Occidental College
“Antiquity to 1700: Europe and the Middle East” Hist. 121,
Aug-Dec 2020.
Prof. Maryanne Horowitz
Instructor: Maryanne Horowitz, Professor of History
Course
Description: A survey of multiple Western civilizations
and their interrelationships. Among ancients, we shall study Mesopotamians,
Egyptians, Hebrews, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. In medieval times, we shall
examine Catholic Europe, Greek Orthodox Byzantium, Islamic Civilization, and
their interrelationships. We shall consider the treatment of women and of
minorities and shall highlight travelers between civilizations. We shall
conclude with the European Renaissance and Reformation, Turkish hegemony in the
Eastern Mediterranean, and the shift in trade from the Mediterranean to the
Atlantic Ocean, as modern science and enlightenment challenge traditional
civilizations.
Course
Requirements Satisfied: CORE Credit as pre-1800 and
global; History dept. pre-1800 and survey; Classical Studies.
Course
Objectives:
●
To gain familiarity with major
events, people, and movements in the history of the pre-modern Western
Civilizations (lecture, textbook, discussions, review Spielvogel’s chapters via
Key Terms--also in Glossary at back of book)
●
To learn basic methods of historical
investigation, particularly analysis of textual and visual sources. (Analysis
of historical problems, discussions from diverse points of view, and paper
assignment)
●
To experience the process of
interpreting major movements in ancient, medieval, and early modern European
and Middle Eastern history (lectures, discussions, arguing historical
significance on exam questions).
●
To develop skills in historical
argument, writing, and oral presentation. (oral presentations in panels,
questions and discussion, polished paper with endnotes & bibliography.
(When reading, refer to U. Chicago notes at back of Spielvogel)
●
As a pre-1800 CORE course, to
develop a critical awareness of artistic productions, social structures,
organizational hierarchies, political economies, or patterns of thought and
practices that characterize historical communities and the experiences of
peoples of the past.
Course
Outcomes:
●
Students can identify and present
the significance of key individuals and movements in the history of Europe and
the Middle East from antiquity to 1700.
●
Students gain a critical awareness
of social structures, organizational hierarchies, political economies, artistic
productions, and patterns of thought and practices that characterize historical
communities and the experiences of peoples of the past.
●
Students gain a critical awareness
of how the past informs the present, providing an understanding of the
conditions that made possible the break with or the persistence of social
structures, organizational hierarchies, artistic productions, or patterns of
thought.
●
Students will orally debate
historiographical issues while evaluating the different implications of
specific primary sources: texts and visual sources.
●
Students will write a historical
essay defending an interpretation on a historiographical issue by properly
citing and critically evaluating primary and secondary sources.
Class
Hours: Tues, Thurs. 10:15-11:40 Pacific
Coast Time
●
Class will be conducted in 85 minute sessions in Zoom. Class will start with Powerpoint lectures, a break from 10:55-11:05: 40 minute session, 10 minute break, then 35-minute session
(student panels on some Thursdays).
Student Appointments: Mon 12:30-2:00 , Wed 12-1:30 Pacific
Coast Time. Sign up for meetings in Google Document:
Register ahead on Google Doc at MOODLE site, and you will receive an invitation
after 11:30 a.m.
Prof. also available casually at the end of
classes as other students leave Zoom.
Contact
Information: Emailing horowitz@oxy.edu is the fastest method of communication and the way to ask a
question or turn in an assignment. Title email Hist 121 and your full first and
last name. Then; “Quick Question,” or “Extension, please,” “Document Analysis,”
“Essay exam l,” “Paper Abstract and Bibliography,” “Paper,” “Essay exam 2.” I
can then answer questions immediately or provide a time extension for someone
in need, as well as place all of the same assignments in a folder to read on
one day. I recommend that you create a folder or label for your class email to
see responses to your submissions.
Given the Pandemic and difficulties
some students may be facing in a remote semester, Prof. Horowitz simply asks
that students try their best to keep up with the class schedule. Good attendance will help students to do the
written assignments.
Required
Books: Please be mindful that you get the
correct edition of the texts. (Oxy bookstore
https://www.oxybookstore.com/ will have used copies, as does Amazon.com).
These best-selling historians have published other different editions. Editions
do not differ greatly; but if you use a different edition, you’ll have to find
the correct page for a document we are discussing.
●
Spielvogel, Jackson Western Civilization vol. I to 1715, 10th edition ONLY for
exact pages (9th ed. 2nd best) (used pb. or ebook
directly from CENGAGE)
OK if a student wants to use 11th edition and Mindtap
from CENGAGE.
