WCA, Course Directions & Req

I suspect that since you are reading this you have enrolled in Western Civilization 104A--Self-Paced. This site includes a course description, a course outline, a course assignment sheet, a list of lecture notes and other assorted handouts used in the regular Western Civilization class. You will need to fill out a form Online to verify your registration: Instructor's Course Registration. If I fail to receive this form I will list you as a no show. You may complete this course at your leisure--of course that means by the end of the semester.

This page should provide you with all the information needed to complete your specific tasks. At the bottom of this page you will find a GUIDELINE FOR COMPLETION that provides you with a guideline as to when I expect you to complete the assignments and the exams. Guidelines are not specific due dates, but a concept of what needs to be done and when to complete this course in one semester. The preferred way of turning in the required assignments is via e-mail. Send the material to me at akirshner@ohlone.edu. Either attach them as a Word or PDF document or copy and insert them in the body of the e-mail. DO NOT send Works or Word Perfect attachments or any other format but word. I will be posting grades evey few weeks on the internet at
http:// www2.ohlone.edu/ people/akirshner/gradeswc.html and
http:// www.kirshnerisms.com/gradeswc.html

When you are ready for Exam I, Exam II or Exam III, please request them via e-mail and I will send you the exam. However, I will not send an exam until I have received your reaction reading papers that are scheduled before the exam. I will also not send an exam if I haven't received the last exam from you even if you completed the papers. You have one week to complete the exam from the date I send it. I grade the exams like I would a mini term paper—meaning, I expect loads of information with lots of typed pages. Please remember to place the exact question you are answering on your answer sheets or mail me back the exam paper I sent to you. If you do not and I cannot figure out which question from the 10 different exams I have you are answering, it could hurt your grade dramatically. On the take-home exams you can, in fact should, do as much research as you would with a term paper. YOU MUST ALSO SHOW YOU HAVE LISTENED TO MY TAPED LECTURES AND READ THE REQUIRED TEXT: Philip Lee Ralph, et.al, World Civilizations: Their History and Their Culture.

If you do not complete the course by the end of the semester I will be forced to give you an F (failure). If you must miss the final exam for a college approved reason you can obtain an Incomplete form online or from the Registrar's Office in Building 7. If you receive an incomplete, DO NOT reregister for this course. The computer will throw you out anyway. An incomplete maintains your registration. An incomplete will turn to an F if you do not make up the course in one semester.

This course can be taken credit/no-credit. If you want to go this route, fill out the form in the Admissions Office before the fourth week of school. I do not have to be informed that you have taken advantage of the credit/no-credit option.

If you have any questions you can contact me at my office. My office (8320) hours are posted at About My Courses. (NOT AN OPTION DURING SUMMER COLLEGE) You can call me at 659-6242 during those times or leave a message on my tape machine at any other time. (NOT AN OPTION DURING SUMMER COLLEGE) You can e-mail your questions, papers or exams to me at akirshner@ohlone.edu.

1. Few students complete the self-paced course. Not that this course is any more difficult than the classroom course, but most students are not use to scheduling their own time. I always advise students to take the classroom section as there is an instructor with a whip over them. If this is the only way your schedule permits you to take this course--GOOD LUCK!

2. Treat this course like any other scheduled class. If you set up a regular schedule you will finish the course and receive an excellent grade. Very few students who complete the course get a grade less than B. Most students get A grades, but as I wrote above, few students complete the course.

3. I advise you to follow the “Guidelines on Completion” as close as possible. Few students who wait for the last moment to turn in their work have done well. Getting ten two page reaction papers and three term-paper size exams done in a few days is near impossible.

4. Ohlone's withdrawal policy permits a student to withdraw before the third week of class without a grade or notation appearing on the transcript. Between the third and twelfth weeks of school a student must receive a W if s/he withdraws(BE SURE TO CHECK EXACT DATES IN THE CATALOGUE . If the student fails to withdraw after the stated date, s/he can only receive an F or an I.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is a survey of the cultural, social and political developments of civilization in the Mediterranean through the rise of early modern history. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Western Civilization before 1600 and includes a world perspective.

