Download History 1050: World History to the 16th Century

History 1050: World History to the 16th Century
University of North Texas, Spring Semester 2013
Department of History
Instructor: Dr. Walter Roberts
Office: Wooten Hall 227
Office Hours: M-TH 3-5 PM; or by appointment
Office Phone: 940-565-2489
E-Mail: [email protected]
Grader: Chloe Northrop
Office: Wooten Hall 335
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2-4 PM; or by appointment
Office Phone: (940) 891-6782
E-Mail: [email protected]
Course Description and Objectives
As citizens of an increasingly global society, it is imperative that we have a basic
understanding of the social, political, economic, and religious developments that have
shaped the world as we know it today. This course is meant to provide you with an
overview of the events and ideas that shaped world history until ca. 1500. More than a
dry recitation of facts and dates, however, this course is designed to encourage you to
examine critically the issues put forth and to ultimately form your own educated opinions
about them. We will do this by supplementing the basic textbook with lectures,
discussions, readings from selected primary sources (in translation), and the occasional
audio/video presentations.
Student Learning Outcomes
1) Identify the basic events and chronology of world history to ca. 1500 CE.
2) Place the developments of early world history into a wider context; that is, how do the
developments of pre-1500 world history inform our understanding of modern society?
3) Explain the difference between primary and secondary historical sources.
4) Be able to formulate an analytical argument about historical issues for the pre-modern
period using analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Required Texts
The following is available for purchase at the campus bookstore
Howard Spodek, The World’s History, Vol. 1: Prehistory to 1500, 4th ed. (Pearson, 2010)
Grading and Evaluation
4 Exams (25% each)
The value for all grades in this course will be based on a standard collegiate scale:
A=90-100%; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F=59% or lower.
1
Exams
The four exams will be in-class green book tests, given on the dates noted below,
consisting of identifications and essay questions. All exams are in our regular classroom.
These exams are not cumulative and each will be 25% of your final course grade.
Attendance and Class Conduct Policy
There is no formal attendance policy for this class. With that being said, a crucial aspect
of your learning in this course is attending class and participating. It is imperative that
you do the readings, come to class, and participate in our discussions. Much on the
exams comes from the lectures, discussion, and the readings. You cannot simply skim
the textbook while skipping class and hope to do well. There will normally be no
allowance for missed exams. If missing an exam is unavoidable due to extenuating
circumstances (definition decided by me, not you!), the student must give reasonable
prior notification and documentation for the reason they are missing the exam. In such
cases the student must arrange with me to make up the work in question within 2 weeks
of the original date of the exam. There will be no extensions given for the final exam.
Students that are habitually late to class, regularly exit class early, or otherwise disrupt
class will be subject to being administratively dropped from the course. The list of
disruptive behaviors includes, but is certainly not limited to: sleeping; cell phone use or
cell phone ringer going off; texting; chatting with your peers while I’m lecturing or
another of your peers has the floor; surfing the web; doing other coursework. I also
reserve the right to ask you to leave the class if I deem such disruptive behavior to be
especially egregious. In short, I will treat you as adults as long as you show me and your
peers the same courtesy.
University of North Texas Code of Student Conduct
This code is in effect for all aspects of this course. Academic dishonesty in any form will
not be tolerated, and will be dealt with according to University policy. If you are unclear
about the Code of Student Conduct, please refer to section 18.11 of the University Policy
Manual found on the University’s website or come see me.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students
with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of
Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the
ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a
private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request
accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be
provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note
that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must
meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional
information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at www.unt.edu/oda.
You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.
2
Course Web Page
This course has its own Web page on the Blackboard site. This web page will contain the
syllabus, assignment guidelines, and other supplemental course materials. It is important
that you check the Web page on a regular basis to get your assignments and access
material that will make this course more manageable.
Class Schedule (Order of topics and assignments subject to change)
Part 1
Near Eastern Civilizations
Ancient Egypt
Judaism
Readings: Spodek, pages 43-78, 125-139, and 307-320
Part 2
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Readings: Spodek, pages 139-197
Part 3
Christianity, High Medieval Europe, and Byzantium
Islam
Readings: Spodek, pages 198-201, and 321-382
Part 4
India
China
Late Medieval Europe and the Renaissance
Readings: Spodek, pages 79-97, and 205-263
IMPORTANT DATES (due dates of assignments and mid-term subject to change)
February 7: Exam 1
March 11-15: Spring Break (No Class)
March 21: Exam 2
March 26: Last day to drop the course
April 16: Exam 3
May 7: Final Exam, 8-10 AM
3