World History I -entire class
HY 101 WORLD HISTORY I SURVEY Fall Semester 2020
INSTRUCTOR AND CLASS INFORMATION
Instructor: Leah Vallely Office Location: N/A Office Hours: By appointment (phone) Email: Edvance e-
mail; this is the preferred and most efficient method of routine communication.
Course Number & Name: HY 101 World History I Survey Term: Fall Year: 2020 Credit: 3.0 Hours Class Meetings: Students schedule unless special instructions from instructor Room Location: Online (Edvance 360)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
HY 101 World History I (3 Credit Hours) traces the development of civilization from the earliest records of humanity to the sixteenth century.
The big focus for this course is to familiarize students with the development and interactions of peoples, cultures, societies, civilizations, states, regions and empires from pre-history up to 1500 CE.
In this semester length class we will cover about 5000 years of history! Some of the topics that will be examined include historical thinking, the concept of change and continuity over time, the significance of surplus agriculture, the concept of civilization, the rise and fall of major societies, social, cultural, political & economic institutions, technological innovation and its impact, the processes and consequences of cultural exchange and interaction, and other events and people that are part and parcel of our global history.
A specific framework guides us as we examine societies across place and time.
#1. The course emphasizes key time periods (Prehistory, Neolithic, ERVs, Classical Societies, Post- Classical Societies), defined in terms of place and the manner in which societies operated and changed over time. This approach allows us to bring the major civilizations together to compare what they share and how they differ.
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#2. The course framework requires paying attention to how and where major societies came into contact with one another and how societies are changed as a result of contact.
#3. The course framework emphasizes the emergence of broader forces that help define contacts and the experiences of individual civilizations (i.e. new trade patterns, new disease patterns, missionary efforts, etc.)
Bear in mind that HIS 121 is a general education course ( a course which covers so much time and space in such a limited period could not be anything but general); nonetheless, students should master specific historical and cultural information related to world history up to the year 1500, as well as aspects of historical method (techniques and guidelines by which historians use primary sources and
other evidence to research and write histories). In addition to the historical and cultural content, students will demonstrate increasing mastery of critical reading of primary and secondary sources in writing and discussion. Critical does not mean attacking but analytical or putting material in historical and cultural context, drawing appropriate inferences and deductions from the evidence of the text, and raising relevant questions for further inquiry.
Finally, I hope you will develop or add to your interest and respect for other world cultures.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to demonstrate the following objectives:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of a general outline of world history to 1500 C.E. and its application to the Christian life and ministry.
2. Analyze and compare political, geographic, economic, social, cultural, religious and intellectual institutions, structures, technology / innovation, and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures to 1500 C.E.
3. Use historical thinking skills to read, analyze, and write about primary and secondary sources.
The following micro objectives are a useful guide to rely upon when studying each time period, culture, and civilization.
Identify the geographic location and describe the topography of a given society
Examine and conclude to what extent the geography / topography of a given area influenced the rise
and development of a given society
Identify and describe the patterns of development of a given society
Identify and describe political institutions of a given society
Describe given societies in terms of class and gender
Describe the nature and characteristics of religion and/or philosophy for a given society
Identify and describe the important features of a given societys culture (science, mathematics,
performing arts, philosophy, literature, visual arts, architecture)
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in a given society
Describe the expansion of a given society and identify what institutions connected conquered
territories
Describe the contact of a given society with other societies / groups
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COURSE OUTLINE
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Unit I
Historical Thinking, Historiography, Citations & Annotations
Prehistory
Advent of Agriculture
Civilization in the Middle East & North Africa
Exam #1 covers all of Unit 1
______________________________________________________________________________
Unit II
Introduction to The Classical World
Classical China
Classical India
The Mighty Persians
The Greek Adventure
The Roman World
Decline of the Classical World
Exam #2 covers all of Unit II and may include some information from Unit 1
________________________________________________________________________________
Unit III
Introduction to the Post Classical World
The Rise of Islam
African Kingdoms & Societies
Byzantium and the Christian East
Europe and the Christian West
China
India
Mongols
Exam #3 covers all of Unit III and may include some information from Unit 1 and Unit 2 ____________________________________________________________________________________
Note: There is NO separate final exam. The course requires the above three exams.
