Valencia Community College - Course Syllabus

EUH 2000/Western Civilizations to 1750

Spring 2010 - (January 11 - May 2)
CRN 25170
Tues & Thurs - 4pm-5:15pm
Bldng 8 Rm 148

Instructor: Michael A. Deliz

Email: mdeliz@mail.ucf.edu
Website: www.michaeldeliz.com
Phone: 407-385-0016 (voice mail only)
Office Hours: Before and after each class and by appointment.

Required Materials:
Textbook: Kagan, Donald, Steven Ozment, et al. The Western Heritage, Volume One: To 1740. 10th
Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2010.

About This Course:

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in ENC 1101 or ENC 1101H or IDH 1110
Survey of ancient, medieval and early modern Western civilization, with emphasis on political, social
and economic developments. Examines early societies of Mesopotamia and Egypt, Greece, Roman
Republic and Empire, early Christianity, barbarian invasions, medieval government and commerce,
Renaissance and Reformation, origins of modern state and other topics. Gordon Rule course in which
the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple writing assignments.
Minimum grade of C required if EUH 2000 is used to satisfy Gordon Rule requirement.

Western Civilization I is the first of two courses designed to familiarize students with the history of the
“West”. This course will span the time period to1750 and will focus upon the basic historical
foundations. The goal of this course is for each student to master the following sets of skills:

Historic: Students must be able to identify and interpret the different events, personalities, and
ideas that contributed to the development and history of the world.
Geographic: Students must understand the relationship between geography and the
development of Western civilization.
Cultural/Societal: Students must understand the dynamic nature of human society as it is
continuously evolving. Emphasis will be on mass migrations, international relations, religious
conflict, and ideological conflicts, which all greatly contributed to the history of the modern
West and the world.

Scope and limits of this course: This course, like many others in the field of History, draws
extensively from other fields in the Social Sciences, including Religious Studies, Sociology, Political
Science, Geography, Cultural/Ethnic Studies, Anthropology, and Linguistics. The course, despite its
breath, is however limited by the time allotted in the semester. Due to this limitation students may find
that further reading, beyond the assigned text, will be advantageous to acquiring a greater depth of
understanding.

Success in this course: Students are expected to demonstrate a depth of understanding at the
collegiate level. Success in this course will be determined by the student’s analysis and interpretation
of historical topics beyond mere memorization. If you are not willing to read the assigned chapters,
attend class, and follow class discussions, you will most certainly fail this course.
Expectations: Students are expected to come prepared for class with a notebook and a pen or pencil,
or other means of note-taking. On Exam days, students will be required to come prepared with
whatever material (blue books, scantrons, etc) is requested for the exam. Students are expected to have
all assignments including reading assignments completed by the beginning of each class.

Gordon Rule: EUH2000 is designated as a Gordon Rule course under the requirements of Florida
State Rule 6A-10.30. Specifically that means that students enrolled in this course will be also evaluated
on their ability to write at the collegiate level by way of essay assignments.

College-Level Writing: The definition of “College-Level Writing” is as follows:

1. The writing will have a clearly defined central idea or thesis.
2. It will provide adequate support for that idea.
3. It will be organized clearly and logically.
4. It will show awareness of the conventions of standard written English.
5. It will be formatted or presented in an appropriate way.

Gordon Rule Assignments: Each of the following Gordon Rule Assignments are designed to fulfill
the student’s requirement to the Gordon Rule. Failure to complete any of these assignments
automatically makes it impossible for the student to pass the course with a grade of ‘C’ or better.

Assignment One: Essay Exam #1 - Narrative In-Class Essay-

Students will be presented with a question that must be answered in a manner that details the
sequence and causality of an overarching aspect of the covered material. For full credit,
students must demonstrate a command of the dates, names of people, places, and significant
events that are pertinent to the material in question.

