Instructor: Mr. Bradley Dunham

Phone: 701-261-7267 (cell phone)

Email: bdunham@ulenhitterdal@k12.mn.us

Office Hours: 9:13- 9:58

Required Text/Materials: (I will email you these) 

Western Civilizations, Their History & Their Culture- 19th edition

Course Description: Meets MnTC Goal Areas 5 and 8. This course provides a discussion of the political, economic, cultural and social factors which have shaped the history of Western Civilization. Topics include ancient civilizations, the development of the major religions of the Western world, the medieval period, the Renaissance and Reformation, the rise of capitalism, the development of the nation state and the Age of Absolutism.

Course Competencies: 

1. Describe the achievements of ancient civilizations, including those of Mesopotamia.
2. Summarize ancient Greek culture.
3. Identify the major events of both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.
4. Explore the rise of Judaism and Christianity.
5. Understand the origin of Islam.
6. Investigate medieval Europe, including the Renaissance.
7. Explain the development of nation states.
8. Understand the impact of the rise of capitalism.
9. Investigate the Reformation, including the resulting wars of religion.
10. Explain the Age of Absolutism, as personified by Louis XIV.
11. Analyze historical sources, distinguishing primary from secondary sources.
12. Communicate effectively using historical evidence and methods of analysis.
13. Analyze and understand the diversity of peoples within their distinctive historical contexts.

This is a tentative schedule. There will be changes. Each Unit will have supplementary readings, quizzes and other assignments.

Weeks 1/2: Course Introduction, Early Civilizations

Chapters 1/2

Weeks 3/4: Greece

Chapters 3/4

Weeks 5/6: Rome

Chapters 5/6

Weeks 7/8: Christanity, Islam, The End of the Empire

Chapters 6/7

Weeks 9/10: Vikings, Vandals, and the Middle Ages

Chapter 8

Weeks 11/12: Consolidation of Europe

Chapter 9

Weeks 13/14: The Medieval World

Chapter 10

Weeks 15/16:  From Great Plague to Renaissance

Chapter 11

Weeks 17/18: Course Wrap up

To complete the course successfully, students shall:

· Define and analyze key terms, ideas, and concepts of Western Civilization from ancient to 1600. (The list of terms are listed in the course schedule)

· Demonstrate an understanding of the interplay of terms, ideas, and concepts through constructing acceptable responses to questions. 

· Examine and appraise selected scholarly debate about key terms, ideas, and/or concepts in Western Civilization from ancient to 1600. In addition, the professor expects that each student will attend all class meetings and, having read thoroughly the assigned readings, participate actively in the class discussion. Students are expected to participate in these activities and to be respectful of one another’s points-of-views, ideas, and feelings. The nature of historical inquiry can and should lead to disquiet. The past is full of actions that not only shape the present, but are as often grotesque as they are heroic. And depending upon one’s understanding of an issue and one’s identity, an activity viewed as a positive thing by one individual may be seen as an atrocity by another. In the end, though, the historical method of inquiry, analysis, and debate should lead to a fuller understanding of why things happened and how they came to shape subsequent events.

Grading Policies

100-95%=A, 94-92%=A-, 91-89%=B+, 88-86%=B, 85-83%=B-, 82-80%=C+, 

79-77%=C, 76-74%=C-, 73-71%=D+, 70-68%=D, 67-60%=D-, 59-00%=F

LATE ASSIGNMENTS 

Late postings and late assignments will not be accepted. A grade of “0” will be assigned for any posting or assignment that comes in after the deadline unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Any time you feel that you might be falling behind in the course, it is best to contact me to discuss your situation Academic Integrity and Plagiarism 

Plagiarism and cheating on exams, assignments, projects, etc., are antithetical to academic integrity and will not be tolerated.  Furthermore, not only is plagiarism simply dishonest, it is illegal in the sense that you are stealing another person’s intellectual property.  Therefore, plagiarism and other forms of cheating are serious offenses, not only to academia in general, but to your own education as well. Students can fail this course if caught plagiarizing or cheating on coursework and/or exams.  All material which is derived from other sources (including paraphrased statements, ideas, and direct quotations) must be cited, within the text of the paper, and/or using an accepted form of footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical citations as required. 

Consequences for Cheating & Plagiarism: 

•  1st offense in a class: The Student will lose credit on the assignment; but may still need to complete the assignment. 
•  2nd offense in a class: The Student will lose credit and be removed from the class for the Semester and will result in the Student failing the course.

Examples of Academic Dishonesty: 

Cheating – Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials for one’s own academic benefit. 

Plagiarism – Intentionally or unintentionally presenting as one’s own words the ideas, words, or information of another without citing the reference, using either Chicago or Turabian citation format style guidelines as determined by your instructor.   

Reusing an assignment – Using an assignment previously submitted to another instructor without prior approval from both instructors. 

Fabrication/falsification – Inventing or knowingly altering information or research. 

Facilitating academic misconduct – Assisting another in committing actions considered academically dishonest. 

Be forewarned that I reserve the right to turn any case of academic dishonesty (cheating on an exam or plagiarism) over to the Academic Dean for appropriate sanctions.  If you are not familiar with the exact definition and/or everything that constitutes plagiarism, it is your responsibility to seek out this information well in advance of completing a course assignment or exam.   

Student consequences for academic dishonesty in this course will range from a failing grade for an assignment to a failing grade for the course. 

 M State Policies and Procedures  

Understanding the College’s policies and procedures will help contribute to your success as a student, and it is something we expect of you. You may find the Student Handbook at www.minnesota.edu/handbook. ;

General Education Outcomes

Goal 5: HISTORY AND THE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES 

To increase students’ knowledge of how historians and social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity.

Indicators

1. Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition. 

2. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures. 

3. Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.

Goal 7: HUMAN DIVERSITY 

To increase students’ understanding of individual and group differences (e.g. race, gender, class) and their knowledge of the traditions and values of various groups in the United States. Students should be able to evaluate the United States’ historical and contemporary responses to group differences.

Indicators

1.  Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture. 
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society. 
3.  Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry. 
4. Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion. 
5. Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.

Minnesota State Community and Technical College – 2 – History 1101 Western Civilization 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities 

M State is committed to providing equal access to education for all students. Students that have a disability or believe they may have a disability are invited to contact the Disability Services office as soon as possible to determine eligibility and/or submit accommodation requests.   

 For questions or to request accommodations, contact Brad Dunham and I will make accommodations.