Language and Civilization

Course Syllabus Spring 2023 Sejong

University

Course Title Language and Civilization

Professor Todd Tate Department/ Daeyang Humanities College/3 Credits
Credits
Class Times: Online
Tues./Thur. 13:30 – 15:00
Prerequisite none Class Level Any
E-mail te.tate@hotmail.com Office Hour 군자관 315
website: http://sejonggeography.pbworks.com
Course This is an introductory course. After taking this course students will understand various
Objectives topics related to Language and Civilization.
The goals and objectives of this Course are to: 1. Learn about the
features of a civilization, which include how languages spread, and
how languages evolved.
2. Learn about the Greek civilization. In particular, their contributions to philosophy,
science, art, architecture, government and politics as well as how the spread of the
Greek Empire contributed to modern languages.
3. Learn about the Roman civilization, which includes the spread of the Roman Empire,
language contributions, infrastructure accomplishments, and inventions.
4. Learn about how culture and language spread across the globe as a result of various
factors.
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to apply the key
geographic concepts principally to cultural characteristics, such religion and political
organization, and apply them to the broader context of decision-making. Students should
be able to approach new information from a geographical perspective and gather
information by applying critical thinking skills as well as use evaluative skills to derive
independent conclusions based on analytical observations.
Reference Reference books for this course will be complied from a variety of online and offline
Books sources that include the following:
1. Becker, A. S., & J., D. B. (1999). Human Geography: Culture, Society, and Space,
sixth edition, H.J. de Blij, Alexander B. Murphy. New York: Wiley.
2. Becker, A. S., & J., D. B. (1999). Student companion to accompany Human
Geography: Culture, Society, and Space, sixth edition, H.J. de Blij, Alexander B.
Murphy. New York: Wiley.
3. National Geographic website - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
4. Various Internet sites
Required The required readings for the course as well as the handouts will be supplied by the
texts instructor and made available on the instructor’s website.
Class Method This introductory course will be taught entirely in English. The students will be
introduced to a fun and innovative method to study Language & Civilization that
involves interaction with peers and the instructor to gain insight about how languages
and civilization has evolved from the past to the present. Various geographic terms and
concepts will be presented to assist the students with their communicative ability to
synthesize, analyze, and evaluate from a geographical perspective in English. An
academic understanding of English is required for this course.
Assignments/ The professor shall give graded assignments and homework, along with a midterm and
Homework final exam, at his or her discretion in order to help improve student-reading abilities.
Academic Misconduct Policy: Plagiarism, cheating, or any type of academic dishonesty
 shall result in a grade of “F” for the assignment. Students are strongly encouraged to
research and study independently.

학업적 부당행위에 대한 방침
표절이나 부정행위, 혹은 어떤 종류로든지 학업적으로 부정직한 행위를 할 시에는,
그러한 과제 때문에 “F" 학점을 받게 될 것입니다. 학생들은 스스로 조사하고
공부할 것을 강력히 권장합니다.
Additional Books of reference: dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, Internet, magazines,
newspapers, books (All of these are available on your phones, laptops, or desktops)
Grading Grading for the course is given below. Eight or more unexcused absences results in a
Method course score of F/A. No extra credit will be permitted after the last day of regular classes
and all requests will be denied.
Grading Method For Language & Civilization
Midterm Exam Final Exam Quizzes & Attendance Participation &
Assignments Performance
20% 20% 30% 15% 15%
30%

