History 105: Early Western History – Spring 2007
Class Meetings: Monday & Wednesday, 11:00AM – 2:00PM
| 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
History 105 is a general survey of early western history from the origins of diverse societies to the seventeenth century. We will define interconnections between diverse world societies to include: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Islam, Medieval Europe, as well as covering the Renaissance, and Reformation periods of the west, as well as scientific, geographic, and philosophical ages of discovery. 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/.
- Noble, Thomas. Western Civilization, The Continuing Experience, Volume I. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin and Co.
- Perry, Sources of Western Civilization, Volume One
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:
- TV: KPBS, History Channel, Discovery, or A&E.
- Internet: History Sourcebook, Norton Simon Museum, Huntington Library, Getty Museum, eternalegypt.org
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.
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 require 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:
- Class Participation (10%) In order to fully comprehend the complexities of all of our material and to see how each of our themes or topics fits into the “larger picture”, you will have a series of designated class discussions in which we devote class time to exploring our course themes and how our readings and films relate to them. You will, in turn, receive credit for your verbal contributions and active listening in our group and class discussions.
- Interactive Journal (15%) 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. These writings will be based on readings from the Perry Sources of Western Civilization book. I will give you the topics or questions and you will bring your written responses to class prepared to discuss them with your peers and myself. You will receive feedback on your responses during our discussions. You will title, date, and keep them all together in order (this will include your written responses to the films as well) and turn them all in on the last day of class. I am expecting at least one page, typed or hand written. If it appears that students are not doing the required readings and writing the journals I will begin giving pop quizzes. Late journals will only be accepted until noon Friday May 18th and will be marked down 10 points (unless proof of a real emergency is offered – see below). After the 18th I will not accept them.
- Quizzes (25% combined) Two take home quizzes will cover material from the lectures, films, and the readings. They will be any combination of the following: essay, matching, fill in the blank, sequencing, identification, defining, or/and multiple-choice questions. Late quizzes are marked down 10 points every class meeting unless a doctor’s note is provided. If the quiz makes into my mail box by 5pm the day of class or in my email inbox by 5pm I will not take off any points. If you are not in class the day I hand out quiz materials it is YOUR responsibility to get the materials and hand them in on the due date.
- Mid-Term (25%) This exam will be comprised of any combination of defining terms, identification, sequencing, multiple choice, true or false, and/or fill in the blank, and essays. The midterm covers material from our lectures, films, and readings since day one. No late midterms unless proof of an emergency is brought to me – an emergency is illness, accident, death in the immediate family not a vacation or any other scheduling conflict that is avoidable. You have the dates when everything is given out and due, plan accordingly.
- Final Exam (25%) Format may included any/all of the following: sequencing., identification, defining terms, multiple choice, 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 will be given unless proof of an emergency is brought to me – an emergency is illness, accident, death in the immediate family not a vacation or any other scheduling conflict that is avoidable. You have the dates when everything is given out and due, plan accordingly.
Grading Rubric for Exams/Essays
- 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 for any of the quizzes or examinations. No incompletes will be given. (Verified emergencies provide the only exceptions to these policies. A verified emergency requires a doctors note.)
Attendance, Punctuality and Withdrawals
Roll is taken at the beginning of class. BE ON TIME. Late arrivals disrupt the flow of the class. After your third absence I am allowed to and may drop you, but don’t count on me doing so. If you are not in class, your participation grade will suffer because you will not be participating in assigned discussions. 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.
Turn off your phones and pagers or set them on silent mode.
I strive to keep a positive learning environment in our classroom. Side conversations and passing notes are rude and a distraction to the class, and therefore have no place in our classroom. 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 book exist, I do not assign specific page numbers
for each class meeting. What I expect is for students to have read the chapter(s)
we will be covering each meeting prior to coming to class. You are responsible
for all material in the books, lectures, films, and handouts.
Week 1: 01/22-01/23
Monday: Introductions and The First Civilizations/Origins to 3000 and The
First Civilizations/Origins to 3000
For Wednesday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text
that correspond to our topic
Wednesday: Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Levant, and Anatolia
For Monday: Readings in Perry text TBA
Week 2: 01/29-01/31
Monday: Western Asia and Early Greece
For Wednesday: Readings Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Wednesday: Classical and Hellenistic Greece + Take Home Quiz (Due Monday)
For Monday: Readings in Text and handout Perry text TBA + have read pages in
Noble text that correspond to our topic
Week 3: 02/05-02/07
Monday: Greece II
For Wednesday: Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that correspond to
our topic
Wednesday: Rome: Etruscans and Roman Republic 753-31 BCE
For Monday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Week 4: 02/12-02/14
Monday: Imperial Rome 31bce to 284 CE
For Wednesday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Wednesday: Christianity, Decline of Empire, and Mid-Term
For Monday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Week 5: 02/19-02/21
Monday: No Class – Washington’s Birthday
For Wednesday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Wednesday: Byzantium and The Rise and Influence of Islam
For Monday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Week 6: 02/26-02/28
Monday: Early Medieval World 500-1000: Catholic Kingdoms in the West
For Wednesday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Wednesday: High Middle Ages 1000-1300+ Take Home Quiz (Due Monday)
For Monday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Week 7: 03/05-03/07
Monday: Renaissance and Rise of Competitive States
For Wednesday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Wednesday: Reformations, Revolutions, and Discovery
For Monday: Readings in Perry text TBA + have read pages in Noble text that
correspond to our topic
Week 8: 03/12-03/14
Monday: Science and Philosophy
Wednesday: Final Exam during normal course hours and Journals Due
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