Philip Lee Ralph, et.al, World Civilizations: Their History and Their Culture, W.W. Norton & Company, Ninth Edition, Volume 1, 1997
This is a special edition re-produced to be sold to Ohlone students for less than the price of a new volume. If you can get any copy of the 1997 edition of the Philips text online-by all means get it!
ISBN: 978-0-393-13653-1

1. A reading list applicable to each section of the course outline is listed below. Upon completion of each reading assignment you must submit a two-page typed paper explaining what you learned about history, your society or yourself. This reaction paper is from the readings on reserve and in the textbook—not the podcasts, lecture videos or transcripts Please note that I am asking for a reaction paper, not a summary of the readings--I have read the material. Each paper is worth 10 points.

2. The assignment sheet lists lecture videos (2010) that you must view them at Ohlone iTunes(http://itunes.ohlone.edu/). Yes, you must view these videos or read the respective lecture online. You will find them by clicking on the tab that says "VIDEO-FALL 2010." If you are tired of viewing my face, there are also podcasts on iTunes from Fall, 2008. Actually, I have a few of these podcasts from 2008 listed as REQUIRED. You will get to them from the tab that says "AUDIO-FALL 2008". The quality of the sound is not very good and you might need to wear headphones to hear the lectures clearly. A set with adjustable sound is preferrable. You will need to download iTunes, if you do not have it on your computer, to view the videocasts. You can download iTunes free from Apple for a PC or Mac. http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ You can provide me with a blank DVD and I can copy the video lectures and return the disk.

3. After you have complete all the required assignments for Sections I through III, please contact me via e-mail to send you an exam. After you have completed all the required assignments for Sections IV through VII and Exam I, please contact me via e-mail to send you an exam. After completing all the required assignments for Sections VIII through X and Exam II, please contact me via e-mail to send you an exam All exams will consist of essay questions and you will have to answer one of the three questions provided.

4. If you have any questions regarding the readings or would like to discuss an historical event with me you can send it to me via e-mail or since, I think I will still have my office(8320), we can set up a mutually agreeable time to meet.

5. Again let me state that your exams MUST be mini-term papers. A term-paper is generally 25 to 30 pages. So I will let you decide what a mini-term paper is, but you can be sure itis not 2 or 3 pages.

6. Your grade will be an exact average of three exams and the sum total of ten two-page reaction papers (worth 10 points each).Translation--I will add up the four grades and divide by four. Grades are standard, eg. 89.6 to 100 is an A.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty defrauds all those who depend upon the integrity of the college, its courses, and its degrees and certificates. Students are expected to follow the ethical standards required in Ohlone courses. These standards are defined in the "Policy on Academic Dishonesty." Violations of this policy include cheating and plagiarism. If you cheat on an exam you will obtain a 0 on the exam and an F in the course. Once I enter the F grade you will not be able to take a W for the course.

STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT:
The student has the right and shares the responsibility to exercise the freedom to learn. The student is expected to conduct himself/herself in accordance with the standards of the College that are designed to perpetuate its educational purposes.

BEWARE:
“Too many people today view the world with a sense of personal entitlement. They harbor a belief they are somehow entitled to a grade, a degree, a job, a raise, a mortgage, a home, the good life in general; rather than recognizing most of these things actually need to be earned. We need to keep our commitment to a general and liberal education, with critical thinking as a core focus. Personal assumptions and beliefs need continual reflection and scrutiny under the bright lights of reality and social awareness. A sense of entitlement is difficult to maintain if one truly thinks in a critical manner.” From Dr. Jim Wright, Ohlone College’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, February 23, 2009

TELEPHONES: I can be reached at (510) 659-0358. My e-mail is akirshner@ohlone.edu.

2. gain an understanding of the impact of early civilizations on Modern societies.

3. develop an awareness of the interaction and intertwining of historical events.

4. develop specific knowledge of the history of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, the Medieval Era, the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Age of Exploration.

5. acquire, through the study of the past, practical skills necessary to cope effectively with Modern society.

6. develop the ability to solve problems through the process of rational thinking enhanced by studying the great minds of the past and tested in discussions and exams.

7. develop basic academic skills through the reading and memorization of important events in Western Civilization.

