PRESENTATION COLLEGE – ABERDEEN, SD

 

WORLD CIVILIZATION I (HS253)

Three Semester Hours

FALL 2012

AB/LC/FM  MWF 9:00-9:50 am (CT)

 

Welcoming people of all faiths, Presentation College challenges learners toward academic excellence and, in the Catholic tradition, the development of the whole person.



Instructor:                  Dr. Brad Tennant, Associate Professor, Department of Arts & Sciences

Office Hours:             C333 MWF 7:00-8:45 am, 11:00-11:50 am;
                                    TR 7:00-11:50 am (or by appointment).

                                    (605) 229-8577 or 1-800-437-6060 ext. 577 

                                    E-mail:  brad.tennant@presentation.edu

 

Text:               Western Civilization (6th Ed.) by Jackson J. Spielvogel.  Thomson Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2006. (Copies are ON RESERVE at each campus) 

 

Course Description:

            WORLD CIVILIZATION I (HS253) is a general survey of the historical, cultural, and political highlights of civilized society from the beginnings of civilization up to circa 1500.  Particular emphasis is placed on the development of western (European) history.  World Civilization I fulfills the requirements for a social science/human culture core elective.



Applicable Presentation College General Education Course Goal and Outcomes for HS253:

3.  Culture and Social Heritage -

Graduates will develop a critical understanding of human cultures and their creative achievements.

 

3a. Analyze historical events, ideas, and societies from a multi-cultural perspective.

3b. Understand interrelationships of individuals and societies in their historical/cultural contexts.

3c. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts and conversation common to a particular humanities discipline.

3d. Critically analyze creative ideas and works in the humanities from a contextual perspective.


3e. Demonstrate reading and critical analysis skills in the context of the humanities and social sciences.

 




Instructor Goals:

1)      To gain a broad understanding of the people and events that shaped the course of world history.

2)      To learn more about the social, political, and economic factors that contributed to the development of civilizations.

3)      To gain a better understanding of the complex diversity of human experiences included in the history of today’s world.

 

Instructional Techniques:

            Although the course will be mainly lecture-based, it is hoped that the class size and chapter topics will encourage class discussions.  Lecture outlines will be posted on Blackboard and Dyknow.

 

ADA Statement:

            Presentation College is committed to ensuring equal learning opportunities for all students and provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the College’s procedures.  If you are a student requiring accommodations or services, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 1-800-437-6060, Ext. 581.

 

Assessment and Grading:

            Students should be familiar with Presentation College's policies regarding academic integrity.  These are found in the college catalog under "Academic Policies."

Student assessment will be based on the following:

             Four exams (50 points each)              =          200

            One paper (30 points)                         =            30

                                                                                    230 points possible

 

EXAMS will consist of ten identifications.  You will be given your choice of ten out of fifteen topics to identify.  Each identification will be valued at 0/3/5 points.  10 IDs x 5 points each = 50 points.

 

There are two PAPER topics from which you may choose ONE.  The first option is a paper that focuses on the role of religion in an early society.  The second option is a paper that focuses on the role of art in an early society.  The paper should be typed, double-spaced, and approximately five pages in length.  A bibliography should also be included.

 

The following grading scale will be used based on the highest total number of points earned by any student in the class.

            96% and above           = A

            90-95%                        = A-    

            87-89%                        = B+

            83-86%                        = B

            80-82%                        = B-

            70-79%                        = C

            60-69%                        = D

            59% and below           = Failing

 

Rubric for assessing history examinations and papers:

  • Advanced: Student includes accurate and specific information in the appropriate historical context with virtually no significant mistakes. 
  • Average: Student provides a general understanding of the topic but is limited in specifics or contains a significant mistake.
  • Unsatisfactory: Student does not demonstrate any accurate or specific information in the appropriate historical context.

 

Attendance:

            As stated in the Presentation College catalog, "Each student is expected to attend every class session and be on time.  If for any reason a student must be absent from class, the responsibility of making up work rests entirely upon the student."

--- Topics covered will include a great deal of information NOT necessarily found in the text.

--- Students are expected to contact the instructor as soon as possible (in advance when possible) if an absence will result in missing an exam.  I despise make-up tests.  Furthermore, I do not give "incompletes.”

--- All weather-related closings are the decision of the administration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORLD CIVILIZATION I (HS253)

THREE SEMESTER HOURS

FALL 2012

 

 

Aug. 29/31                  -           Course Introduction; Characteristics of Civilization

 

Sept. 3/5/7                   -           Sept. 3  – Labor Day (No Class); Ch. 1 – Mesopotamia;
                        Sept. 7 – SDSHS BOT (No Class)

 

Sept. 10/12/14             -           Ch. 1 – Egypt; Ch. 2 Early Contributions to Civilization

 

Sept. 17/19/21             -           Ch. 2 – Early Contributions; Test #1

 

Sept. 24/26/28             -           Ch. 3 – Greek City-States; Hellenic Greece;
                                                Sept. 28 – Festival of Books (No Class)

 

Oct. 1/3/5                    -           Ch. 4 – Hellenistic Greece

 

Oct. 8/10/12                -           Oct. 8  – Native American Day (No Class); Test #2

 

Oct. 15/17/19              -           Ch. 5 – The Roman Republic;

 

Oct. 22/24/26              -           Ch. 6 – The Pax Romana

 

Oct. 29/31/2                -           Ch. 6 - The Roman Empire

 

Nov. 5/7/9                   -           Decline and Fall of Rome; Test #3

 

Nov. 12/14/16             -           Ch. 7 - The Dark Ages; Byzantium;  Paper Due

 

Nov. 19/21/23             -           Ch. 7 – Byzantium and Islam
                                                Nov. 23 – Thanksgiving Break (No Class)

 

Nov. 26/28/30             -           Islamic Civilization; Ch. 8 - Manorialism, Feudalism, and the
                                                Crusades;

 

Dec. 3/5/7                    -           Ch. 9 – The High Middle Ages; Ch. 10-11 – The Late Middle
                        Ages; Dec. 7 – SDSHS BOT (No Class)
                                               

 

Dec. 10-13 (MTWR)   -           Finals Week/Test #4 TBA