●
Wiesner, Merry et al., Discovering the Western Past, 6th or 7th
edition ONLY for exact pages (used pb. or ebook
rental directly from CENGAGE) Needed for panels; choose between “Development of
the Medieval State” and
“Capitalism and Conflict in the Medieval Cloth Trade” for your
class paper.
●
MOODLE on-line provides reserve
readings—many electronic. Has some art powerpoints. I
also included a list of books and dvds for your
possible use another semester when we are back at the campus. Even though we
are not having an in-class midterm exam of “Identify and argue the
significance,” you would benefit from studying the list.
Requirements
and Grading
●
HIST 121 is a 4-unit course. It is
expected that students in this class will be devoting at least twelve hours a
week (including in-class time) on average.
●
Each of the following will count for
25% of the grade:
○
Classwork including attendance,
written exercises including Oct. 19 and Oct.26 paper assignments, and
participation in a student panel. Try to do week’s reading before class on
Tues. to reread after lectures, but it is important whether caught up or not to
attend class and take notes. Most powerpoints
coordinate with Spielvogel 10th edition.
■
Attendance and participation are
expected as the work that we do in class is critical to your understanding and
analysis of class primary and secondary source readings. Small group activities
with one preliminary Zoom meeting arranged by a student panel leader give you
the opportunity to analyze primary sources as you take a stand on an issue
debated by historians.
■
Document Analysis Form:
Students are encouraged to use this form to submit analyses of primary source documents
(texts or images). Such written work will contribute to participation grade, as
well as to learning.
■
Computer Policy in Class: Computers
are needed for classwork, but are not for other activities such as messaging,
emailing, or browsing. Use first and last name (as on paper submissions) on
your Zoom image--generally video would be on; you are welcome to contribute to
the chat.
■
However, if there is a medical issue
or family emergency please tell Prof. Horowitz, who does not want you coming to
class if you are seriously ill or are facing a serious life issue. If you must
miss class due to illness, a serious life issue, an official Oxy event, or due
to reasons of faith or conscience, please let Prof. Horowitz know as soon as
possible.
○
ANTIQUITY Essay Exam 1 due Mon. Oct.
5, noon. Questions on Moodle by Mon.
Sept. 21.
■
Type 5 pages Times Roman 12 point,
double-spaced.
■
Whenever possible, cite specific
primary source with page numbers in parentheses (S, p. or W, p,) from your 2
class books in Bibliography (edition important)
○
MEDIEVAL HISTORY 6-page paper plus
endnotes and primary and secondary source bibliography.
■
Paper Assignment: The panels will
help you to write a paper on a contested issue (medieval state) or (medieval cloth
trade) in Discovering the Western Past).
■
First Assignment on Paper Due on
Mon. Oct. 19 by Noon Pacific Time: State the issues and conflicting
documents that interest you in Weisner, et al.,
either ch. 6 “Development of the Medieval State” or ch. 9 “Capitalism and Conflict in the Medieval Cloth
Trade.
■ Second assignment at due date Mon. Oct. 26 by noon. (Fine Sunday evening) Email as attachment
in WORD of Preliminary Assignment on paginated Paper (title suggesting thesis, 2
paragraphs from any part of intended paper with endnotes to primary and
secondary sources Chicago style, followed by Chicago style Bibliography divided
into Primary and Secondary Sources. See paper dur date of Mon. Nov. 9 below.
Prof. Horowitz will keep a copy of her emailed suggestions (Th. Oct. 28),
hoping that they are followed.
■
Paper is to use U Chicago endnotes,
U. Chicago bibliography.
●
Chicago Manual Style for Endnotes
and Bibliography is in writing guides like Turabian.
■
Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 contribute to
Class Participation Grade, and have the purpose of teaching students to write
papers in the range B- to A.
DUE
DATE Nov. 9 Paper due. Printed Times Roman, 12 point;
Full paper (limited to 6 pages of text double-spaced, paginated) plus U.
Chicago endnotes and Bibliography (write as separate file so that Bibliography
starts a new page AFTER the automatic numbering of Endnotes) Limit the
Bibliography to required class books, 2 scholarly articles (with citation of
sources as in JSTOR), 2 encyclopedia articles, and 2 books (given library
closures, OK 2 more scholarly articles instead). Citation of other students’
views welcome as well. The crux is to
organize your paper around your argument, dismissing other historians’ viewpoints
by your in-depth analysis of primary sources. In Turabian includes Chicago
Style. Ch. 18. l.2.l shows how to cite the multi-authored books assigned in
this class and 18.2.5.2 shows how to cite a document or image from the source
which Wiesner et al. cites.
