HIST 101: A History of the World Part I (to 1500): The Myriad Paths to Modernity
3 Lecture Hours/week
3 credits
Zero-Textbook Cost
Instructor Name: Samuel Finesurrey
Email: samuel.finesurrey@guttman.cuny.edu
Meeting Times: Tuesday, Thursday 1:15-2:45
Course Description
A History of the World Part One: to 1500
This is a survey of the history of human civilization from the end of the Stone Age to 1500 CE. The course examines human evolution from the earliest agrarian societies to the distinctive features of ancient and medieval cultures and governments. Particular attention is paid to the traditions, achievements, and ways of life in several regional and global military, political and cultural centers. Moments of contact between cultures will be lifted up as civilizations exchanged materials, goods, illnesses, religions, and most significantly ideas. The course ends roughly around 1500, on the eve of the tremendous changes and the emergence of a truly global network of trade and communication for the first time.
Prerequisites/corequisites:
N/A
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate a broad familiarity with major historical events and trace connections between watershed moments over time and across the globe.
Students will be able to explain varied historical perspectives in significant moments. They will understand why different peoples think, govern themselves, fight and interact with each other the ways they do.
Students will analyze and identify patterns and divergences between varied societies and the movements, advancements, conflicts and struggles that shaped historical and modern experiences.
Students will learn to excavate different types of historical sources including written texts, art, artifacts, and architecture.
Students will develop students’ critical thinking, writing, rhetorical skills and the ability to construct evidence-based arguments about history.
Suggested Course Textbooks:
Kordas, A., Lynch, R. J., Nelson, B., & Tatlock, J. (2023). World History Volume 1, to 1500. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/world-history-volume-1/pages/1-introduction
Kordas, A., Lynch, R. J., Nelson, B., & Tatlock, J. (2023). World History Volume 2, from 1400. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/world-history-volume-2/pages/1-introduction
Grading:Course Assignments and Grading
A+
4.0
97-100%
A
4.0
93-96.9%
A-
3.7
90-92.9%
B+
3.3
87-89.9%
B
3.0
83-86.9%
B-
2.7
80-82.9%
C+
2.3
77-79.9%
C
2.0
73-76.9%
C-
1.7
70-72.9%
D+
1.3
67-69.9%
D (passing)
1.0
60-66.9%
F
0
0-59.9%
NC*
Not calculated
0-59.9%
Participation, Attendance & Punctuality
15%
Weekly Assignments
25%
Debate Assignment
10%
Final Paper/Presentation
30%
Final Exam
20%
AssignmentsOral History Project (30%):
Oral History (10%): You will interview a peer or elder about how they learned about a series of historic events discussed in the class.
Transcript (5%): You must edit your oral history transcript to prepare it for consumption by your classmates.
Final Project (15%): Final Paper/Presentation You will have access to each other’s’ testimonies to write about how a historic event is taught and make an argument about what that says about who we celebrate in history and why. You will present your findings to the class in a five minute presentation.
Your final paper/presentation must have…
A research question you are answering. Make sure it’s a question the interviewees can answer.
A clear thesis that answers the research question you are posing. The thesis should identify a pattern in the experiences documented through this oral history project.
At least three body paragraphs with each having a clear topic sentence followed by at least three quotes from the oral histories collected by you and your peers that will be used as evidence.
Weekly Assignments (25%):
Nearly every week there will be a set of graded assignments due on Sunday nights. You will submit your notes and answer a set of questions based on the assigned materials.
Participation, Attendance & Punctuality (15%):
You are expected to participate in class discussions showing active listening and thinking. If you are late to class, it will negatively impact your participation grade.
Debate Assignment (10%):
Students will read arguments made by historians and contemporary actors about various topics over the course of the semester including what defines a “civilization”, the nature of empire and positions on various historical conflicts and movements. This assignment will culminate in every student participating in 1 of 4 debates.
Final Exam (20%):
You will have an open note final exam covering material from the entire course.
Weekly Schedule
Week
Topic
What’s Due
Readings
Week #1
Class 1: Intro to World History:Developing a Global Perspective& Interpreting History Class 2: When does human history begin?
Notes and Writing Response: Prompt: Explore what informed you vision of the world?
Class 17: After Rome Fell Class 18: Editing a Transcript
Notes and short quiz on readings/video. Oral History Due
Chapter 13.1/13.2Chapter 13.3/13.4Fall of Rome: Crash Course
Week #10
Class 19: Debate Three – How does identity work between groups in the ancient world? Class 20: Connecting East and West – Indian Ocean Trade and Silk Road
Notes and short quiz on readings/video.
Chapter 12, 14.1
Week #11
Class 21: Introduction to Final Project Class 22: The Mongols
Notes and short quiz on readings/video. Oral History Transcript Due
Class 23: A Global World is Born & Final Exam Review Class 24: Debate Four – Is a globalized world a good thing?
Oral History Final Project is Due
Last day of Class
Final Exams
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