History 100: Early World History – Spring 2007
Class Meetings: Online
| Instructor: |
Angela Feres |
| E-mail: |
angela.feres@gcccd.edu |
| Office: |
590R |
| Phone: |
619-644-7473 |
| Office Hours: |
Monday & Wednesday:
7:00AM – 8:00AM, 9:30 – 10:45AM, & 2:00PM – 4:00PM
Tuesday & Thursday:
4:00PM – 5:15PM, and by appointment
|
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This section of History 100 is conducted completely online. No on site class meetings will be held. You may access the course via Grossmont College link http://bb.gcccd.net/. You may participate in the course at any time of the day from any location from which you access the web. Most assignments will be due each week by midnight Sunday, although some will have other due dates. Assignment dates can be found on the syllabus, within the Assignments section of our Blackboard course, and will be also be posted within my lectures. I will post weekly lectures and PowerPoints that introduce each chapter and provide an outline and/or overview of each chapter. You will read these in addition to the books, essays, and web site visits I assign.
History 100 is a general survey of early world
history from the origins of diverse societies to the early fifteenth
century. We will define interconnections between diverse world
societies to include: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, the
Classical West, Africa, America, and Oceana. We will explore social,
political, religious, and economic transformations, paying
particular attention to the impact of such transformations on the
everyday lives of these diverse peoples. To begin to comprehend the
complexities of world history, this course will interweave lectures
on a number of topics with readings that discuss historical
processes and allow diverse sectors of society to "speak for
themselves."
REQUIRED READING
The book listed below are required reading for this
course and are available for purchase at the Grossmont College
bookstore. You may also want to contact Ross books [(619) 698-2665]
at the Vons shopping center on Navajo and Fanita, or check other
used book dealers such as amazon.com, bookfinder.com, abebooks.com,
or http://www.textbookx.com/.
- Bentley, Jerry H. and Herbert F. Ziegler, Traditions &
Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past, Volume I
(McGraw Hill, Third Edition)
- Mitchell and Mitchell, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on
Controversial Issues in world History, Volume One (McGraw Hill)
A good dictionary is highly recommended.
In addition, I will hand out a few primary source
documents and a few articles that will bring us up to date on some
of the topics we will be discussing. All of these handouts/articles
are required reading as well.
To investigate history further I highly recommend:
- On TV: KPBS, History Channel, Discovery, or A&E.
- On Internet: History Sourcebook, Norton Simon Museum,
Huntington Library, Getty Museum
Because there is so much material to sort through in
this course, my lectures are designed to help you understand the
"big picture" first and foremost. We will identify the patterns of
human activity and then add layers of complexity with more details
and examples. Otherwise, we run the danger of not seeing the forest
for the trees and we’ll be faced with a frustrating exercise in
trying to sort through seemingly endless lists of names, dates,
places, etc. Thus, my lectures and the readings overlap but do not
parallel one another. Consistent attendance in
lectures and participation in discussion sections is
essential to understanding the course themes, the readings and
films, and of course, to performing well in the class.
I will place copies of the books, films, and the
reader on two-hour reserve at the library for your use.
Academic Integrity
Cheating and plagiarism (using as one’s own ideas,
writings, or materials of someone else without acknowledgment or
permission) can result in any one of a variety of sanctions. Such
penalties may range from an adjusted grade on the particular exam,
paper, project, or assignment to a failing grade for the course. The
instructor may also summarily suspend the student for the class
meeting when the infraction occurs, as well as the following class
meeting. For further clarification and information on these issues,
please consult with your instructor or contact the office of the
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.
Students with Disabilities
If you need accommodations in this class, you are encouraged to notify the instructor
and contact Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) early in
the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as
soon as possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in room 110
or by phone at 619-644-7112 (voice) or 619-644-7119 (TTY for deaf).
Students are referred to enroll in the following
supervised tutoring courses if the service indicated will assist
them in achieving or reinforcing the learning objectives of this
course:
- IDS 198, Supervised Tutoring to receive tutoring in general
computer applications in the Tech Mall;
- English 198W, Supervised Tutoring for assistance in the
English Writing Center (Room 70-119); and/or
- IDS 198T, Supervised Tutoring to receive one-on-one tutoring
in academic subjects in the Tutoring Center (Room 70-229,
644-7387).
To add any of these courses, students may obtain Add
Codes at the Information/Registration Desk in the Tech Mall.
All Supervised Tutoring courses are
non-credit/non-fee. However, when a student registers for a
supervised tutoring course, and has no other classes, the student
will be charged the usual health fee.
