Instructor: Dr. Walter WardIntroductionCourse ObjectivesCourse RequirementsRequired BooksCourse OutlineHistory 1111: Survey of World History to 1500 C.E. Spring 2009 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm MW General Classroom Building 623 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm MW General Classroom Building 529 Instructor: Dr. Walter Ward Office: 34 Peachtree St. Building, #2137 (21st Floor) Office Hours: Mon. 4:25-5:20 pm or by appointment Office Phone: 404-413-5262 Email: [email protected] Introduction This course focuses on the transformation of human civilization from prehistory until 1500 C.E., and it will examine three distinct periods of world history: the early civilizations, the classical world, and the post-classical world. The regions which have had the most impact on world history, the Mediterranean world, western Europe, eastern Europe, the Middle East, India, and China will be the primary emphasis, but other civilizations (southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Japan) will be added when they begin to play a role in the “world system.” We will largely examine different ideas of political and economic organization, religion, the ordering of social systems, and culture. In particular, we will explore the frequent tension between regional autonomy and the creation of larger states, interaction and conflict between sedentary and nomadic groups, and a tendency towards greater global connectivity. Each week the course will examine cross-cultural interactions through trade, conquest, missionary activity, technological diffusion and intellectual exchange. Course Objectives By the end of this course, you should expect to: • gain an understanding of the cultures and history of the major civilizations of the world prior to 1500 CE • be able to delineate the differences between the three periods analyzed in the course (Early Civilization Period, Classical Period, Post-Classical Period) • use historical methods as analytical tools to investigate the past • learn how to read and critically evaluate primary sources • organize an essay and support your thesis with historical evidence Course Requirements Each day you will be required to read a number of primary sources (texts written in the time period and civilization you are studying). Attendance is required. Do not expect to pass this course if you do not attend class. The exams will be based primarily on the lectures, as well as the textbook and the primary sources readings.You must come to class daily and be on time. You should complete the readings by the date indicated on your course outline and bring your primary source reader (Stearns) to class with you. Although the majority of the class period will be devoted to lectures about the topics listed in the course outline, a period of each class period will be dedicated to a discussion of the primary sources. You must participate actively in class discussion of the primary source readings. Some of you will be reluctant to talk, while others of you may always have comments to share. You are encouraged to voice your agreement and/or disagreement with the text, to ask questions about points that are unclear, to critique the authors’ conclusions and/or evidence and methods, and to share your points of clarity and confusion. However, your participation must show respect to me and all other members of the class. You do not always need to raise your hand to comment, but please avoid interrupting others when they are talking. Think before you speak and make every effort to avoid hurtful and offensive comments. You may challenge arguments in this class, but you may not insult or demean people. Please turn off your cell phones and ipods before class, and put away the newspaper. I will place each class’s powerpoint lecture on Ulearn the night before. I will initially allow computers to take notes; however, if I see, or hear of, the inappropriate use of computers in the classroom (checking email, surfing the internet, playing games, instant messaging, etc) I will ban computers for everyone. Course Grade: Your course grade will be determined by two exams and a final (which will not be cumulative), in which you will have to demonstrate your knowledge of the lectures and show that you have read and internalized the primary readings. In addition, your grade will also include 3 map quizzes (one for each time period covered) and 10 periodic “pop” quizzes on the primary source readings (Stearns). I will count the highest 7 grades on the pop quizzes. This class will not be an easy A. There will be no make-ups for the reading quizzes. Map Quizzes: 10% Reading Quizzes: 15% Exam 1: 25% Exam 2: 25% Final: 25%Grading Scale: 93+ A 77-79.9 C+ 90-92.9 A- 73-76.9 C 87-89.9 B+ 70-72.9 C- 83-86.6 B 60-69.9 D 80-82.9 B- Below 60 F There will be no make-up exams except in extenuating circumstances as determined by the course instructor. There may be extra credit questions on the exams, but these will be the only source of extra credit in the course. Your grade is not negotiable. Warning: Do Not Cheat. If caught cheating, you will fail the assignment and possibly the course. Cheating includes the use of cheat sheets, text messages, notes accessed via phone or computer, copying off another student’s paper, and anything else that grants the student an unfair advantage. You are expected to adhere to the GSU Student Conduct Code and obey the Policy of Academic Honesty at all times. http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/codeofconduct.html Please Note: The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary. Required Books Text: Tignor et al. Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Vol. 1. Norton Press, 2008. Primary Source Reader: Stearns et al. Documents in World History, Vol 1. The Great Traditions: From Ancient Times to 1500. Pearson Longman, 2009. Course Outline Week 1 Mon Jan 5: Course intro: What is history? Why world history (and not Western Civilization)? Primary vs. Secondary Sources Wed Jan 7: Human Prehistory Readings Due: Tignor pg. 3-25 Week 2 Mon Jan 12: Agricultural Revolution, Introduction to the Early Civilization period (until c. 500 BCE) Readings Due: Tignor pg. 26-47 Wed Jan 14: Sumer and Bronze Age Mesopotamia Readings Due: Tignor pg. 51- 68, 110-116, Stearns