Global History to 1500

Course: HST 100 / Section: 27727

Spring 2015
1/12/15 to 3/3/15
Instructor: Dr. Dustin Gann
Email: dgann1@asu.edu
(Please include the course name / section # in all email correspondence)
Office: Coor 4551
Office hours: Tues/Thurs. 8-9 & 10:30-11:45, or by appt. Skype/Google hangout also available.
Teaching Assistant: Scott Olsen
Email:
Course Description
Beginning with the rise of complex societies, this course considers the development of early
world cultures in regions including the Fertile Crescent, the Indus River valley, China, and
Africa. Particular attention is given to geographic influence, origin stories, religious beliefs, and
political structures. Continuing through the rise of Greece and Rome, this course concludes by
examining the rise of Europe and the beginnings of colonization.
This course will pay particular attention to the development of western society and its
relationship with the rest of the world. Tracing Christianity from its emergence within the Roman
Empire through doctrinal developments during the medieval period provides clear evidence of
how the idea of Christendom united Europe through religion. In contrast, exploration of the
theological and military rise of Islam demonstrates the challenges Europeans faced in former
Roman territories and highlights the intellectual achievements of Islamic scholars. By looking at
western society within the larger context of world history, this course will provide a fuller
understanding of the cultural beliefs, political events, and conflicts that have shaped the
relationship between westerners and non-westerners.
Course Questions
1) How did political and social arrangements in any pre-modern culture reflect that cultures
circumstances (i.e., environment, proximity to other cultures, religious beliefs)? How did
such arrangements incorporate common and unique solutions to the problems all human
societies face?
2) Every culture borrowed from others if they had outside contact, but to what extent were they
willing to admit it? In other words, how open were cultures to their neighbors? Did they
place limitations on what they would borrow?
3) What was the basis for each cultures identityreligion, geography, political institutions, or
something else entirely (such as openness to borrowing)?
4) What role did religion play in shaping governmental institutions, the relationship between
ancient cultures, and the relationship between ancient peoples and their environment.

5) How do historians learn about the interaction of European and non-European cultures during
this period? How does the identity of the author/creator of each source influence the sources
perspective?
Required Readings: (available in ASU bookstores)
A History of World Societies to 1600
Sources of World Societies
Course materials
Since this is an online only course, the most important resources you have are the assigned
readings and discussion forums. Textbook reading is imperative this is where the majority of
quiz items, exam questions, and pertinent terminology can be found. In addition, the source book
readings provide examples of primary materials that historians use to learn about past cultures.
Both textbook and source book readings must be completed in order to participate in the
discussion forums.
At various points during the session I will post lecture material, short videos, and PowerPoint
slides. These items will supplement the assigned readings and draw particular attention to
information pertaining to the course questions.
Finally, it is imperative that you log into the course page regularly. Through this portal you can
find syllabus updates, course schedules, study guides, and all assignments. Unless otherwise
noted/announced, weekly assignments (including quizzes, exams, and forum questions) will be
posted by 9 a.m. on Monday and due by 5 p.m. the following Sunday.
Grade Breakdown
Discussion Posts 15%
Quizzes 10%
Papers 35% (Response - 15%, Comparative 20%)
Exams (Midterm and Final) 40%

Grading Scale
A = 100 to 90%
B = 89 to 80%
C = 79 to 70%
D = 69 to 60%
F = 59% and below

Discussion Posts: 15%

Each week you will be asked to respond to a forum question based upon a combination of
textbook material and primary source documents. Forum assignments will be due by Sunday @
11:59p.m. Following the expiration of the specified time for response, no further responses will
be possible and the student posts will become read-only.
To receive full credit, in addition to your original post you must reply to the posts of at least two
classmates.
Quizzes: 10%
Weekly quizzes will test your knowledge of both assigned readings and any other posted
materials. Quizzes will be available starting Monday at 9 a.m., but you should complete them
only AFTER you have completed the weeks reading assignment. Quizzes provide a good
indication of your performance in the course and will also help you prepare for exams.