The counseling center periodically has valuable
workshops on topics ranging from effective note taking, test taking,
and reading strategies. See their bulletin board for dates and
times.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
The final course grade will be calculated based on the
following components:
- Interactive Journal Discussions (40%) You will write
a series of short thought pieces in which you show your
understanding of the concepts and themes being explored in the
course and how your readings relate to them. I will give you the
topics or questions based on the Taking Sides book, readings in
Traditions and Encounters, web searches, and the lecture/PowerPoint
material. You will post your written responses in the discussion
center by midnight Sunday of each week and be prepared to discuss
them in writing with your peers and myself. You will receive
feedback on your responses. I am expecting at least two
well-written paragraphs per assignment.
For assignments based on Taking Sides Issues,
listed as Taking Side Discussions, your paragraphs should
include an identification of the thesis statement of each author
(their main argument, i.e., what are they going to prove/what is
their main argument), what sources have been used to support the
thesis, are the sources useful, is the argument well crafted, do the
authors avoid bias? There are 10 Taking Sides Discussion
assignments.
For assignments based on my questions requiring web
research, listed as Web Discussion Assignments, you will
conduct the online research and carefully answer each question I
assign. These assignments will be given within the body of my posted
lectures, so be sure to read carefully through the posted lectures
so you don’t miss an important assignment. There are 7 discussion
assignments of this type.
These discussions are the main component of your
grade. This being the case, be prepared to spend an ample amount of
time crafting intelligent, well thought out discussion entries. I do
take note of poor spelling, grammatical errors, and discussions that
consist of filler rather than substance. Proper respect should be
shown at all times. If you choose to mention another student’s
discussion entry, it should be done in the most respectful of
manners. You can be removed from an online class as you would be
from a traditional classroom for inappropriate behaviors.
Late discussion entries are marked down 10 points
for each day they are late.
- Quizzes (20% combined) Four quizzes that cover material
from the lectures, films, and the readings. These quizzes may
include defining terms, multiple choice, sequencing, essay, true or
false, fill in the blank, or matching. No late quizzes unless proof
of an emergency is offered. I will post these quizzes in the
assignment section. You will complete them and put them in the
Digital Drop Box. You will have one week to complete each quiz.
Late quizzes are marked down 10 point per day and will not be accepted after the 3rd late
day.
- WebQuest (20%) Creative research conducted on the web via
one of two possible websites. You will visit a web site that
provides detailed information on a society, conduct research into
some aspect of the culture (religion, art, engineering, music), and
provide a written document of your research. This is your chance to
be creative and have fun. You will have 2 weeks to complete the
WebQuest. It should be 2-3 pages in length. It will be assigned
approximately mid way through the semester. It will be placed in the
Digital Drop Box for grading.
Late Quests will not be accepted unless proof of
a real emergency is offered. Vacations, work, normal illnesses such
as a cold and flu not requiring hospitalization are not emergencies.
You have a week to complete this anywhere and at any time, so I
expect it to be done and placed in the Digital Drop Box on time!
- Final Exam (20%) Format may be defining terms, multiple
choice, sequencing, true or false, essays, and/or fill in the blank.
The questions will be drawn mainly from material since the midterm,
BUT WILL ALSO INCLUDE QUESTIONS FROM CHAPTERS COVERED SINCE DAY
ONE OF THE CLASS.
No late finals unless proof of a real emergency are offered.
Vacations, work, normal illnesses such as a cold and flu not
requiring hospitalization are not emergencies. You have a week to
complete this anywhere and at any time, so I expect it to be done
and placed in the Digital Drop Box on time!
Grading Rubric for Exams/Discussions/Quests
- Outstanding achievement. Essays provide a solid argument and are
well supported by appropriate examples drawn from readings,
lectures, and films.
- Praiseworthy performance, definitely above average. Essays
provide a coherent argument supported by some specific examples.
- Student's basic effort; an average, satisfactory performance. To
improve, essays need to be more coherent and better supported by
examples.
- Need for improvement; student needs to redouble efforts to grasp
basic themes of the course.
Extra Credit
Opportunities are available for those of you who have done all of your work and are interested in earning a few extra
points. See me or email me.
There will be no make-ups. No incompletes will
be given. (Verified emergencies provide the only exceptions to these
policies.)
Vacations, work, normal illnesses such as cold and flus not requiring
hospitalization are not emergencies. You have a week to complete most
assignments anywhere and at any time, so I expect them to be done and
placed in the Digital Drop Box on time!
Attendance, Punctuality and Withdrawals
I take roll from our discussion sessions. While I do my
best to formally drop students who stop attending class, it is
ultimately your responsibility to withdraw from the course. Failure to
do so may result in an unexpected F.
I strive to keep a positive learning environment in our digital classroom.
Side conversations are rude and a distraction
to the class, and therefore have no place in our digital classroom.
Discussion boards are for discussion of assigned questions only. The
discussion board is not the place to discuss any non-course related
events or materials. Just as meaningful participation is rewarded, disruptive
behavior will be penalized.
