Instructor: Dr. Wietse de Boer
Office: CA-503D
Phone/voice-mail: (317) 274-5499
E-mail: wdeboer@iupui.edu; http://oncourse.iu.edu/
Office hours: TR. 1:00-2:15 p.m., and by appointment
Classes: CA-219, TR. 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.

Course description

The course provides a survey of (what is commonly known as) Western civilization from Antiquity to approximately 1600. It will focus in particular on (a) the development of the key institutions of political and social life, and (b) the ideas, values and attitudes that supported, and evolved with, these institutions.

The course will emphasize the complexity of the history of the West by focusing on problems of continuity and discontinuity within the western tradition, and on the frequent interaction with (so-called) non-western cultures.

The course has three goals:

(1) to provide basic knowledge of the course of European history (including major events and personalities) until the end of the sixteenth century;

(2) to enhance the students= historical perspective on, and understanding of, important political, social, and cultural themes in the societies studied (and thus develop skills which are applicable, in principle, in the study of any given society); and

(3) to give elementary training in the historian=s craft through the critical reading and interpretation of primary sources.

• Philip V. Cannistraro, The Western Perspective, vol. I, Harcourt-Brace, 1999
• Merry E. Wiesner, Julius R. Ruff, William B. Wheeler, Discovering the Western Past, Fourth Edition, Vol. I: To 1789.
• Homer, The Iliad, trans. Robert Fagles, Penguin USA 1998

The books listed are stocked at the IUPUI Bookstore.

1. Attendance at all class meetings is mandatory. If, for some pressing reason, you have to be absent, contact the instructor as soon as possible; be prepared to document your excuse. More than three unexcused or poorly excused absences will negatively affect your final grade. Classes will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m.; to avoid disruption be sure to be on time.

2. Most classes will consist of a combination of lecture and discussion. It is expected that you read the discussion materials (the Wiesner sourcebook and the Iliad) in advance; always bring reading materials to class. Informed participation will be part of your grade.

3. This course covers thousands of years of human history, and discusses difficult themes that will be unfamiliar to many of you. Therefore, you are strongly advised to keep up with your textbook readings. It will make it easier both to participate in the classes and to prepare for the exams.

4. Assignments. Students must write two short papers, take two examinations, and do a minimum of four pop-quizzes. The paper and exam schedule is as follows (quizzes are not previously announced):

Make-up essays/exams will be scheduled only with a doctor=s excuse (there will be no make-up option for quizzes).

Plagiarism, cheating on exams, and other forms of intellectual dishonesty will not be tolerated. They will be dealt with in accordance with general university policy. If you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism, ask, or consult the Indiana University Bulletin, School of Liberal Arts, Indianapolis Campus, 2000-2002, p. 36.