Syllabus

World History (3 units)
Instructor: Patti Andrews
Summer 2011—M/T 6:00-10:15
Office hours by arrangement
Email: pandrews@ndnu.edu
Online home: http://worldhistorysummer2011.blogspot.com


Course Summary
This course will survey the history of world civilizations from early man to the present, emphasizing cultural and developmental themes.

Texts
Strayer, Ways of the World: A Brief Global History
Additional readings as distributed in class

Learning Outcomes
Students will…
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the political, economic, social, religious, intellectual, and artistic experiences of peoples around the world over time; recognize the influence of global forces and identify their connections to local and national developments;
2. Understand how decisions made in the past continue to shape society and political discourse;
3. Demonstrate familiarity with the historical literature and conflicting interpretations of the past;
4. Weigh and interpret evidence and present a sustained argument supported by historical evidence;
5. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate historical knowledge and reasoning orally and in writing;
6. Use the tools of social science research – statistical and qualitative – in formulating a research topic, collecting and analyzing evidence, and presenting results.

Requirements
Given our limited number of meetings, consistent attendance and reading will be essential to a student’s success in this class. More than one absence will result in an automatic drop from the class. Regular quizzes will assess students’ preparation for each class session and will take the place of midterm and final exams. Students will produce a minimum of 32 pages of written work including short reading analysis papers, online journal entries, and a research or oral history project.

Evaluation
Quizzes 4 @ 20 points = 80 20%
Reading Analysis (RA) Papers 2 @ 60 points = 120 30%
Research Paper or Oral History (RP/OH) 1 @ 60 points = 60 15%
Reading Journal (RJ) (10 entries) 1 @ 60 points = 60 15%
Attendance 10 weeks @ 4 points = 40 10%
Participation 10 weeks @ 4 points = 40 10%


Tentative Schedule of Meetings & Assignments

MAY 16/17 Introductions. Course overview. Early humans.
MAY 23/24 Ancient civilizations.
Due: WW Part 1 (Intro, Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3)
MAY 30/31 HOLIDAY – NO CLASS. The early Classical Era. Study group presentations.
Due: WW Part 2 (one chapter per group member).
JUNE 6/7 The late Classical Era. Quiz 1 on WW Chapters 1-7. Writing workshop for RA #1.
Due: WW Part 3 (Intro, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 10).
JUNE 13/14 Cultural encounters.
Due: RA #1, WW Part 3 (Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 13).
JUNE 20/21 The early Modern World. Quiz 2. Writing workshop for RA #2.
Due: WW Part 4 (Intro, Ch 14, Ch 15, Ch 16).
JUNE 27/28 Western expansion & globalization.
Due: RA #2, WW Part 5 (Intro, Chapters TBA).
JULY 4/5 HOLIDAY – NO CLASS. Complete field trip, research project or oral history TBA.
JULY 11/12 Modern & contemporary conflicts & issues. Quiz 3&4 (double).
Due: WW Part 6 (Intro, Ch 21, Ch 22).
JULY 18/19 Semester review. Project presentations.
Due: WW Part 6 (Ch 23, Ch 24).