WORLD HISTORY 101 (HIS 101 771)
Course Syllabus Fall 2002
MW 5:30 - 7:00

Tory Pegram, toryepegram@hotmail.com, Office Hours: Before or After Class or By Appointment
Course Website: www.globalstory.com

COURSE OBJECTIVES

"The history of the universe is an infinite sacred book which we all write and read and try to understand
and in which we all are written."
-Jorge Luis Borges

This course is designed to explore the origins and development of the major ancient and medieval civilizations throughout the world. We will see the rise and fall of empires, understand different ideas of progress, and map out the connections between cultures and societies across space and time. By exploring the stories told by the earliest of human societies of the world we will finally begin to understand ourselves, our own history, and the universal story we tell.

Since the course will be conducted in a lecture and seminar-discussion style, student participation is essential. We will begin by exploring the histories of Southwest Asia, Africa, South Asia, East Asia, the Americas and Oceania, Persia and the Mediterranean and then examine both common and conflicting social practices across all of these geographic areas. In addition to weekly readings from the two texts and supplemental materials, students will be responsible for a 2 page weekly response journal, a midterm and final, 5 of 7 map quizzes, and a cumulative oral history project (see website for guidelines). Videos, campus lectures, and current events will also be used to enhance the impact of the course.

REQUIRED TEXTS

(T&E) Bentley, Jerry H. and Ziegler, Herbert F. Traditions & Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past: Volume 1: From Beginnings to 1500: Second Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.

(WOF) Reilly, Kevin. Worlds of History: A Comparative Reader: Volume One: To 1550. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2000.

Additional Readings will also be placed on reserve at the Will Alexander Library and also sometimes posted on the course website (www.globalstory.com). These will be announced in class but students are also responsible for checking the site regularly for supplemental materials and assignment changes.