WOH 2012 SUMMER A 2011

Miami-Dade College
Social Sciences Department
WOH2012
History of World Civilization To 1800
Summer A, 2011
Name: Joseph Holbrook
Office:
Telephone: 786-395-5402
E-Mail: josenmiami@yahoo.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays at 11:00 am or by appointment.

Catalog Course Description:

This course covers the history of World Civilizations from the prehistoric period to the 18th century. Students
will learn the major political, social, economic, and cultural structures of civilizations and their development
through l 800 - (3 hr. lecture).

Pre-Requisites: None.

Course Competencies:
World History 2012 attempts to help students understand the significant trends and major changes that have
affected the world prior to the 18th century. Particular emphasis will be placed upon events that have affected
the development of world civilizations.
This course is part of the MDC general education offerings of the Social Science Department at the Kendall
Campus. As such, student success in WOH2012 contributes to the College’s goal that each student graduating
from MDC has accomplished certain educational outcomes when they leave the College. The actual General
Education Outcomes at MDC are based on the following assumptions:

MDC Learning Outcomes:

As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.

Required Textbook: Duiker, William J. et al. The Essential World History: To 1800. 6th Edition.
This book is available for purchase in the college bookstore. Further readings may be placed on reserve in the
MDC library and internet sites of interest will be suggested by the professor.

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WOH 2012 SUMMER A 2011
Grading Scale:
A 90 – 100
B 80 – 89
C 70 – 79
D 60 – 69
F 59 and below

Grading Criteria: There will be six grades given to assess student learning in this class:

Assignment Total Points

May 19 test 18
May 26 test 18
June 2 test 18
June 9 test 18
June 16 test 18
Class Presentation 10
Optional Essay
Total Points 100

A) Examinations: There may be regular short exam questions based on each week’s reading assignment. Each
test will count toward a student’s final course grade.
Exams can be essay and/or multiple-choice in format with review questions or notes given in the prior class to
help students prepare for the tests. There are no make-up exams permitted in this course except in documented and
verified medical emergencies of the individual student. Written documentation must be provided.
Students with documented disabilities should contact ACCESS Disability Services in advance for information and
for obtaining assistance. No retroactive accommodations can be provided. The ACCESS department is located in Room
2121 at the Kendall Campus. They may be reached at (305) 237-2767.
B) Papers: One essay paper may be turned in for extra credit (if needed) at the end of the semester but is not
required. The essay may also be used to make up for one weekly test. The writing assignment in this course and the due
date will be announced in class. All papers must correspond to the following guidelines:
-Papers must be typed and double-spaced
-Students must use un-bolded 12-point standard (Times New Roman or Courier) font.
-One-inch margins are to be used on all four sides of the page.
-Papers should be text only in essay format—No pictures, photographs, maps, or diagrams.
-Students should use the Chicago or Turabian manual of style. If another style is used, it must be used consistently
throughout the paper.
-Quotations should not be used beyond three lines per typed page.
-Do not use cover pages, sleeves, and jackets.
-Students should use spell and grammar checks available on your computer programs prior to submitting papers.
Proofread your papers visually to check for further errors prior to paper submission.

-Wikipedia.org is discouraged as an academic source in your papers. This site is an open source encyclopedia that
can usually be edited and revised by anyone. As such, students need to be wary of using this source because there
is no guarantee that what you are reading is true.

Papers will be graded on the following criteria:

1. Content. Students should answer the question asked and use examples to demonstrate understanding of
the topic.
2. Following of writing guidelines. This is based upon the guidelines presented in the section above.
3. Clarity of organization. Papers should be presented in a logical order with introduction, development of
topic, and conclusion.
4. Grammar. Papers must be edited and proofread prior to submitting a final draft.
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5. Sources used. You must use documented verifiable sources in your paper to present enough academic
evidence to support your arguments and assumptions.

Course Policies:
1. Tests: There will be five short weekly exams based on readings. I will give you an idea of the types
of questions to expect on the exams. Most of the questions on the exams will require that you apply
knowledge rather than repeat information memorized from the textbook. If you have a legitimate and
documented reason for not taking an exam, you will be given a make-up exam. If you do the weekly
readings, the tests will not be difficult.

