Western+Civ.+I+Syllabus

Western Civilizations

COURSE SYLLABUS Western Civilization I

Dual Enrollment HIS 130 Fall 2011

Office/Hours: 1st period, Activity period E-Mail: ckoch@wvsd.k12.pa.us
 * Instructor: ** Carrie Koch

Credit Hours: 3 credits Class Meeting: M-F 5th period Room Number:123 A Thematic oriented course surveying the origins, development, and formation of the Western world’s major political, social, economic, religious, and intellectual institutions to the dawn of the modern era. Special emphasis is given to four great antecedents of Western Civilization: Greek rationalism; Roman universality; Judiac-Christian ethics; and Celtic, Slavic, Germanic traditions. Western civilization is defined as European civilization and its remote origins in earlier civilization located in Mesopotamia, the Nile Valley, and beyond. The course stresses the themes of continuity and change in the forging of and diffusion of Western Civilization. Attention is paid to the reciprocal influences of western and non-western cultures. Discussion, lecture, and inquiry methods aim at developing the student’s appreciation of the Western historical perspective.
 * Course Information: **
 * Course Description: **


 * Course Objectives: **

This course is an introduction to Western Civilization. It makes no attempt to cover all of Western history, or even any sizable portion, but aims at helping the student understand the major developments throughout the centuries that have combined to produce the world in which we live. The course is aimed at introducing a sense of the relevancy of history, increasing knowledge of dynamic of Western development, and promoting a respect for history as a discipline. The use of the problems approach emphasizes the controversy, both contemporary and modern, the surrounds most historical events, and gives each student a chance to become involved in those controversies.

Upon completion students should be able to:

1. Recognize and assess the artistic/scientific nature of historical research and its varied tools.

2. Analyze and critique the composition and interrelationship of all historical knowledge: political, economic-geographic, religious, social, intellectual, scientific, technological, and aesthetic as it applies to Western Civilization.

3. Recognize the diversity of influences upon western institutions, the diffusion of western civilization's institutions, and the influence of other civilizations on those institutions.

4. Analyze the mythopoeic nature of the ancient world. Compare and contrast the contributions of its ancient river valley cultures to the advance of civilization.

5. Evaluate the Hebrew and Christian philosophical and religious contributions as antecedents of western civilization.

6. Recognize and judge Hellenic rational humanism as a contribution to western civilization.

7. Evaluate the Roman values of practicality and universality as ingredients of western civilization.

8. Analyze and evaluate the interaction of Graeco-Roman, Germanic, and Christian institutions in their fusion to what would become Europe.

9. Indicate the origins of, nature of, and impact of medieval feudalism, monasticism, and manorialism on European social, economic, and political institutions.

10. Evaluate the emerging political, social, economic, and educational institutions of the 10th to 16th centuries as foundations of the modern states.

11. Indicate the role of Renaissance and Reformation institutions in the transition of Europe toward modernity.

12. Judge the consequences of European rising skepticism, its absolutism and developing constitutionalism, and presence overseas upon its institutions.

13. Compare and contrast the social, economic, religious, and political institutions of Western and Eastern Europe.

Paden, Perry and von Laue. __Sources of the Western Tradition: From Ancient Times to The Enlightenment, Vol. I.__
 * Textbook(s): ** Perry, Chase, Jacob, Jacob, and von Laue. __Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics, & Society, Vol 1.__

Make every effort to attend class. Your participation grade will suffer from lack of attendance to class. If you are unable to attend class, it is your responsibility to check with the instructor and make up all missed assignments. The attendance policy is strict because your success in this (and every other) course depends on your ability to participate and fully engage in all classroom activities. You will be dropped from this course if you miss more than nine consecutive class hours of unexcused absences. Follow also WVSD’s absence policy as stated in your student handbook.
 * Attendance Policy: **

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must do so in writing by going to the Enrollment Services Office, AD123. The last day to withdraw with an automatic “W” is within the first five weeks of class. During weeks six through ten, if you withdraw or are withdrawn from your class, the instructor will either assign you a “W” for withdrawal passing or a “Y” for withdrawal failing.
 * Withdrawal Policy: **


 * Classroom Responsibilities: **
 * Arrive on time
 * Do not leave early unless cleared with instructor ahead of time
 * Bring books and homework to class
 * Be prepared to discuss assigned material
 * Turn off all cell phones, beepers, and other electronic devices
 * Be respectful of instructor and other students in the class when speaking or expressing ideas
 * No eating or drinking in class
 * No working on computers when the instructor is lecturing
 * Student should contact the instructor if they will miss class
 * Students are responsible for notes and work missed when absent


