Highlights of theCourse Syllabus – Fall 2011

Early Western CivilizationHIS 1103

Stay In Touch…

• Instructor: Kevin Stilley• Office Hours: By Appointment• Email: kstilley@swbts.edu• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kevinstilley• Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/kevin.stilley

Catalog Description

• A study of the history and philosophy of western civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity.

(Why history AND philosophy?)

History is philosophy teaching by example and also by warning.~ Lord Bolingbroke

why WESTERN civilization

• Importance of the Greeks, Romans, Hebrews

Course Objectives

• Appreciation of God’s providence in the overall pattern of history.

• To gain knowledge of the main events, ideas and persons that have shaped western civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity.

• To understand how the Biblical record and western civilization are related and be able to outline the relationship between revelation and historical records.

• Development of the skill of applying history to contemporary ideas and issues

Look at the verbs

• Appreciate• Know• Understand• Apply

Required Texts

• Susan Wise Bauer. The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome – isbn. 039305974X

• Edgar J. Goodspeed. The Apocrypha – isbn. 0679724524

• Paul L. Maier. Josephus: The Essential Works — isbn. 082543260X

From the Preface of Andrew Murray’s book, The New Life

“Let every portion be read over at least three times. The great bane of all our converse with Divine things is superficiality. When we read anything and understand it somewhat, we think that this is enough. No: we must give time, that it may make an impression and wield its own influence upon us. Read every portion the first time with consideration, to understand the good that is in it, and then see if you receive benefit from the thoughts that are there expressed. Read it the second time to see if it is really in accordance with God’s word: take some, if not all, of the texts that are adduced on each point, and ponder them in order to come under the full force of what God has said on the point. Let your God, through His word, teach you what you must think and believe concerning Him and His will. Read it then the third time to find out the corresponding places, not in the Bible, but in your own life, in order to know if your life has been in harmony with the New Life, and to direct your life for the future entirely according to God’s word. I am fully persuaded that the time and pains spent on such converse with the word of God under the teaching of this or some book that helps you in dealing with it, will be rewarded tenfold.”

Recommended Texts

• A good historically oriented study Bible is strongly recommended. The ESV Study Bible is probably the best available.

• Lynn Troyka & Douglas Hesse. Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers, 8th ed.

Blackboard

• Blackboard and SWBTS student email will be used for class communications. The best internet browser to use for accessing Blackboard is Mozilla Firefox. Students should check both Blackboard and email daily for possible communications from the instructor. WARNING: Use of Blackboard requires that students pass an e-license test. Complete this test as early as possible during the semester to avoid being locked out of Blackboard at the time the first exam is being conducted via that medium. Alternative dates and formats for the test will NOT be offered.

Assignments

Grades will be determined based upon completion of three exams, two writing assignments/projects, and class participation.

Exams• Examination #1 (25%) - This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so

please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam. I recommend using Mozilla Firefox as your browser when taking the exam.

• Examination #2 (25%) - This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so

please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam. I recommend using Mozilla Firefox as your browser when taking the exam.

• Final Exam: (25%) - The date and time for the final exam does not

coincide with normal class days and times. You must make yourself available to take the final exam at the scheduled time during finals week. No alternative times or venues for the exam will be offered.

Writing Assignments / Projects (20%):

Two writing projects have been assigned for this semester.

– Create in the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons Why Christians should be interested in history?” It may be helpful to consult the list of quotations found at http://www.kevinstilley.com/history-select-quotes/ and view previous student responses at http://www.kevinstilley.com/reasons-why-christians-should-study-history/ . (5%)

– A timeline combining the main events from the Hebrew Bible with the

material from our textbooks. The project can take many forms and students are encouraged to use creativity in its creation (examples: board game, music, poetry, website, map, art, fashion, PowerPoint presentation, laser light show, etc. – but please, no body tattoos.). (15%)

Participation (5%):

• All students are expected to attend class, be punctual, and participate appropriately in classroom discussion. To engage in classroom discussion of the assigned reading it is imperative that all reading assignments be conducted in a timely fashion. Be prepared or we may have to resort to the scenario found at the following url; http://www.kevinstilley.com/a-warning-for-my-students/. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of all class sessions. Absences or tardiness will adversely affect your grade. Absences in excess of six will result in an automatic failure of the class. Students are free to record the class. Guests are generally welcome, but please notify the instructor in advance. Laptops, smart phones, and similar devices may NOT be used during class as their usefulness is far outweighed by their ability to create a distraction.

“This is what I have tried to do for students in insisting that they come to class regularly, after having carefully read the text. The student who does not do this work himself is unteachable. No teacher can really help him.” (James V. Schall, in A Students Guide to Liberal Learning)

Grades

Grades will be determined by the following scale: 100-98 (A+); 97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-); 89-88(B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78 (C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68 (D+); 67-63 (D); 62-60 (D-); Below 60 = F.

“When a man is busy at study, the Evil Impulse whispers to him: Why tarryest thou here. Go and join the men who flirt with pretty women.” - Talmud, Zohar, ii, 265b

Video

• Digital Nation• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/

digitalnation/view/

What Next?HIS 1103-A Topic Assignment Due TodayAugust 25 Introduction to Course -

Discussion of Syllabus

Please print out and bring your syllabus to this class session. Be prepared to share the following in 30 seconds – 1) where you are from, 2) why you are at Southwestern, and 3) something about you that is interesting.

August 30 What Is History and Why Should It Be Important to Christians?

Recommended: · Chapter 1 of Old Testament Times, by R.K. Harrison

[available as a pdf on Blackboard] Turn In: · In the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons

Why Christians Should Be Interested In History?”

September 1 Pre-history Read: · Bauer, Preface· The Everlasting Man - Chapter 2 (available on

Blackboard) Recommended: · Genesis 1-11

Roll & Introduction

• In 30 seconds please tell us1. Who you are (speak clearly)2. Where you are from3. Why you are here4. Something about you that is interesting• Examples: I once grew giant pumpkins as a hobby, I

went parasailing on my summer vacation, I was in Washington D.C. on 9/11/2001 and watched the smoke rise from the Pentagon after the plane crashed into it, I lived in Iceland for a year, I am the proud owner of a Xena: Warrior Prince doll, etc.

Roll & Introductions