History 1050: World Civilizations to the Sixteenth Century

University of North Texas

Department of History

Instructor: Hailey A. Stewart

Location and Time: WH 122, Tu Th 3:30 PM – 4:50 PM
Office Hours: WH 231, Tu Th 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Email Address: [email protected]

Course Description: World Civilizations to the sixteenth century covers the history of world
civilizations from ancient times to 1500. This course will examine the major political, social,
economic, and intellectual components that shaped cultural traditions. More specifically, it will
evaluate history from its early roots in the Ancient Near East through the exploration of Latin
America in the sixteenth century. Through reading and lectures, students will gain an
understanding of historical causal and consequential relationships and of the significant persons,
events, places, and issues of history from ancient times to 1500. This course will also display
how history can inform the understanding of contemporary events. I hope that by the end of the
semester you will not only have a better grasp of the facts and chronology of the period, but that
you will have strengthened your critical thinking and persuasive writing skills.

Required Texts:

Textbook: Edward H. Judge and John W. Langdon, Connections: A World History, 3rd edition,
volume 1. ISBN-13: 9780134102849

Reader: Reader in World Civilizations. 1st Edition. Department of History. University of North
Texas. ISBN: 9780738066172

Both texts are available for purchase at the UNT Bookstore.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this course students will…

1. Understand major world civilizations and their characteristics from ca. 3000 BCE to 1500 CE
1.1. Demonstrate knowledge of the various cultures
1.1.1. Pinpoint major developments
1.1.2. Identify pertinent people in the multiple cultures
1.2. Know the characteristics and contributions of each of the civilization
1.2.1. Define the development and criteria of civilization
1.2.2. Describe the characteristics and contributions of each civilization
1.2.3. Discuss the difference between the various cultures

2. Evaluate factors and patterns in the major changes, and the rise and fall of civilizations
2.1. Explain arguments of class struggle and rise and fall cycles
2.1.1. Evaluate the Marxist cycle by applying it to various civilizations.
 2.1.2. Evaluate the Chinese dynastic cycle by applying it to the Chinese dynasties and
considering its usefulness in other civilization applications.
2.1.3. Recognize race and class struggle within the various cultures
2.1.4. Compare ancient and modern issues of race and class struggle
2.2. Synthesize the various factors of change and rise and fall for each civilization
2.2.1. Identify major people involved in changes and rise and fall of civilizations
2.2.2. Connect individuals with their contribution and significance in history
2.2.3. Describe the causes for rising civilizations
2.2.4. List major changes in each civilization
2.2.5. Classify the reasons of decline for each civilization
2.2.6. Compare and contrast patterns of rise and fall of civilization

3. Think critically about major themes in the ancient and modern world
3.1. Analyze the roots and belief systems of the ancient world’s major religions
3.1.1. Identify what features are similar and different with the modern world
3.1.2. Compare the impact of religion on ancient and modern society
3.1.3. Evaluate the influence of religion and belief systems on the various socio-culture
dynamics
3.1.4. Consider the influence of government and propaganda on religion
3.2. Draw conclusions about social belief as it relates to gender roles in the ancient and
modern cultures
3.2.1. Define the role of gender in several of the civilizations
3.2.2. Compare and contrast gender roles in the various civilization
3.3. Demonstrate ability to interpret how laws reflect the belief and value system as well as
other writing
3.3.1. Use primary documents to challenge conceptions and increase understanding of
the various cultures
3.3.2. Construct arguments about themes of gender, race, class, and religion based on
various societies’ laws.

Exams: There will be TWO (2) exams, a midterm and a final. Each exam will be worth 150
points and will consist of short ID questions, questions from articles selected from the Reader,
and a long essay. ID questions and the essay are largely derived from the instructor’s lectures. A
study sheet that includes possible IDs, the selected articles, and possible essay questions will be
available to students a week prior to the scheduled exam. The dates for the exams are listed in
the course schedule chart below. In order to arrange a make-up exam, the student (not the
student’s parent, boss, or friend) must contact the instructor before the next class period after the
exam. There will be no make-up exam for the final.