Unit I What do I need to know?
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Historical Thinking
Discriminate between BC / AD and BCE / CE
Define century and determine which years fall into a given century
Distinguish differences between primary and secondary sources
Identify types of primary sources and types of secondary sources
Discriminate among historical thinking skills (sourcing, contextualization, close reading, corroboration)
Define historiography
Prehistory
Contrast prehistory and history
Describe Paleolithic society (i.e. social and gender relationships, class distinctions, etc.)
Describe patterns of movement among Paleolithic peoples
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in Human Prehistory
Know generalized information about Paleolithic cave art including locations / discoveries /
descriptions of paintings
Using evidence, ponder and surmise, the greatest achievement of Paleolithic peoples
Advent of Agriculture Neolithic Era
Analyze and consider the impact of agriculture and agricultural surpluses upon humanity (positive and negative).
Examine / and consider the emergence and impact of purposeful agriculture around the globe.
Define complex society and describe elements that make up a complex society (i.e. large urban
area, social classes, etc.)
Discuss definitions / descriptions of civilization over time
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in the Neolithic era
Examine and describe consequences of irrigation projects on early societies
Civilization in the Middle East & North Africa
Explain how civilization is defined and has been historically defined
Analyze the interpretation of the idea of civilization (by historians) over time
Pinpoint the geographic locations of Early River Valley Civilizations (henceforth, ERVs) and the
significant geographic / topographic features of each
Examine how geography influenced the course of development for ERVs
List and describe the most significant ERVs
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in the Neolithic Era
List and categorize the defining / significant characteristics of ERVs
Compare the ERVs to one another
Describe the contact and interaction if any, among ERVs
Identify and describe the rise of regional cultures within the more significant ERVs
Identify reasons for the decline of ERVs and describe the lasting heritage of ERVs
Describe the significant characteristics of Israelites
Unit II / The Classical World What do I need to know? Historical Literacy / Introduction to The Classical World
Define and identify secondary and primary sources
Recognize change and continuity over time
Use multiple sources of evidence to substantiate claims
Compare ERVs with Classical Societies
Classical China
Describe ways (themes, formation of great traditions, achievements, durability) in which classical China meets the definition for a classical society
Identify examples of change and continuity over time by comparing classical China to its ERV era
Examine and explain the dynastic cycle in classical China
Compare the various dynastic cycles
Identify and describe the patterns of each of the dynastic cycles of classical China
Name
Dates of rule
Significant leadership
Political framework
Territorial expansion
Religion and Culture
Values & Institutions that bound territories together
Economy & Society
Identify the Silk Roads and describe their significance relative to cultural exchange and interaction
Describe the construction, purpose and consequences of the Great Wall of China constructed
under Qin
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in classical China
Compare and contrast classical China with other classical civilizations
Classical India
Describe how geography / topography increased links with other cultures and made Indian political unity difficult
Describe how India’s formative period influenced Indian civilization. Be specific (i.e. family structures, political organization, etc.)
Identify the rise of the Indian caste system and the various classes included within it
Define the following: Rig Veda, dharma, Upanishads, Brahmins, Buddhism, Hinduism
Identify the end of Indian’s formative phase and significant changes in Classical India by 600 BCE
Explain why Indias political history is rather irregular
Summarize Ashoka’s leadership style and relationship with Buddhism
Prove this statement: “Classical India alternated between widespread empires and a network of
smaller kingdoms”
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in classical India
Identify Classical India’s most persistent political feature
Prove this statement: “Classical India’s political culture was not very elaborate”
Summarize the key elements of Hinduism (i.e. its founder, religious traditions, major beliefs, etc.)
Identify the role of Buddhism in classical India and its impact on other parts of Asia
Identify the most distinctive and durable products of classical India.
