PRESENTATION COLLEGE – ABERDEEN, SD

 

WORLD CIVILIZATION I (HS253)

Three Semester Hours

FALL 2008

NU28 MWF 9:00-9:50 AM (CST)

 

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, Assistant Professor, Department of Arts & Sciences

Office Hours: C334 MWF 11:00-11:50 am; TR 8:00-11:50 am CST 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.

 

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 and a cultural diversity elective.

 

Presentation College General Education Course Goals and Outcomes for HS253:

 

Goals

Outcomes

1. Graduates will read with understanding and think critically.

1.a.  Read and analyze a short written work concerning a topic of interest.

1.b.  Demonstrate the critical thinking skills of comprehension, understanding, analysis, application, synthesis and evaluation that pertain to general academic disciplines.

2. Graduates will express themselves clearly, correctly, and succinctly in writing.

2.d. Compose a research-based essay correctly using multiple resource types.

5. Graduates will develop a critical awareness of the diversity of human cultures found in the historical or contemporary world.

5.a. Analyze historical events from a multi-cultural perspective.

5.b. Articulate interrelationships of individuals, societies, and historical/cultural context.

5.c. Comprehend the diversity of perspectives among people of differing religious beliefs, backgrounds, races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, physical capabilities, and ethnicities.

5.d. Demonstrate reading and critical thinking skills in the context of the social sciences.

7. Graduates will understand and appreciate the range and/or depth of creative achievement in human thought and works, as found in the traditional humanities disciplines.

7.b.  Demonstrate competence in contextualizing creative works and ideas.

7.c. Demonstrate reading and critical thinking skills in the context of the Humanities.

9. Graduates will show proficiency in the use of technology.

9.a. Use the computer as a word processing tool.

9.b. Use the Internet as a research tool.

 

Instructor Objectives:

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

2)      To learn more about the social, political, and economic factors that have 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.

 

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, Main Building Room 365 – phone (605) 229-8438 or

1-800-437-6060, Ext. 438.

 

Assessment and Grading:

            Students should also 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 2008

 

 

Aug. 27/29                   -           Course Introduction; Characteristics of Civilization

 

Sept. 1/3/5                   -           Sept. 1st  – NO CLASS (Labor Day); Sept. 5th – NO CLASS;

                                    Ch. 1 - Mesopotamia

 

Sept. 8/10/12               -           Ch. 1 – Egypt

 

Sept. 15/17/19             -           Ch. 2 – Early Contributions to Civilization;

 

Sept. 22/24/26             -           Sept. 22nd – NO CLASS; Test #1

 

Sept. 29/Oct. 1/3         -           Ch. 3 – Greek City-States; Hellenic Greece

 

Oct. 6/8/10                  -            Ch. 4 – Hellenistic Greece

 

Oct. 13/15/17              -           Oct. 13th – NO CLASS (Native American Day); Test #2;

 

Oct. 20/22/24              -           Ch. 5 - The Roman Republic

 

Oct. 27/29/31              -           Ch. 6 - The Roman Empire

 

Nov. 3/5/7                   -           Test #3; Ch. 7 - The Dark Ages

 

Nov. 10/12/14             -           Paper Due; Ch. 7 - Byzantium and Islam

 

Nov. 17/19/21             -           Ch. 8 - Manorialism, Feudalism, and the Crusades;

 

Nov. 24/26/28             -           Ch. 9- – The High Middle Ages;

Nov. 28th – NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break)

 

Dec. 1/3/5                    -           Ch. 10-11 – The Late Middle Ages

 

Dec. 10-12 (WRF)      -           Finals Week/Test #4 TBA