Professor Richard S. Williams  

World Civilizations to 1500
 OFFICE:  Wilson Hall 337 TELEPHONE: 335-4705
 HOURS: Tu 2:45-4, W 9-11, Th 12:30-1:10, 
                  and by appointment  		  

EVALUATION AND GRADING POLICIES General Information
    EVALUATION AND GRADING
         General
         Writing Exams
         Research Project
          Map Quiz List
    Classroom Procedure
    Texts and Reading Schedule
    Academic Honesty

  GenEd 110 Main Page

    Assistance
    Taking Notes
    Expectations and Extra Credit
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Williams     Home Page

 

THE COURSE AND ITS GOALS

World Civilizations to 1500 is designed to be a core course for freshmen at WAZZU. It is the first of a two-semester sequence presenting the development of the major civilizations on this planet. We cover from the Big Bang until 1500 (either AD or ce), but really start at the advent of civilization about 5500 years ago. We will look a the origins of civilization in the Middle East, trace separate developments in India and China, note the emergence of European and African civilizations, and take a brief look at pre-Columbian America. The course is designed to be broad in its coverage, emphasizing social and cultural developments that define the different threads of civilization across the world. Major trends in religion, philosophy, art, social organizations, and governmental systems will be emphasized. The course is selective by necessity, concentrating on those civilizations which will eventually play a major role in the modern world.

The goals of this course include the following:

1. To provide students basic knowledge of the origin and development of major world civilizations.

2. To encourage students to develop a broad international perspective as a background for understanding the world in which we live.

3. To enhance students’ awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the art, thought, and achievements of human beings throughout history.

4. To develop students’ writing skills and ability to express their ideas clearly and cogently.

5. To teach students basic skills in acquiring and presenting information from various sources including libraries and the internet.

6. To develop students’ ability to recognize and analyze problems, synthesize diverse kinds of information, ask questions, and think critically.

Juniors and Seniors should see me ASAP to discuss how this course or an alternative should be integrated into their academic programs.

GRADES

The following 500 points will make up your final grade:

  • 3 hour-long examinations worth 100 points each
  • 5 map quizzes worth 10 points each (best 5 of 7, no make-ups)
  • 5 readings quizzes worth 10 points each (best 5 of 7, no make-ups)
  • 1 research project using library and web resources worth 100 points

There may also be unannounced bonus quizzes on lecture material.

To receive a passing grade in the course, all assignments (map & reading quizzes excepted) must be completed: Final grades will be computed on the basis of total points. Major and consistent improvement may be considered. Good scores on quizzes will be very important when considering improvement grades.

THE EXAMINATIONS

GRADING: The goal is the standard 90-80-70-60 curve, but there may be some curving downward depending on circumstances. I am prepared to give many high or low grades depending on class performance. I use the "plus" and "minus" grades for the top and bottom two percentage points in each grade category.

CONTENT: examinations will include essays designed to encourage you to compare material from different cultures/civilizations, identifications to test specific knowledge, chronological questions to test temporal relationships.

MAKE-UPS will be given on announced Fridays at 7:00 a.m. They will be harder and have fewer choices. You must schedule the make-up by the class period following the exam. If you do not take (or miss) a make-up, you will not pass the course.

WRITING ESSAY EXAMS is covered in a separate page (see above).

MAP and READING QUIZZES

These will be held during the first five minutes of the class period on Wednesdays (maps on even weeks, readings on odd). Readings quizzes will cover all the Nelson readings listed in brackets with the quiz date in the Lecture and Readings section of this syllabus. The best 5 of 7 quizzes of each category will count for your grade. There will be no make-ups for the quizzes. Be on time, no late quizzes, no early quizzes, NO EXCEPTIONS.

 

RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

See separate page for general information and written syllabus for specifics for this semester.