Fall 2005 Mon., Wed. 2:30-3:45

Classroom CA 219

WEstern civilization I (H113)

Instructor: Matt Stanard

Office: CA 509D

Office Hours: Wednesdays 11:00-12:30, and by appointment

Phone: 8-2242

Email: mstanard@indiana.edu

Course objectives:

This course seeks to increase your understanding of the birth and development of what we today call Western civilization. We will examine key developments such as the flowering and spread of Greek culture, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the Renaissance in Europe, and the onset of the early modern period. The course will develop the theme of religion in Western society by exploring the role of Christianity and the Church in Roman, medieval and early modern Europe. We will also consider the cultures of Greece and Rome and their legacies. We will delve into not only settled civilization in Europe, but also the role of important marginal groups—nomads, invaders, “barbarians”—in shaping Western civilization. The course will also examine the origins of modern European nation-states. The understanding of Western society and culture toward which this course works is in accordance with IUPUI’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning. A second goal of the course is intimately tied to the first and also supports the Principles of Undergraduate Learning: this course will emphasize the tools needed for the study of history. This course is designed to develop your ability to read, write, and analyze complex issues. Small group discussions in class will seek to develop your ability to analyze and interpret texts and communicate your ideas effectively.

Course requirements and grading breakdown:

Midterm examination 15%

Final examination (cumulative) 30%

5 reading quizzes (5, drop one) 20%

Two short papers (15% each) 30%

Attendance and Participation 5%

Total: 100%

Readings for each week should be completed by class on the Wednesday of the week for which they are assigned. To provide additional incentive, there will be five unannounced reading quizzes, each worth 5% of the final grade (your lowest quiz grade will be dropped). Each student will write two short essays to be handed in at class based on common readings. The final exam is cumulative.

Course policies:

Late assignments will not be accepted. Exams are to be taken on the dates indicated on the syllabus. If you believe you must miss an exam you must see the instructor in advance regarding a makeup exam. Makeup exams will only be allowed under extreme circumstances and with evidence of the reason the exam was missed (for example, a health center receipt). It is now a general policy at IUPUI that attendance is required for all classes. Only reading the textbook and other reading assignments will not be enough to achieve the goals for this course. Failure to attend and participate will detract from your grade. All students are reminded of his or her responsibilities according to the IUPUI Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. The full text of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct is available for viewing or download at http://life.iupui.edu/help/code.asp. The instructor reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the syllabus as necessary.

Required reading:

Oedipus Rex, Sophocles

Two Lives of Charlemagne, Einhard and Notker the Stammerer

A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies, Bartolomé De Las Casas

The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli

Western Civilization: The Continuing Experiment, Vol. I, Noble, Strauss, et al.

Course Calendar:

August 24 Introduction to the course

August 29 4 million B.C. to 1000 B.C.

August 31 Western Asia and early Greece

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 34-62; begin Sophocles, Oedipus Rex

September 5 Labor Day holiday - No class

September 7 The Greek city states

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 63-97; finish Sophocles, Oedipus Rex

September 12 The Hellenistic kingdoms

September 14 The Roman Republic

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 98-127

September 19 The rise of the Roman Empire

September 21 The fall of the Roman Empire

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 128-161

September 26 Early Christianity

September 28 Successor kingdoms

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 162-189; Einhard’s The Life of Charlemagne

October 3 Early Islam

October 5 The Carolingian Empire

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 190-223; begin Notker the Stammerer’s Charlemagne

October 10 Midterm examination

October 12 Vikings and Magyars

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 224-259; finish Notker the Stammerer’s Charlemagne

October 17 The growth of new states

October 19 The Church, and the Crusades

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 260-296

First paper due in class October 17

October 24 The Black Death

October 26 Life in the Middle Ages and the Second Great Schism

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 297-330; begin Machiavelli’s The Prince

October 31 The Hundred Years’ War

November 2 Successful and unsuccessful states and the Ottoman Empire

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 331-368; finish Machiavelli’s The Prince

November 7 The Medieval Church

November 9 The Italian Renaissance

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 369-403; De Las Casas, 3-36

November 14 The Renaissance generalized

November 16 An age of exploration

Readings: De Las Casas, 42-94, 102-115, 127-130

November 21 Europe and the “new” world

November 23 Thanksgiving holiday - No class

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 404-432

Second paper due in class November 21

November 28 Christian humanism

November 30 The Reformation and wars of religions

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 433-468

December 5 Life, society and the economy in Early Modern Europe

December 7 The Thirty Years’ War and the Peace of Westphalia

Readings: Noble, Strauss, et al. 469-507

December 12 Review

No reading

final examination: wednesday, december 14, 1:00-3:00 p.m.