HIS 101 World Civilization I Fall 2008

What's New? 08/07/2008 - Mothing yet

CONTEXT: For most of history, humans lived in small groups who hunted and gathered their food. Around 8,000 BCE (Before Common Era), humans began to farm, formed larger groups, settled in communities and went on to build states, create religious institutions and explore their planet. In the process they left behind things -- sources -- that we can examine in order to understand how these things occurrred. By examining sources, we will not only learn what happened, we will also learn how to figure out what happened.

OBJECTIVES: The course fulfills three general education goals emphasized by the Department of History: 1) developing effective communication skills, 2) developing critical thinking skills by teaching students to analyze and critique primary historical sources, and 3) preparing students to lead productive, contributing lives by providing opportunities for students to connect historical debates to their current concerns.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Professor Jones must deliver interesting lectures and facilitate meaningful classroom discussion, maintain regular office hours, write fair examinations and provide written feedback. Students must attend class, read assignments before class, participate in class discussions, and pass three examinations plus unannounced quizzes.

ATTENDANCE: I follow the University's attendance policy which permits a grade reduction for excessive unexcused absences. An excused absence is one that you can document with a valid written excuse concerning a medical condition, legal proceeding, university-sanctioned event or death of an immediate family member (i.e. parent, sibling or child). All other absences are unexcused. If you believe that you have an extraordinary circumstance that merits special consideration, make an appointment to speak to me during my office hours to discuss it before you are absent. Requests for special consideration made after an unexcused absence has occurred will not be considered.

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: Cheating is any act that "defrauds, deceives or employs trickery" in order to obtain credit for work which has not been completed. Plagiarization is the act of "passing off the ideas of another as one's own work." Anyone who cheats or plagiarizes will receive a zero (i.e. a grade much lower than F) for that examination or assignment. Anyone who commits a second offense will receive an F for the course and be referred to the University's judicial system for additional sanctions.

DISABILITIES: We at West Chester University comply with the ADA of 1990 by making accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please make your needs known by contacting the professor and/or the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at ext. 3217. Sufficient notice is needed in order to make the accommodations possible.

DISCRIMINATION: West Chester University prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment, of any individual based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, religious creed, disability or veteran status. The University is committed to providing leadership in extending equal opportunities to all individuals and will continue to make every effort to provide these rights to all members of the University community, including students, staff, and administrators, as well as all applicants for admission or employment and all participants in University-sponsored activities. Any individual having suggestions, problems, complaints or grievances with regard to equal opportunity or affirmative action is encouraged to contact the Director of Social Equity at ext. 2433.

SUBSTANCE USE/ABUSE: West Chester University is committed to improving retention, graduation and time-to-degree rates by assisting students during key transitional periods in their academic careers. Because I believe that alcohol and drug issues can compromise student success, I have participated in a training program called "Partners in Prevention" designed to help faculty/staff recognize addiction and guide students to assistance. If you wish to discuss any of this with me -- in confidence -- please contact me outside of class.

GRADING: There are three examinations, each worth 30% of your final grade. The remaining 10% of your grade will come from quiz results. NOTE ON QUIZZES: I will give at least one unannounced quiz during the semester to see who has done the reading. If you miss a quiz because you were absent, you will receive a zero (0) for that quiz unless you have a valid written excuse, in which case you will be permitted to schedule a make-up by oral examination during the professor's office hours.

TEXTBOOK: Jim Jones, The Western World: HIS 101 Readings (Penguin Custom Editions, 2002), which contains excerpts from primary historical source documents, plus supplemental materials accessible through links at this web page ( http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his101.htm).

Visit Jim Jones' other course web sites at http:// courses.wcupa.edu/jones.