Georgia Regents University
Spring 2013
Pre-Modern World History (HIST 1111)
Dr. W. J. Turner
Email: wturner@aug.edu
Office: AH E-212
Phone: 706-667-4563
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 8-8:45
History office phone: 706-737-1709
Description
This survey course is designed to familiarize you with the general history of the world before about 1500. We will be studying many peoples and cultures from around the globe with several themes in mind: society, culture, leadership, religion, and the common person. We will look at art, poetry, literature, architecture, as well as documents to enhance our understanding of these early cultures.
At all times, you should be aware of your demeanor. You need to be respectful of those around you. Beliefs are powerful, and we talk a lot about belief. Try to keep an open mind, but also be aware of your own beliefs—respect yourself first—then reach out, as you can, to try and understand how and why these ancient peoples had the beliefs they did. Don’t talk out of turn, be courteous, and remember at all times that though we are studying early peoples and religions—the person next to you might be a believer. Be respectful or get out. And, be curious—it’s fun.
The course is broken into four sections following the chapters in Robert Strayer’s book: Ways of the World, part I with sources, Bedford St. Martin’s Press, 2013. There is an electronic version available. No one to date has finished or passed the course without the book. Buy it; read it. There are study guides and practice exams for each chapter on the student website for the book. Visit often.
I really should not have to point all this out, but I find I must. Cheating will not be tolerated. Anyone caught cheating will receive a zero for that assignment. Please do you own work. You are at the university to learn something, do it! You can use laptops but if I catch you one time doing anything but taking notes (checking email, playing games, anything) you will not be allowed in class with a computer again. All cell phones (etc.) must be turned OFF during class. No “noisy or smelly” food—it’s not nice for the rest of us. Be careful with drinks—technically they are not allowed—stay away from the outlets and anyone with a laptop. If you make a mess, you must clean it up.
Please get my permission if you plan to record the class in any way. My lectures, PowerPoint slides, photos, and all other materials, including exams, are my property and may not be distributed without my express permission.
Assignments
The lectures correspond to the chapters in the book, but they do not overlap all the time. In other words, my lectures are not a summery or rehashing of the contents of the text. There are concepts and connections made in the lectures that are not in the written material. You will be responsible for knowing and understanding the material from both the book and the lectures.
At the end of every chapter of the text is a section with documents and art work. Read this section and answer the online question for each chapter in a short essay in D2L.There are also online discussions for each chapter. Please enter the discussions at least 3 times—once to post a comment on the chapter or documents, and twice to respond to other people in the class. It’s fun once you get the hang of it. I will give extra credit for those who respond to ten or more people in a given discussion (and are on topic with quality discussion material, of course).
There will be 4 in-class exams. Those exams are based on material from the book and from the lectures and will be a mix of multiple choice and written work. You will need a no. 2 pencil and may have a couple extra on your desk along with one 3x5 card with things you find difficult to remember. I will provide your exam sheet and paper for your essays. Your full name and 927 no. must be on all test materials, including your card, which must be turned it with the exam. No other materials will be allowed out or on your desk during exams. There is no final exam, since I will be at a conference in Michigan.
Exams, 100 points each 400 points total
Discussions, 50 points each for 12 chapters 600 points
Grand total 1000 points
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Unit One
Read: Strayer, Chapter 1
Jan 9, W Introduction: Ancient Humans and the Others
Jan 11, F Early history of the globe, and hunting to farming
Read: Strayer, Chapter 2
Jan 14, M Mesopotamia and Assyria
Jan 16, W Early Egyptians
Read: Strayer, Chapter 3
Jan 18, F Classical Egyptians & Persians
Jan 21, M NO CLASSES, MLK Jr. Day
Jan 23, W Early Greeks
Jan 25, F Classical Greeks & Macedonians
Online work due for chapters 1, 2, and 3 by 2:00pm, late after that; no work accepted after Feb 4th at 2:00 pm
Jan 28, M Roman Republic
Jan 30, W Early China
Feb 1, F Classical China
Feb 4, M EXAM
Unit Two
Read: Strayer, Chapter 4
Feb 6, W Religion and Politics in Classical China
Feb 8, F Religion and Politics in Classical India
Feb 11, M Zoroastrianism and early Hebrews
Feb 13, W From Israelites to Judaism
Feb 15, F Early Christianity
Read: Strayer, Chapter 5
Feb 18, M Class and Caste—differences in China, India, Greece, & Rome
Feb 20, W NO Physical CLASS, Please work online
Feb 22, F NO Physical CLASS, Online work due for chapters 4, 5, and 6 by 2:00pm, late after that; no work accepted after March 4th at 2:00 pm
Feb 25, M Women and Families in the Ancient world
Read: Strayer, Chapter 6
Feb 27, W Mesoamerica
Mar 1, F Peruvian America
Mar 4, M EXAM
Unit Three
Read: Strayer, Chapter 7
Mar 6, W Silk Road and other roads to trade
Mar 8, F Goods as catalysts for changes
Mar 11, M Trade in the Americas
Mar 13, W NO Physical CLASS, Please work on you online assignments
Read: Strayer, Chapter 8
Mar 15, F Imperial China
Mar 18, M Chinese Buddhism
Mar 20, W Japan
Read: Strayer, Chapter 9
Mar 22, F NO physical CLASS, Online work due for chapters 7, 8, and 9 by 2:00pm, late after that; no work accepted after April 1st at 2:00 pm
Mar 25, M Foundations of Islam
Mar 27, W NO physical CLASS: Phi Kappa Phi Conference & extra credit—details in class
Mar 29, F Spread of Islam
Apr 1, M EXAM
Unit Four
Read: Strayer, Chapter 10
Apr 3, W Eastern Europe and Russia
Apr 5, F Christianity in Medieval Europe
Apr 8-12 NO CLASSES, Spring Break
Apr 15, M Politics in Medieval Europe
Read: Strayer, Chapter 11
Apr 17, W Work & Health in Medieval Europe
Apr 19, F Mongols
Apr 22, M Online work due for chapters 10, 11, and 12 by 2:00pm, late after that; no work accepted after May 1st at 2:00 pm
Read: Strayer, Chapter 12
Apr 24, W Aztecs, Incas, and Europeans
Apr 26, F NO Physical CLASS, Study for last Exam
Apr 29, M Renaissance Europe
May 1, W EXAM