Detailed Course Outline

Note: The complete syllabus for this course may be found on-line at www.ap.buffalo.edu/~adprice/ugc111. All students are advised to locate this webpage on the Internet and to review its content carefully by clicking on the hyperlinks at the bottom of the page. At any computer workstation on campus, students may print copies of this material without direct charge. You are encouraged to print and keep copies of the Course Description, Course Requirements, and the section called About the Term Paper. If you ever need an additional copy of the Detailed Course Outline that follows below, you also may obtain it online. It is a good idea to write down the URL of the course webpage some place that you will not lose it.

Date:               Lecture Topics and Assignments

Aug. 25           Introduction – Course Organization

Aug. 27           "Civitas: A 21st Century Global Perspective”

Reading:          Spodek, Introduction pp. I.7 – I.15 on The World Through Historians’ Eyes.

PART I: ORIGINS OF HUMAN CIVILIZATIONS

Sept. 1             Labor Day is a University holiday – classes suspended.

Sept. 3             "Creation Myths"

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 1, pp. 2 – 35 on Human Origins and Cultures: The Dry Bones Speak.

 

Sept. 8             "Origins of Permanent Human Settlements: Three Theories"

Sept. 10           "The Division of Labor & Complex Social Organization"

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 2  pp. 36-63 From Village Community to City State.

 

Sept. 15           "Social Authority: Systems of Governance"

Sept. 17           “Cross-Continental Perspectives: Sub-Saharan Africa”         

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 3, pp. 64 – 87 on River Valley Civilizations.

  

Sept. 22           Discussion of Term Paper Topics & Library Research Procedures

Sept. 24           “Pre-Imperial China

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 4, pp. 88 – 117 on A Polycentric World.

NOTE:  IN PLACE OF THE REGULAR WEEKLY RECITATION, ALL SECTIONS WILL MEET AT UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES FOR REQUIRED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CLASSES.

These classes are mandatory, and attendance will be taken. Check Webpage link “About the Term Paper” for room assignments.

 

Sept. 29           “Trans-Oceanic Perspectives: The Americas”

Oct. 1              TEST # 1 – Diagnostic Quiz             

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 5 pp. 118 – 161 on Empire and Imperialism: Dawn of the Empires.

Students should now also be reading and reviewing articles and books for their term papers.

Note: Rosh Hashanah is an observed holiday. All UB classes are suspended from 6:00 PM on Monday, Sept 29th through 6:00 PM Tuesday, Sept 30th. All Tuesday classes suspended.

 

PART II: CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON ANCIENT EMPIRES

Oct. 6              “The Greek Polis”      

Oct. 8             “From Pericles to Alexander”

Reading:          Chapter 6, pp. 162 – 203 on  Rome and the Barbarians + term paper books and articles.

 

Oct. 13            "Rome: Republic"

Oct. 15            "Rome: Empire"

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 7,  pp. 204 – 239 on China, and Chapter 8 pp. 240-263 on Indian

empires. Catch up if you are behind! Review for TEST # 2.

Read books and articles for Term Papers. 

NOTE:  Annotated bibliographies are due this week in recitation.

TEST # 2  (objective type) will be administered during THIS week’s recitations.

 

Oct. 20            "China Re-Considered: Dynasty & Empire” 

Oct. 22            “India & the Asian Sub-Continent”

Reading:          Spodek, pp. 264-269 + Chapter 10  pp. 306 – 343 on Judaism & Christianity     

           

Oct. 27            MID-TERM EXAMINATION – essay type, administered in lecture

            PART III:  WESTERN and NON-WESTERN RELIGIOUS THOUGHT

Oct. 29            “Monotheism: the Ancient Hebrews, Judaism, & the Theocratic State”                               

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 9, pp. 270 - 305 on Hinduism & Buddhism                      

 

Nov. 3             “The Historical Jesus & the Spread of Christianity” 

Nov. 5             "Brahma, Krishna, Vishnu"

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 11 pp. 344 – 384 on Islam

                        Note: Draft  of  Term Paper due in recitation class 

Nov. 10           "Siddartha Gautama"

Nov. 12           “Mohammed, and the Rise of the Third Great Monotheistic Religion”

Reading:          Spodek, pp. 385-389 + Chapter 12 pp. 390 – 423

 

Nov. 17           Slide Lecture: “Islamic Art and Architecture”

                        PART IV: EUROPEAN REBIRTH FORESHADOWS A NEW WORLD ORDER

Nov. 19           "Organization of Europe’s Medieval Urban Economy"

Reading:          Spodek, Chapter 13, pp. 424-449.

 

Nov. 24           Europe’s Walled Cities Defend the Monarchy”

NOTE:            FINAL DUE DATE FOR TERM PAPERS IS IN MONDAY’S LECTURE  Nov 24th!!!

Nov. 26 - 29    Fall Recess – University classes suspended. Happy Thanksgiving !!!

Reading:          No new assignments. Begin review for Final Exam.

                       

Dec. 1              “From ‘Flat’ to ‘Round’: How Global Sea Voyages Changed Patterns of Trade”

Dec. 3              Final Lecture-- "Re-Birth: Western Europe Ascends to the World Stage"

 

Dec. 5              Last day of classes for the Fall semester

Dec. 6,7           University Reading Days: Review for Final Exam

 

Dec. 8 - 15      Final Examination Period.

The date of our World Civ I (UGC 111-L) Final Examination will be published by the University, and announced in class.

 

 

 

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