Assignment Two: Research Paper - Historiographical Essay-

In consultation with the professor, students will first choose a historical event, personality, or
idea to research. Students will then research how their chosen topic is conveyed and analyzed
by historians who have published on that topic. For full credit, students must also demonstrate
a respect for proper research techniques, judgment in source selection, and a command of the
formatting standards for writing in the field of History. Essay Length: 6 pages - Typed

Assignment Three: Final Essay Exam - Argumentative In-Class Essay-

Students will be presented with a question that must be answered in a manner that
demonstrates the student’s ability to formulate and maintain an argument, support that
argument with evidence drawing from the historical record, and arrive at an unambiguous
conclusion. For full credit, students must also demonstrate a command of the dates, names of
people, places, and significant events that are pertinent to the argument.

Grade Policy: Grades are determined by points earned in two exams, seven quizzes, and one Research
Paper:

Essay Exams 150pts/ea x (2) = 300pts

Quizzes 20pts/ea x (7) = 140pts
Research Paper 60pts/ea x (1) = 60pts
Total Points = 500pts
Grading Scale: This course will be scored using the 10 point grading scale as follows:

By Points By Percentage Letter Grade

450-500 90%-100% A
400-449.9 89.9%-80% B
350-399.9 79.9%-70% C
300-349.9 69.9%-60% D
Less than 300 pts Less than 60% F

PROCEDURES:
Email: 1) All emails should contain the class prefix/number on the subject line (eg: EUH2000). 2) All
emails must be signed with your first and last name. 3) Under no circumstances will assignments be
accepted by email.

Attendance: Although attendance will not be regularly taken, it is mandatory and extremely important
to your grade. Students who miss class for whatever reason will NOT be excused from assigned work
and its due dates. Missed lectures are also the responsibility of the absent student.

Make-Up Work: Only with prior approval of the professor.

Extra Credit: From time to time an extra credit assignment may be extended to the class at the
discretion of the professor. By policy, all extra credit assignments will be made available to the entire
class, there will NOT be any extra credit given to individual students.

VALENCIA MAJOR LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students must be able to appreciate history as an academic discipline and the role history plays in
understanding contemporary life. Students must be able to demonstrate an understanding of major
events, persons, and concepts within the context of this course. Students must be able to demonstrate
an understanding of political, social, cultural, diplomatic, military, and intellectual influences that
shaped the development of European civilization. Students must be able appreciate the roles that
diverse cultures and peoples play in the unfolding of events and trends within the context of this
course. Students must be able to demonstrate college-level writing skills.

VALENCIA STUDENT COMPETENCIES

Valencia faculty have defined four interrelated competencies (Think, Value, Communicate, ACT) that
prepare students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are outlined in the College
Catalog. In this course, through lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you
will further develop your mastery of those competencies. Additional information is available in the
College Catalog: http://www.valenciacc.edu/catalog.

VALENCIA WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES

Class attendance is required beginning with the first class meeting. If you do not attend the first class
meeting, you may be withdrawn from the class as a “no show.” If you are withdrawn as a “no show,”
you will be financially responsible for the class and a W will appear on your transcript for the course.
The professor may withdraw students who do not maintain regular attendance and who fall behind in
their work. A student may withdraw at any time during the term in Atlas. Students will receive a W if
withdrawn by see dates below 3/26. After this date, if a student withdraws or is withdrawn by the
professor for excessive absences or other reasons, the professor will assign a grade of WP (withdrawn
passing) or WF (withdrawn failing), based upon the student’s academic achievement in the class as of
the last day of attendance. W and WP will not be counted in the grade point average. WF will be
calculated as an F in the grade point average.

WITHDRAW DEADLINES
Withdrawal for “W” Grade: March 26,
2010
Final Withdrawal: April 25, 2010

VALENCIA EXPECTED STUDENT CONDUCT

Valencia Community College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but
is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at
Valencia Community College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and
abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom
environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result
in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty to leave the class. Violation of any classroom or
Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Valencia.
Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation,
suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of
Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at VCC. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of
documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or
deceive.