Attendance Rules:
F/A: 8 Absences

Week Class # Course Contents Homework/Quizzes

1 1 Class introduction, syllabus & grading method – Mar. 4 Intro Lesson ppt.
 2 Introduction to Language & Civilization – Mar. 6 Given in class & posted
What is a civilization? on website
- The features of a civilization (Lesson 1 ppt.)
a) The 6 oldest organized governments
3 - The features of a civilization (continued) – Mar. 11 Given in class & posted
b) The established religions of the first organized civilizations on website (Lesson
c) The customs of the first civilizations 2 ppt.)
d) The social norms of the first civilizations Given Take Home
2 e) The contributions of the first civilizations to modern Assignment
civilization
4 Why Language is an important part of civilization – Mar. 13 (Lesson 3 ppt.)
- Languages that contributed significantly to building
civilizations
Review for Quiz #1– Mar. 18 (Lesson 4 ppt.)
Group Assignment Explanation Given Group
5 Presentations
3 Finish the components of a civilization
Take Home Assignment Due Study for Quiz 1
6 Quiz #1– Mar. 20 Quiz #1
7 Introduction to the Greek Civilization – Mar. 25 Given in class & posted
1 a) The origin of the Greek Empire on website (Lesson
b) The spread of the Greek Empire 5 ppt.)
2. Alexander the Great
4 8 The Greek Civilization (continued) – Mar. 27 Work on Presentation
c) Greek contributions to modern civilization Instructions given in
- Olympics, alphabet, & coins class and posted on
d) Social networking in Ancient Greece website
(Lesson 6 ppt.)
9 The Greek Civilization (continued) – Apr. 2
5 e) The Greek governments Given in class & posted
- Greek democracy on website
f) Greek religion, mythology, & Hollywood movies (Lesson 7 ppt.)
Group Presentations Due – Apr. 4
10 Pres 1: Group Presentation & peer evaluations - Apr. 4
6 11 Pres 2: Group presentations & peer evaluations - Apr. 9
12 Pres 3: Group presentations & peer evaluations - Apr. 11
13 Review Lesson – April 16 Given in class & posted
- Greek unit wrap up on website
7 - Feedback reports for group presentations (Lesson 8 ppt.)
14 Feedback from presentations - Apr. 18 Study for Midterm
Midterm Review (Lesson 9 ppt.)
Midterm Exam Week
8 - Midterm Exam is Thursday April 23rd (Regular Class Time)

Week Class # Course Contents Homework/Quizzes

9 1 Midterm Feedback – April 30 Given in class & posted on
How languages have evolved website
 - The spread of European languages (Lesson 1A ppt.)
- The evolution of the English language
How Languages have spread & evolved – May 2 Given in class & posted on
- war, colonization, & the 21st century website
2
- 2nd Take Home assignment Explanation (Lesson 2A ppt.)
Given Take Home Assignment
How Languages have spread & evolved (continued) – Given in class & posted on
3 May 7 website
- war, colonization, & the 21st century (Lesson 3A ppt.)
10 Wrap up languages unit – May 9 Given in class & posted on
- finish - war, colonization, & the 21st century website
4
(Lesson 4A ppt.)
Take Home Assignment Due
Introduction to the Roman Civilization – May 14 Given in class & posted on
- Quiz #2 Review website
5
11 - The Birth of the Roman Empire Introduction (Lesson 5A ppt.)
Group Presentations Posted on Website
6 Quiz #2 - (13:30 – 14:30) – May 16 Quiz #2
Introduction to the Roman Civilization (continued) – Given in class & posted on
May 21 website
7
- Group Presentations Explanation & Tips (Lesson 6A ppt.)
12 a) The origins & spread of the Roman Empire
8 The Roman Civilization (continued) – May 23 Given in class & posted on
Roman contributions to modern society & social systems website
- Road system, aqueducts, other inventions, etc. (Lesson 7A ppt.)
9 Lesson 1: Group presentations – May 28
13
10 Lesson 2: Group presentations – May 30
11 Lesson 1: Group presentations – June 4
12 Lesson 2: June 6 (Holiday) Review Lesson 8A
The Roman Civilization (continued)
14 e) The Roman government systems
- Roman contributions to modern civilization f)
Roman religion, mythology, & Hollywood movies based
on Ancient Rome
13 Review Lesson – June 11 Given in class & posted on
- Wrap up Roman Civilization Unit website
15 - Final Exam Review (Lesson 9A ppt.)
14 Review for final assignment, grade review, attendance LC Wrap Up Lesson
review, Final Exam information – June 13
Final Exam Week
16
- The Final Exam is Tuesday June 18th (Regular Class Time)

Google Doc for Language & Civilization: Fill in your name, student number, and choose groups
https://docs.google.com/document/d/190nMf0_jWLBlfE5E7OSLBjq6CY5nQVS32pjp4NqGPBE/edit?usp=sharing.