Course Syllabus - Pierce College 2018 History 1 Introduction to Western Civilization Instructor: Ms. Armendariz, Christe Office Hours: 3:00-3:40 pm M-TH or by appointment Course Description: To study the major elements in the Western heritage from the earliest Mesopotamian civilizations through the religious reformations of the 16 th century. Introduce students to the ideas and institutions central to western civilization, and acquaint them through reading and critical discussion, with representative contemporary documents and writings of enduring interest. Course: Western Civilization 1 Section:22565 Units: 3 Prerequisites: None Entry Skills: None Transferrable to: University of California and California State Universities Student Learning Objectives: Students will be able to evaluate the significance of geography and identify important persons as they relate to the major trends in the history of early of early western civilization. Students will be able to assess the impact of the major intellectual, religious and cultural events of western civilization. Students will be able to develop critical thinking skills by learning how to analyze, evaluate and interpret the historical evidence of primary sources. Course Content: After successful completion of this course the student will be able to understand the following: Unit One: Neolithic Revolution to the Rise of Civilization in the Middle East a. Compare and Contrast Neolithic society with civilization. b. To assess the geographical factors in the establishment of early
Unit Two: Aegean Civilizations: Minoans and Mycenaeans a. Compare and contrast Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations b. Evaluate the geographical setting on the Aegeaon c. To assess the archeological contributions to the rediscovery of early Unit Three: Greece from the Dark Ages through the Golden Age Of the 5 th Century BC/BCE a. Assess the significance of Homer to the Greek cultural experience. b. Analyze the central role that the polis played in ancient Greece. c. To evaluate the claim that fifth century Greece was a Golden Age. Unit Four: The Hellenistic Era a. Debate the significance of great men upon historical development. b. Analyze the cosmopolitan nature of Hellenistic civilization. Unit Five: Roman Republic to Empire a. Compare and contrast the influence of the Etruscans and the Greeks on Roman society. b. Evaluate the conservative nature of Roman society with its ability to readily adapt to change. c. Assess the challenges of a city-state ruling an empire. Unit Six: Religion and Rome Polytheism and Monotheism (Judaism and Christianity) a. Assess the role that religions and the gods played in Roman society, and contrast it with other early b. Compare and contrast Judaism and Christianity and both with ancient polytheism. Unit Seven: The Dark Ages The Fall of Rome and the Germanic Invasions a. Debate the various possible causes of the fall of Rome. b. Assess whether the Dark Ages was really a dark age. c. Analyze the impact of the Germanic tribes on the late Roman Empire. Unit Eight: The Byzantine Empire and Muhammed and Islam a. Debate the possible reasons why the Eastern Roman Empire Survived, but the West did not. b. Relationship between the West and Byzantine Empire during the Middle Ages. c. Compare and contrast Islam with Judaism and Christianity Unit Nine: Charlemagne and the End of the Dark Ages a. Evaluate the Significance of Charlemagne s reign as a turning point in western civilization b. Evaluate Carolingian successes and its failures. Unit Ten: Feudalism, Manorialism, and Serfdom a. Analyze the above-mentioned as necessary solutions to the challenges of the early medieval world. Unit Eleven: The Age of Faith Church, Religion and the Crusades 2
a. Evaluate the role of the Catholic Church as a preserver of civilization in the early Middle Ages. b. Analyze the central role of the papacy in medieval society. Unit Twelve: The High Middle Ages Cathedrals and Universities a. Compare and contrast the High Middle Ages with the Dark Ages. b. Reasons why Gothic Cathedral represents medieval civilization. c. Evaluate the role that revived urbanization and commerce played in the High Middle Ages. Unit Thirteen: Crises of the Fourteenth Century The Black Death, War and Rebellion a. Question the end of the Middle Ages as the 14 th century or beginning of the modern world. b. Impact of the Black Death on European Society c. Warfare in the 14 th century. Unit Fourteen: The Renaissance a. Rebirth b. Question the birth of the modern world in the Renaissance c. Compare and Contrast the Italian Renaissance with the Northern Renaissance Unit Fifteenth: The 16 th century Religious Reformations a. Analyze the relationship between the Renaissance and the Reformation. b. Evaluate some of the non-religious consequences of the Reformation. Unit Sixteenth: The Age of Encounter and Exploration a. Evaluate the possible reasons why it was Western Europe rather than China or Islam that led to the first age of globalization. b. Assess the advantages that Spain had when in encountered the New World c. Compare and contrast the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and English goals and consequences. Required Text: Sherman, Dennis. Volume1 The West in the World. 5th Ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2013. GRADING, EVALUATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS: Grade Scale: 90%-100%= A 80%- 89% = B 70%- 79% = C 60%- 69% = D 50%- 59% = F 3
Examinations, Quizzes (Pop), and Papers: Exam 1 March 15 Exam 2 - April 19 Research Paper-May 24 Final Exam May 29, 4:30-6:30 pm Reading Calendar: Try to have the material read before class. o Month of February Chapters 1-5 o Month of March - Chapters 6-8 o Month of April - Chapters 9-12 o Month of May - Chapters 13-16 Method of Evaluation: Attendance is mandatory due to the nature of this course and therefore no make-up exams will be given. There will be two (1 announced and the other pop) quizzes and three exams (a mid-term and a final,) and a research paper. Quizzes and exams will be essay and are of equal weight. Quizzes can be made up at the professor s discretion. A research paper is required and has equal weight as an exam or one can sign up to present a power point presentation as an alternative to writing a research paper-spacing is limited. Attendance: Is required at all times and if a student exceeds one absence the instructor will drop the student from the course. Absences are also when one takes off after the break and does not return to finish the second portion of instruction. Tardies are unacceptable and if the student is tardy on a quiz and or exam the professor reserves the right to refuse to proctor the exam to that individual; tardies after break that exceed 15 minutes are considered absences and the student will be dropped immediately. If for some reason a student can t comply please notify the instructor. Code of Conduct: Students are to conduct themselves like educated adults and follow the guidelines as listed in the Pierce College handbook. If a student cannot follow these simple rules he/she will find themselves dropped from the course. 4
Accommodations & Emergency Numbers: * PLEASE LET THE INSTRUCTOR IF YOU REQUIRE ACCOMMODATIONS Emergency Numbers: Sheriffs on campus: 710-4311 NON-EMERGENCY # 719-6450 Escort to your car 719-6450 SPECIAL SERVICES: phone # 818) 719-6340 Email: special_services @piercecollege.edu Special services provides accommodations to students with disabilities. Each semester over 900 students with disabilities receive a wide range of support that is not provided by other departments on campus. Do seek accommodations if needed for a more userfriendly atmosphere and let your instructor know in order to serve all Pierce College students fairly. 5