The History of Western Civilization to 1500

HIST 2301-001Fall 2009

MWF 9:00-9:50am

UH 011

Mike Downs

University Hall 340 (UH340)

Office Phone: (817) 272-5261

Email: mdowns@uta.edu

Office Hours: Fridays 1:00-4:00 and by appointment

Graduate Teaching Assistant: Chris Draper Christopher.draper@mavs.uta.edu

Office: UH 316

Office Phone: (817) 272-2908

Office Hours: MWF 2:00-3:00pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Significant developments from prehistoric times through the 16th century. This course focuses upon achievements and experiences of great civilizations, emphasizing major historical figures and epochs, important ideas and religions, and factors of continuity and change. Provides a foundation for understanding our heritage and shared values, and introduces students to the historical forces that have shaped today's world.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the discipline of history as an academic profession.

2. Distinguish between primary and secondary sources.

3. Describe the origins and development of major cultures of the ancient Near East, Greece, Rome and Medieval Europe through the Renaissance period.

Learning Outcomes assessed through in-class discussion and examinations.

Required Books:

1. McKay, A History of Western Society, Volume A, From Antiquity to 1500, 9^th edition.

Bedford/St Martins Press, 2008.

2. The Epic of Gilgamesh, edited and translated by N K Sandars. Penguin, 1972.

3. Student Companion Website http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/mckaywest9e

Students should bookmark this website as many of the readings will come from it.

In addition to the required texts above, we will be reading primary documents on a weekly basis from the Student Companion Website. See schedule below for dates.

GRADING POLICY

Exam on The Epic of Gilgamesh – 50 points.

In addition there will be four section exams on the lectures and the required readings. Students will have the choice of either an objective exam with a brief writing component or an essay exam for each exam. Students must bring a scantron sheet (Form 886-E) to take the objective exam or an exam book (blue or green) to take the essay exam.

Each Exam is worth 100 points each.

Gilgamesh Exam 50 points

Section Exams 400 points

Total points possible = 450 points.

Final Grades determined as follows:

A= 90-100% of 450 points

B= 80-89% of 450 points

C= 70-79% of 450 points

D= 60-69% of 450 points

F= less than 60% of 450 points

Missed Exams can only be made up with my permission and at my convenience. Therefore, all make-up exams will take place at the end of the semester at one time. The exact date, time and location are still to be determined. Only those students who have compelling reasons for missing an exam are entitled to take a make-up exam. Nervousness, lack of preparation, forgetting the time of the exam, having other exams, vacations, etc., are not compelling reasons.

Attendance

Although attendance will not be taken, students are expected to attend class and participate in classroom discussions. Your success in this course is directly related to your ability to come to class and to take notes diligently. During the lectures and discussions important facts and themes will be emphasized which will appear on the exams in some form. In essence, come to class every time.

Drop Policy: Students are responsible for dropping this course, if the need should arise. I cannot drop a student for any reason. The last day to drop the course is October 30. The History department office (UH 202) is the place to initiate this process.

Americans With Disabilities Act:
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 - The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty of their need for accommodation and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found at www.uta.edu/disability. Also, you may visit the Office for Students with Disabilities in room 102 of University Hall or call them at (817) 272-3364.

Academic Integrity:
It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.

"Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Series 50101, Section 2.2)

Student Support Services Available:
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.

E-Culture Policy:

The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University email address as an official means of communication with students. Through the use of email, UT-Arlington is able to provide students with relevant and timely information, designed to facilitate student success. In particular, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation may be sent to students through email.

All students are assigned an email account and information about activating and using it is available at www.uta.edu/email. New students (first semester at UTA) are able to activate their email account 24 hours after registering for courses. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active as long as a student is enrolled at UT-Arlington. Students are responsible for checking their email regularly.

History 2301-001 Schedule Fall 2009

Week Beginning on Topic and Reading Assignment

Section One: The Ancient Near East

Aug 24 (week 1) Class Introduction, Neolithic Revolution, Rise of Cities

Read: McKay, A History of Western Society, Ch 1 to p. 10

Aug 31 (week 2) Sumer and Babylon

Read:

McKay, Ch 1 p. 10-19 and p. 32-33

The Epic of Gilgamesh

A Mesopotamian Creation Myth: Earth, Gods, and Humans

Sep 9 Exam (The Epic of Gilgamesh)

Sep 9 (week 3) Egypt , the Hittites and the Phoenicians