Ancient World History Syllabus 2013-2014

 

Ancient World History, Prehistory-1500

Mr. Layne

Email:  tlayne@stuart-hall.org

Phone:  540-213-7744

Rm. 17

Course blog:  http://laynehistory.blogspot.com

About me:

B.A. in History, Bridgewater College, 1998

M.A. in History, James Madison University, 2000

Dept. of History, Stuart Hall School, 2006-Present

Courses taught:  Ancient World History, Modern World History, A.P. World History, Global Military History

About the class:

What you’ll need (bring these to class everyday):

• Textbook:  William J. Dukier and Jackson J. Spielvogel, World History, 7^th edition, Thomson Wadsworth, 2013.
• Something (a folder or notebook) to keep your materials (homework, handouts, returned quizzes/tests) organized
• A section in a binder or a separate spiral notebook dedicated to note taking in this class
• Something to write with

What Ancient World History is about:

This class is an introduction to the study of world history.  It spans the first six millennia (approximately 4000 B.C.E-1500 C.E.) of the recorded human experience, and focuses on the major cultural, political, economic, social, demographic, and technological developments that occurred throughout the world during this time.  This class also considers how the events of so long ago impacted and continue to shape today’s world and places a particular emphasis on the academic discipline of history itself and how history is ‘made.’

Class Goals:

Upon successfully completing this class, students will have:

• A strong working knowledge of early world history, including major themes, dynamics, and events, from early civilization until the 16^th century, which also includes the ability to assess change and continuity over time and compare and contrast the major elements of world history
• An understanding of the historical discipline and how it is practiced
• The ability to construct and evaluate historical arguments and interpretations
• Critical and analytical reading and writing skills.
• Research skills and the knowledge to effectively use both primary and secondary sources as evidence.

Class Policies:

• You are expected to arrive in class on time and prepared.
• You are expected to maintain a respectful and courteous classroom environment at all times.
• There is no eating or drinking in class; all food/drink containers are to remain closed (water bottles are the exception as long as they have lids/caps).

What you can expect from me:

• I will work just as hard, if not harder, than you do
• I will be available if you have questions concerning class, content, or any other related concern
• I will respect all of you

Taking this class for Honors Credit:

Those qualified (you earned a B+ or better in your previous history class) who opt to take the course for Honors Credit will undertake a course curriculum designed to meet the goals of the Stuart Hall Honors Program:  

• Deeper and Broader Knowledge:  Additional elements and requirements (all of which will be explained in detail) will be incorporated into class projects for honors students 
• Critical Thinking:  Honors students’ test questions will be of a more analytical nature 
• Independent Work:  Honors students will design and carry out independent research projects related to the course that also reflect the above two criteria 
• Communication:  Honors students will take an active role in presenting information to the class above and beyond regular class participation

Homework Policy:

Homework will be assigned via weekly assignment posts, and you should expect to receive homework for most evenings.  I do not assign frivolous homework or “busy work”—everything I ask you to do is intended to enable you to achieve our class goals and further develop your skills.  I expect you to have your homework completed at the beginning of the class period in which it is due.

You begin each marking period with a 100% homework average.  Each missed homework assignment results in a 5 point deduction from your overall homework average.  Each incomplete homework assignment results in a 3 point deduction from your overall homework average.

Quizzes, Tests, and Projects:

• Quizzes:  you may expect to be quizzed throughout each of the marking periods.  These quizzes may take a variety of formats and may or may not be announced ahead of time.  They will always be based on material covered in class or through homework, and are intended to serve as an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of material or concepts. 
• Tests:  Tests will generally cover 1-2 chapters’ worth of material.  Test dates will always be announced well in advance and you will receive test review materials to aid your preparation
• Projects:  projects will give you the opportunity to engage the topics we are studying at a greater level of depth and detail.  I will provide you with a detailed overview of each project (along with my expectations) when it is announced.

Projects, continued:

• 1^st  Marking Period:  Book Review
• 2^nd Marking Period:  Research Paper I
• 3^rd Marking Period:  PEEP Project
• 4^th Marking Period:  Research Paper II

Class Participation: 

Class participation is based upon attentiveness, engagement, preparedness, and conduct during class sessions.  You begin each marking period with a 100% Class Participation grade.  Each day you engage in meaningful participation will maintain that average.  Being late to class will result in a 5 point deduction from your participation average for each occurrence.  Unexcused absences will result in a 10 point deduction for each occurrence.

Grading Policy:

Your grade for each marking period will be devised from the following:

• Class participation: 10%
• Homework and quizzes:  15%
• Tests:  40%
• Projects:  35%

____________
                100%

Note:  I do not “give” grades.  You, as students, earn them.

Attendance Policy (including make-up work):

This course follows the school policy of attendance.  Please refer to the Family Handbook for details.

The Honor Code:

It is expected that all students will adhere to and respect the Student Hall Honor Code.  All work completed in this class is to be completed in adherence to the Stuart Hall Honor Code.

 

 Course Outline

This course is organized chronologically, and the following outline is intended to serve as a general overview of the major units and topics we will cover during the year.

I.                   “In the Beginning”:  From “Pre-History” to “History”

a.       Civilization as a Concept

b.      Requirements for Civilization

c.       Hunter-gatherer Societies

d.      The Neolithic Revolution  and the Emergence of Civilization

II.                The Currents of History:  The Early River Valley Civilizations

a.       The Tigris and Euphrates:  Mesopotamia

b.      The Nile:  Egypt and Nubia

c.       The Indus:  Early India

d.      The Huanghe: China

III.             An Age of Empires:  The Classical World

a.       East Meets West:  Greece and Persia

b.      Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World

c.       Rome:   From Republic to Empire

IV.             New Worlds:  The Post-Classical Era

a.       Islam Ascendant

b.      The Heirs of Rome:  Byzantium

c.       A World Away:  The Americas

V.                Starting Small:  Medieval Europe

a.       The Heirs of Rome:  Western Europe

b.      “Holy War”

c.       Black Death and Rebirth

VI.             Lands Revisited:

a.       Post-Classical India

b.      The East:  China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam

VII.          Harbingers of a New Era

a.       The Mongols and their Empire

b.      Europe:  Beyond the Borders