History 101, Sections 1-5

Fall 2011 State University of New York at Stony Brook MW 11:45-12:40, PLUS section meeting Old Engineering 143 Prof. Sara Lipton Social and Behavioral Sciences N-301 632-7501 Office Hours: M 2:30 4:30, W 2:30 3:30 or by appointment History of Europe: Syllabus In this course we shall explore the cultural, social, and political history of Europe and the Mediterranean region from the beginnings of western civilization through the Reformation. This course is intended to (1) survey the historical and cultural influences that have shaped what are known as western societies; (2) provide practice and training in critical reading of both primary and secondary historical sources; and (3) improve your understanding of the basic elements of historical inquiry: formulating questions, gathering, selecting, and interpreting evidence, organizing the results into a coherent whole, and effectively communicating the results to others. Required Books: 1. Judith Coffin and Robert Stacey, Western Civilizations: Brief Edition. Volume 1. Norton, 2009. 2. James Brophy et al., Perspectives From the Past: Primary Sources in Western Civilization. 4th edition. Norton, 2009. Requirements for the course consist of class participation (which includes completing the reading assignments, coming to class and section, listening, asking questions, and taking occasional quizzes; about 10% of final grade); five one-page papers to be handed into section (about 35% total); one midterm exam (about 25%); and a cumulative final exam (about 30%). All requirements must be completed for a passing grade. Attendance in class and in section is mandatory; failure to attend will seriously affect your grade. If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may affect your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge you to contact the Disabled Student Services Office (632-6748v/TDD) or They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation are confidential. Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and with DSS. For procedures and information, go to the following website: Aug. 29 (M) Introduction: What is The West, What is Civilization, and Why

Should We Care? Week One Section Aug. 31 (W) How to read a document Primary Texts: Contemporary History (Handout). Western Civilization Starts, for better or for worse: Mesopotamia Coffin and Stacey, pp. 11-24 (2005 edition: pp. 11-25). Primary Texts: Selections from Gilgamesh and Code of Hammurabi (Coffin and Stacey, pp. 16, 23). NO CLASS: Labor Day Civilization Co-Starts: Ancient Egypt Coffin and Stacey, pp. 24-34, 40-43 (2005 edition: pp. 25-36, 45-49). Primary Text: Hymn to Aten (Coffin and Stacey, p. 44). Discussion: An Eye for an Eye Primary Texts: Code of Hammurabi (Perspectives, pp. 25-30). Same World, A Different Path: The Hebrews (and their Neighbors) Coffin and Stacey, pp. 50-66 (2005 edition: pp. 56-74). Primary Texts: Genesis and Psalm 104 (Coffin and Stacey, pp. 17, 44). Greece Before the Greeks Coffin and Stacey, pp. 45-50 (2005 edition: pp. 52-56, 82-87).

Sep. 5 (M) Sep. 7 (W)

Week Two Section Sep. 12 (M)

Sep. 14 (W)

Week Three Section Library Exercise: Whats New in the Ancient World? Sep. 19 (M) A Man-Centered World: Hellenic Politics and Society Coffin and Stacey, pp. 73-86, 90-96 (2005 edition: pp. 87-106). Primary Texts: Melian Dialogue (Coffin and Stacey, p. 95). A Man-Centered World: Hellenic Thought and Culture Coffin and Stacey, pp. 86-90; 100-102 (2005 edition: 109-113). Primary Texts: Platos Republic (Perspectives, pp. 170-177). Discussion: The Rational War Primary Texts: Thucydides (Perspectives, pp.140-148). Alexanders Brave New World: Hellenistic Civilization Coffin and Stacey, pp. 103-116 (2005 edition: pp. 113-128). NO LECTURE (Correction Day: Friday Section meets) Discussion: Now, Now, Quickly, Quickly

Sep. 21 (W)

