Catalog Description

Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Survey of the development of western culture from its beginning to 1715; exploration of the scope and definition of western culture and civilization interrelating political and social events with art, literature, and philosophy; covering the ancient Middle East, Greece, Rome, Late Antiquity, the Medieval era, and early Modern Europe. (C-ID HIST 170) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Differentiate primary and secondary sources and how each are used to make historical claims.
  • CSLO #2: Evaluate the role of European geography in major political, economic and social changes.
  • CSLO #3: Compose coherent, persuasive historical argument using correct academic citation methods.
  • CSLO #4: Investigate major political, economic and social changes with emphasis on culture, race, class, gender and/or ethnicity.

Effective Term

Fall 2019

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Demonstrate the ability to interpret primary and secondary sources and to compose an argument which uses them, as appropriate, for support.
2. Analyze the concept of the West.
3. Analyze changes in political, social, and economic organization in the western world and explain their historical significance.
4. Explain the historical significance of major discoveries, inventions, and scientific achievements.
5. Identify and locate the major cities, countries, empires, and geographical features of The West, and analyze the influence of geography and climate on Western culture, economy, and history.
6. Explain the historical significance of cultural developments such as art, music, architecture, literature, and religion.
7. Identify the most significant cultural, religious, and literary persons of Western history and culture, and analyze their individual contributions and their historical context.
8. Analyze the social, ideological, economic, and political causes and the economic, cultural, and social effects of all major wars and revolutions.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Literature & Language
    • AA/AS - Social Sciences
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - C2 Humanities
    • CSUGE - D6 History
    • CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 3B Humanities
      • IGETC - 4F History

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: Using information from assigned readings and class lectures/activities, write an in-class essay on a topic related to the course, which was listed on a study sheet for the exam. Sample topics include: Influence of the Byzantine Empire on Western Europe; Long-term effects of the Vikings on the culture and politics of Britain; Compare and contrast levels of 'freedoms' of specific types in specific ancient empires.
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: Using information from the assigned readings and class lectures/activities, answer 20 multiple-choice and 10 fill-in-the-blank questions regarding the history and culture of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.
    • Projects
      • Example: Using guidelines provided by the instructor, locate appropriate research materials and create a visual and/or oral presentation on an approved topic related to the course.
    • Reports
      • Example: Read the assigned documents (including excerpts from primary sources such as "Letters" by Pliny the Younger, "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, and "The City of God" by St. Augustine; AND secondary sources such as "Pagan and Christian: The Appeal of Christianity" by E.R. Dodds, and "The Roman Empire: The Place of Augustus" by Chester G. Starr), and interpret the assigned visual sources (such as photographs of Roman tomb decorations and carved gemstones). Then discuss and analyze the aspects of Roman culture which were conducive to the growth of Christianity, as well as the ways in which Christianity was nevertheless contradictory to Roman civilization. Write your answer in essay or chart format.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Instructor presents a lecture analyzing the influence of Charlemagne’s reign on the culture, religion, and society of the Early Middle Ages. Mid-lecture, students discuss and critically evaluate how changes to governmental structure and education caused specific changes to the Catholic Church and to French culture and social structure.
    2. Instructor prepares primary and secondary sources about the experiences of Spain, France, Italy, and England during and after the fall of the Roman Empire, and assigns students to small groups. Those groups then analyzes how the ethnicity and Roman-era experiences of each region cause differing levels of adherence to Roman traditions, politics, and social structures in each region, and present their findings to the class.

    Distance Learning

    1. Instructor creates a Discussion assignment in which students locate, critically analyze, and present information from websites about a European tribe, and then use each others' posts to create a comparison/contrast of the locations, culture and influence of the tribes.

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Complete assigned readings on Al-Andalus and Muslim influence on Europe, and be prepared to discuss the material in class and as part of written examinations. 2. Complete reading in assigned course reader and be prepared to summarize and analyze "The Iliad" both orally and in a carefully written paragraph.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. Based upon reading and class discussions, write a 500-word essay contrasting the cultures of ancient Egypt and Classical Greece. 2. Make a text-based chart that contrasts the political developments in Spain, France, and Britain during the Late Antiquity Era.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    1. Using maps, online documents, and written sources, create a visual presentation (using Powerpoint or Prezi or a physical poster) that illustrates the effects of geography and climate on the culture and major events of the Roman Empire. 2. Choose a research topic related to the course and locate appropriate primary and secondary sources. Based on those sources, write a 10-page research paper analyzing the topic. Include properly-formatted quotes, citations, and bibliography.

    Required Materials

    • The West: A New History, volume 1
      • Author: Anthony Grafton and David A. Bell
      • Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company
      • Publication Date: 2018
      • Text Edition: 1st
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Understanding Western Society
      • Author: McKay et al
      • Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's
      • Publication Date: 2015
      • Text Edition: 2nd
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • The West: Encounters & Transformations
      • Author: Levack et al
      • Publisher: Longman
      • Publication Date: 2016
      • Text Edition: 5th
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors
      • Author: James Reston, Jr.
      • Publisher: Anchor Books
      • Publication Date: 2005
      • Text Edition: 1st
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • The Iliad
      • Author: Homer
      • Publisher: Penguin Classics
      • Publication Date: 1998
      • Text Edition:
      • Classic Textbook?:
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.