World Civilizations I

World Civilizations I

TR 12:30-1:45

Dr. Leslie Heaphy

Office: Room 310F

Office hours: M-F 11-12 noon, MW 4:30-5 p.m. or by appointment.

Office Phone: ext. 53306

Course Description

This course will explore the development and changes as the world civilizations began to develop. We will look for common patterns and themes in development as well as significant differences. We will explore the rise and fall of many civilizations, asking questions about how they rose and why they fell. We will also be interested in their lasting influences and connections we may see to the present.

Course Objectives

1. To give students a greater understanding of the beginnings of history

2. To help students understand some of the differences between the different early peoples

3. To encourage students to look for connections between the past and present

4. To develop students ability to communicate in written and spoken formats through discussions and various writing assignments

5. To help students learn a greater appreciation for the differences that exist throughout the world

6. To help students develop their critical thinking skills

Required Texts

Heritage of World Civ. I

World Atlas

The Ramayana

Annual Editions: World history, vol. I

And lots of class handouts

Grading

Attendance and participation ……………………50 points

Map Quizzes (2)………………………………... 50 points (25 points each)

Exams (3) ………………………………………..100 pts each (300 total)

Writing Assignments (4)………………………… 35 pts each (140 points)

Ramayana Paper ……………………………….. 60 points

Total………………………………… 600 points

A 540-600 points (90-100 %)

B 480-539 points (80-89%)

C 420-479 points (70-79%)

D 360-419 points (60-69%)

F Below 360 points ( less than 60 %)

Attendance

Students are expected to attend class each week. Having more than four unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for this class. Students are responsible for the material covered on the days they are not there and for getting assignments turned in on time.

Quizzes

Students will take two map quizzes during the semester. If you miss the map quiz it will automatically be sent to the testing center for a make-up. The make-up must be done within one week of the original date of the quiz. After that the quiz will be sent back to the instructor. You do not have to check on this since the quiz will automatically be sent over following class.

Exams

Students will take three exams during the semester. Each exam will be a combination of short and long essays, with no multiple-choice questions. Review sheets for each exam will be given out ahead of time. Make-ups for exams are not automatically given but will be decided by the instructor. It is the student's responsibility to let the instructor know as soon as they are aware of a problem. The instructor will decide if a make-up is possible. All make-up exams will be taken in the testing center and the exam will be different from the in-class exam. Make-ups are possible for emergencies (ie. A death in the family, hospitalization).

Papers

Students will be writing a total of five papers. Directions for these papers can be found elsewhere. All written work students hand in is expected to be their own work. Plagiarism can result in failure for the assignment and/or the course. Late papers are accepted until December 8^th. Every day a paper is late it will lose 3 points.

Students with Disabilities

In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact Kelly Oster in Student Services to submit documentation. Then you must contact the instructor so they are aware of any required accommodations.

Campus Theme

Every two years the Stark Campus develops a theme to help students see the connections between their classes. This year the theme will be "Dimensions of Time." Many of the events taking place on campus will be related in some way to this theme. We will discuss the idea as it fits in with class assignments.

Academic Honesty

All work that students hand in is expected to be their own. Failure to do so is plagiarism and students could be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the "Cheating and Plagiarism" section of the University's Digest of Rules and Regulations. Your instructor may use software to identify portions of papers which have been copied from websites.

Writing Center

Located in Main Hall, room 202, the Writing Center offers students help and instruction on any writing assignments in this class or any other. They offer tutorials, handouts and brochures, and information on their website: www.stark.kent.edu/writing. There is no cost to use this service.

Fall Semester Hours: MT 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. WR 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. F 9 a.m.- 12 noon

Testing Center

The Testing Center is located in the lower level of the Stark Campus library. Call ext. 53332 for hours and other information.

Course Outline

Week 1 Overview and Background-earliest River valley civilizations

Read in Craig p. 2-12; Annual editions p. 8-21, 30-35, 50-55

Week 2 Earliest Civilizations

Read in Craig p. 13-35; Begin reading The Ramayana; Annual Editions p. 38-45, 58-60, 71-74, 91-95

****Map Quiz #1 on Sept. 7^th******

Week 3 Early Thought and Religion

Read in Craig p. 36-64, 66-67, 132-133; continue The Ramayana; Annual Edition p. 107-109, 127-140

