Course Syllabus – Spring 2011
The College at Southwestern
HIS 1103-A W/F 1:15-2:30 Room F-17
Instructor: Kevin Stilley
Office Hours: By Appointment
Email: kstilley@swbts.edu
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kevinstilley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kevin.stilley
Catalog Description
A study of the history and philosophy of western civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity.
Course Objectives
- Appreciation of God’s providence in the overall pattern of history.
- To gain knowledge of the main events, ideas and persons that have shaped western civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity.
- To understand how the Biblical record and western civilization are related and be able to outline the relationship between revelation and historical records.
- Development of the skill of applying history to contemporary ideas and issues
Required Texts
- Susan Wise Bauer. The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
- Paul L. Maier. The Flames of Rome
- R.K. Harrison. Old Testament Times
Recommended Texts
- A good historically oriented study Bible is strongly recommended. Two of the better ones are the ESV Study Bible and the NIV Archaeological Study Bible.
- Lynn Troyka & Douglas Hesse. Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers, 8th ed.
Blackboard
Blackboard and SWBTS student email will be used for class communications. Students should check both Blackboard and student email daily for possible communications from the instructor. WARNING: Use of Blackboard requires that students pass an e-license test. Complete this test as early as possible during the semester to avoid being locked out of Blackboard at the time the first exam is being conducted via that medium. Alternative dates and formats for the test will NOT be offered.
Assignments
Grades will be determined based upon completion of three exams, two writing assignments/projects, and class participation.
- Examination #1 (25%) – This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam.
- Examination #2 (25%) – This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam.
- Final Exam: (25%) – The date and time for the final exam may not coincide with normal class days and times. You must make yourself available to take the final exam at the scheduled time during finals week. No alternative times or venues for the exam will be offered.
- Writing Assignments / Projects (20%): Two writing projects have been assigned for this semester.
o Create in the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons Why Christians should be interested in history?” It may be helpful to consult the list of quotations found at http://kevinstilley.com/history-select-quotes/ (5%)
o A timeline combining the main events from the Hebrew Bible with the material from our textbooks. The project can take many forms and students are encouraged to use creativity in its creation (examples: board game, music, poetry, website, map, art, PowerPoint presentation, etc.). (15%)
- Participation (5%): All students are expected to attend class, be punctual, and participate appropriately in classroom discussion. To engage in classroom discussion of the assigned reading it is imperative that all reading assignments be conducted in a timely fashion. Be prepared or we may have to resort to the scenario found at the following url; http://kevinstilley.com/a-warning-for-my-students/. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of all class sessions and again after each break. Absences or tardiness will adversely affect your grade. Absences in excess of six (three for night classes) will result in an automatic failure of the class. Students are free to record the class. Guests are generally welcome, but please request permission from the instructor. Laptops, iPhones, and similar devices may NOT be used during class as their usefulness is far outweighed by their ability to create a distraction.
- OPTIONAL: A book report on The Flames of Rome may be substituted for any one of the above assignments.
Grades
Grades will be determined by the following scale: 100-98 (A+); 97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-); 89-88(B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78 (C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68 (D+); 67-63 (D); 62-60 (D-); Below 60 = F.
“When a man is busy at study, the Evil Impulse whispers to him: Why tarryest thou here. Go and join the men who flirt with pretty women.” – Talmud, Zohar, ii, 265b
Tentative Schedule
HIS 1103-A | Topic | Assignment Due Today |
January 14 | Introduction to Course | Please print out and bring your syllabus to this class session. |
January 19 | What Is History and Why Should It Be Important to Christians? | Read: Harrison, chapter 1
Turn In: In the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons Why Christians should be interested in history?” |
January 21 | Pre-history & Genesis 1-11 | Read: Genesis 1-11; Bauer, Preface; The Everlasting Man – Chapter 2 (available on Blackboard) |
January 26 | Sumer & Akkad | Read: Bauer, chapters 1, 2, 3, 8, 10
|
January 28 | Egypt | Read: Bauer chapter 4, 7, 9, 11
|
February 2 | The Patriarchal Period | Read: Harrison, chapter 3 |
February 4 | Hyksos, Hammurabi, Moses & The Nation of Israel | Read: Bauer chapters 23, 27, 32; Harrison, pages 119-127, 144-150
|
February 9 | Western Semitic Power Grabs / David, Solomon, & Rehoboam (The United and Divided Kingdom) | Read: Bauer chapters 34, 39, 45,
Recommended: Harrison, chapter 7 |
February 11 | Assyria, Babylon, the Medes & The Persians | Read: Bauer pp. 371-390, 410-417, 443-468, Old Testament book of Daniel |
February 16 | Examination #1 | Examination #1 – On Blackboard |
February 18 | “Meanwhile in Greece…” | Read: Bauer pp. 183-190, 224-228, 253-257, 281-284 |
February 23 | Greek Mythology & Religion | Recommended: Hellenistic-Roman Religions, by Everett Ferguson (available on Blackboard)
|
February 25 | The Persian Wars
History Channel Video: The 300 |
Read: Bauer pp. 514-534 |
March 2 | History Channel Video: The 300 (pt. 2) – Birth of Democracy | Read: Bauer pp. 350-352, 354-358, 418-430 |
March 4 | The Peloponnesian Wars & Alexander the Great | Read: Bauer pp. 539-554; 570-582; 591-607 |
March 9 | Pre-Socratic Philosophy | Recommended:
|
March 11 | Socrates, Sophists, Plato | Recommended: The Sophists, Socrates and Plato, by A. H. Armstrong (available on Blackboard) |
March 23 | Aristotle | Recommended: Plato and Aristotle, by Donald Palmer (available on Blackboard) |
March 25 | Hellenistic & Early Roman Philosophy | Recommended: Stoics, Cynics, Epicureans, and Sceptics, by A. H. Armstrong (available on Blackboard) |
March 30 | Examination #2 | Examination #2 – On Blackboard |
April 1 | Romulus to Hannibal
Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 1 |
Read: Bauer pp. 358-360, 431-436, 469-480, 555-561, 584-590, 607, 625-627, 629-641 |
April 6 | Roman Prosperity
Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 2 |
Read: Bauer pp. 644-647, 659-673, 676-678
|
April 8 | Roman Empire
Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 3 |
Read: Bauer pp. 680-696, 697-711
|
April 13 | Six Flags Over Israel | Read: Harrison pages 299-333
|
April 15 | Roman Provinces & Israel During The Intertestamental Period | Read: Bauer pp. 717-734 |
April 20 | War With Rome & The Destruction of the Temple | Turn In: A timeline combining the main events from the Hebrew Bible with the material from our textbooks. |
April 22 | No Class | No Class |
April 27 | Western Civilization & The Kingdom of God
(or) Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Art, Literature, etc. |
Read: Bauer pp. 735-744, 751-756, 759-777
Recommended:
|
April 29 – 1:00 | Final Examination | Final Examination In Class |