■
The criteria for evaluating the
paper are as follows:
●
Provides thesis and logical
structure of paper
●
Considers alternate historical
interpretations (with endnotes to scholars)
●
Argues via detailed analysis of
primary sources and differences between them
●
Writes in proper sentences and
paragraphs (each with one topical sentence)
●
Provides endnotes for quotations and
summaries, leading reader to original primary source author, book and page, as
well as to current secondary source book open with page.
●
The Writing Center offers
opportunities to work on all forms of writing for any class or other writing
tasks such as personal statements, senior comprehensives, etc. We offer
peer-to-peer consultations with knowledgeable Writing Advisers and sessions
with Faculty Writing Specialists. For fall 2020, all of our appointments will
be remote: either synchronous virtual meetings or asynchronous writing
feedback. See the Writing Center website
for more information about our fall hours and how students can sign up for
appointments. Please contact the Writing Programs-Center Director, Julie Prebel (jprebel@oxy.edu; x1307) for more information on how
the Center can work with you.
●
The Center for Digital Liberal Arts
(CDLA) offers library research consultations
and discipline-specific peer tutoring for coursework.
o
EARLY MODERNITY Essay Exam 2 due date: 11:30 a.m.
final exam date of Mon. Nov. 30, 2020.
Topics on MOODLE by 2 weeks before (Mon. Nov. 16)
■
Type 5 pages Times Roman 12 point
Double-Spaced.
■
Whenever possible, cite primary sources by author & title with
page numbers in parentheses from your 2 class books in Bibliography (edition
important)
○
Please bring in drafts of exams or
paper to Prof. Horowitz in office hours, as she seeks to work with you so that
the final grades range only from B- to A.
○
Abide by Academic Honesty as in
Student Handbook: Academic Ethics. https://www.oxy.edu/student-handbook/academic-ethics. Whenever outside sources are used, they must be properly
credited. Teaching endnotes for paper in this class aims to help you.
●
Final course grades in this class
have the following meaning: (Prof. Horowitz is aiming for grades B- to A)
○
A: Outstanding performance. You have
demonstrated very thorough knowledge and understanding of all the material, truly
superior critical thinking, and expressed insightful and original thoughts
clearly. You have completed all required assignments, and they have been among
the best in the class.
○
B: Good performance. You have
demonstrated solid knowledge and understanding of the material and good
critical thinking. You have also shown the ability to express your ideas
clearly. You have completed all required assignments, and they have been of
good quality.
○
C: Satisfactory performance. You
have demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of the major concepts
taught in the class and some critical thinking. You have completed all or most
of the required assignments, and they have routinely been free of significant
problems.
○
D: Deficient performance. You have
only acquired a limited understanding of the class material. You have failed to
complete all the required assignments, and they have routinely had serious
problems.
○
F: Failure. You have failed to learn
a sufficient proportion of the basic concepts and ideas taught in the class.
You have failed to complete many required assignments, and they have routinely
had serious problems.
College
Policies are at the end of this syllabus; also read “College Policies Fall
2020” on class MOODLE.
Weekly
Schedule
Be prepared by completing the
readings prior to class on Tuesdays. Many of the lectures will use CENGAGE powerpoints with images to help you to review and master
the chapter in Spielvogel.
Week 1
Readings: Spielvogel
,ch. 1 starting with Egyptians 1.4 and ch. 2 on Ancient Near East (omitting 2.3 Assyrians)
Tue., Aug. 25, 2020 Spielvogel on Hammurabi, Egyptians, &
Hebrews
Thu., Aug. 27, 2020 “Rise of Monumental Architecture:Ancient Greece” (on MOODLE, Art Hist.
ppt)
Week 2
Readings: Spielvogel, ch. 3 on Greeks
Tue., Sep. 1, 2020 Minoans
and Myceneans
Thu., Sep. 3, 2020 Classical
Greeks
Week 3
Readings: Spielvogel, ch. 4 on Hellenistic world,
Tue., Sep. 8, 2020 Alexander Hellenizer
or Multi-Culturalist? Hellenistic
Philosophical Schools
Thu.,
Sep. 10, 2020 Discovering the Western Past: Panel on “Ideal
and Reality of Classical Athens”. Defend orally your preference for Plato’s
Academy, Aristotle’s Lyceum, the Stoics, or the Epicurean Garden.
Week 4
Readings: Spielvogel, ch. 5 on Roman Republic, See
electronic reserve reading by Natalie Davis on historical documents,
imagination, and interpretation in Spartacus.
Tue., Sep. 15, 2020
Thu., Sep. 17, 2020
Week 5
Readings: Spielvogel, ch. 6 on Roman Empire. Panel on Wiesner, et al., “The
Achievements of Augustus”
Mon.
