HIST 121: Western Civilization I
Fall 2005: 3 credits
Location Churchill-Haines170,
12:30-1:45
Mr Lehmann
Office Hours: 11-12 TTh or by appointment
East Hall 210, 677-5573, clehmann@usd.edu; http://www.usd.edu/~clehmann
Mr Andrews
Office Hours: 9-11 AM MWF
East Hall 211, 677-5574
Catalog description: SURVEYS THE EVOLUTION OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION FROM ITS BEGINNINGS INTO THE REFORMATION AND RELIGIOUS WARS. No prerequisites; no unusual technology skills required.
This is the first of a two-part survey of Western Civilization, and introduces the student to some of the leading figures, ideas, and events of the Ancient Near East and premodern Europe. The goal of this course is for the student not only to acquire historical information but also to learn through example (lectures) and practice (discussions, essays, papers) a historical/critical method of thought and expression.
In order to do well in this course students must attend all lectures and read all assignments. Many lectures involve visual material available on the instructor's Home Page. Students who expect to miss more than three meetings should see the instructor within the first week. The readings and the mini-themes on them are especially important, and should be given ample time for reading, reflection, and writing. Students should secure all on-line handouts, which contain chronological and supplemental background to the lectures and readings. A set of study questions, also available on-line, will assist the student preparing for examinations.
There will be a midterm exam 22 September, covering parts one and two of the course; another 3 November, covering parts three and four; and a final exam 13 Dec, covering parts five and six. Exams consist of one long and a choice of two out of three short essay questions; the final exam includes a comprehensive essay question. Each student will write a mini-theme on a choice of suggested topics for each reading, due on the assigned date during discussion of the topics. The first midterm exam counts 50 points, the second 50, the final 75, and the mini-themes 100 points (20 points each), for a total of 275 possible points.
275-248 A
247-220 B
219-193 C
193-165 D
164- F
Students who wish to arrange another method of evaluation should see the instructor within the first two weeks. By all means consult the Top 10 Ways to Lower Your Grade in Humanities.
See the end of the syllabus for additional information concerning cheating, ADA policy, and outcomes of learning.
Each mini-theme should be between 250 and 500 words long (one to two pages), typewritten or carefully handwritten. It can earn up to 20 points as follows: 10 points for content (clarity of argument, familiarity with the work), 5 points for style (grammar, spelling, use of words), and 5 points for care in presentation. The instructors will return essays with special problems for rewriting. Try to work a week in advance; your instructors will gladly evaluate and mark up your first clean draft and return it to you for rewriting in time for the final submission.
Unless you make special arrangements in advance or have a medical or family emergency, you must participate in the discussion in order to receive credit for a given paper.
As you read the assignments keep all the suggested topics in mind, and take notes. Then pick one topic and answer it carefully and concisely. Feel free to consult with fellow students and with your instructor as you prepare the assignments, but the result must be entirely your own. Be particularly careful to avoid plagiarism; you must give references for every idea or quotation you borrow as you construct your argument. See Turabian, Manual for Writers, for the proper way to indicate references. At the head of your paper write the title and your name and staple your sheets together.
1. The Epic of Gilgamesh (15 Sept)
a) "The Search for Immortality"
How does Gilgamesh seek to attain immortality? What experience starts him on his quest? Is he successful? What immortality does Gilgamesh at last acquire?b) "Nature and Civilization"
Focus on the character Enkidu in order to show the consequences of humanity's "fall" from a natural wild state into civilization. What is the role of the harlot in Enkidu's "fall"? What are the attributes of civilization? Is civilization a good thing? Is it inevitably at odds with nature?c) "The Flood Story"
Compare the flood story in Gilgamesh with that in the book of Genesis. Notice the similarities, but concentrate especially on differences, particularly the difference between the motivation and actions of the Mesopotamian gods and the Hebrew God.
2. Homer's Odyssey, books 1, 5-12 (29 Sept)
a) "The Greek Hero"
What characteristics does Odysseus have that so impress the Phaeacians? What do you have to do, what do you have to be like, to be a real Greek hero?
b) "The Role of Women"
What part do the various women you meet in the Odyssey play in Greek society? Are they active or passive, public or private, or do some take a different kind of role from others? Why?
c) "The Role of the Gods"
Analyze the part the gods play in the Odyssey. Are the gods active or passive? Are they like human beings? or more "supernatural"? Are they like or unlike the Mesopotamian and Hebrew gods?
3. Plato, Apology, Crito (13 Oct)
a) "State and Citizen"
How does Socrates see his role in the state of Athens? Why does he, or any other citizen, owe allegiance to the state?
b) "Socrates' Crime"
For what crime did Socrates stand trial? Were there hidden as well as overt charges? Do you think the jury condemned Socrates only on the charges or for other reasons as well.
c) "Socratic Method"
Socrates is famous for his "Socratic questioning." How does it work? Is it a good way to establish truth, or does it rather work so as to establish ignorance? What is the effect on those whom Socrates questions?
