THE PREMODERN WORLD
HIS 301F (#39540)/ AHC 310 (#33120)
MWF 11-12
UTC 3.112
Description
This lower-division, lecture course provides an overview of global development from roughly
30,000 BCE to 1500 CE. It introduces students to the main political, social, and cultural
trends in a variety of societies while at the same time stressing the global perspective.
Considerable emphasis is paid to comparative history and the study of cross-cultural
encounters. "The Premodern World" aims to teach historical thinking as well as historical
content, impart a basic grasp of the premodern past, and stimulate the development of largescale frameworks for historical analysis. Although this course has no prerequisites and
assumes no prior knowledge of the subject, students are presumed to be capable of critical
reflection upon both lectures and readings.
This course carries a Global Cultures flag.
Teaching Staff
Prof. Cynthia Talbot
[email protected]
Office Hrs: Wed. 1-3 pm & by appt.
Office: GAR 3.106
Required Texts (can be purchased at the Co-op or borrowed from PCL reserves)
1) Robert W. Strayer, Ways of the World, A Brief Global History with Sources
Vol.1: To 1500, Bedford/ St. Martins.
2) Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, Viking Press.
Note: The contents of A History of the World in 100 Objects are also available as podcasts at
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ahow/all>, with accompanying images at <
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/about/british-museum-objects/>.
Additional Required Readings (articles & book sections posted on Blackboard site)
§
R. Brian Ferguson, “Pinker’s List: Exaggerating Prehistoric War Mortality,” in War,
Peace and Human Nature: The Convergence, edited Doughlas P. Fry, (NY: Oxford
University Press, 2013), pp. 112-31.
§
Steven Pinker, “The Pacification Process,” in Better Angels of Our Nature: Why
Violence has Declined (NY: Viking, 2011), pp. 31-58.
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§
Ashoka, Rock Edict XIII, adapted from The Edicts of Asoka, ed. & trans. N. A. Nikam
& Richard McKeon (University of Chicago Press, 1959).
§
Sima Qian, “Autobiographical Letter” & “Basic Annals of Qin Dynasty” in Herodotus
and Sima Qian by Thomas R. Martin (Boston: Bedford St. Martin’s, 2010), pp. 85100.
§
Arrian, “The Mutiny at Opis,” in Alexander the Great: Selections, edited James Romm
(Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2005), pp. 157-64.
§
Augustus, “The Achievements of Augustus (Res Gestae Divi Augusti)” in Augustus
and the Creation of the Roman Empire by Ronald Mellor (Boston: Bedford St.
Martin’s, 2006), 59-69.
§
Ibn Fadlan, section on the Rus in Ibn Fadlan and the Land of Darkness, trans. Paul
Lunde & Caroline Stone (London: Penguin, 2012), pp. 44-55.
§
Ibn Battuta, section on Mali in Travels in Asia and Africa 1325-1354, tr. and ed. H. A.
R. Gibb (London: Broadway House, 1929). Excerpt from Internet Medieval
Sourcebook, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1354-ibnbattuta.html, accessed
11/11/2010.
§
Ibn Jubayr, section on Acre, Tyre and Sicily in The Travels of Ibn Jubayr, trans. R. J.
C. Broadhurst (New Delhi: Goodword Bks 1997 [1952]), pp. 318-50.
§
Rabban Sauma, section on Europe in The History of The Life and Travels of Rabban
Sawma, trans. E. A. Wallis Budge (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1928).
§
Marco Polo, section on India in Travels of Marco Polo, trans. Ronald Latham
(Penguin Classics, 1979), pp. 260-94.
Requirements: Students are expected:
*to attend all lectures
*to prepare all reading assignments thoughtfully
*to participate in at least FIVE worksheet-based discussion sessions
*to complete three exams
Grading procedure
The three exams will consist of both short answer and essay questions, and will together
comprise 82% of the course grade. A series of six worksheets will be assigned during the
scheduled discussion sessions; five will count towards the course grade. Attendance and
participation will also be assessed.
