Instructor: Dr. Daniel W. Skubik, PhD JD MDiv
Office: J266 / 5:00-6:00PM Tuesdays & by app’t
Voice: 951.343.4288 / Fax: 951.343.4520
Web: http://www.calbaptist.edu/dskubik
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu

 

Non-Western Culture & History

HIS 325 AE
Tuesdays, 6:00-10:30PM

California Baptist University
Spring Semester (Mar/Apr), 2008

 

 

This course comprises a wide historical survey, exploring the social, political, and religious factors of specifically non-Western cultures. Emphases will be given to the Far East and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and pre-Columbian Americas.

 

The course is open to all students able and willing to engage in upper division study, and can be used to fulfill various major or minor upper division unit requirements, or general education requirements. Students should confirm with academic advisors for appropriate recording of credit.

 

By the end of the course, students should be able to

 

  1. locate and identify major non-Western regions and countries, including their respective geographical features (e.g. the three Chinas, the Himalayas, Tenochtitlan, and Amazon River);
  2. examine and interpret primary and secondary source materials of historical data for any given period of time or geographic area;
  3. integrate social, political, religious, and economic factors and causes to formulate historical explanations;
  4. assess the contribution of non-Western civilizations to the general field of world history;
  5. describe cultural trends in and contributions of non-Western cultures to Western philosophy, fine arts, and literature.

 

 

Required Texts

J.M. Roberts, The New History of the World, 4th rev. ed. (Oxford University Press, 2003)

This textbook is readily available, new & used, from web shops such as Amazon.com, or Barnes & Noble, as well as from the CBU Bookstore.

Other handouts, films and websites also will be referenced throughout the term, contents of which all students will be responsible.

 

 

Readings & Assignments Schedule

 

  Week #1
  (Mar 4)

  Introduction to course, requirements and expectations / Intro to world history
  Read and Discuss 1-38 (Book One: Beginnings)

  Week #2
  (Mar 11)

  Read and Discuss 39-164 (Book Two: First Civilizations)
  Quiz #1

  Week #3
  (Mar 18)

  Read and Discuss 39-164 (Book Two: First Civilizations)
  Quiz #2

  Week #4
  (Mar 25)

  Read and Discuss 315-524 (Book Four: Diverging Traditions)
  Quiz #3
  Arrange research project theme/topic by end of class

  Week #5
  (Apr 1)

  Read and Discuss 315-524 (Book Four: Diverging Traditions)
  Quiz #4

  Week #6
  (Apr 8)

  Read and Discuss 315-524 (Book Four: Diverging Traditions)
  Quiz #5

  Week #7
  (Apr 15)

  Read and Discuss 861-944 (Book Seven: End of Europeans’ World)
  Quiz #6
  Research Projects Due

  Week #8
  (Apr 22)

  Final Exam

 

Assessment & Grading Scale

  Research Project = 30%

  90 - 100 = A range  (90-94 = A-)

  Final Exam = 30%

  80 - 89 = B range  (80-83 = B-  /  87-89 = B+)

  Quizzes = 30% (5 @ 6% each)

  70 - 79 = C range  (70-73 = C-  /  77-79 = C+)

  Participation = 10%

  60 - 69 = D range  (60-63 = D-  /  67-69 = D+)

 

  0 - 59 = F

 

Caveat

This syllabus schedule is composed in good faith, with a schedule of readings and assignments that will guide us throughout the term. Still, the instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of the course. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made.

Research Project

An individual or group (2-3 persons) research/presentation project is due to the instructor via Blackboard (Bb) Digital Dropbox no later than 6:00PM (the beginning of class), Apr 15th (Week 7). Each project theme/topic should be arranged with the instructor, preferably no later than the end of class, Mar 25th (Week 4). Details will differ from project to project, but each can be expected to incorporate the following features: annotated bibliography of sources relating to project themes/topics; research report or full-form presentation outline; digital presentation of key research findings (slides, graphics, photographs, audiovisual features). Projects typically focus on political, social, cultural, religious, or geographic aspects of non-Western cultures across identified time slices.

 

 

Quizzes

 

There will be six 6 quizzes given during the term, five (5) of which will count towards your final grade for the course (i.e. the lowest mark will be dropped). Students will form small, stable study groups of 2-3 students each by the second week of classes for the duration of the term. Quizzes will be taken by each group as a group, with the quiz mark shared by those present and taking the quiz on any particular class day. The quizzes are objective in nature (true/false, multiple choice, fill-in the blank, matching, short answer, etc), concerning material most recently covered in the previous class session or relating to material to be covered in class that evening.

 

 

Final Examination

A final examination will be given at the end of the term, during the final evening of class. The exam is comprehensive, covering all materials and discussions assigned.

Specific guidance as to length and specific requirements will be proffered before the test date. Format generally will emphasize short answer and essay questions, requiring application of cases, concepts and principles in relation to the topics covered in class.

The exam is closed book/open notes. This means you are permitted to bring to the exam one standard-sized page (8˝” x 11”) of notes you have personally prepared, front and back, without regard to print-size or margins. Other materials, such as website printings or professionally prepared texts or notes, are not permitted.

 

Participation

Although speaking in class, publicly putting and defending a position or interpretation, can be daunting, you are strongly encouraged to learn to think through your own and others’ experiences and insights within the context of our discussions. In this context, you are not being evaluated for reaching “right” conclusions, but for demonstrating your facility in forming arguments for any conclusions put, given the material we will cover in class.

To give direct incentive to so engage, 10% of your mark for the course will be comprised of my assessment of your classroom participation during the semester. Participation is to include in-class discussions during the term, and does not directly include attendance.

 

Both because of the nature of the course and its content, and the teamwork required to complete assigned assessment items like quizzes, attendance is expected, with a simple threshold requirement: we have 8 scheduled class sessions (plus the final exam evening), and you are expected to attend at least 6 class sessions (~75%). Should you miss more than 2 class sessions, you must speak with me before you will be permitted to complete the course.

 

 

 

CBU Statement on Academic Dishonesty

Faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) have been asked to include the following statement in all our syllabi. Do speak with your instructor if at any time you have questions or concerns about this statement and its meaning for or application in your classes.

 

Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, copying, and other forms) will be reported to the Dean of Students. Judicial sanctions for offense [sic] are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the seriousness of the violation, prior violations and other factors. Judicial sanctions may include, but are not limited to, loss of a letter grade or failure in the course in which the offense occurred, suspension, and/or dismissal from the University. A detailed discussion of academic dishonesty is located in the Student Handbook.

Source: 2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog, at p.80