4. Augustine, Confessions 1-9 (10 Nov)
a) "A Classical Education." Augustine's dad wanted his son to get ahead in life, so put him through the best available education. What was it like? What skills and areas of knowledge did it emphasize? What sort of person was it supposed to produce? What career did it prepare Augustine for?
b) "The Late Roman World." Augustine traveled and lived in several places in northern Africa and Italy. What was the world like in his time? Think about how it differs from our world. For example, how do we move about, what are we interested in, how do we make a living, how does the state affect us? Is Augustine's world strange to us, or familiar?
c) "Religious Conversion." Describe Augustine's inner struggle and his various attempts to resolve it. How does he finally do so? Is Augustine's struggle and conversion a spiritual one merely?
5. Machiavelli, The Prince (6 Dec)
a) "The Purpose of Life." If the prince is in a better position than anyone else to realize the full potential of human achievement, what is that achievement? What is the goal of human existence?
b) "Human Nature." Does Machiavelli have a positive or negative view of human nature? Does he think there is any kind of absolute moral order in the world to guide human conduct? How is the prince to judge his own actions?
c) "Fortune." What is the role of fortune or luck in human affairs? Is there any way to guard against bad luck or enhance good?
Part I: Introduction
| 30 Aug | How we know about the past, and why we study it Disc: Ancient Historians (read handout) |
Part 2: The Ancient Near East [Civilization chs 1-2]
| 1 Sept | Chronology and Geography (handout) |
| 6 Sept | Prehistory and the Earliest Civilizations |
| 8 Sept | Mesopotamian Religion |
| 13 Sept | Israel, Yahweh, and History |
| 15 Sept | No class--work on mini-theme |
| 20 Sept | Disc: The Epic of Gilgamesh and Biblical
Flood Story (first mini-theme due) Slides: The City of Jerusalem |
| 22 Sept | FIRST MIDTERM EXAMINATION |
Part 3: Greece [Civilization chs 3-4]
| 27 Sept | Chronology and the Bronze Age (handout) |
| 29 Sept | The Homeric World Disc: Homer's Odyssey (second mini-theme due) |
| 4 Oct | Early Sparta and Athens |
| 6 Oct | Athenian Democracy and its Crises |
| 11 Oct | Disc: Plato, Last Days of Socrates (third mini-theme due) |
| 13 Oct | Slides: The City of Athens |
Part 4: Rome [Civilization chs 5-6]
| 18 Oct | Chronology and Rome's Origins (handout) |
| 20 Oct | The Roman Constitution (handout on Polybius) and the Senatorial Aristocracy |
| 25 Oct | Roman Imperialism |
| 27 Oct | The Roman Revolution |
| 1 Nov | Slides: The City of Rome |
| 3 Nov | SECOND MIDTERM EXAMINATION |
Part 5: The Middle Ages [Civilization chs 7-11]
| 8 Nov | Chronology (handout); Rome and the Christians |
| 10 Nov | Disc: Augustine, Confessions (fourth mini-theme due) |
| 15 Nov | Byzantium and Islam |
| 17 Nov | Medieval Society and Feudalism |
| 22 Nov | Medieval Renaissances; |
Part 6: Renaissance and Reformation [Civilization chs 12-13]
| 29 Nov | Chronology; Renaissance Humanism (handout) |
| 1 Dec | The Church and its Reformers |
| 6 Dec | Disc: Machiavelli, The Prince (fifth mini-theme due) |
| 8 Dec | Slides: The City of Florence |
| 13 Dec | 3-5 PM: FINAL EXAMINATION |
Statement of Compliance with the ADA:
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the director of the Office of Disability Serves (Service Center 119, 677-6389) as early as possible in the semester. I will abide by the standards for compliance outlined on p 23 of the student handbook as well as make every effort to provide a fair opportunity for involvement and success in this class. Please see me if you require accommodation for a recognized disability while enrolled in this course.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM POLICY
Because the entire educational process rests upon an atmosphere of academic honesty and trust, the College community must promote and protect the sanctity of such an environment at the University. To that end, the College of Arts and Sciences considers the following infractions as being inimical to the objectives of higher education:
Cheating is defined as intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. (Student Conduct Code)
Plagiarism is defined as intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise. (Student Conduct Code)
At the discretion of the instructor, a student caught cheating or plagiarizing may be:
a. Given a zero for that assignment.
b. Allowed to rewrite and resubmit the assignment for credit.
c. Assigned a reduced grade for the course.
d. Dropped from the course.
e. Failed in the course
This class fulfills the following Goals of the South Dakota System General Education Requirements:
GOAL #4: Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
In addition, as a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will be able to do at least one of the following:
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2 At least one of the following: #3, #4, #5, or #6 (Credit Hours: 6 hours (in 2 disciplines or a sequence of foreign language courses))