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Description:
This is the second of a two-part survey of Western
civilization. The course provides the beginning student with an understanding of the history
of Western civilization from Renaissance times to the present. We will look at the
Renaissance, the Reformation, the Age of Reason, the rise of the Constitutional States,
Napoleonic Era, Colonial Empires, Wars and Revolution, and the rise of the American Empire
up through the contemporary period.
HIS 102 seeks a coherent picture of life and society during the
flourishing (and declining ?) periods of Western civilization. We will investigate such
phenomena as the schism of religions, the development of Enlightenment thought, romanticism,
the rise of nationalism, global inequality, revolutions, world wars, and the effect of
terrorism on geopolitics, among many other areas generally perceived as important in the
development of Western history.
Why Study Western civilization?
(beyond gaining core credit ... ) Studying Western civilization
provides a key to self-understanding, for this civilization has been largely responsible for
shaping who and what we are, both in our social and personal selves. We ask what Aristotle
and Aquinas, Hitler and the Habsburgs, Louis XIV and Lincoln, Marx and Malthus,
Rousseau and Roosevelt, Zheng He and Zapata, have to do with us or say to us today? By
acquiring an understanding of the development of Western civilization, and its context in
world civilization, students acquire a richer appreciation of the present and future.
Intellectual growth entails the development of academic skills.
Effective reading, writing, thinking; analysis and synthesis of concepts; and understanding
of key events, ideas and forces that have shaped the Western world, all contribute to the
education the College seeks to provide. Gaining insight into the development of Western
civilization, students expand their basis for understanding themselves and shaping their
worlds and a reference point for respecting the autonomous development of other cultures.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:
- Trace aspects of the development of Western cultural, political, religious and social
processes from Renaissance to the present.
- Describe changes in thought as it relates to Western culture in this period
- Identify and discuss some of the major people, events and time periods
- Understand the interdisciplinary nature of the study of historical topics and
recognize differences in approach between science, philosophy, economics, and geography
to historic questions.
- Be able to apply basic historical methodologies and critical thought to current and
historical controversies.
Textbook
REQUIRED: A
History of World Societies, volume 2, 5th edition, by John McKay,
Bennett Hill and Patricia Ebrey, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000. ISBN: 0395944910.
Classroom Procedures:
This course combines lecture, discussion and special
assignments. Students are invited to ask questions at any time. The syllabus is somewhat
flexible and we will change it according to the desires of the group.
Success in this course depends on participation. Come to each
class prepared to question and discuss the issues at hand. Assigned readings must be
completed prior to class. Keep good notes - it is your responsibly to be able to argue pro
and con on the major discussion points.
To aide you in this, I will assign short answer reaction papers
on some reading assignments. These questions will highlight some of the important aspects of
each topic keeping in mind our goal of understanding various ways of knowing about the
world. At times, I may have you write very short position papers in class on issues under
discussion. We will also work on cooperative learning exercises that involve group problem
solving and presentations.
Late assignments, make-ups, retakes, and incomplete
If you have an emergency and cannot complete an assignment on time, discuss your need with
the instructor (preferably in advance). In general, no late assignments or make-ups will
be allowed. However, there are extenuating circumstances, so explain your situation. You
must seek the approval of your instructor in advance for an incomplete, and justify your
request with a validated medical emergency or a severe personal crisis. Incompletes are
given if the student has completed the majority of the work for the course, has been unable
to complete all of it for a valid reason, and will pass the course if they are given an
opportunity to complete the required work within a specified time period.
Changing Grades
No one is perfect. Sometimes test questions are ambiguous or wrong. Graders make errors. I
encourage you to challenge your grade on any assignment or test if you feel your efforts
were graded incorrectly, but you must do so during office hours, before or after class
within one week of an assignment's return date.
Academic Misconduct
Any student who, after due process, is found to have broken the college's honor code will receive an
"F" in the course. Academic misconduct comprises
scholastic dishonesty or class misconduct. Scholastic dishonesty includes cheating in
assignments; plagiarizing (misrepresenting as one's own anything done by another); depriving
another of necessary course materials; or sabotaging another's work. Copying work verbatim
from the Internet, a book or another student is plagiarism. Class misconduct is disrupting
disrespectful behavior in class. Denigrating comments, rudeness during presentations and
persistent tardiness are examples of class misconduct. Either scholastic or class misconduct
is grounds for dismissal from the course. Please avoid it.
Special Needs
If you have a learning or physical need, please let me know about any accommodations you
would like me to make by the end of the first class. CCD has support services available to
assist you in your academic success.
Schedule for Spring 2003
Readings from
the text: A
History of World Societies, volume 2, 5th edition, by John McKay,
Bennett Hill and Patricia Ebrey, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000. ISBN: 0395944910.
Handouts I will pass out additional readings over the course
of the semester
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