Course Syllabus
HIST 2311.04 formerly known as HIS 265.04 World History from the Dawn of Civilization through the Middle Ages
CRN 42474 - 3 Credit Hours, Summer II 2011
Monday through Friday, 10 AM, Lee Drain Bldg. Room 218
Last Revised: March 15, 2011
Dr. Tracy Steele
Office: AB4 461
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Also by appointment
Office Phone: (936)294-1480 - Please leave a message on voice mail if I am not available.
Department Secretary's Office: (936)294-1475
E-MAIL ADDRESS: his_tls@shsu.edu
Students should activate their student e-mail accounts. Students will be notified via their student e-mail accounts of any last minute changes or announcements. Students must use their student e-mail address for security purposes, especially when enquiring regarding grades.
Web Address: http://www.shsu.edu/~his_tls/
Text
Traditions & Encounters, Volume 1 From the Beginning to 1500, 5th Edition
Bentley, Jerry; Ziegler, Herbert
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Copyright year: © 2011 Pages: 528
eText: ISBN-10 0-07-736795-2 or ISBN-13 978-0-07-736795-4
Print: ISBN-10 0-07-736794-4 or ISBN-13 978-0-07-736794-7
Study Tips
I want all students to succeed in reaching their goals in this class. In order to prepare for each class day, students should read the assigned chapter and then re-read the chapter after class in order to reinforce the material learned. Students should review their course notes each day. Before each exam, students should review all notes and assigned chapters.
Students who are having difficulty reading the text (which should be read in a different manner than recreational reading or a math text) should either talk to Dr. Steele or contact the Reading Center at Farrington Building, Suite 109, phone number: 294-3114.
VALUABLE TIP: If you are interested in cultivating study skills that will help with this and all your other courses, the SAM Center has all kinds of resources available as well as a capable staff ready to help you! Click on: <http://www.shsu.edu/~sam_www/>
The Sam Center’s phone number is 294-4444. In order to help you to reach your goal for this course, any student who fails the first test will automatically be referred to the Sam Center.
Students are encouraged to discuss problems with Dr. Steele!
Examinations (100% of final grade)
There will be five tests over the lectures and the text. Each test is worth 20% of the student’s final grade. Each test will be administered online. It will open up on the day of the test at 8 AM and will be available until the next day at 8 AM. I will not drop an examination. There are no make up tests. The tests will include multiple choice, matching and short answer. All tests will be administered on Blackboard.
Students will be given one hour on Blackboard for each examination.
Test #1: 20%
Test #2: 20%
Test #3: 20%
Test #4: 20%
Test #5: 20%
Total: 100%
Grading
Grades will be posted at Blackboard as soon as possible after each test.
A: 90-100
B: 80-89.5
C: 70-79.5
D: 60-69.5
F: 59.5 and below
Important Dates from the Academic Calendar
July 6, WEDNESDAY: * First class day. * Late Registration. Refer to the Schedule of Classes for details and deadlines. * Evening Classes Begin.
July 7, THURSDAY: Last day to register and to process schedule changes.
July 8, FRIDAY: * Classes Meet.
July 11, MONDAY: * Fourth class day. * Last day to drop with a "Q" and receive 100% refund.
July 15, FRIDAY: * Classes Meet.
July 20, WEDNESDAY: Last day to drop courses online (not only online courses) without a grade of "F" by 5:00 pm . After today, "Q" drops must be processed in the Registrar's Office, Estill Bldg. Rm. 331. Professor approval required.
July 22, FRIDAY: Classes Meet.
July 29, FRIDAY: Classes Meet.
August 2, TUESDAY: * Last Class Day. * Last day to resign and drop courses (SEE RESIGNATION INFORMATION BELOW).
August 3, WEDNESDAY: * Final Examinations. * Residence halls close at 12:00 noon.
August 6, SATURDAY: TENTATIVE. Commencement, Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
August 8, MONDAY: 12:00 noon Deadline for filing grades with the Registrar's Office.
Second Summer Session Ends
RESIGNATION NOTE: Students may resign with a "W" grade from the 13th class day through the last class day, but prior to any final exams being taken or course completion.
