Course Outline for History 3
World History: Beginnings to 1500

Effective: Spring 2019
SLO Rev: 04/16/2018
Catalog Description:

HIS 3 - World History: Beginnings to 1500

3.00 Units

A survey of world history from the beginning of civilization and ancient cultures to 1500 C.E. Interconnections and divergence among cultures and civilizations in a global context will be emphasized. During the classical period, up to 500 C.E., similarities and differences as civilizations developed will be examined. The postclassical period, 500 to 1500, will look specifically at contact and interaction among peoples. Broader forces that affect civilizations such as trade patterns, migration, nomadism, syncretism, and disease patterns will be studied.
2205.00 - History
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Identify the similarities among the different ancient civilizations as they developed in various regions;
  2. Identify the differences among the different ancient civilizations as they developed in various regions;
  3. Compare concepts of regional religions and philosophies, and describe the historical rise of major belief systems;
  4. Identify major discoveries, inventions, and scientific achievements and explain their historical significance;
  5. Assess the changes in power arrangements within and among regions caused by cultural interaction;
  6. Compare distinctive forms of political, social, and economic organization in the world and explain their historical significance;
  7. Describe and use historical methods to assess the significance of events, decisions, movements, and natural forces in the human past;
  8. Demonstrate the ability to interpret primary and secondary sources and to compose an argument which uses them, as appropriate, for support;
  9. Explain ways in which the world's physical and natural environment has affected and been affected by developments in human history.
Course Content:
  1. Emergence of Prehistoric Humans and migrations
    1. Hominid to human
    2. migration patterns from Africa to the continents and Oceania
    3. Foraging and paleolithic life
  2. Emergence of Agrarian Societies
    1. Neolithic period to the Agricultural Revolution
    2. Farming, pastoralism and the domestication of animals
  3. Development of complex societies 3500-500 BCE
    1. Specialization of tasks
    2. Early religion and spirituality
  4. Power, social hierarchy and gender in ancient civilizations
    1. Development of social inequalities in different cultures
    2. Role of gender in society
    3. Justifications for the exercise of power
  5. Formation of Classical civilizations and societies 500 BCE - 500 CE
  6. Development of Major Belief Systems, especially universal religions and philosophies represented in the Axial Age
  7. Postclassical cultures and civilizations 500 - 1000 CE
  8. Trade, war, disease, and trans-regional contact
    1. Trade networks from ancient times to the Age of Exploration
    2. Impact of trade and contact on culture and religion
    3. Trade networks as vectors for disease
    4. War and conflict due to trade and contact
  9. The acceleration of cross-cultural exchanges and the consequences of oceanic exploration and contact
    1. The effect of such empires as the Mongol empire in promoting long-distance trade
    2. The technological, political and economic motives for the Age of Exploration
  10. Relationship between humans and the environment, and the impacts of human intervention, and environmental change



Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Group Activities
  3. Presentation
  4. Distance Education
  5. Multi-media presentations
  6. Readings
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Read an approved book on a subject within the scope of the course, and write a three page critical review.
  2. Locate on maps provided by the instructor specific geographic and cultural locations relating to text.
  3. Research in small groups various civilizations to analyze differences and similarities. As a group, present findings to the class.
  1. Quizzes
  2. Oral Presentation
  3. Exams/Tests
  4. Class Participation
  5. Map exercises
  6. Group Projects
  7. Research Projects
  8. Final Examination
  9. ATI exams
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Assess themes, changes in power arrangements, and significance of events, decisions, movements, and natural forces in the human past.
  2. Identify the similarities and differences among ancient civilizations as they developed in various regions and time periods.
  3. At the end of the course the student will be able to describe and give examples from history of cultural interactions that include acceptance, blending, and rejection of practices and beliefs from contact with different cultures.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Robert W. Strayer (2016). Ways of the World: A Brief Global History with Sources (Third). Bedford/St. Martin's.
  2. Edward Judge and John Langdon (2016). Connections: A World History, Vol. I. (Third). Pearson.
  3. William J. Duiker & Jackson Spielvogel (2016). World History, Volume I: to 1800 (Eighth). Cengage.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
A survey of world history from the beginning of civilization and ancient cultures to 1500 C.E. Interconnections and divergence among cultures and civilizations in a global context will be emphasized.
Discipline:
History*