Carole Schroeder, Adjunct Faculty, Asian & Eurpean History
During the weekly Channel 4 programs Professor Weber explores the cultural and philosophical challenges that have influenced the Western world from ancient times to the Renaissance. He deals with questions of religion, demography, politics, economics and society. The Western Tradition was produced by WGBH TV, Boston, and premiered in the fall of 1989.
Required Text:
John P. McKay, Bennett D. Hill, John Buckler: A History of Western Society, Volume I from Antiquity to the Enlightenment: (Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003)
This class is geared for the independent learner, the student who is able to timely and consistently view and critique the presentations of Eugen Weber, Professor of History of the University of California at Los Angeles, while also completing all reading and writing assignments under the constraint of minimal class meetings. The class will include twenty-six half-hour television programs and six class meetings with quizzes, class presentations and writing assignments.
Alexander the Great being lowered from a ship in a glass barrel to view the wonders of the sea. From The Old French Prose Alexander Romance manuscript, Rouen, 1445 According to surviving historical texts, Alexander the Great (born 356 BC; died 323 BC) was the son and heir of Philip II of Macedon. He was educated by Aristotle and became king in 336 BC. Continual military success enabled him to become the foremost leader in Greece and replace Darius III as ruler of the mighty Persian empire. His victory over the Indian king Porus extended his conquests farther eastwards and established his empire as the greatest ever achieved by one man. Legends began to develop soon after his premature death. Alexander’s relentless energy and apparently limitless ambition drove him to explore remote parts of the world inhabited by strange peoples and monsters, investigate the wonders of the heavens and the depths of the sea, and seek out the secrets of true wisdom and immortal life. It is these legendary journeys that are recounted in the Romance of Alexander that originated as a Greek text, but soon proved popular in innumerable versions and translations that were spawned across Western Europe, the Middle East and India.
Grade Breakdown 5 reaction papers 40% Due at each of the last five class sessions 5 class quizzes 40% Taken the last five class sessions Class participation/attendance 20% (Includes reaction paper presentations)
Attendance No after-the-fact make-up offered on class participation. If you have to miss a class due to circumstances beyond your control, check with me and we will arrange your quiz early or late. Mail or deliver your reaction paper to me in the History Department as close as possible to the time it is due if you have to miss class – I have a box there. Obviously, attendance is very important with only six class sessions. Do not miss any classes unless it is an emergency. Your final grade may suffer if you miss a class. If you are ill, or if you can see that it will be impossible to attend one of our class sessions, e-mail me or talk to me before the class and we will try to minimize your grade penalty. If you miss two classes you will not receive a passing grade for this class. October 3 is the last day to officially drop BSU classes this semester. You should officially drop this class if you can see now that you have to miss more than one of our six class sessions.
Reaction Papers These papers will be written in response to Professor Weber’s telecourse. You will receive two grades, one for “form” (accuracy in grammar, spelling, organization and punctuation) and one for “content” (how well you analyzed his lectures assigned for that session.) The PBS Channel 4 programs may be viewed live (if you are a night owl-they are on from 3:00-4:00 a.m.) or taped (if you own a VCR and know how to program it) or watched at Boise State (second floor library in the Curriculum Resource Center & ask for the History of Western Civilization Idaho Public Television Telecourse, 101, Section 421.) If there are technical difficulties on Channel 4, please email me and the station will arrange another showing. It is impossible to write a reasoned, organized reaction paper without taking careful notes during the television programs. The reaction papers you hand in must be a minimum of two, double-spaced typewritten pages (maximum of three pages.) Do not merely summarize or repeat what Professor Weber has taught. Instead, reflect upon what he has said and write your reasoned, organized critique. Do not waste time criticizing his method of lecturing – instead concentrate on the content of his message in the big-picture overview of Western Civilization. Remember that these reaction papers are your reaction to the programs. Several tips: avoid the word “interesting.” Use phrases like, “In my opinion,” “I particularly enjoyed/didn’t enjoy…”, “I believe…”, “I saw ______ in these programs,” “My reaction was…”, “Historically I think….”
Notice that the word “I” is prominent in a reaction paper.
Do you see philosophical themes emerging?
Do you see, as Voltaire says, that “History never repeats itself; man always does”?
Are there universal truths that emerge as you watch the unfolding of Western Civilization?
Does Professor Weber in this group of lectures have a different “take” on history than the authors of your text or other readings you have done? (This would suggest a comparison/contrast paper.)
Is there a key issue or problem or an important question raised by Professor Weber in the programs assigned for this class session?
Do themes mentioned by Professor Weber tie in with other classes you have taken or other books you have read?
