National University

Course:	HIS233 - World Civilizations I
Last revised:	Date: July 09, 2007    By: Dr. Alex Zukas
Textbook:	For the correct edition of the textbook assigned to a specific class, go to: http://www.nutextdirect.com
Course Prerequisite(s): ENG 100/101
Course Description: A discussion of how the distinctive cultures, economies and societies of the world developed from prehistoric times up to the European conquest of the Americas (ca. 1500 C.E.). Explores issues of gender, class, personal identity, love, war, imperialism, sexuality, citizenship, religion, urban life and ecology as they pertain to the ancient civilizations, classic civilizations and post-classical (medieval) civilizations in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe.
Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: Explain the importance of the agricultural and urban revolutions in world history. Clarify the role of gender and class in the development of the first cities. Differentiate the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India. Illustrate how the world's major religions regarded old age, the family, and salvation. Explain classical Greek, Roman, and Indian conceptions of the self. Describe urban life in ancient Greece, Rome, and India. Distinguish the classical Greek, Roman, and Indian conceptions of the self and love. Analyze the linkage between war and social structure in classical Rome and China. Assess the place of violence, love, and devotion in Islam and medieval Christianity. Distinguish medieval Christian, Indian, and Japanese conceptions of love. Describe urban life in medieval Europe, Islam, and China. Explain the contribution of Christianity and science to Western views of nature.
Course Requirements: Course Goals: HIS 233 explains how major events in the ancient, classical, medieval, and early-modern worlds are related to one another in time. Students will use a variety of maps and documents to identify physical and cultural features of cities, states, and countries and to explain the historical migration of people, expansion and disintegration of empires, and the growth of economic systems. Students will understand the central issues and problems in world history before 1600, placing people and events in a matrix of time and place and clarify the sources of historical continuity and change. Main Course Content Areas: HIS 234 covers the following topics, events, and developments: Hunting and Gathering Societies. Agricultural Revolution. Urban Revolution. Ancient civilization in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India. Axial Age religions and philosophies (Confucianism, Buddhism, Socratic philosophy, Christianity, Hinduism, Taoism). Urban life in the classical period. Imperialism in Rome and China. Rise and spread of Islam. Nomadic invasions of Eurasia. Crusades. Chivalry and feudalism in Europe and Japan. Long-distance trade in Afro-Eurasia. Assignment Descriptions Minimum requirements: Two 3-4 page papers. These papers should require students to incorporate close readings of primary sources to defend an original thesis concerning the contribution of that primary source to the historical understanding of the era that produced it. The grades for these two papers must represent at least 40% of the final course grade. A final exam, emphasizing essay questions. The exam should ask students to integrate course material as well as analyze a primary source. Extensive readings in primary sources representing several different cultural traditions. Recommended assignments: Additional short writing assignments. Documentaries, films and/or field trips to museums or places of historic interest related to the themes of the course. Assignments related to the process of writing the paper, such as rough drafts, bibliography, citation, etc. Midterm exam. Participation in class and small group discussion (should represent no more than 10% of course grade) Student presentations of papers and/or research.

Recommended Course Grading (expressed as percentages):

A	96-100	B+	87-89	C+	77-79	D+	67-69
A-	90-95	B	84-86	C	74-76	D	64-66
		B-	80-83	C-	70-73	D-	60-63

Grading Factors:
Each instructor is responsible for identifying several specific grading components and the weight to be assigned to each component. The following are examples only, and are not meant to be all inclusive:

• Weekly quizzes
• Midterm exam(s)
• Homework assignments
• Participation in classroom or chatroom discussions
• Participation in threaded discussions (online only)
• Short papers, term papers, and the like
• Individual and/or group projects (written and possibly oral presentation)
• Case study analysis and discussion
• Field experience report
• Final exam (comprehensive)

Definition of Grades:

Undergraduate Courses
A	Outstanding Achievement	Significantly exceeds standards
B	Commendable Achievement	Exceeds standards
C	Acceptable Achievement	Meets standards
D	Marginal Achievement	Below standards
F	Failing *

Graduate Courses
A	Outstanding Achievement
B	Commendable Achievement
C	Marginal Achievement
D	Unsatisfactory *
F	Failing *

* Students receiving this grade in a course that is required for his/her degree program must repeat the course.

