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HISTORY 370: ANCIENT HISTORY:
FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO 500 A.D.

Course Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will study the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the Near East and Mediterranean from earliest times to the end of the Fifth Century. It will investigate such areas of history as the cradles of civilization of Egypt and Mesopotamia, the empires of Babylon, Assyria, and Persia; Ancient Israel and Phoenicia; Minoan, Mycenean, and Archaic Greece; Hellenic and Hellenistic Civilizations; the rise of Republican Rome; the Roman Empire from Principate to Autocracy; the Celts and Germans; and the end of the Ancient World. Parallel develpments in other parts of the world, notably China and India, will also be analyzed. The course will also attempt to assess the impact of these and other subjects upon today's world.

PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:

  • 1) To acquaint students with the political, social, economic and cultural history of the Near East and the Mediterranean from earliest times to 500 A.D.
  • 2) To sharpen the students' skills in historical interpretation, research and writing.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND PROCEDURE:

  • 1) The class schedule will consist of two fifty minute sessions each day. The first part of each session is allotted to lectures by the instructor, while the second portion occasionally will be devoted to questions and discussion.
  • 2) Lectures both supplement and complement reading assignments, as well as introduce problems to be brought up in the discussion periods. Discussion periods investigate problems and look into interpretations of subjects in the readings and/or lectures.
  • 3) Brief outlines of lectures, maps and other supplementary materials will be distributed to students in electronic form.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE:

  • 1) Attendance: Students are expected to regularly attend lectures and participate actively in classroom discussions. Attendance will be taken regularly. Each student will receive 3 points per attendance for a possible of 50 points. Since there is no penalty for absences, there will be no excused absences.
  • 2) Reading assignments: Text and supplementary source readings are given on a daily basis.
  • 3) Geography Quizes: Twelve brief geography quizes will be presented throughout the session. The total scores of the geography quizes will count toward 15% of the course grade. Geography quizes cannot be made up. The two lowest scores from among the geography quizes will be dropped.
  • 4) Examinations: Four examinations will be presented during the session. Each examination will include one essay section. Each examination will count 50 points toward the course grade. In total the four examinations will count 200 points toward the course grade.
  • 5) Papers: Four two-to-four-page papers will be assigned during the semester. These papers will be based upon questions given on selected readings. Students are expected to express their view and answer each question in a three to five-page, typed,and double spaced paper. The one lowest of three paper scores will be dropped. Each paper will be worth 50 points for a total of 150 points toward the course grade. Each essay will be due by E-MAIL to his_ncp@shsu.edu by 12:00 PM on the day stated in the syllabus. Only those who can show that they have no possible access to a computer will be allowed to turn in a hard copies of the essay. Since the lowest of four essay scores will be dropped, no essays will be accepted after this deadline, nor makeup papers accepted.
  • 6) Makeups: Makeup examinations will be given on one afternoon near the end of the session. Makeup examinations will be given only to students who have legitimate excuses (e.g. medical emergency, court appearance, etc.) and can produce a written explanation from an authoritative third party (doctor, court clerk, etc.). No makeups for geography quizes or essays. No exceptions will be made. Do not ask.
  • 5) Evaluation of student performance will be made upon:
    • a) attendence [10%];
    • b) the ten out of twelve geography quizes [20%];
    • b) the two examinations [40%].
    • d) the three out of three papers [30%]
  • 7) Grade scale: 450-500=A; 400-449=B; 350-399=C; 300-349=D; 0-299=F.

REQUIRED READINGS:

  • The Penguin Encyclopedia of Ancient Civilizations. Arthur Cotterell, ed. New York: Penguin Books, 1980. (Civilization)
  • The Penguin Atlas of Ancient History. Arthur Cotterell, ed. New York: Penguin Books, 1967. (Atlas)
Primary Source Readings available on the Web Page. (Readings).