After writing your reaction paper, make corrections – read it critically for typographical, grammatical or spelling errors. Be sure to incorporate all programs that are due for that class while writing your reflective, thoughtful, well-organized and clearly-written reaction paper. Late papers will only be accepted if you have made arrangements in advance or if you have an emergency or circumstances beyond your control.
Class Quizzes
The potential quiz questions are listed on the “Schedule of Classes, Channel 4 Programs and Readings.”
Reaction Paper Class Presentations/Schedule
We will not read reaction papers aloud. Instead, we will go around the room to give each of you an opportunity to summarize the high points of your reaction paper before you hand them in at the end of class. Due to the size of this class, during the middle four class sessions we will split the class in half. Half of you will meet from 6:00 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. The other half will meet from 6:45 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The first half will present reaction papers from 6:00 – 6:45. Then the rest of the class will join us at 6:45 p.m. and I will lecture and then we will take the quiz. The first half of the class will leave when finished taking the quiz and the second half of the class will stay and present reaction papers until about 8:30 p.m.
Mid-term/Final/Essay Paper
Relax — we will not have any of the above. Your entire grade will be based on five reaction papers, five quizzes and class participation.
Schedule of Classes, Channel 4 Programs and Readings
Class #1 Wednesday, September 3, 2003 Everyone meets at 6:00 p.m.
– Review syllabus and course objectives Lecture Questions
Saturday, Sept. 6 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 1: The Dawn of History Program 2: The Ancient Egyptians
Saturday, Sept. 13 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 3: Mesopotamia Program 4: From Bronze to Iron
Saturday, Sept. 20 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
-Program 5: The Rise of Greek Civilization Program 6: Greek Thought
Reading Assignments before Class #2
– A History of Western Society from Antiquity…, Vol. I Pages 3 through 88 Preface, Chapter 1 (Origins), Chapter 2 (Small Kingdoms & Mighty Empires in the Near East), Chapter 3 (The Legacy of
Following are 9 quiz questions. Three are from Chapter 1, 3 from Chapter 2, and 3 from Chapter 3. The evening of September 24 I will choose two of the following questions for your quiz that evening. most of the ancient Near East? 2. Describe life under Hammurabi. 3. Discuss the fall of the Hittite and Egyptian empires & the survival of cultures through 1200 B.C. Chapter 2: 1. What wa the Assyrians to overrun their neighbors, & how did their cruelty finally cause their undoing? 3. How did Iranian nomads create the Persian Empire? Chapter 3: 1. Who was Homer? What is the the Odyssey? 2. What are some of the major factors in the Greeks’ victory over the Persian Empire? 3. Discuss what a day in the life of the polis might have been like.
Class #2 Wednesday, September 24 (First half of class meets from 6:00 – 7:45 Second half of class meets from 6:45 – 8:30)
– Due on Wednesday, September 24, Class #2: Reaction paper assignment covering Programs 1-6 During Class: 1. Quiz over Chapters 1-3 in A History of Western Society from Antiquity… 2. Lecture/Q
Saturday, Sept. 27 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 7: Alexander the Great Program 8: The Hellenistic Age
Saturday, October 4 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 9: The Rise of Rome Program 10: The Roman Empire
Saturday, Oct. 11 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 11: Early Christianity Program 12: The Rise of the Church
Reading Assignments before Class #3
– A History of Western Society from Antiquity…, Vol. I Pages 90 through 185 Chapter 4 (Hellenistic Diffusion), Chapter 5 (The Rise of Rome), Chapter 6 (The Pax Romana)
Following are 9 quiz questions. Three are from Chapter 4, 3 from Chapter 5, and 3 from Chapter 6. The evening of October 15 I will choose two of the following questions for your quiz that evening. C and his Great Crusade. 2. What was Alexander’s political and cultural legacy? 3. What were some of the major Hellenistic advances? Chapter 5: 1. How did Rome rise to greatness? 2. What omans themselves and on the conquered peoples? 3. What were some of the major reasons for the collapse of the Roman Republic? Chapter 6: 1. Describe how Roman emperors governed the empire and how How did Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and change the Empire? 3. How did the Roman Empire meet the challenge of barbarian invasion and the economic decline that followed?
