HIST 1111—World Civilization I (Updated—April 2003)

 

(1)

Instructor: Douglas Thomas

Office Location: Rm 113 Science Lecture

Office Telephone Number: 404-756-4715

Email Address: dthomas@atlm.edu 

Office Hours: MW 2-4pm

Website: www.thomashistory.lycos.com

 

(2)

AMC Course Number and Title:                HIST 1111—World Civilization I

 

(3)

Current Catalog Course Description:                AMC Catalog, 2001-2003, p. 236: This course consists of a survey of World History to early modern times. Prerequisite: Exit or exemption from Learning Support Reading.

*Satisfies College Preparatory Curriculum [CPC] requirements in history when cross-referenced as HIST 0111; cannot be repeated for credit if taken to satisfy a CPC requirement.

 

(4)

AMC Social Sciences Division History Unit Mandated Course Outcomes--

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic themes associated with the time period and subject matter of the course.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of different historical interpretations and some of the reasons for the differences.

3. Gather, organize, and interpret historical information in a logical fashion and express themselves better in formal modes of communication.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of significant historical material and major questions associated with history--including evolution versus revolution, continuity and change, the hero in history and the influence of the environment and conditions, the complexity of events (such as the interaction of government, society and culture, religion, values, economic, class, the arts, etc.), cause and effect, long and short term causation, comparison and contrast, and intergroup relations.

5. Relate historical information to the present and recognize the problems associated with such analogies.

6. Utilize critical thinking skills in analyzing historical problems.

7. Gain an understanding and appreciation of the relevance of history to their life.

 

(5)

Expected Results--Students should demonstrate a critical knowledge of the following general periods in the history of the world to early modern times, as reflected in their attainment of an end of term grade of “C” or better:

1. Development of Ancient Civilization in Mesopotamia and Egypt

2. Foundation of Civilization in Central and East Asia

3. Origin and development of Greek and Roman Civilization

4. Chinese Empire

5. Founding and Spread of Islam

6. Sub-Saharan African Societies to the Atlantic Slave Trade

7.Pre-Columbian America                  

8. European Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation

9. Early development of International Trade

10. Early Modern Europe

 

(6)

Exams are multiple choice.  Other assignments will be given as deemed necessary.  The exam schedule is as follows.

Exam I Week of June 14

Exam II Week of June 21

Exam III Week of June 28

Exam IV Week of July 12

Final      Week of July 14

The exams are online and will be taken at your convenience during the prescribed time.  I will leave each exam online for ten days.  The Division of Social Sciences has opened a new computer lab, so it is possible that we will all go to the new lab and take the exams together on a specified date.  If this is the case, a new test schedule will be given with exact dates.

 

 (7)

1. AMC Social Sciences Division History Unit Mandated Required Textbook: History of World Societies Volume I by John McKay.

2. Supplemental Resources: additional handouts.

 

(8)

Attendance Policies: If you must miss, give prior notification in writing to the instructor.  If it is an unforeseen circumstance, give written notification to the instructor as soon as possible after the absence.  The instructor reserves the right to approve or disapprove absence at his discretion.  Starting the week of June 14, you will be given 4 points for every class session that you attend for the full period.  If you are not there and the absence is not acceptable, you will be deducted 4 points.

 

(9)

Course Outline:

Mesopotamian Civilization

Egypt Civilization

Small Kingdoms in the Near East

Origins of Indian Society

Beginnings in China

Greeks

Roman Empire

Chinese Empire

East Asian Societies

Change in India

Christianity and the Fall of Rome

Byzantium

Rise and Spread of Islam

Origin of Sub-Saharan African Societies

More Change in Asia

European Middle Ages

African Middle Ages

Pre-Columbian American Societies

European Renaissance and Reformation

World-wide Commerce

Nation-building in Europe

 

(10)

Class Calendar—

Week 1   Beginnings of Civilization (chpts 1-2)

Week 2   Beginnings in Asia (chpts 3, 4, and 7)

Week 3   Beginnings in Europe (chpts 5, 6, and 8)

Week 4   Islam and Africa  (chpts 9-11)

Week 5   America, Europe  (chpt 12, 13, 14)

Week 6   Europe and the rest of the World (chpts 15, 16, and 17)

  

(11)

This class is a lecture/discussion class.  Reading the assigned text along with any other reading assignments are only geared toward enhancing your understanding of the material.

 

(12)

Don’t cheat or plagiarize.