Course Syllabus for HIS 265
                                     HIS 265 World History from the Dawn of Civilization through the Middle Ages
3 Credit Hours, Fall 2008
Section 03, CID 6331, TU/Th 9:30-10:50, Dan Rather Bldg. Room 319
Section 06, CID 5055, TU/TH 2:00-3:20, AB4 303
Updated: September 18, 2008: Post Hurricane IKE

Dr. Tracy Steele
Office: AB4 461
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 to 9:30 and11:00 to 11:45; Wednesday, 9:00 to 11:00
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
Bentley and Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past Volume I, 4th Edition 2008, Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Web Address: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073406937/information_center_view0/

Study Tips
I want all students to succeed in reaching their goals in this class. One of the reasons why I use this text is because it comes with numerous online study tools. This includes an online quiz for each chapter that will help students to check their comprehension of each chapter. Each test will reward students who utilize this online tool by including a few questions from the online quizzes. The online study tools also include chapter outlines and summaries.

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, assigned chapters, and online quizzes. Remember: questions will come from class notes (I will frequently make of point in class to note a topic that will definitely on the test), information only covered in the text (to make sure that you are doing the reading), and from the online quizzes.

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/>
Students are also encouraged to discuss problems with Dr. Steele!

Examinations
There will be five multiple choice examinations during the semester. Students will be required to bring their own Scantron 882 for the exams. All exams will be graded immediately following the exam and grades will be posted to Blackboard as soon as possible. The following class day the professor will go over the exam with the class before starting the next lecture. This is intended to help students to understand why a question may be wrong.

There will be no make-up examinations without documentation. Students may not start the test after the first student has left the classroom! Don’t be late! I will not drop an examination grade. All make up tests will be essay examinations. Make up tests MUST be completed before the next examination is given.

Test #1: 20% - September 25
Test #2: 20% - October 14
Test #3: 20% - October 28
Test #4: 20% - November 13
Test #5: 20% - December 11
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
August 25 MONDAY. Daytime on-campus classes begin. Late Registration, process class schedule changes. Refer to the Schedule of Classes for details and deadlines. Monday Night (MN) classes begin (on-campus and off-campus).
August 26 TUESDAY. Tuesday Night (TuN) classes begin (on-campus and off-campus).
August 27 WEDNESDAY. Wednesday Night (WN) classes begin (on-campus and off-campus).
August 28 THURSDAY. Thursday Night (ThN) classes begin (on-campus and off-campus).
August 29.FRIDAY. Friday Night (FN) classes begin (on-campus and off -campus).
August 30 SATURDAY. Saturday classes begin (on-campus and off-campus).
September 1 MONDAY. Labor Day. Holiday for students and faculty.
September 2 TUESDAY. Last day to register and to process schedule changes.
September 10 WEDNESDAY. Twelfth Class Day. Last day to drop without a "Q" and receive 100% refund by 5:00 p.m. Degree applications to be filed in Registrar's Office by students graduating in December 2008.
October 8 WEDNESDAY. Half-semester courses end. Last day to drop a half-semester course for the Fall Semester with "Q" by 5:00 p.m.
October 10 FRIDAY. Submit draft thesis/dissertation to Library for format and style review.
November 7 FRIDAY. Last day to complete a public defense of the thesis/dissertation.
November 12 WEDNESDAY. Last day to submit complete, defended and signed thesis/dissertation to the appropriate academic dean's office.
November 21 FRIDAY. Last day to submit final thesis/dissertation (defended and signed) and Route Sheet to the Director of the Library.
November 25 TUESDAY. Thanksgiving holidays for students and faculty begin at 9:00 p.m. Residence halls close at 10:00 p.m.
November 26,27,28 WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY. Thanksgiving holidays for students and faculty.
November 28 FRIDAY. Last day to make all final copies of thesis/dissertation and submit to the NGL for binding. Last day to submit Route Sheet to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
November 30SUNDAY. Residence halls open. Time will be posted December 1 MONDAY. Classes resume at 8:00 a.m.
December 11 THURSDAY. Last Class Day. Last Day to Resign with the mark of a "W" by 5:00 p.m. Last day to drop a course without the grade of "F", before taking any scheduled exams or the last business day, whichever comes first (must be processed by 5:00 p.m.).
December 12 FRIDAY. Study Day.
December 15,16,17,18 MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY. Final examinations [includes Monday Night (MN), Tuesday Night (TuN), Wednesday Night (WN) and Thursday Night (ThN) final examinations]..
December 19 FRIDAY. Residence halls close at 12:00 Noon.
December 19, 20 SATURDAY. TENTATIVE. Commencement, Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
December 22 MONDAY. 9:00 a.m. Deadline for filing grades with the Registrar's Office. Fall Semester ends.

