NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGEHISTORY 101-052LHistory of Western Civilization IFall 2009SyllabusDates: Thursday nights, August 27 to December 17Time: 7 p.m. to 9: 45 p.m.Location: Room 314, Signal Hill Plaza, Loudon CampusInstructor: Professor Joseph A. EspositoE-Mail: [email protected]: www.nvcc.edu/home/jespositoTelephone: (703) 912-3380Office hours: Available by telephone, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon; other times, including in-person at Loudon Campus, by appointment.Overview: HIS 101 reviews the general history of the West from about 3000 B.C.E. to 1600 C.E.,and allows students to reach a basic understanding of the historical, political, economicand social development of Western civilization. The course also helps students to developan appreciation of the academic discipline of history and promotes the intellectual goalsof the college. Grading in the course is based on written assignments and on class workthat demonstrates critical thinking. It is expected that students possess college-levelwriting skills.Course Objectives: 1. Develop knowledge of the major societies that contributed to the growth of Western society;2. Learn about significant events that impacted these societies and the course of history.3. Study the methods and legacy of leading historical figures;4. Identify key movements and trends from pre-history to the Reformation; 5. Sharpen critical analytical skills;6. Appreciate the role that history plays in understanding human existence; and7. Understand how history can be a tool in understanding the contemporary world.Professor Esposito:I have taught Western Civilization I classes at NVCC or other institutions many times. Aparticular area of interest is the early Roman Republic and the Roman Empire of the firstand second centuries. You can get additional background on my career by going to myNVCC website: www.nvcc.edu/home/jespositoMy teaching philosophy is to challenge students to learn and enjoy history and to begin toapply lessons from the past to understand contemporary issues. I also motivate them tosharpen their critical thinking skills, approach problems objectively and expressthemselves clearly and effectively. This is accomplished by creating a nurturingpartnership with students in which the end goal is learning for them and for me.Books:- Judith Coffin and Robert Stacey, Western Civilizations, either the Second BriefEdition combined volume (W. W. Norton, 2009, ISBN: 9780393932652) or theBrief Edition, combined volume (W. W. Norton, 2005, ISBN: 9780393925586);either is acceptable. Please note that you can use this same textbook for HIS 102. - Gilgamesh: A Verse Narrative (Herbert Mason translation, ISBN:9780618275649) - Chaucer, Selected Canterbury Tales (ISBN: 9780486282411) - The Song of Roland (ISBN: 9780451528575)- Machiavelli, The Prince (ISBN: 9780486272740) Assignments: The two major assessments of this course are a mid-term and final examination, eachworth 25 percent of the grade. The exams will be primarily essays and will beadministered in class on October 15 and December 17.There also are four short papers, each representing 10 percent of the overall grade. Theshort papers are to be done on separate required books. They need to be two pages inlength and summarize, analyze and reflect on the book and its historical importance.Further paper guidance will be provided. Content is a primary consideration in grading,but spelling, grammar and punctuation also are considered. Papers are to be submitted inclass on the due dates or e-mailed to me on or before the due date. If a student receives an “A” (90 percent or better) on the first three papers, he or she canopt out of the fourth paper. In that case, the three papers will constitute 40 percent ratherthan 30 percent of the overall grade.I am available to discuss the papers on an individual basis. Also, students can and shouldconsult Dr. Evans’ excellent Charlie’s History Writing Center, which is located online at: http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/WritingCenter/WritingCenter.htm2List of Assignments:Paper 1 Gilgamesh Due September 3 100 points Paper 2 Canterbury Tales Due October 22 100 pointsPaper 3 The Song of Roland Due October 29 100 pointsPaper 4 The Prince Due November 19 100 pointsMid-term Examination October 15 150 pointsFinal Examination December 17 250 pointsClass participation Ongoing 100 pointsGroup work/presentations Ongoing 100 pointsLate Policy:Papers not submitted on time will lose the equivalent of one grade (for example, a “B”rather than an “A”). You will have additional week, seven days, to submit the paper for adecreased grade. A paper which is more than one week overdue will not be accepted.Sometimes emergencies arise regarding the submission of papers or the taking ofexaminations. Please consult with me ahead of time if there are issues such as a familyemergency or a medical issue which affect your ability to meet a deadline.Extra Credit:Opportunities for extra credit will arise over the course of the semester, and I will discussthese in class. In addition, students can propose their own ideas for extra credit. I alsowill add points to papers if a student uses the Campus Writing Center before submitting apaper; please provide some documentation. Those interested in extra credit shouldconsult with me.Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious offense. Please familiar yourself with the rules of plagiarism. The following statement is taken from the NVCC website:College courses require that students and instructors be honest. With a candid exchangeof ideas and opinions, students and teachers will grow as individuals and as a class.Therefore, the work students submit must be their own -- with their own strengths,weaknesses, ideas and writing, just as the comments instructors make about that workmust be academically honest.Failure to adhere to these principles will lead students to plagiarism. Plagiarism, takenfrom the Latin word plagiarius, literally means “kidnapping.” More specifically,plagiarism occurs when writers pass off work ideas, opinions, wording, or anything elsethat comes from other sources (books, essays, magazines, newspapers, electronic media,films, tutors, friends and relatives) as their own. Even