two or three weeks students will take a quiz based on text readings and class discussion.  Three essays analyzing primary historical materials are also required.  Grades will be determined by points based upon the following:

1. Attendance:  Regular and prompt attendance in class is required.  Students not in class when the roll is taken will be counted absent.  More than three unexcused absences could result in a lowering of the grade or a student being dropped from the course.  If you are unable to attend a class, leave a message on my voice mail (310-233-4582) or e-mail (joinere@lahc.edu) explaining the reason.  Please turn off cell phones, or, in the case of an emergency, place the phone on mute.  Students should bring text to class each day.
2. Participation: Participation evaluates a student’s motivation and willingness to engage in class activities and discussions.  These points will be determined by various in-class and on-line assignments.
3. Textbook and on-line help:  Students should follow the class schedule and complete the assigned textbook readings. For study tools each week students should go to  http://etudes-ng.fhda.edu/portal  for terms and practice tests.  On-line work is not graded but is strongly recommended to help you succeed in the course.
4. Essays: The sources that will be evaluated in the essays are found at www. mhhc.com/bentley4  Your analysis of these sources will address specific questions that are explained on the Etude assignment site.  For full credit each essay will include a thesis statement, an outline, and a 3-4 page essay.  Due dates for the essays are listed on the class schedule.  Late essays will automatically lose 5 pts.  Essays more than one week late will not be accepted. (50 pts./essay)
5. Quizzes: Quizzes will be a combination of term definitions, true/false, multiple choice, and chronology.  (50 pts./quiz)  There are no make-ups for missed quizzes.
6. Final Examination: The final exam will review the material that has been covered throughout the course.
7. Extra-Credit: Three fictional films that portray an aspect of World History can be rented and watched for extra credit.  These are noted in italics on the course schedule. To earn extra credit you may watch three of these films and complete an analysis sheet of each film.  The sheets must be submitted on the due date listed on the syllabus.  Late extra-credit work will not be accepted. (5 pts./film)  At any time throughout the semester students may also visit the Greco-Roman exhibitions at the Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu http://www.getty.edu/visit/  or the Ancient Arts of China: A 5000 Year Legacy at the Bowers Museum, 2002 North Main St., Santa Ana. http://www.bowers.org/explore/exhibitions.jsp for 10 pts. extra credit each. Extra credit will not be counted in lieu of class assignments. Students who have failed to complete other assignments are not eligible for extra credit.

Final grades will be calculated on a point and percentage basis.  90% of total points is an A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D.

Class Schedule:

 Early Complex Societies,  3500 B.C.E.- 500 B.C. E.

WK. 1   Aug. 31     Introduction to History 86

              Sept. 2      Mesopotamian Influences                   c. 2

WK. 2   Sept. 7       Early Africa                                        pp. 58-69

              Sept. 9      Cultural Complexity and Migration    pp. 69-84 c. 3

WK. 3   Sept. 14     South Asian Beginnings                     pp. 94-104  

              Sept. 16    East Asia                                             c. 5

WK. 4  Sept. 21       Early Mesoamerica                            Quiz 1 (c. 2-5)

             Sept. 23      South American Societies                  c. 6        

Classical Societies, 500 B.C.E.- 500 C.E.

 WK. 5   Sept. 28       Persian Empires                               c. 7 Extra-Credit Essay due

               Sept. 30      Classical China                                 c. 8

                                                                                             The Emperor and the Assassin                                                                                          

WK. 6    Oct. 5          India in the Classical Age                 pp. 207-217

               Oct. 7          Religions of Salvation                      pp. 217-229   Quiz 2 (c. 6-9)

WK. 7 Oct. 12          Early Greece                                        p. 231-240 Troy

            Oct. 14          Hellenistic Greece                               c. 10

WK. 8 Oct. 19         Extra-Credit Film                                        

            Oct. 21         Roman Republic to Empire                  c. 11 Gladiator, Spartacus

WK. 9 Oct. 26    Silk Roads                                              c. 12 Essay 1 due

The Post-Classical Era, 500 C.E. to 1000 C.E.

            Oct. 28   Byzantium                                              Quiz 3 (10-12) p. 316-330

WK. 10 Nov. 2   Byzantine Religion                                c. 13

              Nov. 4   Rise of Islam                                         pp. 345-358

WK. 11 Nov. 9   Islamic Expansion                                 c. 14

              Nov. 11 Tang and Song China                            c. 15 The Silk Road

WK. 12 Nov. 16  The Indian Ocean Basin                       Quiz 4 (13-16), p. 406-413

              Nov. 18  Western Europe                                    c. 17

An Age of Cross-Cultural Interaction, 1000 C.E.-1500 C.E.

WK. 13  Nov. 23   Nomadic Empires                                  c. 18 Mongol

               Nov. 25  Sub-Saharan Africa                                c. 19 The Sorceresss

WK. 14  Nov. 30  Western Europe-High Middle Ages       c. 20

               Dec. 2    The Americas and Oceania                    c. 21

WK. 15  Dec. 7  Cross-Cultural Interactions                       pp. 565-576 Essay 2 due

              Dec. 9  Crisis and Recovery                                  pp. 576-591 c. 22

WK. 16  Final Exam