Class #3 Wednesday, October 15 (First half of class meets from 6:00 – 7:45 Second half of class meets from 6:45 – 8:30)
– Due on Wednesday, October 15, Class #3: Reaction Paper assignment covering Programs 7-12 During Class: 1. Quiz over Chapters 4-6 in A History of Western Society from Antiquity… 2. Lecture/Q
Saturday, Oct. 18 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 13: The Decline of Rome Program 14: The Fall of Rome
Saturday, Oct. 25 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 15: The Byzantine Empire Program 16: The Fall of Byzantine
Saturday, Nov. 1 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 17: The “Dark Ages” Program 18: The Age of Charlemagne
Reading Assignments before Class #4
– A History of Western Society from Antiquity…, Vol. I Pages 188 through 289 Chapter 7 (The Making of Europe), Chapter 8 (The Carolingian World: Europe in the Early Middle Ages), Chapter 9 (Rev
Following are 9 quiz questions. Three are from Chapter 7, 3 from Chapter 8, and 3 from Chapter 9. The evening of November 5 I will choose two of the following questions for your quiz that evening. C ic traditions, Christian faith and Islamic culture affect one another? 2. Describe the migration of the Germanic peoples and Germanic society. 3. What influence did the Byzantine and Islamic culture did the Frankish kings enhance their prestige and power and how did they govern? 2. How did the title “Holy Roman Emperor” help Charlemagne rule and how was he able to maintain such a vast t evolved in Europe. Chapter 9: 1. Describe some of the ingredients of revival and how these changes came about between 1050-1300, the High Middle Ages. 2. Discuss the revival and reform in the C century. 3. What accounted for the success of the Christians in the early Crusades and what social and economic effects did the Crusades have on Western civilization?
Class #4 Wednesday, November 5 (First half of class meets from 6:00 – 7:45 Second half of class meets from 6:45 – 8:30)
– Due on Wednesday, November 5, Class #4: Reaction Paper assignment covering Programs 13 – 18 During Class: 1. Quiz over Chapters 7-9 in A History of Western Society from Antiquity… 2. Lectur
Saturday, Nov. 8 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 19: The Middle Ages Program 20: The Feudal Order
Saturday, Nov. 15 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 21: Common Life in the Middle Ages Program 22: Cities and Cathedrals in the Middle Ages
Reading Assignments before Class #5
– A History of Western Society from Antiquity…, Vol. I Pages 212 through 288 Chapter 10 (Life in Christian Europe in the High Middle Ages), Chapter 11 (The Creativity & Vitality of the High
Following are 9 quiz questions. Three are from Chapter 10, 3 from Chapter 11, and 3 from Chapter 12. The evening of November 19 I will choose two of the following questions for your quiz that evenin the High Middle Ages. 2. What was the impact of the Christian religion on the lives of ordinary people during the High Middle Ages? 3. Discuss the life of the nobility during the High Middle Ages France and England approach problems differently and help develop the modern state? 2. How did medieval towns originate and become centers of change and religious heresy in medieval society? 3. D showed vitality and creativity. Chapter 12: 1. Discuss the economic problems, plague, & social problems between 1300 & 1450. 2. What were some of the causes of, reactions to and effects Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Class #5 Wednesday, November 19 (First half of class meets from 6:00 – 7:45 Second half of class meets from 6:45 – 8:30)
– Due on Wednesday, November 19, Class #5: Reaction Paper assignment covering Programs 19 – 22 During Class: 1. Quiz over Chapters 10-12 in A History of Western Society from Antiquity… 2. Lec
Saturday, Nov. 22 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 23: The Late Middle Ages Program 24: The National Monarchies
Saturday, Nov. 29 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Repeat of Program 23 & 24 (due to the Thanksgiving holiday)
Saturday, Dec. 6 KAID, Channel 4, 3:00 – 4:00 a.m.
– Program 25: The Renaissance and the Age of Discovery Program 26: The Renaissance and the New World
Reading Assignments before Class #6
– A History of Western Society from Antiquity…, Vol. I Pages 415 through 527 Chapter 13 (European Society in the Age of the Renaissance), Chapter 14 (Reform & Renewal in the Christian Church
Following are 9 quiz questions. Three are from Chapter 13, 3 from Chapter 14, and 3 from Chapter 15. The evening of December 11 I will choose two of the following questions for your quiz that evenin it may be seen in European politics & social organization. 2. How was Machiavelli’s The Prince a product of its time & how did printing bring about radical change in Europe? 3. Descr arding the beginning of the modern unified nation-state. Chapter 14: 1. What late medieval religious developments paved the way for the adoption and spread of Protestant thought? 2. Why did the stical, social and economic reactions? 3. Discuss the Catholic Reformation and the Counter-Reformation. Chapter 15: 1. What immediate effect did overseas expansion have on Europe and on the conque he timeframe 1450-1650 the Age of Discovery, the Age of Reconnaissance and the Age of Expansion? 3. What were the cultural consequences of the religious wars and of the worldwide discoveries from 14
Class #6 Wednesday, December 10 (First half of class meets from 6:00 – 7:45 Second half of class meets from 6:45 – 8:30)
– Due on Wednesday, December 10, Class #6: Reaction Paper assignment covering Programs 23-26 During Class: 1. Quiz over Chapters 13-15 in A History of Western Society from Antiquity… 2. Wrap- tations