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History 1A, Introduction to Western Civilization

Professor Chambers.    Mon., Wed., 11:00-11:50.
Instructor's office: Bunche Hall 5373.
Office hours, Wed., 12:00-2:00, and by appointment.
Office phone, 825-1567; History Department phone for messages, 825-4601.
 

History 1A offers an introduction to the history of the Mediterranean basin from ca. 3000 B.C. to ca. 800 A.D. The lectures provide an overview of political, cultural, and religious history. Equally important are the discussion sections and the reading, writing, and thinking you will do on your own. Attendance in discussion sections is required. The sections will usually be devoted to analysis of primary sources and documents; this is your chance to discuss these texts, raise difficulties, and express your opinions. Attendance and participation in sections will affect your final grade. You should complete reading assignments in the week for which they are assigned; you will then be prepared for discussion. The listed reading is a core or minimum; teaching assistants may make additions and assign other work including written papers.
 
Your grade will be determined on a basis of 200 possible points: mid-term exam, given in sections, 30 points; final exam, 70; work in sections, 100. Grades will be decided by your TA, who will judge your written work for its accuracy, cogency of argument, and effective writing. TAs will be pleased to discuss these requirements in detail.

Required books, available at the ASUCLA bookstore and on reserve in Powell (undergraduate) Library.

Recommended reading. The following books mentioned in the Study Guide are on 2-hour reserve in Powell Library.  
Lectures, Assignments
Oct 5, Introduction, procedures; Oct. 7, The Near East, 1: Sumer, Egypt
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 1-20; Epic of Gilgamesh (complete); Bailkey, nos. 4, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15
Week 1 Lecture Outlines

Oct. 12, The Near East, 2: Assyria, Persia, Israel; Oct. 14, Crete, Early Greece, Homer
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 20-31; Bailkey, nos. 17, 19, 20
Week 2 Lecture Outlines

Oct. 19, Rise of the Greek Polis; Oct. 21, Sparta and Athens
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 35-58; Bailkey, nos. 22, 25
Week 3 Lecture Outlines

Oct. 26, Persian Wars and age of Pericles; Oct. 28, The crisis of the fifth century
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 58-66; Bailkey, nos. 26, 28 30; Sophocles, Oedipus the King, Antigone
Week 4 Lecture Outlines

Nov. 2, Greek Thought; Nov. 4, Alexander and the Hellenistic age;
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 69-95; Bailkey, nos. 32A, 33A, 35A, 35B; Plato, Apology of Socrates and Crito
Week 5 Lecture Outlines

Nov. 9, Greek art and architecture (slide show); Nov. 11, The rise of Rome.
NOTE: MID-TERM EXAM THIS WEEK GIVEN IN SECTIONS
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 99-110; Bailkey, nos. 40A, 43
Week 6 Lecture Outlines

Nov. 16, The Roman Republic to ca. 120 B.C.; Nov. 18, The end of the Republic
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 110-127; Bailkey, nos. 44, 45, 47, 48, 52A
Week 7 Lecture Outlines

Nov. 23, Roman Empire to ca. 180; Nov. 25, Roman civilizaton in the Empire
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 131-143, 170-178; Bailkey, nos. 52B, 54A, 55A, 57; Tacitus: Agricola, Germania
Week 8 Lecture Outlines

Nov. 30, Roman art and architecture (slide show); Dec. 2, The decline of Rome
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 143-150, 179-182, 202-211; Bailkey, nos. 61A, 61B, 62A, 62B
Week 9 Lecture Outlines

Dec. 7, The rise of Christianity; Dec. 9, The age of Charlemagne
Reading: Western Experience, pp. 151-166, 183-193, 271-229; Bailkey, nos. 59A, 60C; Einhard, Life of Charlemagne (in Two Lives of Charlemagne)

FINAL EXAMINATION: Fri., Dec. 18, 8-11 a.m.
Please note that no variation from this time is allowed. In particular, earlier times for the examination cannot be set.

Welcome to the course.


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