North South University

Department of History and Philosophy

Course Title: Introduction to World Civilization
Course Code: LBA 102
SUMMER 2016

Course teacher: Dr Mohammad Mozahidul Islam,

mozahidul.islam@northsouth.edu

SECTION 1: MW 04:20PM-05:50PM
CONTACT HOURS: 2:30PM-4:00PM
Room# NAC 216

Introduction to World Civilization, course code LBA 102, is designed to provide a brief
overview of the history of civilized life since its inceptions some 5,000 years ago. Itdeals with
the history of civilization throughout the globe: the East and West. Its narrative embraces every
major epoch, but the treatment of topics is selective and follows definite patterns and hierarchies.
Unlike the traditional historical approach which emphasis to the acts of “the captains and the
kings”, the course deliberately tilts toward social and cultural topics, as well as toward the long-
term processes that affect the lives of the millions. The evolution of law and the formative
powers of religion upon early government, for example, receive considerably more attention than
wars and diplomatic arrangements. Likewise, the rise of industrial working classes in cities is
accorded more space than the trade policies of governments.

Aims of the Course

1. To develop students’ knowledge of the key events, ideas and processes that have shaped
today’s world.

2. To provide students with an empirical and theoretical foundation for the further study of
global studies in general, and civilizations in particular.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. The course aims to offer insight into the historical changes and continuities that have
shaped today’s world. It is hoped that at the end of the course students will have a
broader understanding and further curiosity of the history, culture and heritage of the
world. They should also be able to appreciate the importance and relevance of history as
a bridge between the past, present and the future.

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 2. By the end of this module, the student should be able to evaluate of international politics
from a theoretically grounded point of view.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

Day 1

Introduction to the class and the course

Day 2
Pre-historic Age and Background of Man’s settlement

Day 3
Mesopotamian Civilization (The ‘Fertile Crescent’; The Sumerian origins of Mesopotamian
civilization and their developments; The Old Babylonian developments; The metamorphosis
under Assyrians; The rise of the Lydians and the Medes; The Chaldean Renascence.)

Day 4
Egyptian Civilization (Geographical location and climatic condition – importance of the Nile;
The Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom; Divine kingship and the New Kingdom; Egyptian
life and their achievements)

Day 5
Chinese Civilizations (Geographical features; The formative stage; The Shang dynasty - their
creativity and culture; The Chou period – the ‘Classical Age’; The state of Ch’in and its reforms;
The rise of philosophical schools – Confucianism, Taoism and Mencius doctrine; The Han Era ;
Spread of Buddhism and its impact.)

Day 6
Persian Civilization (The formative stage; Various aspects of their life and achievements;
administration and reforms; religion; arts and architecture; literature and learning; and medical
sciences)

Day 7
Greek Civilization(an overview of the Greek civilization; The Hellenic era: The Homeric Age,
the City States, and the age of oligarchy; Athens – social life, development of democracy, and
the Dalian League; Sparta – militarism, the Peloponnesian League, and the Peloponnesian war;
The Mecidonian Era – contribution to philosophy, culture and history; The Hellenistic
civilization – art, architecture, learning and sciences. )

Day 8
Roman Civilization; Roman Empire and the Barbarians; Civilization of the East Roman Empire

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Day 9
Feudalism (Origin and nature of feudalism; Essential features of feudalism; the manorial system
and its impact on society and economy of Europe; Chivalry)

Day 10
Civilization under the ‘Holy Roman Empire’

Day 11
The Rise of Trade and Towns

Day 12
Medieval Education: The rise of universities and their influence upon the society

Day 13
Civilization of China and Japan in the Medieval Period

Day 14
The Crusades

Day 15
Renaissance in Europe and its influences

Day 16
Nation, Treaties, States, and Citizens

Day 17
Imperialism and Colonialism

Day 18
The French Revolution

Day 19
The Industrial Revolution and Nineteenth Century Society

Day 20
Modern Industry and Mass Politics, 1870-1914

Day 21
World War I (1914-1918): Causes and results

Day 22
World War II (1939-1945): Causes and aftermath

Day 23
Decolonization and the emergence of the ‘Third World’

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Day 24
The West and the World after the WWII

Recommended texts:
[A list will be provided later.]

Teaching and learning method

Classes would be as interactive as possible, with maximum participation from the students.
Learning will be through a combination of class lectures, reviews of books and films as well as
assigned research. If possible, visits to historical and archeological sites will be encouraged.

Assessment: In assessing a student’s performance we will consider the following criteria:

1. Factual knowledge and understanding of a topic

2. Skills in argumentation and analysis
3. Linguistic skill and clarity of expression

Marks distribution
Attendance and participation 5%
Mid-Term Exam 1 25% To be held on the 7th Class
Mid-Term Exam 2 25% To be held on the 14th Class
Quize-1 5%
Quize-2 5%
Take-home Assignment 5% To be handed over to the course teacher on the 20th
Class
Final Exam 30% Date to be announced by the NSU authority

Grade Table
Numerical Letter Grade Grade Numerical Letter Grade Points
Scores Points Per Scores Grade Per Credit
Credit
93 and A Excellent 4.0 90 - 92 A- 3.7
above
87 - 89 B+ 3.3 83 - 86 B Good 3.0
80 - 82 B- 2.7 77 - 79 C+ 2.3
73 - 76 C Average 2.0 70 - 72 C- 1.7
67 - 69 D+ 1.3 60 - 66 D Poor 1.0
Below 60 F* Failure 0.0 Incomplete I 0.0
Withdrawal W 0.0 Retaken R 0.0

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Points to ponder: (i) students are expected to attend all classes; any student expecting
reasonable absence in the class consult the course teacher in advance; a student who misses a
class is not excused from his/her obligations to the course teacher. (ii) make-up/re-take
examination/assignments are not allowed; any missed examination/assignment will be
considered as a zero credit point. (iii) cheating in examination by any means, copying from
another student’s paper, plagiarism, or any other sort of academic dishonesty may cause an F
grade in the course. (iv) students are advised to check the university policies relevant to
courses, examinations and academic honesty.