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.
- Students will gain a factual knowledge of world history since pre-history to approximately 1492 (1500) including important terms, dates, historical figures, and historical maps. .
- Students will learn how to find and use available resources for learning material not covered in lectures.
- Students will develop a clearer understanding of, and commitment to, personal values.

Course Outline
(Changes to the Course Outline will be announced in class and posted to Blackboard)
August 26: Introduction
August 28: NO CLASS
Sept. 2: Chapter 1. Before History
Sept. 4: Chapter 2. Early Societies in Southwest Asia
Sept. 9: Chapter 3. Early African Societies and the Bantu Migrations
Sept. 11: Hurricane Ike
Sept. 16: Hurricane Ike
Sept. 18: Hurricane Ike
Sept. 23: Chapter 4. Early Societies in South Asia
Sept. 25: Test 1
Sept. 30: Chapter 5. Early Societies in East Asia
Oct. 2: Chapter 6. Early Societies in the Americas and Oceania & Chapter 7: The Empires of Persia
Oct. 7: Chapter 8. The Unification of China
Oct. 9: Chapter 9. State, Society, and the Quest for Salvation in India
Oct. 14: Test 2
Oct. 16: Chapter 10. Mediterranean Society: The Greek Phase & Chapter 11. Mediterranean Society: The Roman Phase
Oct. 21: Chapter 12. Cross-Cultural Exchanges on the Silk Roads
Oct. 23: Chapter 13. The Commonwealth of Byzantium
Oct. 28: Test 3
Oct. 30: Chapter 14. The Expansive Realm of Islam
Nov. 4: Chapter 15. The Resurgence of Empire in East Asia
Nov. 6: Chapter 16. India and the Indian Ocean Basin
Nov. 11: Chapter 17. The Foundations of Christian Society in Western Europe
Nov. 13: Test 4
Nov. 18: Chapter 18. Nomadic Empires and Eurasian Integration
Nov. 20: Chapter 19. States and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa
Nov. 25: Continue Ch. 19
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
Dec. 2: Chapter 20. Western Europe during the High Middle Ages
Dec. 4: Chapter 21. Worlds Apart: The Americas and Oceania
Dec. 9: Chapter 22. Reaching Out: Cross-Cultural Interactions
Dec. 11: Test 5
(Changes to the Course Outline will be announced in class and posted to 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 miss more than 6 classes (excused or unexcused) will automatically fail this course.  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.

A seating chart will be made on the third day of class.  Students who are not in their assigned seats when roll is taken will be counted absent that day; students who leave soon after roll is taken will be counted as absent.  Role will be taken at the beginning of each class.
 
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.  
The exams in the course are Scantron.  Students who have a text book, notes, cell phone, or computer on their desk (or have notes and/or a text book open near their desk) during an exam may be assumed to be cheating and will receive an F.  Students may not engage in conversation during a test or look at another student’s Scantron.  Any student caught engaged in such activity may be assumed to be cheating and will receive an F.

Cheating will not be tolerated in this course. Students who are caught cheating on a test, quiz, or any other assignment will receive an F for that assignment and will not be allowed to make up the assignment.  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.

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.