Provide examples of classical India’s diverse and vibrant culture (i.e. literature, science, mathematics,
visual arts) and compare it to that of classical China
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Describe social stratification, family life, and the role / position of women in classical India
Describe the economy of India in the classical period and recognize how it is different from the
economy of classical China
Compare and contrast classical India with other classical civilizations
Mighty Persia
Describe ways in which the Persian empire be compared to and contrasted with classical china and classical India
Explain the emergence, success and decline of the Persian (Achaemenid) Empire
Provide specific evidence that “The Great” is an apt moniker for Cyrus
Summarize what made Cyrus leadership remarkable
Identify Cyrus Cylinder and its historical significance
Explain which factors contributed making Persia an extraordinary successful empire
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in classical Persia
Summarize how did Persian leaders responded to the challenges of a large and diverse territory
Identify, on a map, the location of Persia and compare & contrast its location, expansion & features to
Classical China and India
Summarize the origins, outcomes and consequences of the Persian Wars
Explain the fundamental characteristics & principles of Zoroastrianism
Compare & contrast Zoroastrianism with religions found in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China & India
Identify and discuss the decline of Persia and compare its decline to that of other classical
civilizations
Explain Alexander the Greats relationship to the Persian empire
Compare and contrast classical Persia with other classical civilizations
The Greek Adventure
Identify the geographic location of the Greek city states
Examine and conclude if the geography of Greece influenced the creation of city states
Describe the expansion of Classical Greece and identify what institutions connected the different
Greek territories
Identify and describe the patterns of Greek history.
Identify and describe the classical Greek political institutions
Describe the nature and characteristics of Greek religion
Describe the nature and characteristics of Greek philosophy
Identify and describe the important features of Greek culture (science, mathematics, performing arts,
philosophy, literature, visual arts, architecture)
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in classical Greece
Describe the basis of the Greek economy (agriculture, trade, slavery)
Describe the nature of Greek society (social stratification, gender, class)
Compare and contrast classical Greece with other classical civilizations
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The Roman World
Identify Location of Rome / Geography / Topography
Identify the origins of Rome (Legend vs Reality)
Examine and note the patterns of Roman history
Compare and contrast the Republic and the Empire
Explain how Rome advanced Mediterranean civilization (extended its territory and created values /
institutions that tied territories together) – where, when, how, and to what extent? Focus on patterns of
Roman history through Augustus and era of Pax Romana
Identify factors which help to assure stability and prosperity in the Pax Roman period
Examine Roman political institutions
Identify who participated in government and to what extent
Describe Roman citizenship and its value
Identify continuity and change relative to Roman political institutions
Analyze Roman religion and culture
Identify and describe the defining features of Roman religion
Identify and describe contributions Rome made to science
Identify and describe contributions Rome made to literature and the arts
Examine the Roman economy during the classical era
Describe to what extent the dominant economic activity in Rome became a source of tension
Identify the role that commercial agriculture played in the Roman economy
Recognize other features of the Roman economy during the classical era
Examine Roman society during the classical era
Describe the structure of the Roman family
Identify roles and the place of women in classical Rome
Examine Romes decline, the Empires political, social and economic chaos
Describe the “fall of the Roman Empire”
Decline of the Classical World
Identify the two dominant themes of the great classical civilizations
Identify and discuss general causes of decline in Persia, China, India, Greece and Rome
Identify and contemplate explanations for the rise of major world religions
Summarize general features of the new religions share
Identify elements of syncretism
Describe the distinct features of the new religions
Identify what made Christianity particularly successful compared to other world religions
Discuss the doctrinal difficulties faced by the early Christian church and examine how they were
resolved
Discuss to what extent did Christianity promote a new culture and preserve classical values /
institutions
Unit III / The Post Classical World What do I need to know? Historical Literacy and the Post Classical World
Define and identify secondary and primary sources
Recognize change and continuity over time
Use contextualization to place events within the broader context of time and place
Compare ERVs and Classical Societies to those of the Post Classical World
Identify the postclassical period and describe its characteristics relative to its “beginning and “end”
Identify how new trade routes increased convergence
Evaluate cultural exchange in terms of how goods are traded, what is traded, the role of merchants,
currency, routes and the role of technological innovation.