COURSE OUTLINE
(Tentative. We may need to spend more time on a given
topic. If so, changes to our outline will always be announced.)
Reading Assignments
Since several editions of the Global Encounters book
exist, I do not assign specific page numbers for each week. What I
expect is for students to have read the chapter(s) we will be
covering each meeting prior to coming to posting the
discussions. You are responsible for all material in the books,
lectures, web quests, internet research assignment, and supplemental
materials I may post.
Week 1: 01/22-01/28
Introductions
Post in writing by Sunday at midnight Taking Sides Discussion Entry #1: "Did
Homo Sapiens Originate in Africa?"
Read and think deeply about Issue 1 from Taking Sides. You
should choose a side and defend it in your entry. Take notes of the
thesis statement offered by each author (thesis: main argument),
sources used, and how well the sources are used. Does the author
present his/her argument well? Relate the Issue to the readings in
Traditions and Encounters. Due Sunday the 28th by midnight.
Week 2: 01/29-02/04
Before History
Lecture: Evolution, Paleolithic, and Neolithic Societies
Web Discussion Assignment 1 on Cave Art. Read
through the posted lecture, visit the assigned web site, answer the
questions, and post them on the Discussion Board by midnight Sunday the
4th.
Week 3: 02/5-02/11
Early SW Asian Societies and Indo-European Migration
Lecture: Mesopotamia – Writing, Empire Building, and Patriarchy
Taking Sides Discussion #2: Was Sumerian Civilization
Male Exclusively Dominated? Read Issue 2 in Taking Sides.
Please follow the format from Issue One for all Issues: ask the same
questions of the arguments. Choose a side and support it with evidence
from the author on your side of the issue. Relate the Issue to our
readings and lectures (if appropriate). Due Sunday the 11th
by midnight.
Egypt, Nubia, and Bantu Migration
Lecture: Egyptian society, Nubians, and migrations in Africa
Week 4: 02/12-02/18
Early Society in South Asia
Lecture: Harappan Society and Aryan Migrations
Web Discussion Assignment 2: Read through the
posted lecture, visit the assigned web site, answer the questions, and
post them on the Discussion Board by midnight Sunday the 18th.
Quiz: A quiz will be posted in Course Documents on
2/12. It will be due to the Digital Drop Box on 2/18 by midnight.
Week 5: 02/19-02/25
Early Society in East Asia
Xia, Shang, and Zhou
Web Discussion Assignment 3: Read through the
posted lecture, visit the assigned web site, answer the questions, and
post them on the Discussion Board by midnight Sunday the 25th.
Week 6: 02/26-03/04
Early Societies in America and Oceania
Lecture: Migration into the Americas and Oceania
Taking Sides Discussion #3: Was Mesoamerica’s Olmec
Civilization Influenced by African Sources? Read and write in
support of one side of Issue 3 in Taking Sides. You should
choose a side and defend it in your entry. Take notes of the thesis
statement offered by each author (thesis: main argument), sources used,
and how well the sources are used. Does the author present his/her
argument well? Relate the Issue to the readings in Traditions and
Encounters, other readings and lectures (if appropriate). Due Sunday
the 4th by midnight.
Week 7: 3/5-3/11
The Empires of Persia
Lecture: Persian Empire and the development of Zoroastrianism
Web Discussion Assignment 4: Read through the
posted lecture, visit the assigned web site, answer the questions, and
post them on the Discussion Board by midnight Sunday the Due by Sunday
11th by midnight.
Week 8: 03/12-03/18
The Unification of India & China
Lecture: Philosophies and challenges of unification
Web Discussion Assignment 5: Read through the
posted lecture, visit the assigned web site, answer the questions, and
post them on the Discussion Board by midnight Sunday the Due by
midnight Sunday the18th by midnight.
Quiz: A quiz will be posted in Course Documents on
03/12. It will be due to the Digital Drop Box on 3/18 by midnight.
WebQuest Assignment Released: Due in two weeks (due 04/01)
Week 9: 03/19-03/25
Crete/Mycenaean
Lecture: Minoan Society, trade, and the development of the Mediterranean
Web Discussion Assignment 6: Read through the
posted lecture, visit the assigned web site, answer the questions, and
post them on the Discussion Board by midnight Sunday the Due by
midnight Sunday the 25th.
Week 10: 03/26-04/01
Greece
For Wed - Development of the Polis, philosophy,
democracy
Taking Sides Discussion #4: "Does Alexander the Great
Deserve his Reputation?" Read Issue 4 in Taking Sides. You
should choose a side and defend it in your entry. Take notes of the
thesis statement offered by each author (thesis: main argument),
sources used, and how well the sources are used. Does the author
present his/her argument well? Relate the Issue to the readings in
Traditions and Encounters, other readings and lectures (if
appropriate). Due Sunday the 1st by midnight.
