The Pre-Modern World
HSS 211:017
Course Description
This course investigates and compares world cultures from the beginning
of the human species up to 1400. The emergence and development of civilizations
and their contributions to human knowledge will be approached holistically,
looking at their political, economic, religious, artistic and philosophical
systems as well as their material productions. Some of the primary cultures
of this period will also be studied through their written texts.
Required Text
The Earth and Its People, Brief 2nd Edition, by Bulliet, et.al., Houghton Mifflin. 2003
The Humanities, Volume 1, 6th Edition, by Witt, et.al., Houghton Mifflin. 2001.
Webs Sites announced in class
Handouts
Requirements and Grading
Essays 40%
Presentation 15%
Mid-term Exam 15%
Final Exam 20%
Portfolios 10%
Guidelines and Policies
1. More than three unexcused absences will result in a lowered grade.
Unexcused lateness counts as ½ absence.
2. All papers handed in late will receive a lowered grade. Papers must
be submitted by their due dates.
3. A plagiarized essay will result in a grade of F for the course.
Citations must conform to MLA or APA format.
4. All homework essays must be word-processed using a standard 10 or
12-point font. Use one-inch margins on all sides of each page, double space
and left-justify. Indent the first line of every paragraph five spaces.
Number pages consecutively.
5. Headings should be single-spaced in the upper left of the first
text page. They should include your name, essay number or other identifying
information, course/instructor, and date, according to MLA.
6. Handwritten in-class assignments should be double-spaced with one-inch
margins.
7. Each essay should include a title, centered on the first text page
below the heading.
8. All work will be submitted in reverse chronological order in an
NJIT portfolio on the last class day.
9. Keep an extra printout or photocopy of all essays and papers. Make
a back-up disk.
Course Schedule
DATE ASSIGNMENT
Sep 3, 8 Human Origins, evolution, culture, and civilization B4-13
10, 15 The first civilizations: Mesopotamia B14-21
W6-31
Internet: Gilgamesh
Handout
17, 22 The first civilizations: Ancient India B29-44,
108-110
W442-445
Internet: Harrapa,
Rig Veda
24, 29 The first civilizations: Ancient Egypt and China
B21-28, 37-44
and the Hebrew W32-64, 467-471, 216-218,
232-242
Internet: Ka; Confucious
Hebrews
Essay 1 Due
Oct 1, 6 Greece B52-54,94-107
W65-215
Internet: Socrates,
The Odyssey
8, 13 Rome B123-135
W167-215
Internet: Julius
Caesar;Constantinople
The Aeneid
15, 20 Classical Asia: Hinduism and Buddhism B11-113;
W446-466
Internet: Vedas, Varna, Bhagavad Gita, Nirvana, Bodhisattva
22 Mid-term Exam
27, 29 Christianity B203-206
We19-256
Internet: Patriarchs,
Council of Nicea,
New Testament
Nov 3, 5 Islam B176-194
W268-285
The Qur’an, the Satanic
Verses
Essay 2 Due
10,12 Medieval Eastern Europe B207-210
W257-267
Internet: Orthodox
Church
Byzantine Empire
17, 19 Medieval Western Europe B212-217
W286-366
Internet: Charlemagne,
Holy Roman Empire, Vikings;
24, 26 Medieval East Asia and Eurasia B262-268,
293-3101
Internet: Dalai Lama
Chigis Khan, The Tale
of Genji
Dec 1, 3, 8 Oral Presentations
10 Review
15 Last Class
Portfolios Due
Essay 1: Write a research essay on an ancient civilization focusing on one work of art or literature that reflects an important aspect of that civilization. This essay should be 4-5 pages and incorporate the MLA format.
Essay 2: Write a research essay on an individual writer, artist, architect, philosopher, or religious figure who had a significant impact on one of the societies studied up to 1500. In this essay, discuss the person’s contributions and his or relationship to the development of the culture. This should be 5-6 pages and follow MLA format.
Presentation: Each student will give a presentation in class of not
more than ten minutes. The presentation should be related to the topic
of one of the essays.