HST 131: World History I                                                                                   Fall 2012

COR 117                                                                                               TR 11am-12:15pm

Instructor:  Dr. Ilicia Sprey                                                                    Office:  Core 258
Office Hours: 

SJC: TR 8-8:30am, 12:30-2:30pm and by appointment

STE: TR 4pm to 5pm and after 9pm as needed

Office Phone 219-866-6387                                      E-mail: ilicias@saintjoe.edu            

Homepage:  http://www.saintjoe.edu/~ilicias/

Books:

• Peter von Sivers, Charles A. Desnoyers, George B. Stow, Patterns of World History, Volume 1:  To 1600. (Oxford University Press, 2012)
• Alfred J. Andrea and James H. Overfield, The Human Record, Volume I:  To 1500. 7^th edition (Wadsworth/Cengage (2012)
• Epic of Gilgamesh, edited and translated by Steven Mitchell. (Free Press, 2006) –(same edition as used in Core 3)
• Other readings will be assigned over the course of the semester 

Course Description:  The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the tremendous level of interactivity and influence between various cultures, civilizations, and peoples from the beginning of written history, circa 3500 B.C.E. to approximately 1500 CE.  In the West we have a bad tendency towards euro-centricism – that all good things stemmed from Europe and Europeans and that all other peoples benefit most from the adoption of our culture’s ideas and achievements.  In fact, one thing you should learn in this course is how independent of European interaction and intervention, peoples in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa developed highly sophisticated systems of trade, social organization, religious beliefs, philosophies, and political and economic systems, and of course, tremendously impressive forms of art and architecture and scientific achievements for the majority of the period covered by this course.   This class, however, is not about downplaying the achievements of the West, but offering you a more balanced and historically accurate understanding of how the world we know today developed over time and the various groups who influenced that development. 

Course Objectives:  Upon the completion of this course students should be able to:

1.  Reach a basic understanding of the characteristic features of World History in the period from 3500 B.C.E. to circa 1500 C.E.

2.  Gain an increased understanding of historical events in the various regions of the pre-modern world and to formulate their own opinions on events studied in class as well as contemporary events, since past influences the world we live in today.

3.  Discuss the political, social, geographic, religious, and economic forces, which shaped world history in the period covered by this course.

4.  Become aware of and appreciate the major philosophical, religious, political, social, economic and cultural changes which shaped these regions and its peoples.

5.  Develop the ability to critically analyze the developments and experiences of the various cultures and civilization studied and to apply this newly acquired knowledge and evolving skill to better understand and appreciate the triumphs and problems faced by society today.

6. To develop and improve their communication skills (written and verbal) as well as their ability to analyze strengths and weaknesses of different cultures, civilizations and to be aware of the changes in related historiography concerning this period.

What you can expect from me:  You can expect that I:

• will be available during office hours and by appointment to discuss any issues you might have in class.
• will be prepared for our sections and on time
• will clearly state the criteria on which your work will be evaluated
• will be interested in helping you improve as students and becoming more analytical in your thinking and get as much out of this class as possible
• if changes to course content are required to explain why and the impact of those changes

What I expect from you:  The following paragraphs explain what I expect of you in terms of work and behavior.

Attendance:  It is important that students attend class on a regular basis in order to fully participate in discussions and lectures and to get the most out of the course.  Roll will be taken throughout the semester.  If you are unable to attend class due to illness or an emergency, leave a leave a message on either my e-mail or voice mail if I am out of the office.  Unexcused absences will affect your grade.

It is the responsibility of student athletes to inform the instructor of any class absences due to competitions.  In accordance with College policy athletes will be excused a reasonable number of absences due to competitions and reasonable accommodations made, but student athletes are not excused for practices.  Any work that will be missed must be handed in on time.

3-5 unexcused absences will result in your final class grade dropping by one letter grade.  6-8 unexcused absences will result in it dropping two letter grades.  9 unexcused absences or more and you will receive an F for the course.

Appropriate classroom behavior is required and expected of all students at all times.

Assignments:  Readings and class assignments will be based on selected readings from the main text and other sources.  Readings from primary sources are used extensively and it is extremely important for students to read these assignments in addition to the main text in order to successfully and fully answer questions in class and on exams.   All readings should be done prior to the first class meeting for that week or for the date stated they are due.

Any assignments not handed in on time will have 5 points deducted for each weekday they are late, not for each class session.  For example, a paper due on Tuesday but handed in on Thursday will have 10 points deducted from the original grade it would have received otherwise.   All papers are to be typed or produced on a computer, and not handwritten.

Students who decide to drop this course ARE RESPONSIBLE for obtaining the correct forms from the Registrar’s Office prior to the College's announced deadline for withdrawing from classes.

Academic Honesty:  Neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated in this or any other class.  The purpose of this course is to have you do your best work not to submit someone else's efforts, therefore anyone found cheating or plagiarizing the work of another will receive an automatic F for the course and the case will be referred to the appropriate academic officer in accordance with the College’s policy (see College Catalog).

Grading in this course is based on a combination of work (including geography assignments, papers, exams and the final), which demonstrates critical thinking, as well as participation in and contributing to class discussions. Quantity but particularly quality of participation is important.  Participation in classroom discussions and activities is an easy way for students to improve their final grade and more importantly to improve their understanding of the developments that helped form the pre-Modern world.  Assignments are designed to improve students’ ability to think analytically and to communicate their ideas both through effective verbal exchanges and the written word.  Improvement over the course of the semester is taken into consideration in determining final grades.

Papers:  Students will write a series of two-to-three-page papers analyzing and reflecting on an assigned topic.

Tests will cover readings from the main text and all other material handed out over the course of the class, lectures and discussions.  Exams will consist of a mixture of geography identifications, short essays, and ID's though the format is open to change by the professor.  The professor is not required to allow students who have an unexcused and undocumented absence to make-up missed exams.

Extra Credit:  This is depends on the student's initiative.  In general, students can earn an additional 1-5 points that will be added onto their total final semester grade.  My preference is for a 5-7-minute presentation in class on a topic chosen by the student and myself since this will benefit both you and your classmates.  If you are interested in extra credit do not wait as extra credit work will not be accepted during the last week of the semester. 

Students with special needs:  If you have special needs in relation to taking notes, exams, etc. , you need to contact me within the first two weeks of class, inform me of the problem, and speak to the proper personnel in Student Services.  Between us we will decide what is the appropriate way to best meet your needs to help you get the maximum out of the class without detriment to your fellow students.

Final Grades will be based on the following formula.

 
The Final Exam Thursday, December 13, 10-11:50am