2. Attendance: Miami-Dade has an attendance policy, so I will take attendance at the beginning of
every class period. If you are late, it is your responsibility to ensure I know you were present. Do not
interrupt a lecture to let me know you are present. If you have three absences, you may be dropped
from the course. If you are dropped from the class, either by me or by the College for non-payment,
you will not be allowed to attend class. You will not receive a grade nor will I accept assignments,
papers, or exams from you. Class attendance will not count towards your grade.

3. Group Presentation: Choose a single issue related to any time period or world region from the
textbook. The PowerPoint presentation should describe the following: a description of the region, including culture,
religion and language, the historical context, key historical problems faced in the society of this time period, and the
historical transformation that took place by the end of the time period. In your discussion, some comparison or contrast
with other regions of the same time period, or other time periods in the same region are encouraged. You will use
PowerPoint when making your presentations. You will submit your work to Turnitin.com, plagiarism detection software. I
will give you further instructions on accessing the system. You will present on your assigned date. If you do not attend
class when you are scheduled to present, you will not be able to present at a later date and you will receive a zero.
So, make sure you come for your presentation!! Your presentation should last 20 minutes.

4. Readings/Assignments: Success in this course requires familiarity with the textbook. I will not cover
all material in the text. However, you are responsible for all reading materials assigned. You will also be responsible
for extraneous materials I will cover in class. You should read all assigned chapters BEFORE the class period.

5. Conduct in the Classroom: You must turn off cell phones. If you want to listen to music, surf the
web, or text, then do so outside of the classroom. If you disrupt the teaching/learning process or act in a disrespectful,
threatening, or intimidating way toward me or other students, you will be asked to leave the class.

6. Assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class period. Late assignments will not be
accepted.

7. Students are expected to arrive on time and remain in class until the completion of the class period.
You are responsible for information provided in class, even if you are not in attendance.

Academic Integrity:
All students are expected to meet the College’s academic conduct standards. Acts of academic misconduct, including
cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, and facilitating academic dishonesty will be referred to the Dean of Students.
Students caught plagiarizing will be charged with misconduct charges. For more information on these standards, refer to
the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook at:

http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf

Access Disability Services:

Students with documented disabilities should contact ACCESS Disability Services in advance for information and for
obtaining assistance. No retroactive accommodations can be provided. The ACCESS department is located in Room 2121
at the Kendall Campus. They may be reached at (305) 237-2767

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WOH 2012 SUMMER A 2011
Course Schedule and Outline:

WEEK 1 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

TUESDAYS THURSDAYS
May 10, 2011 May 12, 2011
Introductions Early Civilization in Africa
Review of Syllabus Reading Test.
The First Civilizations and the Rise of Empires Presentations
Reading: Chapters 1 and 2 Reading: Chapters 3 and 8.

WEEK 2 - GRECO-ROMAN CIVIZATION

May 17, 2011 May 19, 2011

The Civilization of the Greeks First World Civilization: Rome, China, Silk Road.
Presentations Presentations
Reading: Chapters 4 and 5. First Test.
Reading: Chapter 6 and 7.

WEEK 3 – THE AMERICAS

May 24, 2011 May 26, 2011

The Americas Colonial Americas.
Presentations Presentations
Film: “The Mission” Second Test.
Reading: Chapters 9 and 10. Reading: Chapters 11 and 16.

WEEK 4 – ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

May 31, 2011 June 2, 2011

The Rise of Islam The Muslim Empires.
Presentations Presentations
Reading: Chapters 12 and 13. Third Test.
Reading: Chapter 14.

WEEK 5 – EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION

June 7, 2011 June 9, 2011

The Making of Europe The Creation of a World Market.
Presentations Presentations
Reading: Chapters 15. Fourth Test.
Reading: Chapter 17.

WEEK 6 – THE BEGINNING OF THE MODERN WORLD

June 14,2011
The West on the Eve of a New World Order: Intellectual June 16, 2011
Revolution The French Revolution and Napoleon
Presentations Presentations
Optional Essay due. Fifth Test.
Reading: Chapters 18.
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