INTERNET RESEARCH STATEMENT

Because of the variety of sources, ease of publication, lack of central control and proliferation of
commercial information on the free Internet, it is often hard to tell if the information is reliable. Many
sites contain research and information of high quality. However, unlike traditional print publications
or library-based electronic resources, there is usually no process of peer review, nor is there an editor
verifying the accuracy of information presented on the Internet. There are an increasing number of
sites containing information that may be incomplete, anonymously written, out-of-date, biased,
fraudulent, or whose content may not be factual. Students should, therefore, use caution in use of the
free Internet for their research needs. For academic topics that are addressed in scholarly literature, use
of electronic databases or visiting the library may better meet your needs. However, each professor
makes the final determination of what is or is not accepted as a valid source so review the syllabus for
specific guidelines from your professor. See the following tutorial for more information:
http://faculty.valencia.cc.fl.us/infolit/evaluation/default.htm

COMPUTER/EQUIPMENT USE
Use of computers in the Business, IT, and Public Service classrooms at VCC is restricted to those
activities designated by the instructor to enhance the class materials. Any other use is strictly
forbidden. Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:

Use of computer to send E-mail or access Internet sites not specifically assigned in class.
Use of computer for job, internship, homework or other activities not assigned in class.
Modifying any hardware or software system configuration or setting.
Activities not in accordance with the Valencia Student Code of Conduct
Use of computers in the departmental open lab is limited to those activities involved with preparing
homework or coursework in this department and is subject to the same restriction as listed above.
Computer use is remotely monitored; any student using computers inappropriately may be subject to
dismissal from class or banishment from the lab. Subsequent offense may be sent to the campus
administration for further disciplinary action.

VALENCIA I.D. CARDS

Valencia ID cards are required for LRC, Testing Center, and IMC usage. No other form of ID at those
locations will be accepted. Possession and utilization of a Valencia ID is mandatory in order to obtain
these services.

FINAL EXAM
All professors are required to give final examinations to all credit students (except those taking course
work for audit) during the scheduled final examination period. The type and nature of the final
examination rests with the supervising administrator and the individual professor and the final
examination for this course is in the final exam period. Students wishing to take the final examination
on a date or at time different from the posted final examination schedule must receive approval from
the faculty and dean prior to the final examination period available at
http://www.valenciacc.edu/calendar. Failure to take the Final exam will result in the student receiving
an automatic “F“ grade.
Course Assignment Calendar
Date Week # Assignment Lectures (Required Readings)
1/12/10 1 Course Intro. / Origins of Civilization (Ch.1)
1/14/10 1 Mesopotamia (Ch.1)
1/19/10 2 Quiz 1 Egypt & Nubia (Ch.1)
1/21/10 2 Hittites & Assyrians (Ch.1)
1/26/10 3 Israelites (Ch.1)
1/28/10 3 The Persian Empire (Ch.1 & 2)
2/2/10 4 Quiz 2 Ancient Greece (Ch.2)
2/4/10 4 Classical Greece (Ch.3)
2/9/10 5 Helenistic Greece (Ch.3)
2/11/10 5 Ancient Rome (Ch.4)
2/16/10 6 Quiz 3 Ancient Rome to Roman Republic (Ch.4)
2/18/10 6 Roman Republic to Empire (Ch.4)
2/23/10 7 Roman Empire (Ch.5)
2/25/10 7 Quiz 4 Bizantine Empire (Ch. 5 & 6)
3/2/10 8 Review
3/4/10 8 Test #1 Test#1 (Covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and Lectures)
3/9/10 9 No Class SPRING BREAK - No Class
3/11/10 9 No Class SPRING BREAK - No Class
3/16/10 10 Rise of Christianity (Conflict with Pre-Christian Beliefs)
3/18/10 10 Rise of Christianity (Conflict with Pre-Christian Beliefs)
3/23/10 11 Rise of Islam (Conflict with Pre-Islamic Beliefs)
3/25/10 11 Quiz 5 Rise of Islam (Conflict with Pre-Islamic Beliefs)
3/30/10 12 Medieval Society (Ch.7, 8,9)
4/1/10 12 Paper Due Medieval Society (Ch. 7,8,9)
4/6/10 13 Quiz 6 Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance (Ch. 9, 10)
4/8/10 13 Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance (Ch. 9, 10)
4/13/10 14 Reformation and the Wars of Religion (Ch. 11, 12)
4/15/10 14 Reformation and the Wars of Religion (Ch. 11, 12)
4/20/10 15 Quiz 7 European State Consolidation (Ch. 13)
4/22/10 15 Review
4/27/10 16 Final Exam Final Exam @ 5:00pm (Covers Chapters 6 - 13)