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Identify the dominant regions of the post classical world and describe the process by which they gained this position
Rise of Islam
Examine the growth of post-classical civilization in the Middle East and North Africa and identify the factors stimulated this growth
Identify the chronological time frame associated with the advent, apex, and decline of Middle Eastern civilization
Compare and contrast Islam with Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and polytheism
Identify technological innovations that supported expansion of Islamic territory and trade
Summarize the development of Islam
Compare and contrast Sunni and Shiite factions
Summarize the conquests of Arab armies
Discuss the relationship between Arab governments, leaders, and conquered territories
Describe the relationship between Islam and the state
Summarize the rise and leadership of the Abbasid governments
Explain the development and influence of Sharia
Identify and describe the significant characteristics of Islamic / Middle Eastern culture
Summarize the significant aspects of the post classical Middle Eastern economy, social order, and
position and role of women
Identify and summarize factors leading to the decline and eventual collapse of the Islamic empire
Discuss the connections between post classical Arab world the and the present
India in the Post Classical World
Compare and contrast political development in northern and southern India
Explain and summarize how the growth of Hinduism contributed to cultural unity in post classical India
– despite political differences
Describe Hindi rejection of Islamic traditions
Describe / explain the growth of Islam in post classical India
African Societies & Kingdoms
Identify religious practices in Southeast Asia during the post classical period
Identify the dominant regional systems found in post classical Southeast Asia
Locate and identify sub-Saharan Africa
Explain the impediments to understanding sub-Saharan African history prior to the modern era
Identify the significance of the Bantu migration from west-central Africa
Summarize the influence of trade on spread of civilization in sub-Saharan Africa and identify the two
principle trade routes / channels
Explain the significance of Swahili
Examine and describe the impact of trade upon the formation of Timbuktu
Identify and describe The Great Kingdoms.
Identify and describe the significant features of African civilization
China in the Post Classical World
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Identify and describe the patterns of each of the dynastic cycles of post classical China
Name
Dates of rule
Significant leadership
Political framework
Territorial expansion
Religion and Culture
Values & Institutions that bound territories together
Economy & Society
Identify the Silk Roads and describe their significance relative to cultural exchange and interaction
Identify evidence of technology / innovation in post classical China
Compare and contrast post classical China with other post classical civilizations
Compare post classical China with its ERV and classical age
Byzantium and the Christian East
Identify the geographic location of Byzantium and summarize its origins and founding (by whom, purpose, influence)
Identify and describe Byzantium’s significant characteristics (Greco-Roman heritage, religious influences / practices, notable leadership, culture, political institutions, economy, society, and decline)
Identify the location of 6th century Slavic Europe, Eastern Europe, and 7th century Russia
Describe the relationship and contact between Kievan Russia and the Byzantine empire
Identify the geographic importance of Kiev relative to trade
Explain the growth and course of Christianity in Kievan Russia
Describe the identifying characteristics of Kievan Russia including religious influences / practices, notable leadership, culture, political institutions, economy, society, and decline
Europe: The Medieval World / Middle Ages and the Christian West
Locate western Europe on a map
Describe the geographical regions of western Europe
Identify and describe the leading centers of activity in western Europe
Explain the use of the term medieval
Distinguish between the early, high and late middle ages (describe each in terms of dates, economy,
political institutions / leadership, religion, economy, society and culture)
Describe the role of women and family life in medieval western Europe
Compare western Europe with eastern Europe (political institutions, religion, economy, etc.)
Identify the apogee of Medieval society and periods of stagnation & decline
Explain the causes of Medieval stability, stagnation and decline
Identify and describe the enduring features of western European civilization
Identify and relate the major themes of post classical society found within western European
civilization
The Mongol Interlude
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Identify the Mongols and describe their society, culture, political leadership, religion, legacy and influence.