Sept 21, 2020 Essay
Questions posted on MOODLE for Exam due Mon. Oct. 5 (Type 5 pages Times Roman
12 point with parenthetical notes to documents and Bibliography) Write on 1
essay question.
Tue.,
Sep. 22, 2020
Thu., Sep. 24, 2020 Ch. 4 Discovering the Western Past:
Panel on “The Achievements of Augustus”
Week 6
Readings: Spielvogel, ch. 6 on Roman Empire Wiesner, et al., ch.
5 ”Invading Barbarians” or less biased term “Germanic
Cultures”
Tue., Sep. 29, 2020
Thu.,
Oct. 1, 2020 Debate on Fall of
Roman Empire Bring an example of bias or prejudice in Wiesner, et. al., ch. 5 “Invading Barbarians”+
Essay Exam on antiquity due Mon.
Oct.5 by Noon (or Sunday evening) Type 5 pages
Times Roman 12 point. OK to cite a document by its author and page in textbook
by (S, p.) or in reader by (W, p.)
Indicate in Bibliography, edition of Spielvogel and Wiesner you are
using, and any other sources.
Week 7
Readings: Spielvogel, ch. 7 world of late antiquity and early Middle Ages & ch. 8 early Middle Ages
Tue., Oct. 6, 2020
Thu., Oct. 8, 2020
Week 8
Readings: Wiesner, et al., ch. 7 on “Life at a Medieval University,” Spielvogel, ch. 9 on High Middle Ages
Tue., Oct. 13, 2020
Thu., Oct. 15, 2020 Discovering the Western
Past: Panel on “Life at a Medieval University”
First Assignment on Paper Due on
Mon. Oct. 19 by Noon: State the issues and conflicting
documents that interest you in Weisner, et al.,
“Development of the Medieval State” or “Capitalism and Conflict in the
Medieval Cloth Trade”
Week 9
Readings: Spielvogel, ch. 10 on monarchies, the Catholic Church, and the Crusades, Wiesner, et
al., “Infidels and Heretics: Crusades of the High Middle Ages” Start Spielvogel, ch.
11 on late Middle Ages,
Tue., Oct. 20, 2020 Intertwining
Governments: Monarchies and Catholic Church.
Thu.,
Oct. 22, 2020 Cordoba
Lecture-Tolerant Medieval City (Moodle, Special Topic) M King’s powerpoint on medieval textile trade. Horowitz on Stages of
Capitalism. Find examples of biases or
prejudice in primary source documents on the crusades. Practice accurate
citation of documents for your paper.
Mon. Oct. 26
by noon (Fine Sunday evening) Email as attachment in WORD of Preliminary Assignment on
Paper (title suggesting thesis, 2 paragraphs from any part of intended paper
with endnotes to primary and secondary sources Chicago style, followed by
Chicago style Bibliography divided into Primary and Secondary Sources. See
paper due date of Mon. Nov. 9 below. Prof. Horowitz will keep a copy of her
emailed suggestions, hoping that they are followed.
Week 10
Readings: Spielvogel, complete ch. 11, and read ,ch. 12 on the Renaissance; Wiesner, et al., “The
Renaissance Man and Woman”
Tues. Oct. 27, 2020 CENGAGE book Culture and Values,
ch. 12 (15th century in Florence
especially)
Thu., Oct. 29, 2020 Panel
on Wiesner, et al., “The Renaissance Man and Woman”
Mon., Nov. 2, 2020 Noon.
Recommended, not required: Submit a documents analysis form for a document to
be analyzed in your paper.
Week 11
Read Spielvogel, ch.
13 on the “ Reformation and Religious Warfare in the
Sixteenth Century”
Tue., Nov. 3, 2020 Machiavelli
Thu., Nov. 5, 2020 Panel
Wiesner, et al., “The Spread of the
Reformation”
Noon Mon. Nov. 9 (fine Sun.
evening), email paper with Univ. of Chicago endnotes
and divided bibliography. Email paper with endnotes to horowitz@oxy.edu.
Printed Times Roman, 12 point; Full paper (limited to 6 pages of text
double-spaced, paginated) plus U. Chicago endnotes and Bibliography See full assignment under Requirement
and Grading above
Week 12
Read Spielvogel, ch.
15 State Building and Search for Order in the Seventeenth Century. Electronic
reserve “Middle East in the Early Modern Period,” from World Civilizations: the Global Experience, 6th edition.
