HIST 2321: World Civilizations I Course Syllabus: Fall 2013 Northeast Texas Community College exists to provide responsible, exemplary learning opportunities. Melissa Weinbrenner, Ph.D. Office: Humanities I Phone: 903.434.8253 Email: mweinbrenner@ntcc.edu Office Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Online 9:00-11:00; 2:30-3:30 1:00-3:30 9:00-11:00; 2:30-3:30 1:00-3:30 The information contained in this syllabus is subject to change without notice. Students are expected to be aware of any additional course policies presented by the instructor during the course. Catalog Course Description (include prerequisites): This course traces the development of world civilization from antiquity to the seventeenth century. Topics include Egyptian, Mid-Eastern, Oriental, Greek and Roman civilizations; the impact of Judeo-Christianity; the medieval world and the Byzantine Empire; the Renaissance; the Protestant Reformation; and the rise of early modern Europe. Civilizations and cultural achievements are studied in light of their impact on today s world. Required Textbook: Traditions and Encounters: A Brief Global History. 2 nd edition, Bentley ISBN 007340697X Recommended Readings: Eyewitness to America, Colbert ISBN 067976724X A Pocket Guide to Writing in History, Rampolla ISBN-13: 978-0-312-61041-8 The Elements of Style, Strunk and White ISBN 0-205-30902-X Student Learning Outcomes (and how assessed): 1. Students should be able to employ appropriate methods and technologies to conduct basic research on historical concepts, figures, events, and topics related to U.S. history prior to 1877. (required research project) 2. Students should be able to recognize and understand the significance of key historical figures, events and concepts related to U.S. history prior to 1877. (exams) 3. Students should be able to recognize and assume responsibility as a citizen by learning to think independently, by engaging in public discourse and debate, and obtaining information about and maintaining an understanding of current events and their relationship to the past. (class participation and discussion)
Lectures & Discussions (Tentative list of topics): Mon, Aug 26. First day of class. Meet and greet your fellow historians. Group discussion of syllabus, discuss course expectations, history as a story, thinking outside the box, critical thinking. Paleolithic and Neolithic eras. Discuss concepts of civilization and theme of textbook traditions and encounters. Discussion of research projects and assign topics/dates. (pp 1 9) Mon, Sept 2. No class Labor Day holiday. Oldest of the four river valley civilizations: Mesopotamia The Land between the Rivers (pp 9 25) Assyria, Babylon, Israel More on the contributions and impact of the Mesopotamian region Second of the four river valley civilization: Egypt (Early African societies) (chapter 2) More about Egyptian and African society. Indian civilization (along the Indus and Ganges Rivers) (pp 47 55) More on Indian civilization (chapter 7) Chinese civilization (pp 56 65) More on Chinese civilization, Confucius, unification (chapter 6) Film: Hero In class group activity exploring the differences and contributions of the four cradles of civilization Presentations Round 1 Exam #1 (covering the four early River Valley Civilizations) Greek society (ch 8) Clip from film 300 and discussion of wars Creating the Roman Empire. Decline of the Roman Empire Byzantine Empire (ch 10) Islamic Empire (ch 11) In class group activity on what makes an empire; compare and contrast the power of the state; how an empire rises and how it falls. Presentations Round 2 Exam #2 (Empire building)
Mongol Empire (ch 14) Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire in Europe (ch 16) In-class group game on feudalism and manorialism Crusades and their impact (ch 16 cont.) Renaissance and Reformation, to age of Discovery Wed, Nov 27. Thanksgiving holiday. American culture under the Mayans (film Apocalypto) Presentations Round 3 Final Exam. (Mon, December 9, 11:00, H111) on topic of cross-cultural interaction and reasons behind the socalled rise of the west Evaluation/Grading Policy: Grading consists of a total points system. 3 exams @ 200 points apiece: 600 Research Presentation: 200 Online quizzes: 100 In-class activities: 100 Total points: 1000 Tests/Exams: 3 exams. Assignments include the following: Research Project: Each student will research a chosen topic relating to the course and present that information to the class in a creative manner. Options include, but are not limited to, a beautifully designed power point presentation, youtube video, prezi, powtoon, or other format. Do not limit yourself in creativity! Grades will be based on creativity as well as content. The student will have 10 minutes to share their research findings. Online quizzes: This class has chapter quizzes on Blackboard. They are intended to help you study for the exams and to learn the material. Quizzes are open book, open note and can be taken only once. A few class days will be set aside for you to go to a computer lab and work on the quizzes. In-class activities: These will vary throughout the semester. By the nature of the work, in-class activities cannot be made up. Students are expected to participate in class. This means asking questions as well as contributing to discussions. Extra Credit Option: Students will have the chance to earn 5 points extra credit on an exam by bringing a relevant food item to class. For instance, bringing Indian curry to class when discussing Indian civilization or a Greek salad when discussing the Greeks. Student Responsibilities/Expectations: 1. Regular attendance is vital. If you miss a class, contact one of your classmates for notes,
schedule or assignment changes, exam information, etc. 2. This is a college classroom. Proper behavior is expected and required. This includes having respect for others, being on time for class, and maintaining an atmosphere in which all students may learn without interference from others. Standards of behaviors are detailed in the NTCC Student Handbook. 3. Cheating and plagiarizing will not be tolerated in any form (For example, cutting and pasting large sections of Internet articles into your essay is plagiarism). Essays must be submitted online to be considered Essays that are not submitted will receive a zero. 4. Email Use: Your instructor will communicate certain messages to you and the class by NTCC email. Please check your email regularly. Empty your box often. 5. Assignment Grades and course information are posted on Blackboard. Students need to check regularly to make sure all their assignments have been submitted and graded. 6. Withdrawal from Course: If the student cannot finish the course due to illness, job transfer or another reason, it is the student s responsibility to withdraw from the course by the published deadline to avoid receiving an F in the course. The instructor reserves the right to drop a student from the course for excessive absences or for behavior disruptive to the teaching/learning process. NTCC Academic Honesty Statement: Students are expected to complete course work in an honest manner, using their intellects and resources designated as allowable by the course instructor. Students are responsible for addressing questions about allowable resources with the course instructor. NTCC upholds the highest standards of academic integrity. This course will follow the NTCC Academic Honesty policy stated in the Student Handbook. Academic Ethics The college expects all students to engage in academic pursuits in a manner that is beyond reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic pursuit. Academic dishonesty such as cheating, plagiarism, and collusion is unacceptable and may result in disciplinary action. Refer to the student handbook for more information on this subject. ADA Statement: It is the policy of NTCC to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student s responsibility to arrange an appointment with a College counselor to obtain a Request for Accommodations form. For more information, please refer to the NTCC Catalog or Student Handbook. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children s educational records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are considered eligible students. In essence, a parent has no legal right to obtain information concerning the child s college records without the written consent of the student. In compliance with FERPA, information classified as directory information may be released to the general public without the written consent of the student unless the student makes a request in writing. Directory information is defined as: the student s name, permanent address and/or local address, telephone listing, dates of attendance, most recent previous education institution attended, other information including major, field of study, degrees, awards received, and participation in officially recognized activities/sports. Other Course Policies:
Turn off cell phones and other devices that unnecessarily cause distractions. Texting in class is not acceptable. If you have an emergency call, then step outside the classroom to answer it so as not to be a distraction. If texting becomes a problem, the offending student will be asked to leave. If the problem continues, offending students will be withdrawn.