Syllabus for History M01B:
An Introduction to Western
Civilization: 1500 to the Present
Fall 2007, TR 2:30-3:50, Moorpark College, Room HSS-203
Instructor: Krister Swanson, e-mail kswanson@vcccd.edu
webpage: www.angelfire.com/retro/clu89/m01b.htm
Course
Description and Objectives:
This course will focus on important events, developments and movements in Western civilization from 1500 to the present. Upon completion you will have a much stronger understanding of the central themes of Western History. You will understand the development of Western law and legal systems, be able to describe the attributes of the major civilizations that contributed to the development of the western tradition, and identify the contributions of key historical figures.
Plagiarism:
You are responsible for understanding the Moorpark College code of academic practice (available online at http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/catalog/policies.html ). Any student who plagiarizes in this class will receive an ÔFÕ grade and be referred to the Dean of Student Learning.
Grading:
Your course grade will be determined by your performance on the following assignments:
Midterm Exam (60 points, or 20%): A traditional in class exam scheduled for October 30th. Please make sure you bring a 50 question scantron form and a bluebook (both available in the Moorpark College bookstore) with you.
Final Exam (75 points, or 25%): A traditional in class exam scheduled for December 13th, which is the week prior to finals week for classes being held on the traditional schedule. Please make sure you bring a 50 question scantron form and a bluebook (both available in the Moorpark College bookstore) with you.
Short Research Paper (60 points, or 20%): This 5-7 page paper based entirely on primary source documents related to a particular topic. We will discuss the specific requirements of this paper in class on September 13th, in the meantime you need to begin developing a paper proposal that outlines your proposed topic and the documents you plan to use, this proposal is due September 25th.
PowerPoint Presentation (30 points, or 10%): This is intended to be a fun and informative activity for you and the whole class. Pick a topic of interest related to one of the lecture topics and develop a PowerPoint presentation, complete with well-organized text and helpful images, for presentation to the class. The goal is an interesting and informative 10-15 minute presentation that strengthens our understanding of your topic. Your topic is due on September 11th; please feel free to start discussing possible topics with me as soon as possible. Please note that your PPT must be on a different topic than your paper.
Attendance and Class Participation (75 points, or 25%): This category is fairly self-explanatory. I will break this grade down into three 25-point assignments. Attendance is absolutely critical to your success in this class, please note that you will lose 7 points for each missed class session. These grades will be recorded on 10/2, 11/6, and 12/11.
On each assignment you will receive a certain number of points out of the points possible. At the end of the course I will divide the total points you have earned by 300 to determine your percentage. From that point the standard grading scale (90-100%=A, 80-89.9=B, 70-79.9=C, 60-69.9=D, 0-59.9=F) will be used to determine your final grade for the course.
Course
Schedule:
|
Date |
Assigned Reading/Assignments Due |
|
8/21 |
Introduction |
|
8/23 |
|
|
8/28 |
|
|
8/30 |
The Struggle for Reformation Europe (15) |
|
9/4 |
|
|
9/6 |
A Century of Crisis (16) |
|
9/11 |
PowerPoint Topic Due |
|
9/13 |
State Building and the Search for Order (17) In Depth Discussion of Paper Requirements |
|
9/18 |
|
|
9/20 |
Promise of Enlightenment (19) |
|
9/25 |
Paper Proposals are Due |
|
9/27 |
Cataclysm of Revolution (20) |
|
10/2 |
First Class Participation Grade Recorded |
|
10/4 |
Napoleon and his Revolutionary Legacy (21) |
|
10/9 |
|
|
10/11 |
Industrialization, Urbanization, and Revolution (22) |
|
10/16 |
Review for the Mid Term Exam |
|
10/18 |
Mid Term Exam |
|
10/23 |
|
|
10/25 |
Politics and Culture of the Nation State (23) |
|
10/30 |
|
|
11/1 |
Industry, Empire, and Everyday Life (24) |
|
11/6 |
Second Class Participation Grade Recorded |
|
11/8 |
Modernity and the Road to War (25) |
|
11/13 |
|
|
11/15 |
War, Revolution and Reconstruction (26) |
|
11/20 |
|
|
11/27 |
An Age of Catastrophes (27) Paper Drafts Due (if youÕd like my assistance J) |
|
11/29 |
|
|
12/4 |
Remaking Europe in the Shadow of the Cold War (28) |
|
12/6 |
Short Research Paper is Due |
|
12/11 |
Post Industrial Society and the End of the Cold War Order
(29) Final Exam Review – Please note: there is no
class scheduled for 12/13 Third Class Participation Grade Recorded |
|
12/18 |
Final Exam: 2:00-4:00 |
The course schedule is subject to change; in the event of a schedule change notice will be given via e-mail.