DROP NOTE: Courses may be dropped without a grade of "F" before taking any final exams. To process a "Q" drop after the online drop closes, students must come to the Registrar's Office, Estill Building Rm. 331 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00p.m. No schedule changes may be made after the deadline specified in the Academic Calendar.
Course Description
This course is a survey of world history since to approximately 1492 (1500). This is a survey of world history from the dawn of civilization in Mesopotamia, China, India, Egypt, and Mesoamerica through the Middle Ages in Europe and Asia. The Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation, as well as the rise of nation states and the commercial economy are stressed as background to modern history. Recommended as a basic history course for all liberal arts majors. Credit 3.
This is primarily a lecture course, but we will engage in discussions when appropriate. Dr. Steele encourages students to engage and ask questions at any time. All exams will be multiple choice questions. Questions will be drawn from the online questions practice test bank but the majority will come from class lecture and the text.
Course Goal & Objectives
- This course is recommended as a basic world history course for all liberal arts majors and minors because it provides an overview of major trends in world history up to 1500.
- There are no prerequisites required for this course.
Course Outline
July 6, Wednesday: Introduction & CHAPTER 1. Before History
July 7, Thursday: CHAPTER 2. Early Societies in Southwest Asia and the Indo-European Migrations and CHAPTER 3. Early African Societies and the Bantu Migrations
July 8, Friday: CHAPTER 4. Early Societies in South Asia
July 11, Monday: Test 1 on Blackboard
July 12, Tuesday: CHAPTER 5. Early Society in East Asia
July 13, Wednesday: CHAPTER 6. Early Societies in the Americas and Oceania & CHAPTER 7. The Empires of Persia
July 14, Thursday: CHAPTER 8. The Unification of China and CHAPTER 9. State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation in India
July 15, Friday: Test 2 on Blackboard
July 18, Monday: CHAPTER 10. Mediterranean Society: The Greek Phase
July 19, Tuesday: CHAPTER 11. Mediterranean Society: The Roman Phase & CHAPTER 12. Cross-Cultural Exchanges on the Silk Roads
July 20, Wednesday: CHAPTER 13. The Expansive Realm of Islam
July 21, Thursday: CHAPTER 14. The Resurgence of Empire in East Asia
July 22, Friday: Test 3 on Blackboard
July 25, Monday: CHAPTER 15. India and the Indian Ocean Basin
July 26, Tuesday: CHAPTER 16. The Two Worlds of Christendom
July 27, Wednesday: CHAPTER 17. Nomadic Empires and Eurasian Integration
July 28, Thursday: CHAPTER 18. States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa
July 29, Friday: Test 4 on Blackboard
August 1, Monday: CHAPTER 19. The Increasing Influence of Europe and CHAPTER 20. Worlds Apart: The Americas and Oceania
August 2, Tuesday: and CHAPTER 21. Reaching Out: Expanding Horizons of Cross-Cultural Interaction and CHAPTER 22. Transoceanic Encounters and Global Connections
August 3, Wednesday: Final Exam Test 5 on Blackboard
Attendance
It is the responsibility of each student to attend class, take notes and participate in class discussions. Attendance will be taken at each class. Students who read, text message, sleep, or engage in other activities that are not germane the course will not receive attendance credit for that day. A student who engages in disruptive behavior which includes text messaging, talking, or sleeping may be asked to leave the class and, if this behavior continues, will not be allowed to return and will fail the course. Students who engage in disruptive behavior will be reported to the Dean of Students. Students do not have the right to interfere with another student’s educational experience. Remember: you do not have a right to attend university; university is a privilege.
Academic Dishonesty
Based on the Academic Policy Statement 810213 and the Faculty Handbook:
All students are expected to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is above reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the academic experiences both in and out of the classroom. Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. The University and its official representatives may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of any form of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work which is to be submitted, plagiarism, collusion and the abuse of resource materials.
