Course Description
An introduction to the premodern West, from the start of the
written record up to the Age of Exploration. Explores the
practices and priorities of a succession of different societies,
highlighting how these behaviors and ideas manifested themselves
in art, economy, ethnic identity, gender, government,
philosophy, play, religion, and technology.
Athena Title
Western Society to 1500
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HIST 2311H
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about the pre-modern European world through gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays about pre-modern European history and texts. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how pre-modern European history shaped social and cultural identities in Europe, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
Topical Outline
- Introduction
- Pre-history & Mesopotamia
- Ancient Egypt
- Western Asia
- Minoans & Ancient Greece
- Classical Greece
- The Hellenistic World
- Republican Rome
- Late Empire
- Early Christianity
- Late Antiquity and New Kingdoms
- Rise of the Christian Church
- Byzantium
- Rise of Islam
- Carolingian and Post-Carolingian Eras
- Medieval Economy and Society
- The Crusades
- Social and Religious Movements
- Medieval Learning and Culture
- Fourteenth-Century Calamity
- Crisis and Consolidation
- The Renaissance: Humanism
- The Renaissance: Fine Art
General Education Core
CORE IV: World Languages and Global Culture
CORE V: Social Sciences
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
