Description:

This course provides students an introduction to the history of the major world civilizations up to approximately 1500. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to identify the major political, social, economic and technical developments in the histories of Egypt, Mesopotamia, other Near Eastern civilizations, Rome, Greece, India, China, sub-Saharan Africa, pre-Columbian America and medieval Europe. Students will be able to define the concept of a traditional, as opposed to a modern, society. They will be able to compare these societies with each another and with the modern society of the contemporary United States. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the major events and trends in the history of the traditional world up to 1500.
2. Describe and discuss the principal characteristics of each traditional society studied, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, other Near Eastern civilizations, Rome, Greece, India, China, sub-Saharan Africa, pre-Columbian America and medieval Europe.
3. Describe the major long-term social, political and economic trends in each of the societies studied.
4. Compare and contrast the principal characteristics and long-term trends of the societies studied with each other.
5. Describe the characteristics and trends of the traditional societies studied, and compare and contrast them with those of modern societies.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. The Neolithic Revolution and the Beginnings of Civilization
   A. Identify the distinguishing events of the Neolithic age.
   B. Explain characteristics of Near Eastern civilizations.
      1. Identify the important Near Eastern cities and civilizations
during the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, including Egypt, the
Mesopotamian nations and the Hebrews.
      2. List the major social, political and economic characteristics of
each of these civilizations.
      3. Compare and contrast these civilizations with each other.

II. Early Indian Civilization
   A. Describe the Aryan invasion and the origins of Indian civilization.
   B. Describe the development of the characteristic features of Indian
civilization.
      1. Delineate the development and characteristics of Hinduism.
      2. Describe the social, economic and political characteristics of
India.
      3. Describe the early development and salient characteristics of the
arts in classical India.
   C. Compare Indian civilization with other traditional cultures.

III. Traditional China
   A. Delineate important continuities of Chinese history and show how
early Chinese civilizations exemplified these trends.
   B. Describe the major events and characteristics of early Chinese
civilization from the Shang
Dynasty through the Period of Warring States.
   C. Describe the major Chinese religions of Confucianism, Moism, Taoism
and Buddhism and the major characteristics and beliefs of each.

IV. Classical Mediterranean Civilizations
   A. Greece
      1. Describe the geography of Greece and explain its significance in
Greek history.
      2. Trace the history of early Greece, including the Minoans and
Myceneans, the Dark Ages, the development of the hoplites and phalanx, the
democratization of Athens, the Persian War and the Peloponnesian War.
      3. Describe Greek innovations in politics, philosophy, sculpture and
architecture.
   B. Hellenism
      1. Define Hellenism.
      2. Trace its origins and development.
      3. Characterize its political, intellectual and artistic traits.
      4. Discuss its importance in world history.
      5. Compare and contrast Hellenism and classical Greek
civilizations.
   C. Rome
      1. Trace the early history of Rome.
      2. Describe the institutions of the Roman Republic.
      3. Analyze the Roman acquisition of an empire and describe that
empire’s characteristics.
      4. Trace the political developments that resulted in Augustan
monarchy.
      5. Describe the Augustan monarchy and the political developments
under Augustus’ successors.
      6. Describe the crisis of the third century and the transition to
the Byzantine Empire.
      7. Describe the development of early Christianity.
      8. Analyze the relationship between early Christianity and the
social and political developments of the late Roman Empire.

V. Traditional Japan
   A. Trace the origins of Japanese civilization.
   B. Elucidate the characteristics of traditional Japanese civilization.
      1. Describe its social, economic and political developments.
      2. Delineate the major developments in art, literature and other
aspects of culture.
      3. Discuss important developments and long-term trends in politics
and history.

VI. The Rise of Islam and the Islamic World
   A. Trace the origins of Islamic civilization on the Arabia Peninsula.
      1. Trace the emergence of Mohammed and the Islamic religion.
      2. Describe the major events in the Muslim conquests in the Near
East and the establishment of an Islamic civilization.
   B. Delineate the characteristics of Islamic civilization as it
developed in the seventh century C.E. in the following areas:
      1. Society, economics and politics.
      2. Philosophy and religion.
      3. Art, literature and other aspects of culture.
   C. Analyze important developments and long-term trends.

VII. The Impact of the Central Asian Nomads
   A. Outline the characteristics of Asian nomadic society and politics on
the eve of its expansion.
   B. Delineate the nomadic expansion and the development of new nomadic
empires in:
      1. China
      2. Europe
      3. Turkey
      4. Persia and other parts in the Islamic world

VIII. Africa
   A. Outline the origins and anthropological groupings of African
peoples.
   B. Describe the principal sub-Saharan African societies and their
characteristics.
   C. Trace the major developments in sub-Saharan African history up to
A.D. 1500.

IX. Indigenous American Societies
   A. The Incas
      1. Trace the origins of the Inca empire.
      2. Delineate its political, economic and social characteristics.
      3. Outline the important developments of Inca history.
      4. Describe other major indigenous South American civilizations.
   B. The Mayas
      1. Trace the origins of the Maya empire.
      2. Delineate its political, economic and social characteristics.
      3. Outline important developments in Maya history.
   C. The Peoples of Central Mexico
      1. Trace their origins.
      2. Delineate the political, economic, social and religious
characteristics of their societies.
      3. Outline the important developments in their history.

X. Medieval Europe
   A. Trace the major developments of the early Middle Ages (c. 600-900).
      1. Describe the Viking, Moslem and Magyar invasions and analyze
their significance.
      2. Explain the development of feudalism and other major medieval
institutions.
   B. Describe important historical developments of the High Middle Ages.
      1. Describe the medieval agricultural revolution.
      2. Discuss the growth of cities and commerce.
      3. Outline the main features of medieval religion and culture.
         a. Delineate the main features of medieval Christianity.
         b. Trace the birth of the university.
         c. Recall the main characteristics of medieval art.
      4. Outline the characteristics of medieval government.
   C. Describe and explain the problems of the late Middle Ages.
      1. Describe the demographic disasters resulting from the plague,
famine and war of the late Middle Ages.
      2. Delineate the resulting economic and political changes.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1. At least three examinations emphasizing written answers.
2. One book review or other paper.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.