Week 4 The Greeks

Read in Craig p. 72-109; finish The Ramayana; annual edition p. 61-66, 84-90

***1st Short paper due on Sept. 21st ******

Week 5 Iran and India

Read in Craig p. 113-130; Annual Edition p. 102-106

***1^st Exam on Sept. 28^th ******

Week 6 Rome

Read in Craig p. 135-157; annual edition p. 96-99

****The Ramayana paper due on Oct. 5^th****

Week 7 Rome and Africa

Read in Craig p. 157-169,173-196; Annual Edition p. 75 79, 169-179

Week 8 China's Beginnings

Read in Craig p. 198-214, 216-219; annual Edition p. 46 47, 141-145

****2^nd Short Paper due on Oct. 19^th *******

Week 9 China and Japan

Read in Craig p. 225-274, 370-373; Annual editions p. 22-29,

****Map quiz #2 on Oct. 26^th ********

Week 10 The Coming of Islam

Read in Craig p. 279-312; Annual Edition p. 110-126

****Exam #2 on Nov. 2nd ******

Week 11 Early Middle Ages

Read in Craig p. 314-336; Annual edition p. 156-168

Week 12 High Middle Ages

Read in Craig p. 339-368; Annual Edition p. 180-191, 194-197

****3^rd short Paper due on Nov. 16^th*****

Week 13 The Growth of Islam

Read in Craig p. 374-394; Annual edition p. 152-155

Week 14 Later Middle Ages

Read in Craig p. 425-441

Week 15 The Early Americas

Read in Craig p. 397-418; Annual edition p. 48-49, 82-83, 148-151, 198-218

****Final short paper due on Dec. 7^th*****

Week 16 ***Final Exam on Thurs. Dec. 15^th at 10:30 a.m.******

Class Assignments

Quizzes

AS described earlier, there will be two quizzes during the semester. Students can make these up within one week of the originally scheduled date. All make-ups are taken at the testing center.

Exams

Three essay exams will be given. Review sheets will be handed out ahead of time. All exams are essay questions.

The Ramayana Paper

Each student will complete a 4-5 p. paper on The Ramayana. Papers will be turned in typed, and double-spaced. A cover page should be included with each paper giving the student's name, the course for which the paper is being done, the instructor's name, and a title for the paper.

All work that students hand in is expected to be their own. If material is quoted, paraphrased or borrowed from the text proper credit must be given. This simply requires putting the page number in parentheses after the material. Failure to properly cite material is plagiarism and will result in a failing grade for the paper. If other sources are used then the student must include the name of the book and page number, as well as a bibliography page at the end of the paper.

The purpose of this paper is not simply to retell the story of the text but to focus on a particular aspect of the work. The topic for the paper should be chosen from the list below. If you have an idea that is not listed check with the instructor to see if it is acceptable.

Discussions of the main characters Rama and Sita
Importance of symbolism throughout the work
Major themes or philosophical ideas presented
The role of the Ravanas or evil spirits
Descriptions of Indian life and culture
Religious ideas
Role of the Sages
Role of King Dasaratha
Role of the Gods
Overall theme or purpose
Historical significance of this work
The use of stories throughout the text

After choosing a topic students need to look for ideas and support from the text to help them make their points. Remember that you always want to make your own points and then use the text as support and not the reverse.

Grading Expectations--what the instructor will be looking for

Length
Cover page
Bibliography if needed
Proper citations
Strong thesis statement
Introduction and conclusion
Good organization and flow to paper
Use of text as support
Strength of support
Well-written --lack of errors

Short Papers

Each student will write four short papers based on the readings in Annual Edition-Vol. I. Each paper will be about 2 p., typed and double-spaced. Students are expected to properly cite all material with page numbers in parentheses after the material. Failure to do so will result in an F for the paper and if it happens more than once then it will be an F for the course.

The directions for each paper follow. In each case students will have some choice about which readings they are focusing on in their papers. All late papers will lose 3 points for each day they are late.

Paper #1--due on Sept. 21st

^{Students

will choose one set of questions to answer in their paper.}

Questions for article 1 and 2

What are the key themes of each of these articles? What do they tell us about our earliest past?

Questions for article 4 and 5

What are the key themes of each of these articles? What can we learn about life in these early civilizations?

Questions for articles 6 and 7

What was life like in some of these ancient cities? Why did writing begin?

Questions for articles 10 and 11

How did money change the way people lived? Why was the Indus Valley able to live so peacefully?

Paper #2--due on Oct. 19^th

^{Students

will choose one set of questions to answer in their paper.}

Questions for article 21

What are some of the key beliefs of early India? How do they connect to our western culture?

Questions for article 20

How and why did the idea of a calendar begin? Why did different calendars develop?

Questions for article 15

Why have so few people ever heard of Nubia? What does its art tell us about their life?

Questions for article 34

Why was Byzantium able to survive so long? What influences does it still have on us today?

Paper #3--due on Nov. 16^th

^{Students

will choose one set of questions to answer in their paper.}

Questions for article 3

Where did the Japanese come from? How do their traditions and archeology differ in their explanations?

Questions for articles 23 and 24

What is the Koran? How did the state operate under Islam?

Questions for article 32

Describe the early Arab influences on Western medicine.

Questions for article 33

Who were the Vikings and why were they such a dominant group?

Paper #4--due on Dec. 7^th

^{Students

will choose one set of questions to answer in their paper.}

Question for articles 35-37

What do each of these articles contribute to our understanding of life during that time period?

Questions for articles 9, 16 and 30

How has archeology and other new technology taught us more about the early Americas? What new ideas have we learned?

Questions for articles 38-39

Who was Columbus really and how did his work effect the life of the people's he encountered?