World History to 1500 Fall Semester  Room: Dr. Antonio de la Cova Office: Sycamore Hall 039 Hours: 11-12 AM  T-Thu. Phone: 855-4745

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The first half of a two-semester survey course analyzing world history from a "global village" approach, from the beginning of human civilizations to the rise of the modern world (1500 AD). The course explores the issues of political systems, economics, culture, gender, religion, environment, conflict, and the migration of peoples, as common elements of the evolution of human society.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: There will be Power Point lectures, video analysis, and readings that require taking notes. Students are expected to use logical arguments sustained with evidence in class discussions and to improve their reading, writing, analytical, and speaking skills.

READINGS: You are expected to read the assigned texts and other articles assigned weekly. Questions regarding the texts and articles will appear on the exams and essay quizzes. The required texts are:

William Duiker & Jackson Spielvogel, The Essential World History (2005) ISBN 0-534-62713-7
Mark Kishlansky, Sources of World History: Readings for World Civilization (2003) ISBN 0-534-58689-9

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES RESOURCES WEBSITE:  http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/  Contains topics and data related to this course.

GRADING: Your grade will consist of a Mid-Term Exam (30%), a Final Exam (30%), two essay quizzes (15% each), and participation and attendance (10%). Missing eight or more classes will further drop you another letter grade. The exams will cover material from the readings, lectures and presentations.

(100-92=A), (91.9-90=A-), (89.9-88=B+), (87.9-82=B), (81.9-80= B-), (79.9-78=C+), (77.9-72=C), (71.9-70=C-), (69.9-68=D+), (67.9-62=D), (61.9-60=D-), (Below 59.9= F).

MAKE-UP EXAMS: It will only be given if you have a valid physician's excuse or a verified family emergency. Makeups are different and considerably more difficult than the regularly scheduled test.

MISCONDUCT: Plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with according to the student code of conduct.

Please contact me the first week of classes if you have special learning needs.
 

CLASSES        LECTURE TOPICS                           ASSIGNED READINGS

Jan. 10-12     Overview of the course                   Exam & study guides
               The First Humans                         Duiker, 1-11; Kishlansky, 1-12.
               
Jan. 17-19     Egyptian Civilization                    Duiker, 12-25; Kishlansky, 12-23.
               Ancient India                            Duiker, 26-36; Kishlansky, 24-36.

Jan. 24-26     Buddhism: The Middle Path                Duiker, 37-45; Kishlansky, 36-47.
               China in Antiquity                       Duiker, 46-55; Kishlansky, 48-61.

Jan. 31        Chinese Imperialism                      Duiker, 55-67; Kishlansky, 61-74.
Feb. 2         Greek Civilization                       Duiker, 68-77; Kishlansky, 74-86.

Feb. 7-9       Classical Greece                         Duiker, 78-88; Kishlansky, 86-97.
               The Roman Republic                       Duiker, 89-99; Kishlansky, 98-110.

Feb. 14-16     Roman Culture and Society                Duiker, 99-113; Kishlansky, 110-122.
               Mesoamerican Civilizations               Duiker, 114-126; Kishlansky, 123-133.

Feb. 21-23     The Inca Empire                          Duiker, 127-134; Kishlansky, 134-147.
               The Rise of Islam                        Duiker, 135-145; Kishlansky, 148-162.

Feb. 28        The Byzantine Empire                     Duiker, 146-158; Kishlansky, 162-176.

March 2        Mid-term Exam

March 7-9      Early African Civilizations              Duiker, 159-170; Kishlansky, 176-189.
               Southern Africa Societies                Duiker, 170-179; Kishlansky, 189-201.

March 11-19    Spring Recess

March 21-23    Southern Asia Civilization               Duiker, 180-191; Kishlansky, 201-215. 
               Indian Culture and Religion              Duiker, 191-200; Kishlansky, 215-230.

March 28-30    China Reunified                          Duiker, 201-211; Kishlansky, 231-242.
               The Mongol Empire                        Duiker, 211-221; Kishlansky, 243-254.

April 4-6      The Rise of the Japanese State           Duiker, 222-234; Kishlansky, 254-266.
               Early Korea and Vietnam                  Duiker, 234-241; Kishlansky, 267-279.

April 11-13    Europe in the Middle Ages                Duiker, 242-255; Kishlansky, 280-293.
               Christianity and Medieval Civilization   Duiker, 255-269; Kishlansky, 293-306.

April 18-20    The Renaissance                          Duiker, 272-282; Kishlansky, 306-318.
               European Economic and Social Crisis      Duiker, 282-295; Kishlansky, 319-331.


April 25-27    The Age of Exploration and Expansion     Duiker, 296-307; Kishlansky, 332-345. 
               The Slave Trade                          Duiker, 307-317; Kishlansky, 345-351.

The preceeding schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.