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The various aspects of student performance are weighted as follows:
exam 1 (Sept. 27)
exam 2 (Oct. 25)
exam 3 (Dec. 6)
5 discussion worksheets
attendance & participation
= 27%
= 27%
= 28%
= 15%
= 3%
We will NOT be using pluses and minuses for the course grade this semester.
Attendance policy.
Discussion worksheets cannot be made up: NO EXCEPTIONS. They must be completed
during the class session scheduled for discussion – emailed or late worksheets will not be
accepted. There will be a total of six discussion sessions & worksheets – you must complete
five out of the six. Make-up exams will be administered only with a documented excuse and
the consent of the professor.
Religious holy days sometimes conflict with class and examination schedules. It is the policy
of UT-Austin that you must notify each of your instructors at least fourteen days prior to the
classes scheduled on dates you will be absent to observe a religious holy day.
Policy on special accommodations. At the beginning of the semester, students who need
special accommodations should notify the instructor by presenting a letter prepared by the
Services for Students with Disabilities (SDD) Office. To ensure that the most appropriate
accommodations can be provided, students should contact the SSD Office at 471-6259 or 4714641 TTY.
Read more at:
http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/
Academic integrity. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are
subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or
dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and
the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
Read details at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis.php
Blackboard and laptop/messaging device policy. The course web site on Blackboard will be
used to post assignments and make announcements relating to the course – check the site
regularly for new information. It is your responsibility to maintain a functioning email
account linked to Blackboard.
Read university policy at: http://www.utexas.edu/its/policies/emailnotify/html
All students have the right to learn in a supportive environment: The use of a laptop should
not distract others and is acceptable during lectures or class discussions only for note-taking
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or instructor-directed web-surfing. All mobile messaging devices must be turned off and
stored away during class.
class discussions for note-taking or instructor-directed web-surfing.
To record audio or visuals of lectures you must have a written consent from the lecturer.
Keep in touch! If you are having difficulty with the course or must be absent for a period due
to personal issues, stop by during office hours or be in touch by email. Don’t wait until weeks
have passed and it’s too late to catch up.
*****************************************************
Schedule of Class Meetings & Readings
Pt. I: Emergence of Human Societies, a Global Perspective
Wk 1. INTRODUCTION
W Aug. 28
Introduction to Course
F Aug. 30
The British Musem & Its 100 Objects
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch1. “First Peoples, To 10,000 BCE;”
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects #1-5.
Wk 2. AGRICULTURE & ITS IMPACTS
W Sept. 4
From Foraging to Farming
F Sept. 7
Spread of Agriculture
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch2. “First Farmers, 10,000 BCE-3000 BCE;
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects #6-10;
& R. Brian Ferguson, “Pinker’s List: Exaggerating Prehistoric War Mortality” (BB).
Wk 3. THE FIRST CIVILIZATIONS
M Sept. 9
Violence & Warfare in Prehistoric Times: A Contested Issue
W Sept. 11
Cities & Civilizations: An Overview
F Sept. 13
Urban Revolution in Mesopotamia
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch3. “First Civilizations, 3500 BCE-500 BCE;”
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& Hist. of World in 100 Objects #11-20;
& Steven Pinker, “The Pacification Process” (BB).
Wk 4. DIFFERING TRAJECTORIES: FROM CITIES TO VILLAGES
M Sept. 16
Indus Valley Civilization
W Sept. 18
Discussion 1
F Sept. 20
The Classical Maya in an American Context
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch7. “Classical Era Variations: Africa & Americas;”
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects, Objects # 22, 24, 29, 37, 38, 48, 51.