I

Incomplete A grade given at the discretion of the instructor when a student who has completed at least two-thirds of the course class sessions and is unable to complete the requirements of the course because of uncontrollable and unforeseen circumstances. The student must convey these circumstances (preferably in writing) to the instructor prior to the final day of the course. If an instructor decides that an "Incomplete" is warranted, the instructor must convey the conditions for removal of the "Incomplete" to the student in writing. A copy must also be placed on file with the Office of the Registrar until the "Incomplete" is removed or the time limit for removal has passed. An "Incomplete" is not assigned when the only way the student could make up the work would be to attend a major portion of the class when next offered. An "I" that is not removed within the stipulated time becomes an "F." No grade points are assigned. The "F" is calculated in the grade point average.

W

Withdrawal Signifies that a student has withdrawn from a course after beginning the third class session. Students who wish to withdraw must notify their admissions advisor before the beginning of the sixth class session in the case of graduate courses, or before the seventh class session in the case of undergraduate courses. Instructors are not authorized to issue a "W" grade.

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else's ideas or work as one's own. Students must give credit for any information that is not either the result of original research or common knowledge. If a student borrows ideas or information from another author, he/she must acknowledge the author in the body of the text and on the reference page. Students found plagiarizing are subject to the penalties outlined in the Policies and Procedures section of the University Catalog, which may include a failing grade for the work in question or for the entire course. The following is one of many websites that provide helpful information concerning plagiarism for both students and faculty: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

Ethics:
Ethical behavior in the classroom is required of every student. The course will identify ethical policies and practices relevant to course topics.

Technology:
Students are expected to be competent in using current technology appropriate for this discipline. Such technology may include word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Use of the internet and e-mail may also be required.

Diversity:
Learning to work with and value diversity is essential in every class. Students are expected to exhibit an appreciation for multinational and gender diversity in the classroom.

Civility:
As a diverse community of learners, students must strive to work together in a setting of civility, tolerance, and respect for each other and for the instructor. Rules of classroom behavior (which apply to online as well as onsite courses) include but are not limited to the following:

• Conflicting opinions among members of a class are to be respected and responded to in a professional manner.
• Side conversations or other distracting behaviors are not to be engaged in during lectures, class discussions or presentations
• There are to be no offensive comments, language, or gestures

Students with Disabilities:
Students seeking special accommodations due to a disability must submit an application with supporting documentation, as explained under this subject heading in the General Catalog. Instructors are required to provide such accommodations if they receive written notification from the University.

Writing Across the Curriculum:
Students are expected to demonstrate writing skills in describing, analyzing and evaluating ideas and experiences. Written reports and research papers must follow specific standards regarding citations of an author's work within the text and references at the end of the paper. Students are encouraged to use the services of the University's Writing Center when preparing materials.

The following website provides information on APA, MLA, and other writing and citation styles that may be required for term papers and the like: http://www.nu.edu/LIBRARY/ReferenceTools/citations.html

National University Library:
National University Library supports academic rigor and student academic success by providing access to scholarly books and journals both electronically and in hard copy. Print materials may be accessed at the Library in San Diego or through document delivery for online and regional students. Librarians are available to provide training, reference assistance, and mentoring at the San Diego Library and virtually for online or regional students. Please take advantage of Library resources:

URL: http://www.nu.edu/library.

Contact the Library:

• RefDesk@nu.edu
• (858) 541-7900 (direct line)
• 1-866-NU ACCESS x7900 (toll free)

Use the Library Training Tools (on the Library Homepage) for additional help

• Recorded class presentations
• Tutorials & Guides (APA/MLA, Peer-Review, and more)