SECTIONS:
     I. BE PHYSICAL: An inquiry into the beginnings of civilization
          A. Interpretation of Evidence
          B. Nature or Nurture
          C. Evolution vs. Revolution
          D. Woman the Creator

    II.   LIFE AND DEATH: Early Civilization
          A. Geographical Determinism--Egypt and Mesopotamia
          B. Stirrings in Asia
          C. Rural-Urban Values
          D. Civilization to Civilization: Contributions

   III.   PERFECTION IS STERILE: Barbarian Tides
          A. Toilet Power: Crete
          B. Polis, Hubris, Ideals
         C. Antithesis—Sparta and Athens
          D. Alexander and Alexandrias(Hellenism)

    IV.   THE TWO FACED GODS: Polarization
          A. To Beware the Ides of March
          B. On the Way to the Forum and Away
          C. Decline and Fall, Maybe!
          D. Quest For Power in the East-Byzantium

     V.   A FISH STORY: The Rise of Christianity
          A. "Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous
          without ability."--George Bernard Shaw
         B. Internal Self
          C. A Cross to "Bare"
          D. From Temple to Mosque

    VI.   FALSE IMAGES: Early Medieval Europe
          A. It ain't so uniform!
          B. A Chess Game
          C. Miss America, then and now

   VII.   UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Disruption and Renewal
          A. Revealed Knowledge
          B. Faith and Reason
          C. Guilded
          D. The Crusading Spirit

VIII.   WHAT A PLAGUE!: The Waning of the Middle Ages
          A. The Changing Face of Heresy
          B. Economic Expansion
          C. 1453: Where to From Here
          D. Pegasus and Unicorns

     IX.   RENEWAL: The Renaissance
          A. A Rebirth of What?
          B. Men can do all things if they will--And women?
          C. Society and Art
          D. An Anal Retentive Victory

     X.   WHO IS SKEPTICAL?: Life and Expansion
          A. How do we live now?
          B. Mar Clausum vs. Effective Occupation
          C. Natural vs. Legal Servitude: blacks, women +
          D. Eurocentric--to be or not to be

NOTE:
All readings stated as required are required. Watching to the video podcasts at Ohlone iTunes(http://itunes.ohlone.edu/) is also required OR reading the lectures online listed under http://www2.Ohlone.Edu/people/akirshner/lectureswca.html. There are also some regular podcasts on the iTunes, however, the low sound may require you to wear headphones to hear the lectures.

I.       BE PHYSICAL!

       REQUIRED READING: Read all of the information about this course. Read Chapter 1 in World Civilization text and Velikovsky (on Reserve in Library under History 104A) with Jarmo (in same packet). I have also placed a copy at http://www.kirshnerisms.com/Bushman-Velikovsky-Jarmo.pdf . This copy is difficult to read.   I would also warn you that reading the Velikovsky material slowly and carefully could be dangerous to you health. Just scan read it to get a feel for his theories and the issues.

         ITunes Ohlone
         LECTURE 1: Orientation and Introduction to course - 8-30-10 ORIENTATION.mp4
         LECTURE 2: Site Map--Where are you? - 9-1-10 Site Map Exercise.mp4
         LECTURE 3: Nature or Nurture: Did Darwin get it wrong? - 9-8-10 Humankind & Civilization.mp4
         LECTURE 4: Will the real women please stand up? - 9-13-10 Civilization Continues.mp4

OR READ THESE LECTURE TRANSCRIPTS
Orientation, Orientation Continued, Site Map Exercise, Did Darwin get it Wrong?, Origins of Civilization, Woman, Homosexual, Beer and Civilization, Mother Goddess, Animals and Group Dynamics

         OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
         Lecture 1 (VID/549), Lecture 2 (VID/549), Lecture 3 (VID/550)
         Lecture 4 (VID/551), Lecture 5 (VID/552), Lecture 6 (VID/553), Lecture 27(VID/582)

Optional: Videos, "The Gods Must Be Crazy"--First 10 minutes only-- AND "Did Darwin Get It Wrong?

          ITunes Ohlone
          LECTURE 5: Velikovsky, right or wrong? - 9-15-10-Velikovsky.mp4
          LECTURE 6: Early Civilization w/ leftover beer! Geographical Determinism-Is god good or evil? Happy cows! - 9-20-10 Geographical Determinism.mp4
          LECTURE 7: Aryan/Iranian to Iraq & Contributions of the Ancients - 9-22-10 Mesopotamia.mp4 & 9-27-10 Johnson on Mesopotamia.mp4
          LECTURE 8: Egypt: Mummies, Mommies + Brothers & Sisters; LAW & ORDER + CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE 9/26/08 (podcast) & 9-29-10-Egypt.mp4

OR READ THESE LECTURE TRANSCRIPTS
Velikovsky (true or false?) and Geographical Determinism, Geography, God and Floods!, Dating in Mesopotamia and Egypt, Who Wore the Pants in Mesopotamia?, Contributions of the Ancients!, LAW & ORDER + CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE!

   OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
Lecture 7 (VID/554), Lecture 8 (VID/555), Lecture 9   (VID/555), Lecture 10 (VID/556), Lecture 11 (VID/557)
          ALSO VIEW: Videos, "Egypt, Dreams & Rituals" AND "Egypt, Women's place and life in the Village

          ITunes Ohlone
          LECTURE 9: Trojans for all; Half Bull=Crete 9/29/08 podcast & 10-4-10-Minoan to Greece.mp4
          LECTURE 10: Rules for Writing Essay Questions!; Cheating at Ohlone and in Ancient Greece - 10-6-10 Rules for Essays + Greece.mp4
          LECTURE 11: The Greek Way! - 10-11-10 Athens vs. Sparta Philosophy.mp4
          LECTURE 12: Greek Reality: Plato or Aristotle 10/8/08 1:01:09 Ohlone College History 104A Free

OR READ THESE LECTURE TRANSCRIPTS
Beware the Greeks with the Trojans, Fates, Hubris and Polis + Bull Stories, Water vs. Rock: Athens and Sparta, Gold leads to Art, Philosophy, Perfection and even War, Girlie-Men Conquer the World!

          OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
          Lecture 12 (VID/558), Lecture 13 (VID/559), Lecture 14 (VID/560), Lecture 15 (VID/561)

         Optional: Video, "The Greeks, In Search of Meaning"

REQUIRED READING: Chapter 9 and pages 258-262, 274-278, 278- 291, 364-377

         ITunes Ohlone
         LECTURE 13: Return Exam-go over; Alexander the Great 10/15/08 podcast
         LECTURE 14: Rome-A Two Faced Republic - 10-17-10 Early Rome.mp4 & 10-25-10 Johnson on Rome.mp4
         LECTURE 15: Rome from HBO; Group chaos! - 10-27-10 HBO Rome.mp4
         LECTURE 16: Rome reclines! 10/24/08 - 11-1-10 Roman Culture-Empire.mp4
         LECTURE 17: Truth or Consequences: As Rome moves on! - 11-3-10 Review of Fall + Christianity.mp4
         LECTURE 18: Idiots and Monsters and Five Good Guys; Blame the Christians! - 11-5-10 Christianity.mp4

OR READ THESE LECTURE TRANSCRIPTS
RETURN EXAM & ROME-Two Faced!, Dear Pres. Bush, The Younger: The US is no Rome!, Friends, Romans, Countrymen: The Late Republic, Hail Caesar & Caesar & Caesar, Sex, Lies and Rome

         OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
         Lecture 16 (VID/573), Lecture 17 (VID/573), Lecture 18 (VID/574), Lecture 19 (VID/574), Lecture 20 (VID/575) & Video, "The Romans: Life, Laughter and Law"

V.     A FISH STORY

         ITunes Ohlone
         LECTURE 19: Lead in their pipes bring on the Christians 10/31/08 podcast
         LECTURE 20: A US Election to be Remembered-An Easter that is Remembered + The Way of the Cross - 11-8-10 Power of Church & Medieval Europe.mp4
         LECTURE 21: From Temple to Mosque - 11-10-10 Invasions-Islam.mp4

OR READ THESE LECTURE TRANSCRIPTS
An Easter to Remember: The Beginnings of Christianity, The Way of the Cross

   OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
         Lecture 21 (VID/576), Lecture 22 (VID/577), Lecture 23 (VID/578) ALSO VIEW: Videos, "Testament: The Bible & History AND "Gospel Truth,"

Optional: LECTURE VIDEO #6 Music from Islam, Ancient Egypt, China, India. Gregorian Chants(11/6/92)

ITunes Ohlone
LECTURE 22: False it is! The Dark Knight is White & Plays Chess! 11/7/08 podcast & 11-15-10 MANOR, FEUDALISM.mp4

   OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
         Lecture 24 (VID/579), Lecture 25 (VID/580)

VII. UNIVERSAL TRUTH

         REQUIRED READING: pp.421-454, 461-493

ITunes Ohlone
LECTURE 23: Pillars of the Earth - 11-29-10 Crusades, Economic Expansion & Cities.mp4

OR READ THESE LECTURE TRANSCRIPTS
Learning the Hard Way!, School Used to be Fun & Now it is a Riot!

         OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
         Lecture 25 (VID/580), Lecture 26 (VID/581), Lecture 28 (VID/583), Lecture 29 (VID/584) ALSO VIEW:Video, "The Middle Ages, A Wanderer's Guide"

ITunes Ohlone
LECTURE 24: World without end or the future isn't what it used to be! - 12-1-10 Where to from here?.mp4

OR READ THESE LECTURE TRANSCRIPTS
Crusades: Now and Then!, The Aftermath of Death!, Connections-Film, Where to From Here?

OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
Lecture 30 (VID/584), Lecture 31 (VID/585), Lecture 32 (VID/585),Lecture 33 (VID/585), Lecture 35 (VID/586)

ITunes Ohlone
LECTURE 25: Humble-to be or not to be? - 12-6-10 Renaissance.mp4

OR READ THESE LECTURE TRANSCRIPTS
Renaissance: Humble--to be or not to be!, Dissent! Renaissance Video, Three for the Price of One!, Like It or Not, We are All Protestant! Part I; Like It or Not, We are All Protestant! Part II

OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
Lecture 36 (VID/587), Lecture 37 (VID/587), Lecture 38 (VID/588), LECTURE VIDEO: #9 The Arts of the Renaissance (12/14/92)

ITunes Ohlone
LECTURE 26: The flat earth society prevails - 12-8-2010 Reformation & Age of Exploration.mp4

OR VIDEOTAPES IN LIBRARY
Lecture 39 (VID/588), Lecture 40 (VID/589)Lecture 41 (VID/590), Lecture 42 (VID/590)

The schedule that follows suggests completion dates for your assignments.

Although it is not mandatory, I strongly urge you to adhere to this schedule.
NOTES: I PREFER ALL PAPERS TO BE SENT TO ME VIA E-MAIL: AKIRSHNER@OHLONE.EDU.

Either send them in Word format or a pdf file. You can insert the papers into the e-mail or both. Please do not send it to me in Works or Word Perfect or any other word processing format but Word.

Place your name on all papers you send plus the Section number of the reaction paper. Do not, I repeat, do not, simply list the chapters or pages read. I need the Section & or paper number. When sending your exams, remember to return the question with your answers.

September 7: I MUST HAVE RECEIVED YOUR ONLINE FORM INDICATING YOU ARE IN THE COURSE BY TODAY OR I NEED TO INDICATE ON MY ATTENDANCE REPORT THAT YOU ARE A NO SHOW. BE SURE YOU KEEP A COPY OF THE TIME STAMPED SHEET THAT APPEARS AFTER YOU SEND IT OR A COPY OF MY CONFIRMATION THAT I RECEIVED IT. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE YOUR CLAIM THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE DROPPED YOU WILL FALL ON MY DEAF EARS!

EXAM I October 10 (If you have not turned in at least one paper by this date, I urge you to withdraw from the class.)

November 5: IF YOU HAVE NOT TURNED IN ANY WORK BY THIS DATE OR HAVE NOT SENT ME A NOTE INDICATING THAT YOU INTEND TO COMPLETE THIS COURSE THIS SEMESTER I WILL DROP YOU AS OF THIS DATE. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE MY TIME REQUESTING THAT I ADD YOU BACK INTO THE COURSE.

EXAM II November 21 (if you are only ready to take Exam I by this date, I urge you to withdraw.)

EXAM III December 13 (If you haven't completed the course by this time you will receive an F for this semester. I probablty will not grade any late exams until after Spring semester begins unless I give you special dispensation or an incomplete form has been filled out .

NOTES: My E-mail address is AKirshner@ohlone.edu - this is the way to turn in your assignments and exams (you will request exams via e-mail after completing all papers due before said exam). My web page to view example exams is at http://www2.ohlone.edu/people/akirshner/westcivaexams.html Other information is at http://www.ohlone.edu/people/akirshner/wcasp.html.

I will try to post grades weekly after the first three weeks of the semester at: http://www.Ohlone.edu/people/akirshner/gradeswc.html

AND

http://www.kirshnerisms.com/gradeswc.html

OFFICE HOURS: By arrangement

TELEPHONE: I can be reached at 659-0358.
In case of an emergency, you can call me or text me at (510) 468-6307. Please be clear in your message about why you are calling, the date and the time, as my answering machine on this cell phone fails to give me the latter information.