HIS 112 - West Civ: Ancient to Early Mod

Credits: 4
Lecture Hours: 4
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Core

The student surveys the great civilizations from Greece and Rome, through the rise of Christianity, to Europe in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Reformation, the modern state, the new science and the secular outlook, parliamentary government in England and political absolutism in France and Eastern Europe.
Competencies

Define civilization
Describe the defining characteristics of Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations
Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and development of Judaism
1. Differentiate Judaism from traditional Near Eastern religions
2. Identify Near Eastern religious ideas that may have influenced Judaism and Christianity
3. Discuss how the Hebrew faith bound the Jews politically
Demonstrate an understanding of Greek history 800-350 B.C
1. Describe the influence of geography on early Greek development
2. Explain the evolution of the polis and hoplites and the importance of both in Greek society
3. Discuss the differing histories of Athens and Sparta politically and culturally
Discuss the origins of Greek philosophy and science
1. Describe theories used to explain the early beginnings of Greek philosophy and science
2. List key Greek intellects and the contributions they made in the evolution of Western intellectual history
Examine the origins and achievements of Hellenistic Civilization and its diffusion.
1. Compare and contrast the political, social and economic characteristics of Hellenic and Hellenistic civilizations
2. Describe and analyze the philosophic, religious, scientific and economic developments of the Hellenistic Age
Discuss the Roman Republic as a civilization
1. Discuss the Greek and Etruscan influences on the early Romans
2. Describe Roman expansion in Italy
3. Assess the importance of Roman culture in shaping the social and political character of the ancient Romans
4. Assess the importance of engineering and architectural achievements of the Romans
5. Discuss the wars with Carthage and the Hellenistic kingdoms that lead to Roman dominance of the Mediterranean world
6. Determine the factors that contributed to the breakdown of the Old Republic
7. Assess the roles of the Gracchi, Marius, Sulla and Julius Caesar in the breakdown of the Old Republic
Compare and contrast the governments of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
Describe the imperial system created by Caesar Augustus
Examine the Imperial System 14 Ad to 300 AD
1. Describe the political changes implemented by Augustus
2. Discuss the role of the military in the Empire
3. Describe the arts, literature and architecture in the Empire beginning with Augustus
4. Discuss the Pax Roman
Explain the origins of Christianity.
1. Explain the universal or catholic character of its appeal and diffusion
2. Discuss the significance of St. Paul and his teachings
3. Compare and contrast the religions of ancient Rome and Christianity
4. Explain the conversion of Rome to Christianity
Explain the importance of Byzantine civilization
1. Identify the successes and failures Byzantium had in maintaining its political and military dominance in the East
2. Evaluate Byzantium’s cultural achievements and influences on the Christian West and Islam
Explain the importance of Muhammad and the rise of Islam
1. Discuss the role of the Arabs and Islamic civilization in the formation of the Middle East
2. Compare and contrast the role of women in Islam and Islamic society and in Christianity and Christian civilization
3. Discuss the impact of Islam and Islamic civilization on medieval Europe
4. Compare and contrast Islam and Christianity
Appraise the forces, cultures, and idea systems forming the early middle ages
1. Discuss the synthesis of Roman, Christian and Germanic culture in making early Europe
2. Explain the impetus for Germanic migration and conquest
Explain the importance of the papacy, the Carolingians, and monasticism in making the “first Europe.”
1. Discuss the importance of Charlemagne and the accomplishments of the Carolingian Renaissance
2. Assess the role of monasticism in Christianization, cultural preservation, and church reform
3. Account for the breakdown of the “first Europe” and the rise of feudalism
4. Account for the factors that brought European economic, cultural, and political revival and stability after 1000, such as Gregorian Reform
Demonstrate an understanding of your comprehension of medieval social history
1. Describe peasant society to evaluate the degree of social mobility among medieval people
2. Explain the role of women in medieval life at all social levels
3. Examine the health and welfare of medieval people and the role of diet in their lives
Examine the achievements and failures of the High and Late Middle Ages
1. Discuss the impact of the Norman Conquest on England
2. Examine the differing successes of the monarchies of France, England, and Germany in establishing unity, order, and stability in the High and Late Middle Ages.
3. Discuss the continual conflict between church and state
4. Analyze the factors that led to the revival of commerce and the revitalization of urban life
5. Explain the importance of cathedrals and universities in the emerging civilization of the High Middle Ages
6. Explain the catastrophe of the Black Death and Hundred Years’ War, and its impact on European life
7. Explain the near collapse of the papacy and the decline of the church in the late Middle Ages
Define the Renaissance and its origins
1. Compare the Renaissance as it developed in Italy and Northern Europe
2. Discuss the developments of renaissance political organizations and the concept of power
3. Discuss the artistic and scientific achievements of the Renaissance
Examine and explain the origins and dynamics of the Reformation
1. Assess the ideas, origins and impacts of Martin Luther, John Calvin, the Anabaptists, and the Anglicans
2. Discuss the development of the Counter Reformation
3. Examine the impact of the Renaissance on the Reformation
Discuss the origins and motivations for European exploration of other worlds
1. Analyze the impact of Europe on newly encountered civilizations as well as the effect of the Columbian Exchange on Europe
2. Analyze European motivations to discover and colonize other cultures
3. Discuss the general evolution of the culture and history of the three dominate civilizations in the Americas: Aztec, Mayan and Incan, at the time of European contact
Analyze the development of absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy between 1500 and 1725.
1. Identify and evaluate these two types of government by examining France and England
2. Examine the rise of Peter the Great and the Westernization of Russia
3. Examine the emergence of Brandenburg-Prussia as a European Power
Discuss the origins of modern science, the scientific view and its impact on European traditional ways of religion and life
Demonstrate effective communication and critical thinking skills through writing

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