History 101 - Fall 2010

World Civilizations 101

Fall 2010                                                                                                         Mrs. Genvert

Office:  352 Holloway Hall
Office Hours: MW 4:30-5:15, TR 12:30-1:30 or by appointment
Office Phone:  543-6147 or 543-6245 (History Office)
E-mail: mfgenvert@salisbury.edu

Text:  Craig, et al., The Heritage of World Civilizations, 8th ed., Pearson/Prentice Hall
Supplementary Reading:   Epic of Gilgamesh, Penguin
                                            Apuleius, The Golden Ass, Indiana U. Press
                                            Howarth, 1066:The Year of the Conquest, Penguin

Course Objectives:  World civilizations 101 will examine the scope of human existence from the earliest time until approximately a.d.1500.  Emphasis will be placed on an examination (topical as well as chronological) of the similarities and differences between various civilizations.  An attempt will be made to demonstrate the influences of the past on the modern world.  Particular attention will be paid to the following trends:  the ancient and medieval roots of modern civilization:  the development of the secular state;   the cultural interchanges between east and west;  and basic patterns of religious, political and philosophic thought.  Through an examination of such trends, the student should become aware of the chief characteristics of the various world civilizations of the past that most influenced modern societies.

Class Attendance:  Attendance will be taken daily.  No more than three absences will be excused and additional absences will result in a lower final grade.  Students entering the classroom after attendance has been taken are responsible for notifying the instructor after class.  Students are expected to be attentive in class, take notes, and silence and stow cell phones. Campus e-mail accounts should be checked regularly for class communiqués as well as regular consultation of the course website for assignments and study guides.

Exams: There will be 3 hourly exams and a final exam.  Each exam may include multiple choice, matching, map questions, short answer identifications and essay questions.

Make-up Exam Policy:  You are expected to take exams when scheduled.  You will be able to make up only one exam and any others missed will be graded as zero.  All make-up exams will be entirely essay questions.

 Writing Assignments:  The Epic of Gilgamesh will require an essay response on an exam. The Travels and Secret History will require 4-6 page papers. A research assignment from the Nabb Research Center will incorporate the use of early exploration and settlement documents. Specifics of these assignments can be found on the course website. These assignments, along with class note-taking and essay exams, will provide students with an opportunity to develop their writing skills, in accordance with the university wide policy of writing across the curriculum. No late papers accepted.

Grading: A = 90-100: B = 80-89; C = 70=79; D = 60-69; F = 0-59
Overall:  The final grade for the course will be based upon a 550-point scale.  Each exam, including the final, is worth 100 points. Each book paper is worth 50 points and the research exercise and Gilgamesh essay are worth 25, for a total of 550 points for the course.

Cheating & Plagiarism:  Each student is required to do their own work without the assistance of others.  Any student caught cheating on exams or plagiarizing papers will jeopardize their chance for a passing grade for the assignment, or the course. See course website for the complete policy.