Paper Assignments: 35%

Paper assignments ask you to analyze assigned primary source material. They require that you
look beyond broad historical assumptions and apply critical thinking and analytical skills. These
assignments are designed to help you develop skills you can apply in future courses and in future
historical research.
Response Paper: 15%
This assignment asks you to select one (1) chapter from chapters 1 9 in the source book and
answer the following questions.

What individual or group perspective is expressed within each source?

How do these perspectives differ from your own?
What does the combination of sources within the chapter tell you about cultures during this
time period?
As an outside observer, would you want to be a part of any of the cultures within this
chapter? Why or why not?

Your response paper should be a minimum of 3 double spaced pages in length and, since this is
based on YOUR reaction, it should NOT use extended quotations.
Comparative Paper: 20%
This assignment asks you to select (1) chapter from chapters 10-16 in the source book and then
answer one of the comparative questions found at the end of the chapter. Your paper will need to
analyze all of the sources within the selected chapter and include examples from several of them
in your response. The comparative paper must be between 4 to 5 double spaced pages in length.
Papers Policies:
Each assignment requires you select and use only one (1) chapter from the source book.
Assignment deadlines are listed in the course schedule and will also be posted within the
online course portal.
Papers must be uploaded in the course shell; they will NOT be accepted via email.
Papers lose 5 points for every day they are late.
Avoid Plagiarism!!! While it exists in many forms, all plagiarisms refer to the same act:
representing somebody else's words or ideas as one's own. Plagiarism cannot be tolerated in
an academic community. It may constitute grounds for a failing grade, probation, suspension,
or expulsion.
You must turn in both papers to pass the course.
Exams: 40%
Within this course there will be a midterm and final exam. Both will assess your knowledge of
textbook and source book material through a series of multiple choice and short answer
questions. A review sheet will be posted one (1) week prior to each exam in order to help you
prepare. Looking back over past quizzes also presents another helpful study aid.

It is your responsibility to review and ask any questions concerning exam content PRIOR to
beginning the exam.
Each exam will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the dates indicated. ONCE YOU
HAVE OPENED THE EXAM YOU CANNOT CLOSE/RESTART. Since it is open for an
extended period, I will be quite skeptical of emergency/technical difficulty and will evaluate
these occurrences on a case by case basis.
On-line learning community policies
As with any face-to-face course, a respectful atmosphere is required for the free and open
exchange of ideas. On the discussion boards students are expected to engage in scholarly
discussion with their classmates. Personal attacks, insults or abusive language will not be
tolerated and will result in sanctions. Please visit the following site to learn more about proper
etiquette for distance learning. http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html . Failure to
adhere to this policy will result in a warning for the first incident and an automatic removal from
the course for a second infraction. Plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not
be tolerated. These and other prohibited activities, as well as sanctions, are outlined in the
Student Code of Conduct which is available on the course website or in the Undergraduate
Enrollment section of the ASU General Catalog.
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS:
Textbook = A History of World Societies / Source book = Sources of World Societies
Week one: Introductions and Origins
January 12-18:
Textbook & Source book: chapter 1
Week two: Emergence of Complex Societies
January 19-25:
Textbook & Source book: chapters 2-4
Week three: Greek and Rome
January 26-February 1:
Textbook & Source book: chapters 5-6
Week four: Political and Religious Change
February 2-8:
Textbook & Source book: chapters 7-9
Midterm exam open 2/2 to 2/5
Response paper using selected chapter due by 2/8
Week five: Africa and the Americas
February 9-15:
Textbook & Source book: chapters 10-12

Week six: West v. East

February 16-22:
Textbook & Source book: chapters 13-14
Week seven: Internal dissension and External exploration
February 23-March 1:
Textbook & Source book: chapters 15-16
Final
March 2-3:
Final Exam open 2/26 to 3/3
Comparative paper using selected chapter must be turned in by 3/3