WebQuest: Due Sunday by midnight. No late WebQuests
will be accepted unless proof of emergency is offered immediately.
Vacations, work, normal illnesses such as cold and flus not requiring
hospitalization are not emergencies. You have a week to complete this
anywhere and at any time, so I expect it to be done and placed in the
Digital Drop Box on time!
Week 11: 04/02-04/08
Spring Break
Week 12: 04/9-04/15
Rome
Lecture: Etruscans, Republic Rome, Empire, and
development of Christianity.
Taking Sides Discussion #5: "Did Christianity
Liberate Women?" Read Issue 5 in Taking Sides. You should
choose a side and defend it in your entry. Take notes of the thesis
statement offered by each author (thesis: main argument), sources used,
and how well the sources are used. Does the author present his/her
argument well? Relate the Issue to the readings in Traditions and
Encounters, other readings and lectures (if appropriate). Due Sunday
the 15th by midnight.
Week 13: 04/16-04/22
Silk Road & Byzantium
Lecture: The Trade Routes & Formation of Eastern Roman
Empire
Taking Sides Discussion #6: "Did the Byzantine
Empire Benefit from the Rule of Justinian and Theodora?" Read Issue 7 in Taking Sides.
You should choose a side and defend it in
your entry. Take notes of the thesis statement offered by each author
(thesis: main argument), sources used, and how well the sources are
used. Does the author present his/her argument well? Relate the Issue
to the readings in Traditions and Encounters, other readings and
lectures (if appropriate). Due Sunday the 22nd by midnight.
Week 14: 04/23-04/29
Expansion of Islam
Lecture: Formation of Islam
Taking Sides Discussion #7: "Does the Modern
University Have Its Roots in the Islamic World?" Read Issue 10
in Taking Sides. You should choose a side and defend it in your entry.
Take notes of the thesis statement offered by each author (thesis: main
argument), sources used, and how well the sources are used. Does the
author present his/her argument well? Relate the Issue to the readings
in Traditions and Encounters, other readings and lectures (if
appropriate). Due Sunday the 29th by midnight.
Quiz: A quiz will be posted in Course Documents on
04/23. It will be due to the Digital Drop Box on 04/29 by midnight.
Week 15: 04/30-05/06
Resurgent Empire in East Asia India and the Indian Ocean
Lecture: Islam and Hinduism
Christian Foundation & High Middle Ages in Western
Europe
Lecture: The Development of Western Christianity &
Western Europe
Taking Sides Discussion #8: "Could the Crusades
Be Considered a Christian Holy War?" Read and respond to Issue 9
in Taking Sides. You should choose a side and defend it in your entry.
Take notes of the thesis statement offered by each author (thesis: main
argument), sources used, and how well the sources are used. Does the
author present his/her argument well? Relate the Issue to the readings
in Traditions and Encounters, other readings and lectures (if
appropriate). Due Sunday the 6th by midnight.
Week 16: 05/07-05/13
Nomadic Empires and Eurasian Integration & State and
Society in Africa
Lecture: The Mongols and Turkish Invasion & Nubia and Beyond
Taking Sides Discussion #9: "Did China’s Worldview
Cause the Abrupt End of Its Voyages of Exploration?" Read and write
on Issue 13 in Taking Sides. You should choose a side and defend
it in your entry. Take notes of the thesis statement offered by each
author (thesis: main argument), sources used, and how well the sources
are used. Does the author present his/her argument well? Relate the
Issue to the readings in Traditions and Encounters, other readings and
lectures (if appropriate). Due Sunday on the 13th by
midnight.
Quiz: A quiz will be posted in Course Documents on
05/07. It will be due to the Digital Drop Box on 05/13 by midnight.
Week 17: 05/14-05/20
On the Eve of Renaissance and Reformation/Counter
Reformation & Americas & Cross Cultural Interactions
Web Discussion Assignment 7:Read through
the posted lecture, visit the assigned web site, answer the questions,
and post them on the Discussion Board by midnight Sunday the 20th.
Taking Sides Discussion 10: "Did Christopher Columbus’s
Voyages Have a Positive Effect on World History?" Read Issue 14
in Taking Sides. You should choose a side and defend it in your entry.
Take notes of the thesis statement offered by each author (thesis: main
argument), sources used, and how well the sources are used. Does the
author present his/her argument well? Relate the Issue to the readings
in Traditions and Encounters, other readings and lectures (if
appropriate). Due Sunday the 20th by midnight.
Week 18: 05/21-05/27
Finals Due by Sunday the 27th at midnight.
No late finals will be accepted unless proof of emergency is offered
immediately! See note under Midterm.
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