HIS 111HW - A Survey of Early Western Civilization - Honors

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

Studies political, social, economic and cultural history of Europe from prehistoric times through the 1500s. Gives particular attention to civilizations and their relevant contributions to the modern world. Provides opportunities to engage in independent intellectual inquiry to foster deeper learning. Credit may be earned in HIS 111W or HIS 111HW but not in both.

Prerequisite(s): LEVEL 4 READING and LEVEL 4 WRITING or permission of the Honors Office
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: Humanities, Social Science
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

Compose an effective narrative that analyzes the history of Early Western Civilization in response to an analytical question.
1. Choose among rhetorical strategies appropriate to historical analysis: describe, contextualize, analyze.
2. Select from a range of media best suited to communicating a particular argument narrative, or set of ideas.
Analyze various types of historical sources appropriate to the study of Early Western Civilization.
1. Describe the differences between primary and secondary sources.
2. Analyze the perspective and context in which the historical source was created.
3. Describe the ways in which a given historical source may inform a historical narrative.
Evaluate conflicting historical interpretations within the context of Early Western Civilization.
1. Identify and describe conflicting historical interpretations.
2. Analyze the evidence supporting conflicting historical interpretations.
3. Evaluate the rhetorical effectiveness of conflicting historical interpretations.
Evaluate the ways in which the history of Early Western Civilization informs the current political, cultural, and social history of Early Western Civilization and its relationship to the global culture.
1. Compare, contrast, and contextualize the political, cultural, and social history of Early Western Civilization and the present.
2. Evaluate the ways in which the historical development of political structures and beliefs, social structures and beliefs, and cultural structures and beliefs may impact and inform current political, social, and cultural issues.
Analyze global paradigms relevant to the traditional narrative of Early Western Civilization.
1. Describe paradigms of knowledge, realities, values in western and non-western traditions.
2. Compare and contrast global paradigms of knowledge, realities, and values.
3. Analyze the impact of historical context on the formation of paradigms of knowledge, realities, and values.
Use writing tasks to promote learning.
1. Analyze course content in written form.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of subject matter.
3. Document attainment of skills learned.
4. Explain the subject matter in a coherent writing style.
Practice independent, intellectual curiosity.
1. Complete at least one significant project which demonstrates higher level, academic rigor.
Apply higher level, critical thinking skills to deepen understanding of course material.
Actively engage with peers in discussions, seminars or other formats to enhance the depth of knowledge of the relevant material.