Introduction

Lsn 1

Syllabus Review

• Objective/Theme• Texts• Grading• Schedule

– Blocks 1 through 9• Office hours• Academic honesty• Classroom conduct

ID & SIG• Identify and state the significance of…• Should be three sentences with an emphasis on

the significance portion• Example: equal-field system

– The equal-field system governed the allocation of agricultural land in China during the Tang Dynasty. Land was allotted to individuals and their families based on the land’s fertility and the recipient’s needs. The system ensured an equitable distribution of land and helped avoid the concentration of landed property that had caused social problems during the Han Dynasty.

Writing Requirement

• 700 to 1,000 word analytical paper• Analytical writing• Thesis

Analytical Writing

• GRE Analytical Writing Measure assesses the applicant's ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively examine claims and accompanying evidence support ideas with relevant reasons and examples sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion control the elements of standard written English

Thesis

• “a position or proposition that a person ... advances and offers to maintain by argument”

• Webster’s Dictionary

Writing Style• Put the thesis and proofs -- the “bottom line” -- in the

first paragraph (BLUF = Bottom line up front).• Each paragraph addresses one main idea and that idea

is clearly stated in the topic sentence.– Write paragraphs that average about 7 sentences in

length. • Document using MLA or APA.

– Use college-level sources. If your main source is wikipedia or some other .org source, you’re probably not using appropriate sources.

• Do not use contractions.

Writing Style• Use quotations for impact (to cite an authority, to get exact

wording, or to connect an important person with a particular thought). Put them in context. Do not have a whole sentence be a quotation.

• Avoid the first person.• If you feel compelled to use them at all, use rhetorical

questions sparingly.• Use the active voice.• Write for your audience, but, in general, keep it simple

– Use short sentences (an average of 15 or fewer words). – Understand the words you use.

• Use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Organization: “M1A1 Paper”

• Intro… tell them what you’re going to tell them

• Body… tell them

• Conclusion… tell them what you told them

Example• Introduction

– The University of Southern Mississippi is the best all-around university in the state. It has a diversity of majors that allows students to explore a range of academic disciplines. Its central location facilitates easy trips home for the weekend as well as opportunities to visit some of the Gulf South’s most culturally significant locations. It has a richness of student life where every student can find an extracurricular activity that meets his interest. These attributes make the University of Southern Mississippi the ideal choice for a wide variety of students.

Example

• Para 2– Majors

• Para 3– Location

• Para 4– Student life

Example

• Conclusion– There is something for everyone at USM. Whether a

student wants to major in dance or polymer science, he can get a quality education here. Hattiesburg is truly “the Hub City,” and USM’s location provides easy access to such places as the Gulf Coast, New Orleans, and Jackson. Finally, USM offers abundant student life opportunities ranging from fraternities and sororities to intercollegiate athletics to clubs. USM is the total package. It is the best all-around university in the state.

How to Succeed• Plan ahead/Prioritize• Come to class• Do the reading• Print out the slides (using “handouts” option; 6 per page)• Highlight the ID & SIGs on the slides• Take your class notes directly on the slides• Use the exam study guides to prepare for exams• Use me and the History Writing Lab for help with your

papers• Use the “backward planning process” to help focus your

paper preparation

Backward Planning Process

• Due• Finalize• Writing lab draft• Works Cited• Paras 4 and 5• Paras 2 and 3• Prep Day/Obtain all

sources/Make outline

• Workshop/Finalize introduction

• Write draft introduction

• Determine proofs• Write thesis• Initial research• Pick a subject• Today

August 2008

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Intro para due No classGo to library and get sources

Make outline Finish para 2

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Finish para 3

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Finish para 4 Finish para 5 Finish works cited page

Have friend proofread paper

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Take draft to Writing Lab

Finalize Paper Paper Due

31

Sample Notebook• A. Syllabus (key dates and info highlighted)• B. Calendar (key dates and your plan to accomplish the requirements)• C. Grade sheet and all graded work• D. Slides (printed six per page in handouts style, ID & SIGs

highlighted, notes in the margins)• E. ID & SIGs (each lessons terms on notebook paper, your best effort

at answering them done the night before with a couple lines left blank to fill in additional info during class)

• F. Map study guide• G. Paper (first para, drafts, writing lab info, outline)• H. Subjective quiz study guide• H. Mid term study guide• I. Final exam study guide• J. World Civ Film Series Extra Credits• K. Miscellaneous

Other Tips for Success• Keep up with your notebook• Sit in the front 1/3 of the class• Attend every class• Show me your first para and paper drafts before they’re due• Show me your mid term and final exam study guides before the exam• Take notes in class on the slides• Give yourself a practice exam under “game day conditions” • Go to the History Writing Lab• Have a buddy “grade” your first para and paper using the rubrics in

the syllabus• Follow the following daily routine:

– Study the ID & SIGs from the previous lesson (15 minutes)– Read the assigned pages (15 minutes)– Print out the slides and review them, highlight the ID & SIGs, and

answer the ID & SIGs as homework (30 minutes)

Civilization

• The highest cultural grouping of people and the broadest level of cultural identity people have short of that which distinguishes humans from other species.

• Defined both by common objective elements, such as language, history, religion, customs, institutions, and by the subjective self-identification of people.– Samuel Huntington, “The Clash of Civilizations?”

Characteristics of a Civilization• Intensive agricultural techniques• Specialization of labor• Cities• A social hierarchy• Organized religion and education• Development of complex forms of economic

exchange• Development of new technologies• Advanced development of the arts. (This can

include writing.)

rivers

agriculture

populations

cities

specialization

hierarchy

Agriculture

Inca terrace farmingEgyptian Shaduf

Specialization of Labor

African basketsEgyptian

Vasemaker

Cities

Cahokia Mounds Timbuktu

Social Hierarchy

Ancient Egypt Medieval Serfs

Religion

14th Century Mosque at Kilwa

Mosaic icon of Christ from

Hagia Sophia

Economic Exchange

The Silk Road

New Technologies

Bronze Age Metallurgy Greek Fire

Art

Music and dance depicted on a Greek drinking cup Mona Lisa

Next Lesson

• Egypt