History 101 Western Civilization until 1700 Dr. David Porter, Assistant Professor Office: LR 136 http://www.nvcc.edu/home/dporter [email protected] 703-948-7703 The key question we study is "What is Western Civilization?" By the end of this course, students should be able to ask questions about the origins and characteristics of the civilization in which we live. To answer such questions does require some accurate information (or "facts"), but as you move into a college environment you will find that the study of human history has little to do with the tedious memorization of facts, and everything to do with discussion of different ways in which we can interpret the past. As such, this course is designed to give every student the chance to learn some of the "facts" about European Civilization, while also providing the chance to discuss the past and how things, ideas and people of the past shape the world in which we live. Required Book and supplies Judith Coffin, Western Civilization: Ideas, Brief Edition (ISBN 0-393-92558-7) first OR second ed. Gilgamesh Song of Roland Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli 2 blue books and 2 scantrons (available in bookstore) 1 set for each exam Class Structure and Grading Short research presentation 10% Book quizzes 10% Chapter quizzes 10% Travel Agent assignment 15% Exams (25% each) 50% Timeline 5% Extra Credit varies Class Etiquette Respect your fellow classmates! Adults chose to take college courses, I expect my students to act the part. Cell Phones: Turn off your phone or other electronic device! If you don’t, my policy is simple. Any noise from such a device will result in the perpetrator bringing cookies or other forms of sugar to the next class. The class votes on what type of sugar it will be. Weather: check Blackboard or call Nova Connect (703)323-3770.Tuesday/Friday History 101 2 Exams: (50%) Each exam is based on one hundred points and will have four parts: chronology (15 points), map identifications (18), identifications based on the presentation list on page 4 & 5 of the this syllabus (42) and essay question (25). There is no make-up for a missed final exam. The exams are “Open Note, Open Neighbour.” During the essay you may speak to your fellow students and use your notes. Your notes must fit on one 8½ x 11 piece of paper. You may also use your page of notes (but not speak) during the other portions of the exam. Book & Chapter Quizzes: (10% & 10%) There will be a short multiple choice peer-graded quiz on each of the four assigned supplemental reading books and on each chapter in the textbook. The dates for the quizzes are listed on pages 4 & 5 of this syllabus. All quizzes start at the beginning of class. If you are late you will miss the quiz. Timeline: (5%) On the final day of the course you will submit a timeline of your ten most important/significant events, people or concepts from the class. The list must be chronological (with dates) and each choice must have an explanation why it should be in a “top ten” list of western civilization. Short Research Assignment: (10%) During the course of the semester, each student will present to the rest of the class a short research presentation. Topics and due date are on p. 4 & 5. The manner of the presentation is entirely up to you. Some ideas; videotaped re-enactments of a portion of the person’s life, a poem written about the time period in the manner that period, a slide show or a live performance by a group of students. Whatever option you take, choose one that you can have fun with and feel most comfortable with. Your 3-5 minute presentation on the date of the class topic should include: 1. a brief identification and description of the topic 2. an explanation about the significance of the subject to the history of the time 3. an analysis of how this subject does or does not illustrate the major events occurring in the world around it Each oral presentation (papers are different, see below) must also include the following: a multimedia component (such as associated images illustrative of the topic, video, web, audio, slide show, hands on activity, etc.) a handout distributed in class the handout posted on Blackboard After the presentation, those in class will ask questions. If you chose to write a paper as your way of communicating what you learned about your research topic, your paper must be 3-5 typed pages, double spaced. You must answer the three questions listed above. You must distribute your paper in class AND post it on Blackboard. Missed presentations: you may submit a 3-5 page paper to your professor (no emails) for half credit. The paper must be submitted within seven days of the original due date of the presentation or it will not be accepted.Tuesday/Friday History 101 3 Historical Travel Agent Assignment (15%) In conjunction with a group of your fellow travel professionals, your task is to create an itinerary for a group of students (your classmates) undertaking a week-long tour of one city. You will select the sites within that city (or within a very short distance from the city) that your tour will visit. You are creating an educational tour to help visitors understand the history of this city and region. During this seven day trip you and your colleagues will act as guides to the sites that you have carefully selected to best enhance your tour group’s understanding of the cities past. Your itinerary will include seven days worth of historic sites 1. On the day of your presentation you must convey the highlights of your itinerary to your prospective clients (the class) in no less than 7 and no more than 10 minutes (you will be timed!). 2. As a travel professional, you will, of course, provide each tour (class) member a printed itinerary. 3. Research binder: Each group will compile their research on their city and present it to the professor on the date of the class presentation. Include this information in a three ring binder. Your binder should include the information you have uncovered on the places you visit on tour. It should also include information on other sites in the city that you feel are significant, but were not as important as those you discuss in your presentation. You will be graded on both your in-class presentation and how your binder. The outline of your historical tour (by day) 1.
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