Tues, Thurs., 2:00-3:40 PM

Dr. Brent Riffel

Office: VILL 114

Email: Brent.Riffel@Canyons.edu

Phone: (661) 259-7800 x.3151

Office Hours: M, W 11:00-2:00; T, Th 2:00-5:00, and by appointment

This course examines the major historical trends world history—from the earliest known civilizations through the 16^th century. Particular emphasis will be given to Greek and Roman culture, society, and political developments; the emergence of major world religions, including Hinduism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam and others; the rise of political institutions (utilizing a comparative approach); and the development of social practices, world literature, the status of women, and the influence that one culture and tradition has an another.

For most of human history, humans lived in small groups—as hunters and gatherers. But around 8,000 BCE (Before the Common Era), something revolutionary occurred. Humans developed surplus agriculture, formed into larger groups not based solely on clans, created urban communities, and eventually, built empires, established religions, and explored their greater surroundings in search of resources. In doing so, societies left behind sources that we can examine in order to understand how these civilizations developed. As we examine such sources, we will not only learn how this history unfolded, but also learn how to use sources effectively in order to understand the past.

The course fulfills three goals emphasized by the COC department of history: 1) instilling effective communication by using a variety of written and oral assignments, 2) developing critical thinking skills by teaching students to analyze and critique primary historical sources, and 3) preparing students to connect historical debates to current events.

• Compare and contrast the major intellectual, religious, and cultural premises of world civilizations over time. And, assess the impact of these premises on diverse ethnic, social, and gender groups.

• Describe and evaluate the geographical boundaries, historical eras, and landmark political, intellectual, and religious figures of the world's civilizations.

• Describe the major cultural, economic, social, and political events that shaped world history.

• Recognize the effects of historical events on people of varying ethnic, socio-economic, cultural, and gender backgrounds.

• Identify, explain, and discuss multiple causes and effects in world history.

• Describe and compare the major world religions, with particular emphasis on how geography and historical context have shaped their development.

• Tignor, et. al., Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, vol. 1 (New York: W. W. Norton & Co.), 2005.

• Stearns, World History in Documents: A Comparative Reader (New York: NYU Press), 1998.

Each week’s reading assignment is listed below in the class schedule section. Students are expected to have read the assignment prior to the first class of each week.

There are five required writing assignments for this course, each of which asks you to read and analyze primary source materials and historical essays, and to write five (5), two-page essays over the course of the semester that summarize the arguments made in the selected piece. These essays will be based on the assigned readings from the Stearns text. You may write on any five documents or essays you wish. We will discuss in class what constitutes a primary source, but, if you are unsure if your essays are based on a primary source, consult with your instructor beforehand. The goal here is to learn how historians and journalists analyze documents. You will then summarize and form your own evidence-based argument. All of the two-page essays are due on December 4.

When you write essays for this course—both for the assigned writings as well as on exams—you will be required to write your essays in complete paragraphs. When calculating your essay grade, proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, and organization will count toward your grade. If you have any concerns about your writing, or about how to organize your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to contact your instructor for other ways you might improve your writing, or seek the advice from COC’s tutorial program. I am happy to look over an essay prior to its due date and offer constructive tips on how to improve your essays. Again, do not hesitate to ask for help if you think you need it.

Your grade in this class is based on the following exams and assignments:

• Three exams: The first two exams are worth 100 points each; the final exam is a two-day exam that will be worth 200 points. Each exam will have fifty multiple choice questions along with short essay answer identification, and at least one longer essay question. We will have a brief, in-class review session the session before the exam. Students will also be given the essays a week before the exams.

• Five, two-page student response essays (see above), based on primary source documents of your choosing: 100 points (20 points each).

Late assignments will be accepted, but one letter grade will be deducted for each week after the due date.

In this course, you are allowed three excused absences (illness, family emergency, etc.). After that, each absence will lead to points being deducted from your attendance grade, which comprises 10 percent of your final grade. If you miss more than eight classes during the semester, you will fail the course. Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated, and may result in deduction from your attendance grade.

Should you miss an exam, it is your responsibility to contact your instructor and arrange to make it up. Makeup exams will cover the same material as the regular exam, but with no choices as to which short answer and essay questions you may answer. Thus, makeup exams are more difficult.

Unfortunately, cheating and plagiarism is an everyday part of college life, and as such, must be addressed. Cheating of any sort will not be tolerated, and cheaters will fail the course automatically. If you are unclear as to what constitutes academic dishonesty, consult the College of the Canyons student handbook, or ask your instructor.

Please be courteous to your classmates and refrain from talking during lectures. Also, turn cell phones and beepers to vibrate, and please don’t answer your phone in class. Please arrive on time, and if you are late, then quietly enter without causing a disturbance.

Please feel free to contact me. Email is probably the best way to actually get in touch with me. I’m also in my office a great deal, and my door is always open.

Week 1: River Valley Civilizations, 1000 BCE – 450 AD

8/26: Introduction to the course

8/28: The Earliest Civilizations
Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, preface

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 1

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 2

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 3

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 4

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 5

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 6

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 7

10/28: The Crusades

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 8

11/6: American Indian Civilizations

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 9

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 10

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 11

Tignor, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart, Ch. 12