Revised 8/2022

HIS 101 - Western Civilization Pre-1600 CE (3 CR.)

Course Description

Examines the development of western civilization from ancient times to the present. Part I of II. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

HIS 101 surveys the general history of Western civilization from about 3000 BCE to 1600 CE and allows students to reach a basic understanding of the characteristic features of Western civilization's early historical development in that span of time. Students will learn about some of the important political, economic, social, intellectual, cultural and religious changes that shaped the development of the West.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Upon completion the course, the student will be able to:

Communication

  • Explain using written and oral communication the changing structures and development of Western civilization up until 1600 CE.
  • Describe key people, periods, and events of Western civilization through 1600 CE using written and oral communication.
Critical Thinking
  • Identify and evaluate the social, economic and political forces at work in the evolution of Western civilization from approximately 3000 BCE to 1600CE.
  • Understand the general chronology and geography of Western history
  • Evaluate the main forces or factors at work in the historical development of the West
  • Analyze the cultural achievements of ancient and medieval Western civilization.
  • Analyze and evaluate complex historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of primary and secondary resources.
The Near East: Suggested Context The Neolithic Revolution, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Anatolia, Ancient Persia and Iran, Ancient Levant (i.e., the Hebrews)
  • Identify and/or explain the origins of complex Near Eastern societies.
  • Compare and contrast Near Eastern societies and civilizations
  • Analyze the development and impact of culture, economics, politics, society, technology, and religious and philosophical ideas
  • Analyze and evaluate complex historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of primary and secondary resources.
Ancient Greece: Suggested Context Minoans, Mycenaeans, The Archaic Age (Age of Homer), Creation of the Polis, Persian Wars, Classical Philosophy, Classical Art and Architecture, Democracy, Athens vs. Sparta, Peloponnesian War, Alexander the Great and Hellenization, Hellentistic Philosophy, Hellenistic Art and Architecture
  • Identify and/or explain the origins of complex Greek societies.
  • Compare and contrast Greek city-states
  • Analyze the development and impact of culture, economics, politics, society, technology, and religious and philosophical ideas
  • Analyze and evaluate complex historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of primary and secondary resources.
Ancient Rome: Suggested Context Etruscans, Early Roman civilization, Establishment of the Republic, Punic Wars, Conquest and Expansion, Fall of Republic, Pax Romana, Roman Art, Literature, and Philosophy, Roman Emperors, Christianity, Third-Century Crisis, Fall of the Roman Empire
  • Identify and/or explain the origins of Roman society
  • Compare and contrast the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
  • Analyze the development and impact of culture, economics, politics, society, technology, and religious and philosophical ideas
  • Examine connections between Rome society and the rest of the world
  • Analyze and evaluate complex historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of primary and secondary resources.
Western European Kingdoms, the Byzantine Empire, Eastern Europe, and Islamic Caliphates: Suggested Context The Franks, The Anglo-Saxons, The Bungundians, The Reign of Justinian, Iconoclasm Controversy, Islam as a Religion, The Umayyad Caliphate, The Abbasid Caliphate
  • Identify and/or explain the origins of complex societies after the fall of Rome.
  • Compare and contrast the development of kingdoms in the Early Middle Ages
  • Analyze the development and impact of culture, economics, politics, society, technology, and religious and philosophical ideas
  • Analyze and evaluate complex historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of primary and secondary resources.
Medieval Europe: Suggested Context France, England, Holy Roman Empire, The Papal States and the Catholic Church, The Ottoman Empire, The Crusades, Feudalism, Monasticism, Agricultural Revolution, Black Death, Hundred Years’ War
  • Analyze the development and impact of culture, economics, politics, society, technology, and religious and philosophical ideas
  • Examine connections between the East and the West
  • Analyze and evaluate complex historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of primary and secondary resources.
Renaissance, Reformation and Explorations: Suggested Context The Italian Renaissance, The Northern Renaissance, Humanism, The Printing Press, The Lutheran Reformation, The Calvinist Reformation, The Anglican Reformation, The Anabaptist Reformation, The Catholic Reformation, The Age of Exploration, Encounter, Invasion, and Expansion
  • Identify and/or explain the origins of the Renaissance, Reformation and Age of Exploration
  • Analyze the development and impact of culture, economics, politics, society, technology, and religious and philosophical ideas
  • Examine connections between European societies and the rest of the world.
  • Analyze and evaluate complex historical sources and materials and reach conclusions based on interpretations of primary and secondary resources.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • The Near East
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • Western European Kingdoms, the Byzantine Empire, Eastern Europe, and Islamic caliphates
  • Medieval Europe
  • Renaissance, Reformation and Explorations