Social Science Education

HIST 101

Studies in World Civilization I

Prof. Gale E. Christianson
Office: Stalker Hal1306 Phone: (812) 237-2721
Office Hours: T Th 8:30-9:30,12:30-2:00
E-Mail: g-christianson@indstate.edu( and by appointment)

*Office Hours. I will be in my office during the hours posted at the top of the syllabus. I urge you to see me if you wish to discuss any aspect of the course. An appointment is not necessary unless you wish to come in at a time other than regular office hours.

World Civilization I
In historical terms we are concerned with human creativity and change from humanity's earliest cultural development through the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Swift moving at times, we will pause to explore and reflect more deeply on a number of the great cultural periods in history: classical Greece, Rome and China, Europe in the High Middle Ages, Africa, and the Renaissance.  Our subject is humanity in the broadest sense of the word. While our journey through the past includes war, politics, and economic activity, we are just as much concerned with creativity in the arts, architecture, religion and literature, with the role of the family, with the contributions of both women and men in the forging and evolution of world cultures.  There will be lectures by the professor, but these will always leave time for questions and the exchange of ideas. And at least half of our class time will be devoted to an intensive discussion of the readings. This means that you must keep current with the assigned materials or you will not succeed.

The following is a list of books required for the course. With the exception of the Bible, all of these works are available at the campus bookstore. Students should bring their own copies to class during discussions.  The Bible (student's choice of edition, although the King James version is highly recommended)

McKay, Hill, Buckler, Ebrey (volume 1, Sth ed.) A History of World Societies to 1715

H.D.F. Kitto, The Greeks  Sophocles, The Theban Plays

F. R. Crowell Life in Ancient Rome Reading, Discussion, and Lecture Schedule

Part I. Humankind and Culture: The Origins

1. Introduction to the Course: The Concept of History-- Why and What For? (McKay, 3-5)
2. What is Humankind? (McKay, 5-6)
3. The Neolithic Revolution and the Origins ofHuman Culture (McKay, 6-15)
4. The Earliest Civilizations (McKay, 15-31)
5. Hebrew Thought and the Problem of Evil (Book of Job in the Bible and McKay, 39-48)
6. The Hebrew Religion and Philosophy of History  Part n. Classical Western Civilization: The Greeks
7. An Introduction to the Greeks (Kitto, 7- 79, McKay, 107-15)
8. Sparta (Kitto, 79-95; McKay, 115-16)
9. Athens (McKay, 116-28)
10. The Art and Architecture of Clagsical Greece
11. Clagsical Greek Drama (Kitto, 194-204)
12. Clagsical Greek Drama (Introduction to The Theban Plays, 7-22, and Oedipus)
13. The Hellenistic Age and the Decline of the Polis (McKay, 129-140)

Part ill. Classical Western Civilization: The Romans

14. The Rise of the Roman Republic (Crowell, 13-54; McKay, 145-55)
15. From Republic to Empire: The Rome of the Caesars (Crowell, 55-110; 136-179, McKay, 155-63,165-73)
16. Religion and the Roman Empire: The Rise of Christianity (Crowell, 180-195; McKay, 163-65,175-76)
17. Rome: Decline and Fall (McKay, 173-75, 176- 78)

Part N .Classical Asian Civilization: China

18. Early Chinese Society: The Shang and the Zhou (McKay, 83-95)
19. The Golden Age of Chinese Philosophy: The Triumph of Confucianism (McKay, 95-102)
20. The Dynasty of the Southern Sung
Part V .The European Middle Ages. Islam. Africa and Beyond
21. The Social and Economic Structure of Medieval Feudalism (McKay, 337-39,375-406)
22. The Medieval Church (McKay, 217-27)
23. Muhammad and the Islamic World (McKay, 245-74)
24. The Kingdoms of Africa (McKay, 279-300)
25. Renaissance and Reformation (McKay, 443-84)

Class Attendance

Attendance is required on a regular basis. Unexcused absences will be considered as evidence of a lack of effort and preparation and may well result in the deduction of one-half to one letter grade, depending on the frequency. Particular notice of absences will be taken when they occur on those days devoted to class discussion. No exams or quizzes may be made up without a doctor's excuse or other equally valid documentation. Students who come to class late consistently will be counted absent on those days.  Academic Integrity Cheating, plagiarism, and other types of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and may, depending on the severity of the offense, result in an "F" for the course. If you have any questions regarding this rule please be certain to bring them to my attention. Also consult the Student Handbook for a discussion of this matter, for it applies to all classes.

Grading

Your final grade for this course will be based on the following:

Examinations: Three essay examinations will be given during the semester, including the final.  They will count 70% (25% each) of your grade.

Quizzes: Periodic quizzes will be given and mayor may not be announced in advance. They will cover the reading assignment due on the day of the quiz. Quizzes will constitute approximately 10% of your grade.

Class Discussion: Participation is required. Quality of analysis and expression are no less important than quantity; in other words, he who talks most is not necessarily going to receive the most credit, but neither will he who speaks least. Emphasis will be on regular participation throughout the semester. Discussion questions on the readings will be handed out well before
each assignment is due. Discussion will constitute approximately 15% of your grade.

Attendance
As stated above, regular attendance is required but you will not receive credit simply for attending class. If, however, at the end of the semester you are between two grades, the student with excellent attendance will receive the benefit of the doubt and the higher grade.

Tardiness
Being late for class is not only rude but disruptive. Some students are chronically late in the mistaken belief that the "grand entrance" is "cool." I will consider being tardy the same as being absent if it occurs more than a couple of times. Thus, it can contribute to the lowering of your grade (see Attendance).

Professor's Prerogative
 I reserve the right to make additional assignments or to alter others during the semester. Should this occur you will be informed of the amount of credit you will earn and in what manner, if any, it will alter the grading percentages.
If one or more of the above is a condition you cannot live with do yourself a favor and drop the course at the outset. The rules will not change during the semester, so if you cannot abide by them and do the work you will not succeed.

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