Writing Assignment: The writing assignment intends to introduce students to primary texts that
pertain to some of the world civilizations discussed in class. Students are required to write one
(1) paper. I have provided four (4) topics and you will choose one (1). Each topic has two
primary texts relating to a specific era or theme. Read the documents and write a 2-3 page paper
that compares and contrasts the primary sources. Discuss any political, social, intellectual,
cultural, economic, military, or religious themes that emerge from the texts. All papers should
be written in Times New Roman, 12pt font, one (1) inch margins, and double spaced.
Guiding Questions: What type of text is it? When was it written? Who wrote it? Who was the
intended audience? What was the purpose? What was the historical context of the writing? What
are the similarities and differences between the two texts?

Text Options (Posted on Blackboard):

 Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and the Bhagavad Gita

 Suetonius “The Life of Augustus” and Sima Qian’s “The Basic Annals of Emperor Kao-
tsu”
 Andreas Capellanus “The Art of Courtly Love” and Murisaki “The Tale of Genji”
 Padhana Sutta: The Great Struggle and Tales of the Devil (Sermon stories)

WRITING ASSIGNMENT IS DUE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH BY THE END OF

THE CLASS PERIOD

Attendance: Attendance matters and you absolutely cannot expect to do well in this course if
you are frequently absent. Attendance will be taken daily and will be worth fifty (50) points of
your total grade. I have provided a breakdown below:

95% - 100% [up to two (2) absences] = 55 points

85% - 95% [up to five (5) absences] = 50 points
75% - 85% [up to seven (7) absences] = 45 points
65% - 75% [up to nine (9) absences] = 40 points
55 % - 65% [up to eleven (11) absences] = 35 points
50% - 55% [up to thirteen (13) absences] = 30 points
Under 50% [more than fourteen (14) absences] = 0 points

Grading:

Midterm 150pts A = 500-450pts

Final 150pts B = 400-449pts
Writing Assignment 150pts C = 350-399pts
Attendance 50pts D = 300-349pts
F = 299 and below

Total Possible Points = 500 pts

Etiquette: There are standards of etiquette for university classes. Most of these are just common
courtesy. No talking while the instructor is lecturing. If you have a question, raise your hand
and wait to be called on. Silence all cell phones. If you use a laptop in class, use it only for
taking notes. Surfing the internet, texting, or any other activity not related to the lecture or class
activity distracts not only you but also others in the class. Be respectful of the learning
environment and save your surfing, texting, and phoning for later. DO NOT BE LATE FOR
CLASS, but if you are unavoidably detained, come in quietly. If you have a job or a commitment
that makes you perpetually late, come and discuss this with me. DO NOT LEAVE CLASS
EARLY, but if you must leave early, sit in the back or on the aisle so you do not disturb the
other students.

Additional Resources: The University of North Texas Department Of History offers additional
resources to aid the students in succeeding in their coursework. They offer the History Help
Center and the History Department Library to assist students in tutoring and essay writing
advice. Copies of the course textbooks can also be found in the History Help Center.

History Help Center History Library

Wooten Hall, Room 220 Wooten Hall, Room 267
Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Academic Integrity and Honesty: University students are expected to conduct themselves in
accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic misconduct for which a
student is subject to penalty includes all forms of cheating, such as illicit possessions of
examinations or examination materials, forgery, the participation in hindering classmates’
learning environment or plagiarism. If academic dishonesty is discovered in this class, you will
receive a zero for the assignment, and the Dean of Students may become involved. “The Code of
Student Conduct and Discipline” (available online at
https://deanofstudents.unt.edu/sites/default/files/124330_dos_conduct_txt_final.pdf) covers those
issues listed above. Students are expected to follow this code. Ignorance of the rules will not be
a valid excuse, so read over the guidelines to make yourself familiar with them. If you have any
questions, please contact the appropriate office or the instructor.

Disability Statement: The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic

accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first
register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a
disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to
faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request
accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as
early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must
obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty
member prior to implementation in each class. Students are strongly encouraged to deliver letters
of accommodation during faculty office hours or by appointment. Faculty members have the
authority to ask students to discuss such letters during their designated office hours to protect the
privacy of the student. For additional information, see the Office of Disability Accommodation
website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.

Tentative Course Schedule:

(The instructor reserves the right to change the schedule at any time.)

Tuesday, August 30: Introduction to the course, review syllabus, and course requirements.
Thursday, September 1: Prehistory through the Bronze Age

Chapter 1: The Emergence of Human Societies, to 3000 B. C. E.

Chapter 2: Early Societies of West Asia and North Africa, to 500 B. C. E.

