Western Civilization I: Syllabus
NOTE FOR STUDENTS WHO MISSED THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS: YOU MUST READ THIS SYLLABUS COMPLETELY, INCLUDING THE CALENDAR, AND BRING A SIGNED STATEMENT TO THAT EFFECT BEFORE YOU ATTEND THE SECOND MEETING.
Dr. Costa
Office: Email: tmc5a@uvawise.edu
Office: Zehmer 219
Ph # 376-4573
Office Hours: M: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM; 2:00-3:00 PM
WF: 10:00 AM- 12:00 noon
TH: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Others by Appointment
Description: History 101 is a survey of "the historical development of western institutions, ideas and cultures from ancient times to the era of European expansion." It satisfies three hours of the western cultural heritage portion of the general education requirements.
Required Text: Perry, et al., Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics, and
Society, vol. I: To 1789
Recommended: a pocket dictionary
In addition to the main text, there are a number of primary readings linked to this page.
Tests: There will be two in-class tests and a two-hour comprehensive final exam. All tests will include both objective (e.g., multiple choice, fill in the blank, etc.) and subjective (essay, identification) components. In addition to the scheduled tests, there will also be any number of short answer quizzes on the reading assignments. For a preview of the quizzes, questions, students should access the online review questions for each chapter. The quizzes are designed to familiarize the student with the types of objective questions which will appear on the major tests.
Writing: You will write two short (3-5 pp.) essays on the primary readings. Each essay should focus on one or more of the specific reading selections. Your essay should not merely recount the narrative of the selection but should also examine the context. Who is the author? What is the author trying to say? What biases does the author exhibit, and, above all, what does this particular selection tell you about the period in which it was written? Do not try to explain the significance of the reading selection in terms of today's society; rather, you should relate the reading to the time in which it was produced. Aristotle's ideas about politics, for example, have been very important throughout the history of western civilization, but if you choose to write about them, you should explain them in terms of the politics of classical Greece, rather than today's US political system. The first essay should be on one of the following:
This essay will be due by the first week of October. The second essay should be on two or more readings and will be due by the middle of November. You are encouraged to confer with me if you need help with this assignment.
Your papers should be typed, double-spaced. Each paper should have a cover sheet with your name, the title of the essay, and the following text:
I, ______________________ [signature], certify that this is a college-level paper. I have proofread it completely and corrected any spelling or grammatical errors. I have organized the material and tried to present it in as clear a manner as possible. I have used my own words throughout the paper and have limited the use of direct quotes from the sources to a maximum of one per page. I have enclosed all such direct quotes in quotation marks and have indicated the source of all quotes and paraphrases. I have included a bibliography page for any source other than the text or the readings. I understand that severe penalties will be assessed for sub-standard writing, use of other writers' words instead of my own and failure to meet the deadline set for this assignment.
Papers are to be stapled in the top left corner. DO NOT use plastic or other report covers.
Grading: Your grade is based on approximately 1000 points (it will be more or less than 1000, depending on how many quizzes I give.) Each quiz will count 1 point for each question (10 questions=10 pts.). Each hour test will count 200 points. The first essay will count 100 points; the second will count 200. The final exam will count 300 points. NOTE: You will not receive a passing grade if you do not take both tests, the final, at least three quizzes and turn in both essays. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
Grade Scale (%):
A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=less than 60
The numbers may vary depending on the number of quizzes taken. I will also add or subtract points from your final grade based upon your attendance and participation. I will add points for frequent, punctual attendance and participation; I will deduct points for poor attendance, tardiness, lack of participation, and disruptive behavior. In addition, students who attend any of the various college functions for cultural activity credit, including lectures, Pro Art concerts, etc., and who turn in written summaries of those events, may be eligible for extra credit points added to their totals.
Attendance and Exclusion: As noted above, attendance and participation are very important to your success in this class. You are expected to attend punctually and participate actively in classes. I will deduct points from final grades of students who have more than one unexcused absence. Make-ups will not be given for missed quizzes, but provided you have a valid excuse, the missed quiz will not count against your grade. Make-ups for missed tests (provided the student has a valid excuse) will be given on the last day of classes. Only illness or death in the family will constitute a valid excuse, and written explanations of ALL ABSENCES are to be presented to me on the day the you return to class. Excused or unexcused, no student who misses 33% or more of the scheduled class sessions will receive credit for this course. Failure to attend and participate may result in the Dean, upon my written recommendation, excluding the student from the course with a grade of "W." A student who is making no progress in a course may also be excluded from the course (with a grade of "W") by the Dean of the College upon my recommendation. This procedure is not used after the last day for dropping a course. Please see me if you think your progress is unsatisfactory.
Classroom behavior: While in class, you will be expected to behave appropriately. Students who engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior will be dismissed from the class. Inappropriate behavior includes sleeping or gazing out the window, private conversations, disrespectful comments and, especially, cell phone usage. While in class you should pay attention and participate actively in discussion when appropriate.
The Honor Code: Students at UVA-Wise govern themselves through an honor system which dates back to the nineteenth century. While the system itself is primarily student administered, I am a strong supporter of the code and will not tolerate violations in the form of lying, cheating, stealing, or plagiarism. Plagiarism, copying the words of other writers and submitting them as your own work, is a particular concern and will not be tolerated. ALL OUTSIDE SOURCES MUST BE LISTED IN A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND ALL DIRECT QUOTATIONS MUST BE PUT IN QUOTATION MARKS. Using inside information not made available by the instructor to pass a history test is cheating. When you are tested in this class, please DO NOT talk about the content or difficulty of the test until the tests are graded and returned.
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