| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY HIST 302: World History to 1500 Dr. James Palmitessa Lectures, Mons. & Weds., 50 minutes Office: 4428 Friedmann Hall Small Group Discussions, Fridays, 50 minutes Tel.: (269) 387-4640 Two Graduate Teaching Assistants Course description. This course is an introduction to world history for students in the humanities, sciences, business, engineering, and education. By "world history" is meant not the sum history of the world's separate societies and cultures, but major chapters in the history of the interaction between them. Specifically, we will examine the ways in which societies contacted one another, the ways they influenced each other, and the ways new societies emerged; including the roles played by migration, trade, war, empire, technology transfer, epidemic, and religious and cultural diffusion. Objectives. This course will provide students with knowledge about and appreciation for the important encounters and established patterns of interaction that existed between the peoples of the world before "the New World" explorations within a broad historical and global context. It seeks to complement other courses offered at the university in the civilizations, history, anthropology and religions of individual societies of the world. Format. The format of the course will consist of lectures (on Mondays and Wednesdays), small group discussions (on Fridays), and readings (to be done outside of class). Students will be provided weekly questions to help them understand the readings and prepare for the discussions. Art, photos and music will also be presented periodically. The course presupposes that students will accept personal responsibility for their learning and performance, which will involve active participation by students in each component of the course throughout the semester. See "Getting the Most out of the History Survey Course" in course packet (Readings in World History since 1500). Course Requirements & Policies. 1. Students are required to attend all class sessions, arrive to class on time and stay until the clas is over. Allowances will be made for a handful of absences and latenesses because of illness or special circumstances, but more than a few absences and lateness will negatively affect students' grade. It is the students' responsibility to make up missed work by getting lecture notes from a fellow student or, even better, from two students. You may consult with your teaching assistant or the instructor during office hours to verify that you have understood the key points. 2. Students are expected to prepare reading in advance of class sessions in which they are assigned and actively participate in discussions. Any questions you have about the readings and lectures should be raised in the Friday discussion sessions. If you then still have questions, you should see your T.A. or Instructor during office hours. 3. Weekly written assignments are to be submitted in person in the Friday discussion session of the week they are assigned. Assignments will not be accepted late or from students who are not in attendance at that week's session; the only exceptions are because of illness or emergency, or from students who know that they will miss a Friday session and make arrangements in advance with their discussion leader. 4. There will be two in-class exams and final examination (see course schedule below for dates). Grading. Participation in discussions (30%); questions from readings (30%); Tests (10% each); Final Examination (20%). Academic Integrity. You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog that pertain to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, muiltiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is a reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe that you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test. Course Materials. The following is a list of required readings and course materials: · Jerry H. Bentley & Herbert F. Ziegler, Traditions & Encounters. A Global Perspective on the Past, vol. I: From the Beginnings to 1500 (2000) - Available at the Campus Bookstore (in the Bernard Center) or in the University Bookstore (intersection of West Michigan and Howard Avenues · Readings in World History (Available only at University Bookstore) · Students should also get themselves a good world map Course Schedule Week 1: Wednesday - First Session - Introduction to the Course Week 1: Friday - Small Group Discussion: Sources of History Reading: "How to Read a Document" in Readings in World History Week 2: Monday - Modern Global Society & the Past Week 2: Wednesday - Geological History, Human Prehistory, History, and World History Reading: Traditions and Encounters, pp. 7-29 Week 2: Friday - Small Group Discussion: The Origins of Man Reading: 'Did 'Homo Sapiens' Originate in Africa?" in Readings Week 3: Monday - Early Complex Societies: The Ancient Near East, South Asia, and East Asia Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 31-100 Week 3: Wednesday - Early Complex Societies: Ancient Mesoamerica, Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 103-25 Week 3: Friday - Small Group Discussion: How are Things Going? Week 4: Monday - The Natural & Supernatural in Early Complex Societies Week 4: Wednesday - Classical Mediteranean Societies: The Greek and Roman Amalgrams Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 126-50, 199-247 Week 4: Friday - Small Group Discussion: Legends of Creation Reading: The Rig Vedas, "Genesis", The Creation of the First Indians in Readings Week 5: Monday - Classical India: The Aryan Migrations Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 177-87 Week 5: Wednesday - Classical China Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 153-75 Week 5: Friday - Small Group Discussion: Taoism & Confucianism Reading: Lao Tzu, Tao The Ching (excerpts) & Confucius, The Analects (excerpts) in Readings Week 6: Monday - EXAM #1 Week 6: Wednesday - Lecture: To be Announced Week 6: Friday - Small Group Discussion: What is the Value of Learning 'Ancient' History? Week 7: Monday - Trade & Cultural Encounters on the Silk Roads Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 249-72 Week 8: Wednesday - The Natural & Supernatural in Classical Societies Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 187-97 Week 8: Friday - Small Group Discussion: Readings in Hinduism, Buddhism & Judaism Reading: Bhagavad Gita (excerpts), Buddist Scriptures and "Sayings from Our Fathers" ("Pirke Avot") in Readings Week 9: Monday - The Great Migration of the Peoples & The Making of Europe Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 379-400 Week 9: Wednesday - The Prophet Muhammed and the Birth of Islam Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 303-309 Week 9: Friday - Small Group Discussion: The Koran Reading: The Koran (excerpts) in Readings Week 10: Monday - The Expansion of Islam Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 309-25 Week 10: Wednesday - Rebirth of Empire in East Asia Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 327-52 Week 10: Friday - Small Group Discussion: How to Prepare for Exams Week 11: Monday - Exam #2 Week 11: Wednesday - India & the Indian Ocean Reading: Tradition & Encounters, pp. 429-49 Week 11: Friday - Small Group Discussion: Journey to Africa Reading: Ibn Battua, "The West African Journey" in Readings Week 12: Monday - The Call for the Crusades Week12: Wednesday - The Crusades Week 12: Friday - Small Group Discussion: The Cruades through Arab Eyes Reading: Maalouf, The Crusades in Arab Eyes (excerpts) in Readings Week 13: Monday - The Crusades & U.S.-Middle Eastern Relations Today: The Past is not the Present Week 13: Wednesday - The Rise and Fall of the Mongolian Empire Week 13: Friday - The Mongolian Empire through a Foreigner's Eyes Reading: Marco Polo, Travels (excerpts) in Readings Week 13: Monday - Encounters on the Silk Roads Week 13: Wednesday - Film: Silk Road Week 13: Friday - No Class - Thanksgiving Recess Week 14: Monday - The Thirteenth-Century World System? Reading: Traditions & Encounters, pp. 501-28 Week 14: Wednesday - Final Lecture: Early Portuguese Sea Explorations: The Beginning of a New Age in World History? Week 14: Friday - Small Group Discussion: Study Session for Final Exam Week 15: Final Examination
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