Information Package
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Program of American Culture and Literature (English)

ACL111

HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATIONS 1

Course Code
ACL111
Semester
First Term (Fall)
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
5
Course TypeCompulsory Course
Course LevelBachelor's Degree
Year of Study1
SemesterFirst Term (Fall)
ECTS5
Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Comprehend the characteristics of historical periods from the classical period to the Age of Reason.
  2. Discuss the development of social, political, cultural, artistic and philosophical history of western civilization.
  3. Analyze the effects of cultural structure and works of classical period on western culture.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme Components
Course DescriptionThis course is a survey of social, political, cultural, philosophical and artistic history of western civilization from the classical period to the Age of Reason. The course introduces Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Medieval, Renaissance and Reformation periods and provides a basic understanding of the characteristics of the Western world by enhancing students' critical reading and thinking skills.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Course introduction / Why Study History? What is Civilization?
2nd Week The Birth of Civilization: Origins of humans / Prehistory
3rd Week Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations - Assignment #1: Hammurabi Codes
4th Week Greek & Hellenistic Civilization I: Early Greek civilizations, city states, Greek myths
5th Week No class. Assignment #2
6th Week Greek & Hellenistic Civilization I (continue) - Midterm I
7th Week Greek & Hellenistic Civilization II - Early/Classic Greek philosophy and science - Reading: Excerpts from the Republic/Assignment #3 (review)
8th Week Greek & Hellenistic Civilization III - Greek Literature (tragedy, comedy, history)
9th Week Roman Civilization I - Historical background, geography, politics, social life.
10th Week Roman Civilization II - Architecture, science, and literature. - Assignment #4: Roman heritage in Turkey
11th Week Midterm Exam II
12th Week Christianity/New Testament - The Great Schism and Orthodoxy - An introduction to the Bible mythology / Biblical representations in fine arts - Assignment #5
13th Week Medieval Europe I: General overview and key themes, art and architecture. Recommended movie: The Name of the Roses - Assignment #6 (movie review)
14th Week Medieval Europe II: Byzantine Empire - Rise of Islam / The Crusades - Assignment #7: Byzantine heritage in Istanbul
15th Week No class (New Year)
Recommended or Required ReadingCole, Joshua and Carol Symes. Western Civilizations I. W. W. Norton and Company, 2020.
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 2 50
Assignment 5 10
Total(%) 60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 40
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 2 2
Preparation for Quiz 2 2 4
Individual or group work 14 4 56
Preparation for Final exam 1 8 8
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 4 4
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 8 8
Homework 2 4 8
Quiz 2 2 4
Total Work Load136
Total Work Load / 30 (h)4.53
ECTS Credit of the Course5
Language of InstructionEnglish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

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