History of Western Civilization 101
Fall 2011
Professor: Russell M. Tremayne Office: Aspen 125
Phone: 732-6885 Email:
Course Description: This class examines important developments which contributed to the formation of the West, including the Ancient Near East, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, and Early Modern Europe to 1648.
CSI Mission Statement: The College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, provides educational, social, cultural, and workforce development opportunities that meet the diverse needs of the community it serves. CSI prepares students to lead enriched, productive and responsible lives in a global society.
General Education Criteria
¶ 1. Provide a broad-based survey of a discipline and show the interconnectedness of knowledge.
¶ 2. Develop a discerning individual.
¶ 3. Practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
¶ 4. Promote awareness of social and cultural diversity in order to appreciate the commonality of humanity.
¶ 5. Foster the balance between individual needs and the demands of society.
¶ 6. Reinforce reading, writing, speaking, and/or quantitative skills.
¶ 7. Encourage and inspire life-long learning.
¶ 8. Encourage creativity.
Social Science Department Mission Statement
The mission of the Social Science Department is to provide educational, social and cultural opportunities that encourage enriched, productive and responsible lives primarily by instructing students to understand, interpret, and apply Social Science discipline coursework.
Social Science Department Goals
¶ 1. Help students understand important facts, concepts and theories of Social Science subjects.
¶ 2. Help students acquire techniques and methods used to gain new knowledge in the disciplines.
¶ 3. Help students learn to distinguish between fact and opinion.
¶ 4. Teach students to use evaluation, analysis and synthesis to interpret and solve problems.
¶ 5. Teach students to use different perspectives from the social sciences to make better-informed decisions.
¶ 6. Help students acquire an informed understanding of various cultures.
¶ 7. Prepare to transfer to a university.
History Program Mission Statement
In order to prepare learners to lead enriched, productive and responsible lives, the History Program prepares students to understand and interpret a variety of historical areas and perspectives with the intention of encouraging a lifelong love of the subject.
History Program Goals
¶ 1. Examine central themes of United States History and various cultures in Western Civilization and Latin America.
¶ 2. Use reading, lecture-discussion, and supplementary material to understand and interpret the past.
¶ 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the past by writing interpretive essays.
¶ 4. Explore different perspectives about the past.
¶ 5. Acquire an appreciation of the historical process which will encourage a lifelong study of the past.
Required Book
Western Civilization. V I, Jackson Spielvogel.
Grades
Analytical Papers, 100 pts. each = 400
Participation - =100
Total = 500
Participation points are determined primarily by attendance. More than three missed classes result in the loss of 5 points and each additional absence costs 5 points.
Letter grades are calculated on a standard scale: 90% and above = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Honesty Policy: The CSI Honesty Policy, explained on pages 15-16 of the College Catalog applies to this class. Students must produce original work. Although the professor encourages the honor system, any cheating or plagiarism will result in failure for the class.
Course Requirements: Students must complete all of the assigned readings, participate in class, and prepare four 3-7 page analytical papers. Papers will be based on class material and assigned readings. Each paper must include a discussion of the text, three primary sources, and three secondary sources.
Outcomes Assessment: Objective: Enhance critical thinking skills, examine historical developments in early U.S. history, and further understanding of the human condition.
History 101 Course Outcomes aligned with GE Criteria, SS Goals and History Program Objectives
Students will: / G E Criteria / SS Goals / History Program Objectives1. demonstrate an understanding of important developments / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 / 1,3,4,6,7 / 1,2,3,4,5
2. write essay exams / 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 / 1,2,3,4
3. write an analytical paper / 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 / 1,3,4,5
4. participate in class / 2,5,7 / 1,4,6,7 / 1,2,4,5
Assessment Methods: Alignment of course outcomes with course assessment methods.
Analytical paper Essay Exams Participation
X X X
1.______
X X X
2.______
X X X
3.______
X X X
4.______
The CSI, General Education, and Social Science Department goals listed above are also course objectives. Essay exams will be the primary tool used to assess student progress and development. More specifically, mid-term and final exams will assess student command of facts and concepts, measure their ability to distinguish fact from opinion, and test their skill using analysis and synthesis. Essays reinforce reading and writing skills, encourage life-long learning and creativity, and make students draw reasonable inferences from observations. Reading tests examine a student’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They force students to use analysis to break a whole idea into its component parts and use synthesis to bring component parts together into a concept.
On-Line Course Evaluation Statement: Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course. Evaluations are very important to assist the teaching staff to continually improve the course. Evaluations are available online at http://evaluation.csi.edu. Evaluations open up two weeks prior to the end of the course. T he last day to complete an evaluation is the last day of the course. During the time the evaluations are open, students can complete the course evaluations at their convenience from any computer with Internet access, including in the open lab in the Library and in the SUB. When students log in, they should see the evaluations for the courses in which they are enrolled. Evaluations are anonymous. Filling out the evaluation should only take a few minutes. Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated!
Student Eligibility for Disability Services: To determine eligibility and secure services, students should contact the coordinator of Disability Services at their first opportunity after registration for a class. Student Disability Services is located on the second floor of the Taylor Building on the Twin Falls Campus. (208) 732-6260 (voice) or (208) 734-9929 (TTY), or email .
Class and Reading Schedule
Week One - Introduction to History. Read Chapter 1, Spielvogel.
Week Two - Read chapter 2, Spielvogel.
Week Three – Read chapter 3, Spielvogel.
Week Four -Read chapter 4, Spielvogel.
Paper I due September 16.
Week Five - Read chapter 5, Spielvogel.
Week Six - Read chapter 6, Spielvogel.
Week Seven - Read chapter 7, Spielvogel.
Week Eight - Read chapter 8, Spielvogel.
Paper II due October 14.
Week Nine – Read chapter 9, Spielvogel.
Week Ten – Read chapter 10, Spielvogel.
Week Eleven – Read chapter 11, Spielvogel.
Week Twelve – Read chapter 12, Spielvogel.
Paper III due November 11.
Week Thirteen – Read chapter 13, Spielvogel.
Week Fourteen – Read chapter 14, Spielvogel.
Week Fifteen – Read chapter 15, Spielvogel.
Week Sixteen – Read chapter 16, Spielvogel.
Reading Response #4 due December 9.