Week Four Section Sep. 26 (M) Sep. 28 (W) Week Five Section

Primary Texts: Magical Spells (Handout) Oct. 3 (M) Republic of Virtue? The Roman Republic Coffin and Stacey, 120-132 (2005 edition: pp. 134-146). Primary Texts: The Influence of Greek Luxury (Coffin and Stacey, p. 129). The First Citizen of the Empire Coffin and Stacey, pp. 132-144 (2005 edition: pp. 146-155). Discussion: Slavery before the triangle trade (may take place later) Primary Texts: Plutarch, Life of Cato, Diodorus on Slave Rebellion (Perspectives, pp. 219-224; 225-227). The Last First Citizens and the End of Empire Coffin and Stacey, pp. 147-150, 159-163 (2005 edition: pp. 155-159, 161165, 175-176). Primary Texts: Letters of Sidonius (Coffin and Stacey, pp. 161-162). Taking a History Midterm Exam

Oct. 5 (W) Week Six Section

Oct. 10 (M)

Oct. 13 (W)

Week Seven Section Review for Midterm Exam (may take place one week earlier) Oct. 17 (M) Oct. 19 (W) Midterm Exam A Palestinian Jew Coffin and Stacey, pp. 150-159 (2005 edition: pp. 165-167). Primary Texts: The Gospel of Matthew (Perspectives, pp. 266-270). Discussion: Varieties of Judaism Primary Texts: Josephus, The Jewish War (Perspectives, pp. 249-255). Saint Jeromes Nightmare: Rome meets Jerusalem Coffin and Stacey, pp. 163-166 (2005 edition: pp. 167-174, 176-182). Primary Texts: Picture of San Paolo fuori le muri (Perspectives, p. 274). The Eternal Empire: Byzantium Coffin and Stacey, pp. 166-169, 178-181 (2005 edition: pp. 182-186, 195200). Go Over Midterm Exam The Submission: Islam Coffin and Stacey, pp. 182-192 (2005 edition: pp. 200-211). Primary Texts: Kuran (Blackboard)

Week Eight Section Oct. 24 (M)

Oct. 26 (W)

Week Nine Section Oct. 31 (M)

Nov. 2 (W) Week Ten Section Nov. 7 (M) Nov. 9 (W) Week 11 Section

Yes, The Dark Ages Really Were Dark: The Early Middle Ages Coffin and Stacey, pp. 192-202 (2005 edition: pp. 211-222). Jews and Christians Under Islam Various dhimmi texts (handout) Dawn or Doom? Heading Toward the Year 1000 Coffin and Stacey, pp. 205-212 (2005 edition: pp. 225-233). Crusaders, Politics, and Society in the High Middle Ages Coffin and Stacey, pp. 212-233 (2005 edition: pp. 233-256). Discussion: How Much Did Charlemagne Really Drink? Primary Texts: Einhard, Suetonius (Perspectives, pp. 336-342 and handout). The Age of Faith? Religion and Thought in the High Middle Ages Coffin and Stacey, pp. 237-260 (2005 edition: pp. 261-281). The Calamitous Fourteenth Century Coffin and Stacey, pp. 267-281, 292-298 (2005 edition: pp. 293-305). Discussion: The Scolding Abbess and the Holy Greyhound Letter of Hildegard and On the Seven Gifts (Perspectives, pp. 413-419). Which Way is East? Early Modern Encounters Coffin and Stacey, pp. 302-318 (2005 edition: pp. 323-340). Primary Texts: Marco Polo, the African Slave Trade (Coffin and Stacey, pp. 305, 318). NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Recess Discussion: Will the Real Christopher Columbus Please Stand Up Columbuss Letter (Perspectives, pp. 529-535). The Renaissance: Did it Exist, and If So, What Was Reborn? Coffin and Stacey, pp. 321-341 (2005 edition: pp. 343-363). Primary Texts: Humanistic Curriculum (Coffin and Stacey, pp. 324-325). Reformation and Catholic Response Coffin and Stacey, pp. 345-366 (2005 edition: pp. 369-390). Review for Final Exam Review for Final Exam

Nov. 14 (M) Nov. 16 (W) Week 12 Section Nov. 21 (M)

Nov. 23 (W) Week 13 Section Nov. 28 (M)

Nov. 30 (W) Week 14 Section Dec. 5 (M)

Dec. 7 (W) Dec. 12 (M)

Last Class: Really Bad History Movieand Popcorn! NO CLASS: Correction Day

Your final exam will be Tuesday, Dec. 13 (2:15 - 4:45 p.m.) in THIS room.