Tuesday, September 6: Iron Age/The Levant

Chapter 2: Early Societies of West Asia and North Africa, to 500 B. C. E.

Chapter 6: The Persian Connection: Its Impact and Influences, 2000 B. C. E. – 637 C. E.

Thursday, September 8: The Levant/The Greeks

Chapter 7: Greek Civilization and its Expansion into Asia, 2000 – 30 B. C. E.

Tuesday, September 13: The Greeks/Hellenistic World

Chapter 7: Greek Civilization and its Expansion into Asia, 2000 – 30 B. C. E.

Thursday, September 15: Hellenistic World/ The Roman Republic

Chapter 8: The Romans Connect the Mediterranean World, 753 B. C. E. – 284 C. E.

Tuesday, September 20: The Roman Republic

Chapter 8: The Romans Connect the Mediterranean World, 753 B. C. E. – 284 C. E.

Thursday, September 22: The Roman Republic/The Roman Empire

Chapter 8: The Romans Connect the Mediterranean World, 753 B. C. E. – 284 C. E.

Tuesday, September 27: The Roman Empire

Chapter 8: The Romans Connect the Mediterranean World, 753 B. C. E. – 284 C. E.

Thursday, September 29: The Roman Empire

Chapter 8: The Romans Connect the Mediterranean World, 753 B. C. E. – 284 C. E.

Tuesday, October 4: Late Antiquity/ Byzantium

Chapter 9: Germanic Societies and the Emergence of the Christian West, 100 – 1100 C. E.
Chapter 10: The Byzantine World, 284-1240

Thursday, October 6: Byzantium/Middle Ages

Chapter 10: The Byzantine World, 284-1240

Tuesday, October 11: Middle Ages

Chapter 9: Germanic Societies and the Emergence of the Christian West, 100 – 1100 C. E.

Thursday, October 13: Middle Ages

Chapter 9: Germanic Societies and the Emergence of the Christian West, 100 – 1100 C. E.
Chapter 16: The Resurgence of the Christian West, 1050-1530

Tuesday, October 18: Middle Ages/Renaissance

Chapter 16: The Resurgence of the Christian West, 1050-1530

Thursday, October 20: Renaissance

Chapter 16: The Resurgence of the Christian West, 1050-1530

Tuesday, October 25: MIDTERM EXAM

Thursday, October 27: Rise of Islam and the Caliphate/Muslim Empires

Chapter 11: The Origins and Expansion of Islam, 100-750

Chapter 12: Religion and Diversity in the Transformation of Southern Asia, 711-1400
Chapter 17: Culture and Conflict in the Great Islamic Empires, 1071 - 1707

Tuesday, November 1: Sub-Saharan Africa

Chapter 13: Early African Societies, 1500 B. C. E. – 1500 C. E.

Chapter 2: Early Societies of West Asia and North Africa, to 500 B. C. E.

Thursday, November 3: Sub-Saharan Africa

Chapter 13: Early African Societies, 1500 B. C. E. – 1500 C. E.

Tuesday, November 8: The Americas

Chapter 5: Early American Societies: Connection and Isolation, 20,000 B. C. E. – 1500 C. E.

Chapter 18: The Aztec and Inca Empire, 1300-1550

Thursday, November 10: Ancient China

Chapter 4: The Origins of the Chinese Empire, to 220 C. E.

Tuesday, November 15: Imperial China

Chapter 14: The Evolution and Expansion of East Asian Societies

Thursday, November 17: Imperial China

Chapter 14: The Evolution and Expansion of East Asian Societies

Chapter 15: Nomadic Conquests and Eurasian Connections, 1000 - 1400

Tuesday, November 22: Korea

Chapter 14: The Evolution and Expansion of East Asian Societies, 220 – 1240 C. E.

Thursday, November 24: NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING BREAK

Tuesday, November 29: Japan

Chapter 14: The Evolution and Expansion of East Asian Societies, 220 – 1240 C. E.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE BY THE END OF CLASS.

Thursday, December 1: Southeast Asia/India

Chapter 14: The Evolution and Expansion of East Asian Societies, 220 – 1240 C. E.

Tuesday, December 6: India

Chapter 3: Societies and Beliefs of Early India, to 550 C. E.

Chapter 12: Religion and Diversity in the Transformation of Southern Asia, 711-1400

Thursday, December 8: NO CLASS—PRE FINALS DAY

FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, December 13, 2016 – 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM