HIST 3A: WORLD HISTORY FROM PREHISTORY TO 750 CE
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading | Value |
---|---|
Units: | 4 |
Hours: | 4 lecture per week (48 total per quarter) |
Advisory: | Demonstrated proficiency in English by placement via multiple measures OR through an equivalent placement process OR completion of ESLL 125 & ESLL 249. |
Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
Foothill GE: | Area IV: Social & Behavioral Sciences |
Transferable: | CSU/UC |
Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Analyze broad patterns of change within and between societies in different world regions over time.
- Explain the various ways (cultural, economic, political, etc.) that peoples and societies relate and interact with each other within different world regions.
Description
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
A. Explain patterns of development and change within societies and world regions, emphasizing the interactions of societies across political and geographical boundaries.
B. Identify the influence of and the impact on race, gender, class and ethnicity of developing cultures in different world regions.
C. Identify the influence of geography,climate and biology on the development of complex societies around the world.
D. Analyze human interactions between societies, including warfare, trade, cultural exchange, colonization and migration.
E. Compare political, economic, social and cultural structures of world societies and assess similarities and differences.
F. Evaluate the significance of major scientific, technological, philosophical and theological developments on ancient societies.
G. Analyze primary and secondary sources and construct theses and criticism using appropriate details and examples for support.
Course Content
A. Early human prehistory
1. Paleolithic societies
2. Migrations from Africa to Eurasia, Australia and the Americas
B. Neolithic societies
1. Development of agriculture
2. Southwest Asian societies--Fertile Crescent
3. African societies and migrations
4. Interactions between South Asian and East Asian societies
5. Societies in the Americas
6. Island societies of Oceania
C. Complex societies
1. Egypt and Nubia
2. Mesopotamia
3. China
4. Indus Valley
5. Meso-America
D. Development and expansion of Classical Era civilizations
1. Central Asia--Persia
a. Government and trade innovations
2. Mediterranean world
a. Political and philosophical theory--Greece
b. Rome: from republic to empire
c. Monotheism: Judaism and Christianity
3. East Asia
a. Han China: consolidation and social theory
4. Indian Ocean region
a. Mauryan and Gupta India: consolidation and religious development
b. Central African trading kingdoms
c. Spread of religions
7. Mesoamerican civilizations
a. Maya and Inca
b. Technology, science and competition
F. Post-classical world regions
1. North American Native cultures
a. Simple and complex societies
b. Extensive trade networks
2. Africa
a. Trans-Saharan trade
b. Spread of Islam
3. East Asian societies
a. Tang Dynasty China
b. The Silk Road
4. Mediterranean World
a. Spread of Islamic Empire
b. Law and structure of Byzantine Empire
c. European tribal society
5. Central Asian nomadic societies
Lab Content
Not applicable.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
Method(s) of Evaluation
A. Class discussion
B. Research project including primary and secondary source analysis
C. Essay exams, including a written final
Method(s) of Instruction
Lecture, discussion, oral presentations, analysis of video and internet resources.
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Bentley, Jerry, and Herbert Ziegler. Traditions and Encounters, From the Beginning to 1500. Vol. I. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2015.
Pollard, Elizabeth, and Clifford Rosenberg. Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: A History of the World. Vol. I. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2015.
Spodek, Howard. The World's History. Vol. I. 5th ed. New York: Pearson Publishing, 2014.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
A. Reading of textbook and relevant primary and secondary sources.
B. Writing prompts requiring historical analysis and synthesis.
C. Research project requiring locating and evaluating legitimate historical sources.