Course goals and learning outcomes support the Foundational Component Areas defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Course goals are linked to the respective Core Curriculum Competencies: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility. Specific competencies are identified in designated course goals and learning outcomes.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Create an argument through the use of historical evidence by using appropriate reading, listening, writing, and critical analysis skills by
1. comprehending text materials and other documents;
2. demonstrating an understanding of lectures, presentations, and film;
3. preparing written work as assigned.
Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources by
1. comprehending primary and secondary sources as part of a larger understanding of the discipline of history and how historians work;
2. demonstrating an understanding of various interpretations of specified historical events.
Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of western history by
1. describing the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean world;
2. describing the growth and rivalry of the Greek city states;
3. demonstrating an understanding the development of the Roman republic and its key figures;
4. explaining the influence of the Roman empire;
5. describing the efforts and influence of Charlemagne;
6. explaining the growth of the papacy and its influence;
7. explaining the motivations and impact of the Crusades;
8. identifying the early nation states of Europe;
9. explaining the causes and impact of the Hundred Years War;
10. explaining the causes and impact of the Plague;
11. explaining the significance and influence of the Renaissance;
12. explaining the causes and impact of the Reformation;
13. explaining the causes and impact of the Thirty Years War;
14. demonstrating an understanding of the Scientific Revolution;
15. explaining the genesis of absolute monarchy.
Demonstrate an understanding of how history is related to other disciplines by
1. comprehending the relationship of history to economics;
2. comprehending the relationship of history to sociology;
3. comprehending the relationship of history to psychology;
4. comprehending the relationship of history to literature;
5. comprehending the relationship of history to philosophy;
6. comprehending the relationship of history to the arts;
7. comprehending the relationship of history to other relevant disciplines.
Demonstrate an understanding of western civilization’s place in the global scheme of things, both historically and as a prelude for understanding both the present and the future by
1. describing the various types of governments that have shaped western civilization and their influence on history;
2. describing the major religions with an emphasis on the rise of Christianity and its spread and influence upon the world;
3. demonstrating an understanding of the significance of technology;
4. explaining the collapse of the Roman empire and its impact on history.
Critical Thinking Skills: Demonstrate critical thinking skills by
1. reading, analyzing, and critiquing historical documents;
2. demonstrating knowledge of major arguments and problems in history;
3. discussing well-reasoned historical arguments;
4. explaining how competing approaches within the discipline are evaluated.
Communication Skills: Demonstrate communication skills by
1. defining and appropriately using important historical terms;
2. explaining different interpretations of historical events;
3. presenting and discussing well-reasoned positions in oral, written, or visual form.
Social Responsibility: Demonstrate social responsibility by
1. discussing the importance of presenting differing views of historical events and figures;
2. identifying opposing sides of events in history and understanding the accounts of all sides in major events.
Personal Responsibility: Demonstrate personal responsibility by
1. applying a historical perspective to the world we live in;
2. recognizing how history has impacted various groups of people in different ways.

HIST 2311

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HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I