Starting with the roots of Western Culture in the valleys of the Tigris-Euphrates and the Nile, emphasis will be placed on the developments in the peninsulas of Greece, Italy, and in Western Europe.
History is much more than that.
History is really an inquiry into the past, a process of asking questions, comparing and interpreting the evidence. Since historical evidence usually takes the form of written sources called documents, you will also be learning to interpret documents in this course. By studying developments over centuries, often in the words of the participants themselves, you will discover that many European and world problems today have roots in historical events which are centuries old, and which may not have simple solutions. The exam essays and short paper should help you develop skills in writing and critical thinking which will be necessary for you to succeed in this course and in whatever career you choose. Reading assignments, including those on the web sites, should be completed by class time during the week for which they are assigned.