Cheating will not be tolerated in this course. Students who are caught cheating on an examination will receive an F for that assignment and will not be allowed to make it up. If a student is caught cheating a second time, the student will receive an automatic F for the course. Students caught cheating on any assignment will be reported to the Dean of Students. Please see the following web address from the student guidelines at http://www.shsu.edu/students/guide/dean/codeofconduct.html
Classroom Rules of Conduct
Students will refrain from behavior in the classroom that intentionally or unintentionally disrupts the learning process and, thus, impedes the mission of the university. Cellular telephones and pagers must be turned off before class begins. Students are prohibited from eating in class, using tobacco products, making offensive remarks, reading newspapers, sleeping, talking at inappropriate times, text messaging, wearing inappropriate clothing, or engaging in any other form of distraction. Inappropriate behavior in the classroom shall result in a directive to leave class and will not receive credit for attendance that day. Students who are especially disruptive also will be reported to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action in accordance with university policy.
Section 5.2.22 defines classroom disturbances and can be found in the Code of Student Conduct and Discipline at the following link:
https://www.shsu.edu/students/guide/dean/codeofconduct.html.
USE OF TELEPHONES AND TEXT MESSAGERS IN ACADEMIC CLASSROOMS AND FACILITIES (Approved by Provost and President in November 2010; effective Spring Semester 2011)
Telephones and similar devices have become increasingly a part of everyday life. In the academic classroom, however, during class these devices can be a serious distraction and during tests they can be a serious problem. The technology is constantly changing and evolving. So, the present policy does not specify particular devices or device types. Rather, the policy applies to any device that performs the function of a telephone or text messager.
1.0 Each course syllabus must contain a policy statement as to the disposition of telephones and text messagers (1) in the classroom, (2) during testing periods, and (3) for emergency considerations.
2.0 The use by students of electronic devices that perform the function of a telephone or text messager during class-time may be prohibited if deemed disruptive by the instructor to the conduct of the class. Arrangements for handling potential emergency situations may be granted at the discretion of the instructor. Failure to comply with the instructor’s policy could result in expulsion from the classroom or with multiple offenses, failure of the course.
3.0 Any use of a telephone or text messager or any device that performs these functions during a test period is prohibited. These devices should not be present during a test or should be stored securely in such a way that they cannot be seen or used by the student. Even the visible presence of such a device during the test period will result in a zero for that test. Use of these devices during a test is considered de facto evidence of cheating and could result in a charge of academic dishonesty (see student code of conduct http://www.shsu.edu/students/guide/StudentGuidelines2010-2012.pdf#page=29).
Visitors in the Classroom
Unannounced visitors to class must present a current, official SHSU identification card to be permitted into the classroom. They must not represent a disruption to the class by their attendance. If the visitor is not a registered student, it is at the instructor's discretion whether or not the visitor will be allowed to remain in the classroom.
This policy is not intended to discourage the occasional visiting of classes by responsible persons. Obviously, however, the visiting of a particular class should be occasional and not regular, and it should in no way constitute interference with registered members of the class or the educational process.
Americans with Disabilities Act
It is the policy of Sam Houston State University that individuals otherwise qualified shall not be excluded, solely by reason of their disability, from participation in any academic program of the university. Further, they shall not be denied the benefits of these programs nor shall they be subjected to discrimination. Students with disabilities that might affect their academic performance are expected to visit with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities located in the Counseling Center. They should then make arrangements with their individual instructors so that appropriate strategies can be considered and helpful procedures can be developed to ensure that participation and achievement opportunities are not impaired.
SHSU adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. If a student has a disability that may affect adversely his/her work in this class, then the student is encouraged to register with the SHSU Counseling Center and to talk with the instructor about how best to deal with the situation. All disclosures of disabilities will be kept strictly confidential. NOTE: no accommodation can be made until the student registers with the Counseling Center.
Religious Holidays
Section 51.911(b) of the Texas Education Code requires that an institution of higher education excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence.
"Religious holy day" means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Section 11.20, Tax Code.
An institution of higher education shall excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who plans to miss a class or required activity to observe a religious holy day should inform the professor in writing prior to planned absence.
Instructor Evaluations
Students may be asked to complete a course/instructor evaluation form toward the end of the semester.