World Civilization 1102/Spring 1999

TTh 8 and W eve (Sections)

Peter W. Petschauer

petschauerpw@appstate.edu

262-6023

As you know, World Civilization courses are one of the general education requirements at Appalachian State University; this requirement is related to edu-cated persons around the world being equipped with a basic stock of knowledge that includes a broad awareness of humanity's past. Appalachian does not want you to have to stand back before any of these individuals. I see my role in the effort for you to acquire this basic background as someone who helps you be-come familiar with the major personalities, events, and trends that shape(d) the present and as someone who gives you some ideas of how our present situation relates to the past. I take that word "help" very seriously; for that purpose, I have over the years redesigned the "usual" history course. As some of you know, in the last twenty-five or so years, historical research and outcome has been revolu-tionized; I hope that this basic history course both informs you and catches you up with that revision and revitalization.

The text the History Department has chosen is familiar to most of you from previous semesters; the principal authors are McKay and Hill. We will use it off and on. The other books we will use in class are Machiavelli, The Prince (Penguin), Mernissi, Dreams of Trespass (Perseus), and Eli Wiesel, Night (Bantam); they are all available in the bookstore. In addition, I am hoping that we will use the Internet extensively, including for class work.

Several agendas guide my approach to this spring's WC 1102. My WC courses have been quite successful when they were discussion oriented, and I will continue this tradition this semester. Except that this year we will do it in class and on the Internet. Also, every day you walk into class, please bring with you an Admit Card (or paper) that tells me what you have read for this and other classes. The card should not just tell me what you read for your classes, but also in a few sentences what you think about what you have read. I will not "grade" these cards, but read them, and assign one point credit toward the final grade. Finally, this spring, I would like to continue with an experiment that I started two years ago; instead of the three usual exams, I would like for you to write a four-page mini-paper. You may choose any topic since 1650, but you must include research from the library and from the Internet. Those of you who already know how to "surf the net" are asked to teach the others; I'll explain more in class. Once we are far enough along, we will read each others papers and write as many drafts as it takes to do a job that is satisfactory to you and me.

The following schedule shows what topics we will discuss during what week, when the exam and final is taking place, and when the outside readings are due. The second exam is the final. All examinations are essay.

Your grade depends on the admit cards; the two exams; the paper; the quality of the help you give your colleague with his or her paper; and a quiz each on the three outside books. You are expected to be in class, even if I do not take regular attendance. One way for me to know if you are attending is thorough the admit cards and your work with the net. But I also believe that this is your educa-tion and, if you are interested in it, you will do all you can to make the most of it, including attending classes. Keep in mind that every single class is worth about US$45.00; that is, you lose that much when you miss one.

I use this grading scale: A = 95-90, B = 89-80, C = 79-70, D = 69-60, F = 59-... and add +'s and -'s. I will show you your grades as we go along.

You may find me generally in WH 216 (exact hours are posted there and on our class web page). It may be useful to you all the same to email me at petschauerpw@appstate.edu or call 6023, 2282, or even 264-5514, to be sure I am there to meet with you.

Have an absolutely great semester! And not just in your classes.

Schedule

Week 1 Jan. 12 you and me in history

Week 2 Jan. 19 families/Dreams of Trespass/paper topic due

Week 3 Jan. 26 food and clothing

Week 4 Feb. 2 housing

Week 5 Feb. 8 time and transportation

Week 6 Feb. 16 work/economics/email paper due

Week 7 Feb. 23 villages

Week 8 March 2 SPRING BREAK

Week 9 March 9 towns and cities/FIRST EXAM

Week 8 Mar. 16 country/state/The Prince

Week 9 Mar. 23 corporations

Week 10 Mar. 30 relations between states

Week 11 Apr. 6 political and other leaders/administrations/final paper

due

Week 12 Apr. 13 changes in states/ideologies

Week 13 Apr. 20 war/warfare/other extreme behaviors/Night

Week 14 Apr. 27 science/religion

Week 15 May 4 art

FINAL