Wk 5. DIFFERING TRAJECTORIES: VIEW OUTSIDE EURASIA
M Sept. 23
Diversity of Sub-Saharan Africa
W Sept. 25
Exam Review
F Sept. 27
Exam 1
PART II – Comparing Classical Empires, 500 BCE to 500 CE
Wk 6. CLASSICAL AGE IN ASIA
M Sept. 30
Teachings of Buddha & Confucius
W Oct. 2
Emperor Ashoka & His Message of Dharma F Oct. 4
Shih Huangdi, First Emperor of China
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch4. “Eurasian Empires, 500 BCE-500 CE;”
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects: #23, 30, 32 & 41;
& Asoka's Rock Edict XIII (class handout);
& Sima Qian, “Autobiographical Letter” & “Basic Annals of Qin Dynasty” (BB).
Wk 7. THE FIRST HISTORIANS
M Oct. 7
Historian Sima Qian, on the Qin-Han Empires
W Oct. 9
Discussion 2
F Oct. 11
Historian Herodotus, on the Greek-Persian Wars
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch5. “Eurasian Cultural Traditions, 500 BCE-500 CE;
& Ch6. “Eurasian Social Hierarchies;"
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects: #26-28, 34.
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Wk. 8. CLASSICAL AGE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
M Oct. 14
Alexander & the Hellenistic Empire
W Oct. 16
Augustus, First Emperor of Rome
F Oct. 18
video: The Roman Empire in the First Century
reading: Hist. of World in 100 Objects: #31, 33, 35, 36, 40, 42-44;
& Augustus, Res Gestae Divi Augustus (BB);
& Arrian on Alexander the Great (BB).
Wk 9. COMPARING CLASSICAL EMPIRES
M Oct. 21
Discussion 3
W Oct. 23
Comparing Han & Roman Empires
F Oct. 25
Exam 2
PART III -- Cross-Cultural History: Spread of Civilizations, 500-1500
Wk 10. EXPANDING ECONOMIC & CULTURAL SPHERES
M Oct. 28
Sea, Silk, and Sand Roads in Eurasia, 500-1500 W Oct. 30
Aftermath of Empire: The Making of Europe
F Nov. 1
Expansion of European Culture: View from England
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch8. “Commerce and Culture, 500-1500;”
& Ch10. “Worlds of European Christendom, 500-1300;”
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects # 47, 50, 53-54, 56, 59-61.
Wk 11. SPREAD OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
M Nov. 4
Islamic Civilization: Expansion & Exchange
W Nov.6
Travellers to the Edges of Dar al-Islam: Ibn Fadlan & Ibn Battuta
F Nov. 8
Ibn Jubayr & Muslim-Christian Societies of the Mediterranean
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch11. “Worlds of Islam: Afro-Eurasia, 600-1500;”
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects#45, 46, 52, 57, 62:
& Ibn Fadlan on the Rus (BB);
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& Ibn Battuta on Mali (BB);
& Ibn Jubayr on the Crusader states (BB).
Wk 12. EXPANSION OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION
M Nov. 11
Prosperity of Postclassical China
W Nov. 13
Discussion 4
F Nov. 15
Expansion of Chinese Culture: View from Japan
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch9. “China & World: East Asian Connections;”
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects: #49, 55, 58.
Wk 13. THE MONGOL AGE
M Nov. 18
Mongol Conquests W Nov. 20
Travellers of the Pax Mongolica: Rabban Sauma goes to Europe
F Nov. 22
Travellers of the Pax Mongolica: Marco Polo goes to India
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch12. “Pastoral Peoples on the Global Stage:
The Mongol Moment, 1200-1500;
& Hist. of World in 100 Objects: #64, 66-67, 72;
& Rabban Sauma on Europe (BB);
& Marco Polo on India (BB).
Wk 14. DISEASE IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD
M Nov. 25
Black Death
W Nov. 27
to be announced
Wk 15. SUMMING UP: CROSS-CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS, 500-1500
M Dec. 2
Discussion 5
W Dec. 4
Global Connections
F Dec. 6
Exam 3
reading: Strayer, Ways, Ch13. “The Worlds of the Fifteenth Century.”
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