HI 103 (S2) - World History I

Instructor: Dr. Kelly A. Minor
Location: Online Synchronous See Details Below
Date/Time: Monday-Friday 9:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Credit Hours: 3

A study of the world’s major civilizations prior to 1500, concentrating on their primary values and institutions, and their cultural contacts. Particular attention devoted to the Middle East, China, India, the Mediterranean world, and Western Europe.

Remote Summer Session II Online Delivery Method: Synchronous

Each week of this course meets synchronously daily Monday-Friday, 0945-1145 .Every class meeting day has tasks that you must complete that day at that time (just as in a seated class). All assigned work for a grade is due on a class day, almost always during the class time. However, to ease internet strain and access, there are no “live” audio/video elements (via Zoom, for example); instead, you will access a pre-recorded lecture anytime between 0945 and 2300 on the designated class day. Assigned course material requires reading in a physical textbook, taking a quiz on Canvas during class time, watching a lecture that plays directly on Canvas (nothing to download and no log-in), reading a set of documents delivered on Canvas or in a physical book, composing a short essay on that reading, submitting that essay on Canvas during class time, and concluding with a summative quiz taken on Canvas by 2300 on a specified day. All tests are delivered on Canvas and must be taken during class time; the final exam must be taken during the assigned exam time; there is no in-person requirement at any time.

There are no special technology or delivery requirements for this course. The only forms of communication are via Canvas and VMI email. No software is required other than what is already on Canvas, access to widely reliable and accessible word processing and slides programs (such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint), and the ability to open PDFs. The only hardware requirement is use of a personal computer with internet access. Reliance on a tablet or a phone as the only means to access the course is not recommended.

TEXTBOOK REQUIREMENTS FOR HI-103:

The Human Journey, Volume 1, Kevin Reilly, 2nd edition, 2019, ISBN:978-1-5381-0558-0

Black Death, The Great Mortality of 1348-1350. A Brief History with Documents, Second Edition, 2017, John Aberth, editor, ISBN:9781319048877 (paper), ISBN:9781319049911 (digital)

Spartacus and the Slave Wars. A Brief History with Documents, Second Edition, 2018, Brent D. Shaw, editor, ISBN:9781319094829 (paper), ISBN:9781319104702 (digital)

Final Exam: July 23rd 8-11 a.m.