Course Description: During the course of the semester, students will learn about major events and persons in addition to the culture, economic, social, military, and political aspects of Western civilization from the advent of settled civilization in the Fertile Crescent through the Early Modern era.
Required Text: Irvin, J. Kyle, Zachary Alexander, Kirk Strawbridge. Our Western World Vol 1: Second Edition ISBN: 978-1-5249-3500-9 May be purchased in e-reader format or in printed format: https://he.kendallhunt.com/western_world1
Heaney, Seamus, trans. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2001. ISBN: 978-0-3933-2097-8
Evaluation: 500 points total
Schedule dates are tentative Three Exams: 300 points Test 1 – September 13 Test 2 – October 16 Final –December 6 Exams are worth 100 points each
Research Paper: 115 points Topics Due September 11 - 5 points Sources Due October 9 - 10 points Final Paper Due November 15 - 100 points
Homework/Quizzes/Videos/Discussions: 60 points total Attendance: 25 points total As assigned
Attendance: Each student is responsible for attendance at all classes. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class period. If a student is late, he or she is responsible to speak to the instructor after class, or will otherwise be counted as absent for the class. Tardy attendance negatively impacts the attendance/participation grade
If a student misses class, he or she must inform the instructor prior to the beginning of the class period. Written excuses must be provided and verified through the counselor’s office in order for an excuse to be excused. A student should provide and additional note for an excused absence in addition to the one turned in to the school. Unexcused absences will negatively impact the attendance/participation grade.
Readings and Homework: All assigned readings are to be completed prior to the class for which they are assigned. The readings are listed in the syllabus. Syllabus assigned readings are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Any changes in the reading assignments or dates will be announced in class and posted on the website by no later than the class prior to the assignment is due.
Homework assignments must be completed prior to the start of the class for which they are assigned. Format for homework is that they should either be written in a clear and legible manner, or they should be typed and printed out prior to the start of class. If a student is absent the day of an assigned homework, the homework should be emailed to the instructor prior to the beginning of the class period for which the assignment is due.
Quizzes: In-class quizzes on readings or videos will happen periodically throughout the semester and may or may not be announced prior. There will also be some open-note pop-up quizzes on the notes you have taken in class, so be sure to take notes during class.
Videos: Videos are located on the Blackboard function in the Jefferson State Portal. Please note the instructor can see who does and does not watch the videos. You must individually log in to your portal to access these documents. Note that in-class quizzes will be conducted periodically on video content, so be sure to take notes. Content and discussion of videos will also be included on the test.
Test Formats: All tests will include a take-home portion and an in-class portion.
The in-class portion will include a combination of terminology identifications and multiple choice questions. Study guides for the in-class portion will be provided at least one week before the exam.
The take-home portion is a typed written essay. Students will be allowed to choose one of three prompts provided to them on the last class day before the exam. Essays must be at minimum 1.5 pages . All essays should be typed, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, at 12 point Times New Roman font. Printed essays stapled are due the morning of the exam before the in-class test begins. Hand written essays are not acceptable. Non-stapled or paper clipped essays are not acceptable.
** Plagiarism results in a zero grade **
Research Paper Format: Students are required to submit a research paper from an approved topic from the subject matter of this course. Topics and sources are due prior to the completion of the research paper, and their timely submission will be counted for a grade.
Papers must be 5-7 pages, double spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 point Times New Roman font. The format is Chicago Manual of Style (CMS). The parameters of the research paper will be discussed in class, and helpful links will be placed on the website.
** Plagiarism results in a zero grade **
Classroom Policies:
No cell phones are allowed in class. If there is a special circumstance please see me before or after class.
No chewing gum or wearing hats.
An individual who qualifies for reasonable accommodations under the American with Disabilities act of 1973 should contact the instructor immediately. Neither the policy nor the instructor will discriminate on the basis of disability. Once the instructor has been informed of a request for special attentions, he will consult with Student Services and make every effort to accommodate the student.
The college and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to provide both employment and educational free of harassment or discrimination related to an individual’s race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Such harassment is a violation of State Board of Education policy. Any practice or behavior that constitutes harassment of discrimination will not be tolerated.
Tentative lecture schedule
** The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus as needed. Any changes will be announced during regular class hours and then posted on course website.
Reading assignments and homework should be completed before the start of class for which they are assigned.
