Discipline: History Degree Credit  [ ]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

History 4


COURSE DESCRIPTION
4 History of Western Civilizations Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: Qualification for ENG-1A recommended
A survey of the historical development of Western society’s major social, political, and economical ideas and institutions from their origins in the ancient Middle East, Greece and Rome, through European Middle Ages, to the Protestant and Catholic Reformations. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Historical development of Western society from the time of man’s origins to the 17th century.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
  1. Obtain an understanding of the component elements of organic society, the nature of civilization and of the civilizing process.
  2. Gain an overall perception of the rise and development of civilizations, and of the merging of ideas and concepts of these civilizations into a world pattern of civilization.
  3. Further develop the student’s critical thinking ability by requiring the analysis and evaluation of data, the anticipation of alternative explanations and the forming of conclusions from the data presented
  4. Grasp the origin of the diverse major concepts, principles, doctrines and laws which characterize cultures, politics, economics and social relationships, including the growth of democratic ideals
  5. Gain an appreciation of such ideals as liberty and democracy and an understanding of the progressive adaptation of our social, economic and political institutions necessary to achieve those ideals.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1.   Historiography; method of history; historical mindedness
  2.  Toward Civilization: 
  3.  The beginnings, the Nile, the Tigris and Euphrates
  4.  Greek achievement
  5.  Ascendancy of Rome
  6.  World of classical times; the fall of Rome; the rise of the church
  7.  Byzantine empire and the triumph of Islam
  8.  Dawn of a new Europe; medieval political history and the feudal ape
  9.  Bishop, priest, and monk; university and cathedral; the medieval church and medieval thought and art
  10. Consolidation of kingdoms, 1100-1500 A.D.
  11.  Renaissance through and art
  12.  Religious and political revolts, 1300-1650
  13.  Final Examination

Students are also assigned reading, writing and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture.

 
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Lectures which both disseminate information and pose problems.
  • Discussions which emphasize the ability to reason and think critically
  • Assigned readings outside of class
  • Discussion of current events related to course content.  May require assigned outside writing which involves independent research in addition to the required readings.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Grades are based on demonstrated proficiency in subject matter
  • Essay testin
  • Objective tests (multiple choice, matching, fill-in and essay
  • Outside written work
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

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