Tue., Nov. 10, 2020 John Locke & English Revolutions
of 17th Century. Check that
you can see film “Return of Martin Guerre” on MOODLE for this weekend
Thu.,
Nov. 12, 2020
Background on seeing film “Return of Martin Guerre.” Lecture on The Scientific Revolution Posting on MOODLE and discussion of choice
between 2 essays due Mon. Nov. 30, 11:30 a.m via
email.
Week 13
Spielvogel, ch.
16 “Toward a New Heaven and a New Earth:
The Scientific Revolution and the Emergence of Modern Science”
Tue., Nov. 17, 2020 Discuss the film
“Return of Martin Guerre” on our class MOODLE
Thu., Nov.
19, 2020 Please
complete evaluations on course. Last
class meeting
Week 14 optional Spielvogel, ch
14 Europe and the World: New Encounters, 1500-1800
Date of emailed essay exam 2 on
Early Modernity due Mon. Nov. 30 11:30 a.m via email
(date scheduled for final) OK to cite a document by its author and page in
textbook by (S, p.) or in reader by (W, p.).
Choice between 2 topics to be posted
……
Occidental College
Writing Support Resources for Students.
Abide by Academic
Honesty as in Student Handbook: Academic Ethics. https://www.oxy.edu/student-handbook/academic-ethics Whenever outside sources
are used, they must be properly credited. Teaching endnotes for paper
in this class aims to help you.
Information
Literacy/Research
Students who need help
finding and navigating library resources may schedule appointments with
librarians and disciplinary specialists of the CDLA by using the
“Research Appointment”
link https://www.oxy.edu/academics/academic-support/writing-center/writing-
The Writing
Center offers peer writing tutoring. Students can also
schedule an appointment to work with a faculty writing specialist from the
Writing and Rhetoric department.
For more information,
see the Writing Center website:
https://www.oxy.edu/writing-center or contact our Writing
Programs-Center Director, Julie Prebel (jprebel@oxy.edu).
Peer Writing
Advisers are
also available on a drop-in basis https://www.oxy.edu/academics/academic-support/writing-center/writing-advisers
Center for Digital
Liberal Arts Staff Members for appointments: https://www.oxy.edu/academics/library/cdla/me
History Paper on Medieval period requires
Univ. of Chicago endnotes and Bibliography:
Times Roman, 12 point, 1 inch margins, 2-sided acceptable.
Reference notes are to
follow University of Chicago format. Endnotes and Bibliography for
historians accord with Chicago Manual of Style. https://research.wou.edu/c.php?g=551307&p=3785485 website has 17th edition (most
recent)
Also presented in Turabian (manual
assigned in CSPs) . https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/turabian/turabian-notes-and-bibliography-citation-quick-guide.html
…..
See
“College Policies Fall 2020” on class MOODLE.
For all Occidental College Policies in 20-21, see on-line Catalogue: http://oxy.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2020-2021/Catalog/Academic-Information-and-Policies
In the event that you choose to
write or speak about having experienced sexual or interpersonal violence, including
sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual
exploitation or any other form of sexual harassment, as a designated
Responsible Employee, I must notify the Title IX Office. They will contact you
to let you know about accommodations and support services at Oxy and reporting
options both on and off-campus.
If
you do not want the Title IX Office notified, instead of disclosing this
information to your instructor, either through conversation or a class
assignment, you can speak confidentially with the following people on campus:
● Marianne Frapwell, Survivor Advocate, Project SAFE (survivoradvocate@oxy.edu)
● Emmons Counseling (For
appointments, call: 323-259-2657)
● Rev. Dr. Susan Young,
Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (young@oxy.edu)
The sexual misconduct policy, along with additional
resources, can be found at: http://www.oxy.edu/sexual-respect-title-ix/policies-procedures. If you would like to contact the Title IX Office
directly, you can email Title IX Coordinator Alexandra Fulcher at afulcher@oxy.edu or
call 323-259-1338.
No matter the
mode of course instruction, approved academic accommodations remain in effect.
Students with documented disabilities and learning differences who are
registered with Disability Services are required to present their accommodation
letter to the instructor at the beginning of each semester, or as soon as
possible thereafter. Any student who has, or thinks they may have, a physical,
learning, or psychological disability may contact Disability Services at
accessibility@oxy.edu to learn about available services and support. More information is available at http://www.oxy.edu/disability-services.
Consistent with Occidental College’s
commitment to creating an academic community that is respectful of and welcoming
to persons of differing backgrounds, we believe that students should be excused
from class for reasons of faith and conscience without academic consequence.
While it is not feasible to schedule coursework around all days of conviction
for a class as a whole, faculty will honor requests from individual students to
reschedule coursework, to be absent from classes that conflict with the
identified days. Information about this process is available on the ORSL
website: https://www.oxy.edu/office-religious-spiritual-life