 * Academic Honesty: **
 * Lehigh Carbon Community College expects that all work produced by students will represent their personal effort. Academic dishonesty includes but should not be limited to:
 * Cheating on tests and exams
 * Using test aids
 * Copying
 * Sharing work with others
 * Stealing test materials
 * Plagiarism – Quoted materials must be enclosed in quotation marks with complete documentation indicating the source. Materials used without direct quotations should have the source indicated.
 * Copying any written assignment such as papers, homework, lab reports, ENG105 research skills workbook
 * Copying any electronic assignments such as papers, homework, lab reports, programs, etc. Do not copy something from the Internet and call it your own – it is very easy to get caught doing this and I will check suspicious papers!
 * Purchase of all or part of papers, reports, workbooks, or other assignments
 * False statements designed to earn the student the right to make up missed work.

All offenses will be reported to the Dean of Students where a record is made and retained.

Consequences of cheating or academic dishonesty may include any of the following:
 * Receive a warning and retake the test or redo the assignment immediately
 * Ability to retake the test or redo the assignment immediately with a loss of points
 * Receive a grade of zero on assignment or test
 * Receive an “F” in the course

Students with disabilities must first contact the Office of Disability Support Services at 610-799-1156 to request course accommodations. Students are also encouraged to personally discuss arrangements with the instructor if there is a need to share medical emergency information or if there is a need for special building evacuation assistance in an emergency situation.
 * Support Services for Students with Disabilities: **

Free tutoring is provided for all Lehigh Carbon Community College students. Contact the Educational Support Center (SH150) either in person, online, or by phone (610-799-1156) for their tutoring schedule. Tutoring is also available during activity period in room 123.
 * Tutoring: **

The Learning Resource Center supports the research and information needs of the students at Lehigh Carbon Community College. These materials can either be accessed online from home or on campus at the Library. The knowledgeable staff looks forward to helping all students meet their educational goals.
 * Library: **

A = 93 to 100 points B = 83 to 92 points C = 73 to 82 points D = 70 to 72 points F = 69 points and below
 * Grading and Assessment: **


 * Assignments and Evaluation: **

Test grades - 100 points each Research paper - 500 points Primary Source Review - 300 points Class Participation - 20points Summer Assignment - 200 points Homework - value to be announced Projects - value to be announced


 * Syllabus Calendar: ** This is subject to change. We may move faster or slower than the dates provided here. Do not hold me to the dates listed herein as they do not reflect snow days, field trips, or other activities that may delay the coverage of the material.


 * Assignment **

// Week #1 Introduction: The First Civilizations // Read Chapter 1 Primary Sources - Chapter 1

// Week #2 Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt // Read Chapter 1

// Week #3 Israel Assyria and Persia // Read Chapter 2 Sources: Chapter 2


 * Exam #1 Chapters 1 & 2 **

// Week #4 The Civilization of the Greeks // Read Chapters 3-4 Sources: Chapter 3

// Week #5 The Hellenistic Age // Read Chapter 5


 * Exam #2 Chapters 3, 4, & 5 **

// Week #6 The Roman Republic // Read Chapter 6 Sources: Chapter 4

// Week #6 The Roman Empire // Read Chapter 7 Sources: Chapter 5


 * Exam #3 Chapters 6&7 **
 * Primary Source Review due Oct 28 **

// Week #7 Early Christianity // Read Chapter 8 Sources: Chapter 6

// Week #8 The Heirs of Rome: Byantium, Islam, // // And Latin Christendom // Read Chapter 9 Sources: Chapter 7

// Week #9 The High Middle Ages // Read Chapter 10 Sources: Chapter 8, pp. 219-259


 * Exam #4 Chapters 8, 9, &10 **

// Week #10 The Flowering of Medieval Culture // // The Christian Synthesis // Read Chapter 11 Sources: Chapter 8, pp. 259-276

// Week #11The Late Middle Ages: // // Crisis and Dissolution // Read Chapter 12


 * Exam #5 Chapters 11 & 12 **

// Week #12 The Renaissance // Read Chapter 13 Sources: Chapter 9

// Week #13 The Reformation // Read Chapter 14 Sources: Chapter 10


 * Exam #6 Chapters 13&14 **

// Week #14 European Expansion // Read Chapter 15 Sources: Chapter 11, pp. 335-357

// Week #15 The Rise of Sovereignty // // Transition to the Modern State // Read Chapter 16 Sources: Chapter 11, pp.357-374
 * Exam #7 Chapters 15&16 **


 * Research paper due Jan. 6 **

// Week #16 The Scientific Revolution // Read Chapter 17 Sources: Chapter 12

// Week#17 The Age of the Enlightenment // Read Chapter 18 Sources: Chapter 13 Review


 * Final Exam **


 * NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at any time. **