Course Syllabus

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Western Civilization I

Spring 2021              

Valencia College

Course: EUH 2000 (3 credit hours)          

Modality: ONLINE in Canvas https://online.valenciacollege.edu/

Length of Term: 16 weeks for full-term courses (01.11.21 – 05.02.21)

Instructor: Professor Bizon                                                                                                                                                                       

Office hours: By appointment only.

The best way to reach me for any questions is through Canvas.

 

Text:

Western Civilizations, Vol. 1, Brief Fifth Edition by Joshua Cole and Carol Symes. You must have an InQuizitive code.

 

Prerequisite:

Minimum grade of C in ENC1101 or ENC1101H.

 

Description:

Survey of ancient, medieval and early modern Western civilization with emphasis on political, social and economic development. Examines the ancient world, classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation and the age of religious wars, the origins of the modern state, and other topics. Gordon Rule course in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple writing assignments. Minimum grade C required if EUH2000 is used to satisfy Gordon Rule requirements.

 

Course Objectives:

Students will be able to recall the principal persons, places, and events from the chronological framework of this course.

Students will be able to synthesize the thematic historical influences that shaped the early history of Western Civilization.

Students will be able to explain the impact of the individual, regardless of societal rank, as participants in the making of history.

Students will be able to assess the role that diversity plays in the shaping of the early history of Western Civilization.

Students will be able to detect the lessons, patterns or characteristics from historical events to better understand present day happenings.

Students will be able to interpret historical events by using appropriate historical methods.

Students will be able to demonstrate college-level writing skills.

 

Important Dates:

Start of semester— Jan 11, 2021

End of semester—May 2, 2021

Drop deadline—Jan 19, 2021

Withdrawal deadline—Mar 26, 2021

Final exam—Apr 26-May 1, 2021

Spring Break—Mar 8-14, 2021

 

You can find the Valencia College calendar at http://valenciacollege.edu/calendar/

The Valencia College policy manual is at http://www.valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/

 

Grades:

Your grade is based on the following components: assignments, quizzes/tests, a Final Exam, and a written paper (see below). Please note that extra credit, if any, will ONLY be available to the entire class. The final exam will be cumulative. There will be NO make-ups of any quizzes or tests. Assignments not turned in on time will receive a 0.

 

 

The final grade will be broken down as follows:

Assignments                                   20%                                                 

Quizzes/Tests                                30%                    

Final Exam                                      25%

Paper                                             25%

 

The grading scale is:

90-100%             A

80-89%               B

70-79%               C

60-69%               D

Below 60%         F

 

The +/- system will not be used in this class.

 

Research Paper

 

You will be required to write a research paper for this class.

 

You will choose one of the topics from the topic list provided. If there is a topic that you’d really like to do but is not on the list, you may contact me for approval. You must contact me with your topic by February 1, but don’t delay--each topic may only be done by one person. Topics are on a first-come, first-served basis. The first person to request a topic gets to do it. Contact me through Canvas to request your topic.

 

The emphasis of the paper should be on why you think your topic is important. What influence did your topic have on the rest of history?

 

Your paper should be in Chicago style. Include a title page, endnotes, and list of works cited. Please note that a list of works cited is a list of works that you have referred to in your paper, not sources that you simply got information from. You should have at least five different sources that you use. Also, Wikipedia, other encyclopedias, and websites like Ducksters are not valid sources of information for your sources. These are fine for gathering information at the start of your project, but you must acquire more scholarly sources for use in the paper. Books or scholarly articles are acceptable. Please contact a librarian if you need help with this. The entire paper should be 7-8 pages long. Use 1-inch margins and Times New Roman or Calibri (11 point) font.

 

The paper is due at 11:59 p.m. on April 23, 2021. You will submit your paper online, and it will be checked for plagiarism.

 

Final exam policy:

All professors are required to give final examinations to all credit students (except those taking course work for audit) during the scheduled final examination period (Apr 26-May 1, 2021). The final examination in this course is worth 25%. Any student not completing the examination will receive 0 of those possible points, and this will impact the final average in the course. See Final Exam Policy at http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policy/default.cfm?policyID=75&volumeID_1=4&navst=0.

 

Lecture topics:

Module 1—Greece

Module 2—Roman Republic

Module 3—Roman Empire

Module 4—Early Medieval Period—Heirs of Rome

Module 5—Medieval Conflicts

Module 6—Dawn of a New Age

Corona Virus Resources and Aid

• Virtual Answer Center: You can now connect with an Answer Center advisor virtually through Zoom! In our virtual Answer Center, student services advisors are available to assist you with questions about admissions, financial aid, assessment, transcripts, residency and more. Visit https://valenciacollege.edu/students/answer-center/ to learn more and get started.
• Academic Advising: Have questions about your courses? Advisors are available virtually by email (advising@valenciacollege.edu ) or through live chat at https://valenciacollege.edu/about/support/atlas-advising-chat-setup.php .
• Valencia’s Virtual Tutoring Service: In response to COVID-19, Valencia’s tutoring services have moved online and are now being offered for accounting & economics, computer programming, math, EAP and foreign languages, science, and writing. To get started, please visit https://libguides.valenciacollege.edu/c.php?g=1014597&p=7348794 and self-enroll in the tutoring courses in Canvas. This is where you will access the links to live tutoring (via Zoom), as well as the schedule of tutors, times, and services.
• Valencia Counselors: Our Valencia Counselors are here for guidance and support. Please visit https://valenciacc.ut1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40fCWDqhRBjrNrv to set up a non-emergency appointment. Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for a counselor to contact you. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact BayCare (800) 878-5470 or 9-1-1.
• Laptop Request: Valencia College has a limited number of laptops available on a first come, first serve basis for student use during this time. Please visit valenciacollege.edu/laptop to submit a request. Note: This link will direct you to Atlas to complete the request form. For questions, please email laptops@valenciacollege.edu or call Enrollment Services at 407-582-1507.
• Keep Learning: Visit https://valenciacollege.edu/students/online/keep-learning/ if you are still unable to find what you are looking for, please visit our Keep Learning webpage to get information on a wide range of resources and online learning tips.

• Community Resources: We know this is a time of change, so if you find yourself in need of additional resources, please visit https://valenciacollege.edu/alerts/coronavirus- community-resources.php to view a list of local and national resources that may be helpful to you or your family as we navigate this together.
• Getting Started with Zoom: First time navigating Zoom, we are here to help! Please visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/17fkaEthRrYCXbR9SYT1JyYoD02F2lqXNr14UCozD tYc/edit to help you connect with Zoom inside your Canvas courses. I do not believe we will use Zoom in this course, but here’s help in case you do elsewhere.
• Atlas Support: All Atlas related questions, please reach out to 407-582-5444 or contact the student help desk at askatlas@valenciacollege.edu to receive assistance with Atlas or your Atlas account.

Extenuating circumstances such as religious observances, jury duty, participation in extracurricular activities in which students are official representatives of the college, and active military obligations are recognized as excused absences; however, you must notify me two weeks in advance, so we can determine how to best help you move forward based on how long you will be absent from the course. 

If you are unable to participate in the course for other reasons, e.g. illness, family emergency, etc., please communicate with me as soon as possible in order to create a plan to complete any missed assignments so that your learning can progress in your course. In the case of a prolonged online absence of one week or more, continuation in the course will be determined on a case-by-case basis through discussion between you and your professor.

Students with disabilities:

Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a Notification to Instructor (NTI) form from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class.  The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. East Campus Bldg. 5, Rm. 216; Ph: 407-582-2229, Fax: 407-582-8908, TTY: 407-582-1222

 

Student wellness:

Valencia College is interested in making sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college experience. To that purpose, Valencia students can get immediate help with issues dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship problems dealing with school, home or work. BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (SAP) services are free to all Valencia students and available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 878-5470. Free face-to-face counseling is also available.

 

Internet Research statement:

Because of the variety of sources, ease of publication, lack of central control and proliferation of commercial information on the free Internet, it is often hard to tell if the information is reliable. Many sites contain research and information of high quality. However, unlike traditional print publications or library-based electronic resources, there is usually no process of peer review, nor is there an editor verifying the accuracy of information presented on the Internet. There are an increasing number of sites containing information that may be incomplete, anonymously written, out-of-date, biased, fraudulent, or whose content may not be factual. Students should, therefore, use caution in use of the free Internet for their research needs. For academic topics that are addressed in scholarly literature, use of electronic databases or visiting the library may better meet your needs. However, each professor makes the final determination of what is or is not accepted as a valid source so review the syllabus for specific guidelines from your professor.

 

Technology use:

As a courtesy to both your fellow students and myself, please make sure all cell phones are turned off before the start of class. Laptops, tablets, and other similar devices are permitted for note-taking. No other electronic devices are permitted during class time. No electronic devices of any sort are allowed for quizzes and tests.

 

Withdrawals:

A student is permitted to withdraw from a class on or before the withdrawal deadline of Mar 26, 2021, as published in the College calendar. A student is not permitted to withdraw from a class after the withdrawal deadline. A student who withdraws from class before the established deadline for a particular term will receive a grade of “W.” Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F.” For a complete policy and procedure overview: http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policy/default.cfm?policyID=75&volumeID_1=4&navst=0

Valencia core competencies:

Valencia faculty have defined four interrelated competencies (Think, Value, Communicate, ACT) that prepare students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are outlined in the College Catalog. In this course, through lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you will further develop your mastery of those competencies. Additional information is available in the College Catalog: http://valenciacollege.edu/competencies/.

 

Student code of conduct:

Valencia College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the professor. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the professor to leave the class. Violation of any classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook or at http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policy/default.cfm?policyID=180&volumeID_1=8&navst=0.

 

Academic dishonesty:

All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at VC.  Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive. All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the students' individual thoughts, research, and self-expression.  Whenever a student uses ideas, wording, or organization from another source, the source shall be appropriately acknowledged.  Any form of cheating during exams will constitute an immediate “F” for that quiz/exam.  Plagiarism will result in a “0” for that assignment.  Other sanctions available to the professor should a violation occur are described in the Valencia Student Handbook or online http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policy/default.cfm?policyID=193&volumeID_1=8&navst=0.

 

Misc.:

Please be advised that all course materials are the intellectual property of the instructor and may not be distributed outside the class without my permission.

 

The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or schedule. I will give you as much advanced notice as possible if there will be a change. It is your responsibility to keep abreast of any changes.