History 4A: Early Western Civilization
I will be teaching this course again in Fall 2026 ~ I can't wait!
Meanwhile, check out the other courses I teach by clicking on "Courses" up in the right hand corner.
Welcome!
I am so excited to return to teaching History 4A! I have always been interested in digging into all the new ideas about the development of civilization, and even whether or not there is a “West.” In fact, I started out my academic career studying archaeology – Lucy was wonderful! Now there’s Ardi! In Summer 2019 I traveled throughout Eastern and Western Europe, Istanbul, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv. I gained a deep appreciation for the long histories present in these areas. In Fall 2020 I enhanced my travel experiences by adding a sabbatical spent reading the Cambridge series on World History published in 2015 that added all the latest research to my considerations for this course. We will warm up with some of the latest research on early migrations out of Africa, define “civilization” and look at some of the earliest settlements, discover agriculture, writing systems, early western philosophies, all kinds of different gods and rival emergent states. The pyramids of Egypt and the mysterious Book of the Dead… the Golden Age of Greece, the Roman Empire, what could possibly be more fun? The Dark Ages! Aside from the rampant itchy skin diseases, extraordinary malnutrition, short life spans, horrific plagues, and determined search for heretics, the era produced significant changes that we consider a move toward modern civilization. In fact, if we consider Medieval Europe a “blank slate” it might explain the creative ways that Arab and Eastern knowledge successfully mixed it all up to create new breakthroughs in knowledge and world views. The Renaissance that followed gave rise to the modern mind – defined by the use of the scientific method to apply reason to society, government, religion, trade, everything! Join Me!
How to Enroll
Enrolling Before Class Begins
If you would like to take this course, and there are still available seats, register for this class online. If the class is full but there are seats available on the waitlist, put your name on the waitlist. Waitlisted students will receive first priority to add the class as seats become available. If the waitlist is full, students need to find an alternate section of the course.
Enrolling After the First Day of Class
If you would like to take this course and the course has already started, you need to request an authorization online. After you request an authorization online, I will receive a notification of your request and either approve it or deny it depending on the number of students already enrolled. If I approve your request, you will receive an email in your CCSF student email. This email will provide instructions for how to add the class online. You will then be enrolled. All students who add the course after the first day of class will be expected to immediately catch up on all coursework already assigned.
Important Dates
This course is completed entirely online with no required in-person meetings. Please check all important course dates in the official online class schedule. These dates include the first day of class, the last day to drop with a refund, the last day to drop with a W, the date of the final.
Required Text and Materials
There is no textbook required for this course. This Course uses all free online resources that are already embedded in the Canvas Shell.
Syllabus
Course syllabus for Spring 2024
Fall 2025: CRN: 71243 Sec. 961 SYLLABUS