History 105-04, World History to 1500
Professor Layne
Email: tlayne@bridgwater.edu
Phone: 540-213-7744
Flory 201, Mondays
7:00-9:45
Course blog: http://laynebchistory.blogspot.com
Course Description
This course focuses on
world history to 1500 C.E. and addresses the major cultural, political,
economic, social, demographic, and technological developments that occurred
throughout the world during this time at both regional and increasingly global
levels. This course also considers how
the events of this time period continue to shape today’s world and places a
particular emphasis on the academic discipline of history itself and how
history is ‘made.’
Course Knowledge and Skill Objectives:
As a general education
course, History 105 fulfills the “Global Perspectives: World History and
Civilizations” requirement. The History
Department has established several goals and learning objectives for this
course, which will be assessed this semester.
Upon successfully completing this class, students will have:
·
A strong working
knowledge of modern world history, including major themes, dynamics, and
events, to the 16th century, which also includes the ability to
assess change and continuity over time and compare and contrast the major
elements of early world history.
·
An understanding
of the historical discipline and how it is practiced.
·
The ability to
construct and evaluate historical arguments and interpretations.
·
Critical and
analytical reading and writing skills.
·
Research skills
and the knowledge to effectively use of both primary and secondary sources as
evidence.
Required Materials:
- Textbook: William J. Dukier and Jackson J.
Spielvogel, World History Volume I,
7th edition, Thomson Wadsworth, 2013.
- A
section in a binder or a separate notebook dedicated to notes and course
materials
- Something
to write with
Course Policies:
- As
this course meets only once per week attendance is mandatory (missing one class meeting in this course is equal
to missing an entire week in a more “conventional” course).
- If
you know you are going to be absent in advance due to an official college
activity (such as participation on a college athletic team), illness or
family emergency you must
contact me in advance via phone or email.
If you are unable to contact me in advance (due to an emergency)
then contact me as soon as you are able—it is your responsibility.
- Three absences will result in an automatic failure (F) for the course.
- I
expect you to arrive to class on time and having completed all assigned
readings for that session.
- You
are expected to maintain a respectful and courteous classroom environment
at all times. Phones should be
turned off and put away.
Laptops/tablets are permitted for note taking/course related
activities only. Unauthorized activity will result in
an absence for that class session.
- I will
not have “regular office hours” however I will be available prior to the
start of class as well as immediately afterwards for any questions or
concerns you may have. You may also
contact me via email with questions/concerns on other days.
- I
expect you to regularly check your Bridgewater College email and the
course blog for communication from me and for course updates.
Assessments:
Your course grade will be based on the following:
- Attendance/participation
(10%)
- Mid-Term and Final exams
(20% each; 60% total)
- Research paper (30%)
_____________
100%
All assessments will be scored out of 100 points. Grades will determined based on a 10 point
scale.
Note: I do not “give” grades—you earn them.
Exams:
Exams are scheduled on the course outline (see below) and
will be comprised of multiple choice and free-response (essay) questions. Review materials will be made available to
you prior to exam dates. It is expected
that you will be present on exam days.
Exams missed due to an unexcused absence will result in a “0.”
Research Paper:
You will be required to devise, research, and write a
scholarly historical research paper on a topic of your choosing relating to
world history to 1500. A detailed
explanation of requirements and expectations will be forthcoming.
The Honor Code and
Academic Integrity:
You are expected to be aware of and abide by the Bridgewater
College Honor Code, including as it relates to the act of plagiarism. The student handbook defines plagiarism as
“the use of another person’s ideas or thoughts, which are not common knowledge,
without acknowledging the source.” The policy specifically prohibits
·
copying paragraphs or even central ideas and
claiming them as your own,
·
buying papers off the web or some other source
·
turning in someone else’s work and claiming it
as your own.
Suspected violations will be reported to the Bridgewater College
Honor Council and students found responsible for committing an honor violation
could be subject to failure of the course or expulsion from the college. If you
are in doubt about whether or not your work constitutes plagiarism then find
out from your professor.
For a more detailed explanation of plagiarism and how to
avoid committing it go here: http://www.bridgewater.edu/WritingCenter/BCplagiarism.htm
Bridgewater College is committed
to providing all students equal access to the college’s academic programs and
activities. Students who have a
condition, temporary or permanent, (attention, learning, visual, hearing,
physical, psychological or medical), that impacts learning and for which an
accommodation may be desired are encouraged to contact the Director of Academic
Support, Dr. Chip Studwell, 540, 828-5370 orcstudwel@bridgewater.edu to work out accommodation strategies. A letter is required
from the Academic Support office, each semester, in order to receive accommodations
at Bridgewater.
Course Schedule
The following is the reading schedule for the course. You are expected to have completed the
readings listed for each week by that
class session.
Week 1, August 26: Course Introduction, Pre-History, and the Origins
of Civilization
Week 2, Sept. 1
(read chapter 1): The Fertile Crescent
Week 3, Sept. 8
(read chapter 2): Early India
Week 4, Sept. 15
(read chapter 3): Early China
Week 5, Sept. 22
(read chapter 4): The Greeks
Week 6, Sept. 29 (read
chapter 5): Rome
- First hour: Midterm #1—chapters
1-4
Week 8, Oct. 13 No
Class—Fall Break
Week 9, Oct. 20 (read
chapter 7): The Dar al-Islam
Week 10, Oct. 27
(read chapter 12): The Early and High
Middle Ages
Week 11, Nov. 3 (read
chapter 13, pages 374-386): The Late
Middle Ages
Week 12, Nov. 10 (read
chapter 9): Classical and Post-Classical
India
Week 13, Nov. 17 (read
chapter 8): Early Africa
- First hour: Midterm #2—chapters
5, 7, 9, 13, 12
- Research Papers Due at the Beginning
of the Session
Week 15, Dec. 1 (read chapter 6): The New World
Week 16, Dec. 8, 6:00-8:00 p.m.:
Final Exam—emphasis on chapters 6, 8, 10, and 11 with cumulative
elements.
No comments:
Post a Comment