Course Syllabus for History of European Civilization I (AHIS 130)

Course Syllabus for History of European Civilization I (AHIS 130)

Spring semester 2007 SUNY Albany

Room: SS 134 on MWF 9:20-10:15am

Professor Anthony Anadio

Office: Ten Broeck 201-2

Office Hours: MW 7:45-9:15am

email:

In this course, we will cover a period from approximately 5000 BCE to the middle of the sixteenth century, as we study the emergence of the first civilizations and the trajectory of their development into Western society. We will examine the contributions of Greece and Rome and how they expanded their empires; how ideas are conceived, put into practice, and have social consequences; how and why their empires collapsed; how people and societies existed during the Middle Ages; how numerous cultures developed values and coexisted/clashed with others; and how a broken Europe, after several starts, reinvigorated itself with the Renaissance, and split again in the Reformation. Throughout the period of this study, I will emphasize culture and the role of ideas as a means of analyzing and connecting the people and events that make up the trajectory of history. In addition, I will teach you what history is; why we study it; how to think about it (especially that); and why it is important in how we live our lives.

Grading: There are no exams for this course, but rather two papers – one 5-6 pages and one 9-10 pages. The due dates are March 9th and May 7th, respectively. A handout will provide you with specific details and requirements, as well as the consequences for plagiarism. Failure to hand in both papers will result in failure of the course. During part of our class on February 14th, I will conduct a writing seminar that should improve your writing skills – do not miss that class! The material needed for the assignments will come predominately from my lectures, then from the readings and images, then from research sources that are additionally necessary for the final paper, but please bear in mind that you will be expected to provide your own analysis, rather than a reiteration of course material. There is no extra credit.

When I hand back your paper, it will only contain your grade. All too often I have spent considerable time correcting and rewriting sections of students’ papers only to have my work ignored when their next paper is turned in. In lieu, I make the following offer: if you want to go over the writing and intellectual mechanics of your paper, you must come to my office and I will give you all of the one-to-one time necessary.

Requirements: Attendance is required, and please show up on time. Each day you will sign the attendance sheet next to your name. This list will be passed out at the beginning of class, and no one will be allowed to sign in after it has made the rounds (yet another reason to show up on time). If you miss the sheet, but attend class, it is an absence. If you have more than 3 unexcused absences, I will begin shaving points off of your final grade (it is my sole discretion how much). More than 5 unexcused absences and you will fail the course. If you are absent for some legitimate reason, you must bring some sort of documentation, or it will be unexcused. If you are ill and cannot attend class, you must send me an email before class is scheduled to begin. All absences that you request to be excused will require an email, or they will not be excused. If for some legitimate reason you have to leave class early, you must tell me before class begins. You must complete all assigned readings. You must turn off your cell phones, iPods, and similar electronic devices. I will not tolerate disruptions in class. If you must, please get something to drink and use the bathroom beforehand.

Email policy: You can email me anytime with your questions and/or concerns and if it is possible for me to respond briefly, I will do so. If your inquiry is complicated enough to require an essay-length response, then I will reply by asking you to email me your phone number and a good time to call. You can email your papers, but you must follow the instructions on the guidelines (handed out 3 weeks prior to paper due date).

Textbook: Western Civilizations volume I – Judith G. Coffin and Robert C. Stacey (2005 W.W. Norton and Company) ISBN: 0-393-92536-6.

There is also a website for the course, where you will find the syllabus, images, music, and an email link to me -

I will announce in class what you should read and when you should read it, so if you should miss a class (which you shouldn’t), you are still responsible for what I have assigned.