HIST-122 Updated 9/30/09 1 COURSE OUTLINE HIST-122 Western Civilization and the Pre-Modern World (Middle Ages to 1815) 3 Semester Hours HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE The student will be able to describe the major features of the development of western civilization and its relationship to non-western cultures. The course will include the use of primary and secondary sources to focus on social, economic, political, and cultural factors influencing the relationship of western and non-western societies. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly) Description A liberal education prepares students to lead ethical, productive, and creative lives and to understand how the pursuit of lifelong learning and critical thinking fosters good citizenship. General education courses form the core of a liberal education within the higher education curriculum and provide a coherent intellectual experience for all students by introducing the fundamental concepts and methods of inquiry in the areas of mathematics, the physical and natural sciences, the social sciences, the arts and the humanities, and composition. This course is part of the general education core experience at Howard Community College. 1. Describe the development of a distinct European culture. Major Course Objectives 2. Describe and assess the impact of Islamic culture on Europe. 3. Evaluate the impact of the Renaissance on Europe. 4. Describe the Ottoman ascendancy in the Near East and its conquest of Christian Byzantium. 5. Explain the rise of Protestantism in the west. 6. Describe and evaluate the age of European exploration in terms of its impact on the world. 7. Describe and explain the rise of alternative forms of government in Europe. 8. Describe the emergence of a scientific age in Europe and how it may have been affected by Arabic influences. 9. Analyze and evaluate The Age of Reason and The Enlightenment. 10. Compare and contrast the American and French Revolutions and its influences. 11. Analyze and evaluate the place of Napoleon in world history. 12. Demonstrate active listening skills by objectively restating, in his/her own words, material which has been verbally transmitted. 13. Demonstrate the physical ability to speak effectively so that the receiver(s) can understand. This will include diction, pronunciation, enunciation, pace, pitch, and volume. 14. Communicate an abstract or concrete idea so that the receiver(s) clearly perceives the intended message. 15. Effectively deliver a formal oral presentation in front of a group. 16. Demonstrate the ability to communicate using appropriate language. Major Topics I. The Concept of the Middle Ages A. Development of a Distinct European Culture B. Islamic Influences in Europe C. Muslim Pressures on Byzantine Empire II. The Renaissance III. Non-European Impact on Europe A. The Mongol EmpireHIST-122 Updated 9/30/09 2 B. Mongol Invasions of Europe C. The "Gold of Mali" D. Triumph of the Ottoman Turks IV. The Reformation A. The Condition of the Church B. Birth of Protestantism V. European Expansion A. The World Before Expansion B. European Motives in Exploration C. What Europe Received From Other Parts of the World VI. Absolutism A. The Meaning of Absolutism B. Models of Absolutism C. Concepts of Constitutionalism D. England and Russia as Case Studies VII. The Scientific Revolution A. The Copernican Revolution B. Consequences of the Scientific Revolution VIII. The Era of Revolutions A. The Age of Reason and The Enlightenment B. The American and French Revolutions C. The Reign of Terror IX. Napoleon and His Age A. The Rise of Napoleon B. Politics and Economics of the Napoleonic Era Course Requirements Grading/Exams : Grading procedures will be determined by the individual faculty and will include specified reading assignments and written exams. Writing : Specific writing assignments will be determined by the individual faculty member but will include at least 2,500 words of formal writing. Other Course InformationThis course is a core general education course and is also a social science and arts and sciences elective.