Lecture/Reading format:
August 21 – Introduction August 23 – Lecture 1 – Paleolithic to Neolithic Stone Age Book: Chapter 1, In Focus essay page 12 August 28 – Lecture 2 – Ancient Mesopotamia Book: Chapter 1 Additional Reading: Epic of Gilgamesh, Code of Hammurabi HANDOUT August 30 – Lecture 3 – Ancient Egypt, Persia, and Judaism Book: Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Online Videos (Blackboard): Chapter 2 (1) Israelites; (2) Zoroastrianism September 4 – Lecture 4 – Ancient Greece Part 1 Book: Chapter 3 Additional reading: The Odyssey HANDOUT Homework: Answer questions on website September 6 – Lecture 5 – Ancient Greece Part 2 Book: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 (Until Roman Republic) Online Videos (Blackboard): Chapter 3 (1) Alexander & Hellenism; (2) Greek Philosophers September 11 – Research and Writing Workshop Paper Topics Due September 13 – Test 1 September 18 – Lecture 6 – Roman Republic Book: Chapter 4, In Focus Essay page 59 Online Videos (Blackboard): Chapter 4 (1)Temple of Portunus; (2) Capitoline Wolf September 20 – Lecture 7 – Late Roman Republic to Empire Book: Chapter 4, begin Chapter 5 Additional Readings: The Roman Army, A Funeral Eulogy for a Roman Wife Homework: Answer attached questions for both readings Online Videos (Blackboard): Chapter 5 Augustus of Prima Porta September 25 – Lecture 8 – Roman Empire Book: Chapter 5 September 27 – Lecture 9 – Decline of the Roman Empire, Rise of Christianity Book: Chapter 5 Additional Reading: Nicene Creed Online Videos (Blackboard): Chapter 5 (1) Arch of Constantine Begin reading Beowulf Introduction and poem if haven't started already. Intro pg: ix-xi, xv-xix; Poem: 3-213 October 2 – Lecture 10 – Byzantium and the Rise of Islam Book: Chapter 6 Online Videos: Chapter 6 (1) Basilica of San Vitale; (2) Hagia Sophia October 4 – Lecture 11 – Franks to the Carolingian Renaissance Book: Chapter 6 Additional Reading: Beowulf, Intro pg: ix-xi, xv-xix; Poem 3-213 Homework: TBA October 9 – Lecture 12 – Britain Book: Chapter 6, In Focus Essay page 91 Online Videos (Blackboard):CHAPTER 7 (1) Bayeux Tapestry Additional Reading: Beowulf Homework: TBA October 11 – Review day Paper Sources Due October 16 – Test 2 October 18 - No class - Homecoming October 23 – Lecture 13 – Crusades Book: Chapter 6 (Crusades) Additional Reading: Blackboard CHAPTER 7 Urban II (Medieval Sourcebook) Versions 1, 2, and 3: (Fulcher of Chartres; Robert the Monk; Gesta Francorum) October 25 – Lecture 14 – Investiture Controversy Book: Chapter 7 Additional Readings: Investiture Controversy HANDOUT October 30 – Lecture 15 – Medieval Era Book: Chapter 7 Additional Readings: Blackboard Chapter 7 (1) Magna Carta November 1 – Lecture 16 – Famine, Black Death, Hundred Years War Book: Chapter 7 November 6 – Lecture 17 – Britain post 1086 to War of the Roses Book: Chapter 7 November 8 – Lecture 18 – Renaissance Book: Chapter 8 Online Videos (Blackboard): Chapter 8 (1) Italian Art and Architecture; (2) Why the Renaissance Matters Additional Readings: Blackboard Chapter 8 (1)Niccolo Machiavelli Homework: Answer the questions on website November 13 – Lecture 19 – Reformation Book: Chapter 10 Additional Reading: Blackboard Chapter 10 (1)Martin Luther: Letter to the Archbishop November 15 –Papers DueLecture 20 – English Reformation Book: Chapter 10 Additional Reading: Blackboard Chapter 10 (1) Letter of Thomas Cranmer 1533 November 20 – 25 – Thanksgiving Break – No Class November 28 – Lecture 21 – Age of Exploration Book: Chapter 9 Additional Reading: Handout November 29 - Lecture 22 – Age of Exploration continued Book: Chapter 9 Additional Readings: Apologetic History of the Indies December 4 - Review Day Final Exam – December 7