Time Schedule:
Patricia B. Ebrey
HSTAS 490
Seattle Campus
Class description
This lecture-discussion class will explore some of the really big questions in history: Why did empires rises in some places rather than others? What accounts for the size and durability of civilizations? What can we attribute to technology? To geography? To ideas? There will be no attempt to cover the facts of world history; emphasis rather will be on processes, patterns, and explanatory frameworks.
Student learning goals
To gain familiarity with ways of thinking about world history
General method of instruction
lecture and discussion of readings
Recommended preparation
prior coursework in old world history
Class assignments and grading
a short paper (4-6 pages) that reviews an article and a long (8-10 page) research paper
25 % short paper 50 % long paper 25 % discussion of readings
