Online Course Syllabus:
World History to 1500
|
|
 |
|
|
All lecture notes can
be downloaded for free from the site.
Prerequisite:
None—;But there is an intensive amount of analytical writing
in this course as well as critical thinking. However, it is assumed
that most of you do not have college level or academic writing
skills and there will be online help available.
Course Objectives:
The student will be able to:
Understand historical causality
Analyze historical events
Explain historical events and processes
Think critically about historical events
Write analytically to explain the course of history
*Note: Syllabus subject to possible revision
|
Requirements: Students must stay up with all assignments and readings and check email everyday. The key for doing
well in this course and understanding the history that we cover
is that you be informed as to what is happening about you. History
is not "dead", it is constantly affecting your reality,
and if it is dead, then we all are affected by the ghosts of
the past. History is the analysis and understanding of processes
that have created our present reality
The hours/week arranged listed for online classes must be fulfilled through an arrangement established between the instructor and the student. They do not represent an increase in the total number of hours for an online course. Hours/week arranged do not have to be fulfilled by in-person class attendance.…. |
|
Course Description: The course is a world history course
and for this reason will not be a Euro-centric history course.
Course will focus on the beginnings of civilization some five
to seven thousand years ago in Mesopotamia, Africa, Asia and
the Americas. We will then proceed to Classical Civilizations,
the Axis Age and conclude the course with an understanding of
the world in 1500. Lecture will stress social, cultural, political
and economic history of the various world civilizations. The
readings and lectures are designed to challenge erroneous assumptions
about world history and the current reality that the last 5,000
years has bequeathed to us. Therefore, the course is built around
critical thinking and online historical problem solving, not
rote memorization or "regimented learning". Memorization
and regimentation have nothing to do with learning, but rather
lead to mental conformity and the impoverishment of intellectual
development. Finally, this is not a "lollipop"
history course where everything works out for the best. World
History is a terrible drama full of triumphs and tragedies. We
will be studying world history in all its forms and not world
mythstory |
|
Required Texts:
(1) J.M. Roberts, The Penguin History of the World
(2) Before European Hegemony: The World System A.D. 1250-1350, by Janet L. Abu-Lughod
(3) Europe and the People Without History, by Eric Wolf
All books are available for purchase
at the VVC bookstore, or order them online at Victor Valley College Bookstorewww.vvcrams.comIf you buy your books at the VVC Bookstore proceeds from the book sales help fund the UN Club's trip to Washington DC.
Finally…there are lecture notes and links on the site
that proceed in order. And you will click to them when to get
to the course readings. |
|
Attendance: It is the students’ responsibility to make
sure that they have been dropped, reinstated, or are currently
enrolled in the course. I will not do any grade changes that
are related to attendance policy. IT IS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BEEN DROPPED. DO NOT
ASSUME THAT I WILL DROP YOU AS A MATTER OF COURSE DUE TO YOUR
LACK OF ATTENDANCE. Once the semester ends I will not reinstate students so double check that you are properly enrolled in the course before the semester ends. |
|
Grading: The grade break down
is as follows: Essay Exam 1 = 20% of final grade; Essay Exam 2 = 20% of final grade; Final Essay Exam = 20%
of final grade; Book Review = 20% of final grade; Book Analysis
= 20% of final grade. In order to pass the course all
outstanding assignments or exams must be turned in by the day
of the final examination. I do not round up grade percentages. I accept late work up until the last day of class, but the highest grade possible on late work is a "C". The grade splits are as follows: 90%-100% = A; 80% -89% = B; 70% -79% =
C; 60% -69% = D; 0% -59% = F |
|
Course Mechanics: The course is lnternet driven. Therefore
it is essential to surf the net regularly and check your email everyday for updates and stuff.
My ultimate goal in the course
besides teaching world history is to empower students who will
be able to argue logically, and back up their assertions with
evidence. An objective of this course is to teach students the analytical reading and writing
skills that they need to educate themselves. While the course
is "text" driven I will suggest films and movies, that
students can analyze The course stresses on-line, interaction.
This course will not be a passive learning experience, it will
be highly interactive via analytical essay writing and in terms of how you explain historical
causality and outcome. I will read/proof one draft of each assignment. |
|
|