History 1111: Pre-Modern World Civilization
Dr. W. J. Turner
This course is designed to familiarize you with the general overview of World History before 1500ish. We will be studying many peoples and cultures from around the globe with several themes in mind: society, culture, leadership, and religion. 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. I want you to be respectful of those around you. Beliefs are powerful and we will talk a lot about belief. Try to keep an open mind, but also be aware of your own beliefs—respect yourself first—and then reach out, as you can, to try and understand how and why these ancient peoples had the beliefs they did. Be curious—it's fun.
I have broken the course into three sections following the sections in Robert Strayer's book. There are exams at the end of each section. The exams are multiple choice. There are study guides and practice exams for each chapter on the student website for the book. Visit often.
Book :
Robert W. Strayer, Ways of the World , part I with sources , Bedford St. Martin's Press, 2010.
Assignments :
Exam 1: 100 points
Exam 2: 100 points
Exam 3: 100 points
Exam 4: 100 points
Attendance: 80 points
Discussions: 10 points each = 120 points
Attendance :
A sign-in sheet will circulate. Be sure you sign in every day.
Discussions :
You are to read the materials at the end of every chapter and come prepared to discuss the readings and artwork in groups or as a class. Those persons seeming lost will lose points. If I find that too many people are not reading, I will attach a written assignment to the primary source sections of the book. If everyone seems to be keeping up, we will simply go over them orally and discuss the lectures to date on those days.
My lectures and PowerPoints are not public and therefore cannot be put onto the Internet, which includes WebCT. You may take notes however you are comfortable—computers included, as long as you are paying attention. Please turn off all other electronic devices—cell phones especially. These are distracting to the class. You may bring a drink to class that is covered (don't spill and if you drip, clean it up!), but please no food. IF you bring a drink, do not set it on the front desk or near the outlets in the room. Thanks. This syllabus and schedule are subject to change; changes, if any, will be announced in class.
Schedule of Assignments, Exams, and Lectures:
Unit I: First Things First: Beginnings in History, to 500 BCE
Week 1
August 17 Introductory Lecture: “Why History?”
August 19 Lecture: “Ancient Humans and the Earth”
Read Strayer, pp. li-47 (Chapter 1)
Week 2
August 24 Lecture: “Early Steps toward Civilization”
Read Strayer, pp. 49-83 (Chapter 2)
August 26 Document Discussion Chapter 2, Due: Document Summary
Week 3
August 31 Lecture: “Building Cities”
Read Strayer, pp. 85-131 (Chapter 3)
September 2 Document Discussion Chapter 3, Due: Document Summary
Week 4
September 7 Lecture: “Egypt”
September 9 Exam on Unit I: First Things First: Beginnings in History, to 500 BCE
Unit II: The Classical Era in World History 500 BCE – 500 CE
Week 5
September 14 Lecture: Greeks & Romans & Document Discussion chapter 4: Due: Document Summary
Read Strayer, pp. 133-187 (Chapter 4)
September 16 Lecture: China & India
Read Strayer, pp. 189-235 (Chapter 5)
Week 6
September 21 Document Discussion chapter 5: Due: Document Summary
September 23 Lecture: Religions of Eurasia
Read Strayer, pp. 237-279 (Chapter 6)
Week 7
September 28 Document Discussion chapter 6: Due: Document Summary
September 30 Film: Africa; Lecture: Early Americas; & Document Discussion chapter 7: Due: Document Summary
Read Strayer, pp. 281-323 (Chapter 7)
Week 8
October 5 Exam on Unit II: The Classical Era in World History 500 BCE – 500 CE
Unit III: An Age of Accelerating Connections
October 7 Lecture: Trade & China
Read Strayer, pp. 325-377 (Chapter 8)
Week 9
October 12 Document Discussion chapter 8: Due: Document Summary
October 14 Film: Japan ; & Document Discussion chapter 9: Due: Document Summary
Read Strayer, pp. 379-423 (Chapter 9)
Week 10
October 19 Lecture: Christianity & Medieval Europe
Read Strayer, pp. 425-471 (Chapter 10)
October 21 Document Discussion chapter 10: Due: Document Summary
Week 11
October 26 Lecture: Middle East / Islam; & Document Discussion chapter 11: Due: Document Summary
Read Strayer, pp. 473-519 (Chapter 11)
October 28 No Class – STUDY
Week 12
November 2 Exam on Unit III, part A: Connections across Eurasia
November 4 Lecture: Mongols
Read Strayer, pp. 521-544 (Chapter 12a)
Week 13
November 9 Lecture: Plague & Document Discussion chapter 12: Due: Document Summary
Read Strayer, pp. 544-567 (Chapter 12b)
November 11 Lecture: Ming China / State Building in Europe
Read Strayer, pp. 569-588 (Chapter 13a)
Week 14
November 16 Lecture: Nuclear America; film?
Read Strayer, pp. 588-617 (Chapter 13b)
November 18 Document Discussion chapter 13: Due: Document Summary
Week 15
November 23 Exam on Unit III, part B: Connections between Eurasia and the World
Thanksgiving No class—holiday
Week 16
November 30 No class—finish finals and papers in other classes
December 2 No class—finish finals and papers in other classes